How to Get a Master’s in Organizational Psychology: Requirements & Prerequisites

Psychology has different fields, such as industrial psychology, social psychology, applied psychology, professional psychology, etc. Any of these fields could be your psychology major. After four years of undergrad, the next step along your career path may be to earn your organizational psychology master’s degree—an exciting educational opportunity, but how do you do it? Masters programs are often revered for their impressive faculty, extensive entrance requirements, and selective admissions officers.

However, a master’s in organizational psychology may teach you invaluable skills in understanding human behavior and workplace culture. This may, in turn, open up new and thrilling career opportunities for you.

Curious to know how to get started? Keep reading for information on graduate programs, Organizational Psychology degree requirements, financial aid, and more. 

#1 Decide If An Organizational Psychology Degree Is Right for You

Do you have what it takes to become an organizational psychologists? Before you start writing a stand-out essay or collecting reference letters, you first must decide if the educational journey and potential career possibilities align with your current goals and expectations. 

An Organizational Psychology degree teaches students about human behavior so they can apply relevant research and practices to workplace relationships. When studying human behavior, you’re learning the ways in which our actions inform our interactions. From there, what you study can be used to transform a professional environment into a more fulfilling workplace. 

According to the American Psychological Association, organizational, as well as industrial, psychologists often conduct research and institute solutions related to:¹

• Overall company productivity and efficiency
• Employee morale and satisfaction
• Healthy workplace practices
• Employee assessment for certain skills or leadership potential
• Human resource or project management

Does that all sound interesting and appealing? Then you may have found yourself in the right field.

#2 Find the Right Program

For some graduate students, applying to graduate school programs can feel more rigorous and involved than when they originally applied to undergrad. But beyond all the logistical concerns, one of the most challenging aspects is finding a graduate program that excites you.

So, how do you choose the right organizational psychology degree program for you? Here are a few steps you can take:²

• Research a variety of potential programs and sort them according to how closely they match your needs, as well as your estimated chance of admissions.
• Prioritize schools that hire faculty with years of experience in the field of organizational psychology and who may become great mentors for you.
• Determine if the university has the resources to support you, including the class styles and sizes that help you learn best.
• Consult with current students and alumni from that school and department. 

Finding the right organizational psychology program requires careful research—if you’re eager about a future master’s degree, it’s never too early to start browsing. 

Deciding Between Online and In-Person Classes

With more graduate school programs now offering online courses, it may be beneficial to consider your priorities and if you’ll learn best online or in a classroom:

• Online education offers some flexibility in scheduling and location. If you’re a parent or wish to continue working while getting your education, an online program can be a helpful option.
• In-person learning gives you hands-on opportunities and a distraction-free environment to focus and learn, as well as opportunities to socialize and network with like-minded students and potential future colleagues.

#3 Determine Tuition Costs and Financial Aid

The cost of tuition can be a major barrier when getting a master’s in organizational psychology. However, between affordable online programs and financial aid packages, students may be able to obtain advanced degrees.

Several factors can influence tuition costs, such as:

• If the school is in-state or out-of-state
• The cost of living either on-campus or near the area
• Whether the school is public, private, for-profit, or non-profit
• The time it takes to complete the degree

A typical master’s degree can take two to three years to complete depending on how many credits you take each semester. It’s important to determine financial aid availability beforehand if you need extra help covering the costs.

#4 Meet Admissions and Degree Requirements

All graduate programs will have specific degree requirements, as well as a list of materials that will factor into their admissions decision. To qualify for a master’s degree, for example, the organizational psychology requirements typically include a bachelor’s degree in a related field.

While the other requested materials may vary from school to school, some general requirements for admissions include:

• An official transcript
• A completed online application
• A personal statement
• A current resume
• Letters of recommendations

Some schools will set minimum entry requirements that include a certain GPA or GRE test score, though many schools look at applicants holistically to determine candidacy.

Study Organizational Psychology at Alliant International University

With so many available options, the question still remains: where should you go to study organizational psychology? 

If you’re looking for on-campus or online scheduling options, hands-on training, and global networking opportunities, then Alliant International University may be the right fit for you. 

Our organizational psychology master’s degree program may be the right fit for you. Request information about our graduate degree today. 

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Sources:

1.  “Pursuing a Career in I/O Psychology.” American Psychological Association, American Psychological Association, 2013. https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide/subfields/organizational/edu…. Accessed: December 30, 2021.
2. “How to Choose a Grad School,” The Princeton Review. https://www.princetonreview.com/grad-school-advice/choosing-a-school. Accessed: December 30, 2021.