Industrial-Organizational Psychology, MA

Program Information

This graduate program prepares students to enter or advance in the field of industrial-organizational psychology and allied disciplines. Students will receive thorough grounding in the field’s major theoretical frameworks, consulting and other professional practice models, and individual, team and organizational research methods. Graduates of the program assume leadership roles in industrial-organizational psychology in small, medium, and large organizations in a variety of fields such as technology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, entertainment, or work in global consulting firms servicing US and international clients. This program is a STEM-designated degree program.

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology will be able to:

Apply major theoretical frameworks from industrial-organizational psychology to understand and improve individual, team, and organizational functioning in diverse, global, and technology-enabled work environments.
Design, implement, and evaluate assessment and measurement systems to inform evidence-based decisions related to selection, development, performance management, and organizational effectiveness, including the responsible use of digital tools, people analytics, and AI-informed decision supports.
Use research methods and data analysis to diagnose organizational challenges, interpret findings, and communicate actionable recommendations to stakeholders operating in complex, data-rich organizational systems.
Develop and support interventions at the individual, team, and organizational levels, including leadership development, organizational change, coaching, and consulting initiatives in evolving workplace contexts.
Analyze ethical, cultural, and technological factors that influence people management practices, including diversity and inclusion, workforce trends, and the impact of emerging technologies on work, leadership, and organizational life.

Requirements for the Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

The Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology requires completion of 30 units in the advanced program, with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 or better in courses taken at Golden Gate University that are applicable to the program’s requirements. For further information regarding graduation requirements, see Academic Requirements for Graduate Programs .

Advanced Program - 30 units

Core Courses - 24 units

LEAD 302 Dynamics of Leadership and Organizational Behavior 3 unit(s)
PSYCH 308 Applied Psychological Research 3 unit(s)
PSYCH 344 Organizational Assessment, Selection, and Performance Evaluation 3 unit(s)
PSYCH 345 Organizational Behavior and Development 3 unit(s)
PSYCH 349 Executive Coaching Theory and Practice 3 unit(s)
PSYCH 354 Consulting Skills 3 unit(s)
PSYCH 355 Diversity in Organizations 3 unit(s)
PSYCH 356 Conflict Resolution: Ethics, Theory and Practice 3 unit(s)

Elective Courses - 6 units

Select two of the following:

HRM 302 Acquiring and Retaining Human Resources 3 unit(s)
HRM 306 Learning and Development 3 unit(s)
HRM 308 Ethics in Managing People At Work 3 unit(s)
MBA 311 Strategic Analysis and Design 3 unit(s)
MGT 345 Context of Business 3 unit(s)
PM 340 Introduction to Project Management 3 unit(s)
PSYCH 320 Therapeutic Communication and Counseling Skills 3 unit(s)
PSYCH 361 Coaching: Interpersonal Skills and Practices 3 unit(s)
PSYCH 398 Internship: Applied Psychology 1-3 unit(s)
Additional courses offered by the Ageno School of Business may be used to fulfill this requirement in consultation with the program director and/or the student’s academic advisor.