Program Overview

Master of Science In Industrial/Organizational Psychology

The Master's of Science in Industrial/Organizational (MSIO) Psychology program is a rigorous, 36-unit program designed to prepare students to enhance organizational performance and human well-being in professional settings. Students learn and develop skills through seminars, practicum experience, engagement in research, and development of a professional portfolio or a research thesis.

Admission & Application

Important Dates For Fall 2026

• University and Department applications deadline: December 1, 2025
• Transcripts deadline: December 22, 2025
• Financial Aid CSULB Priority deadline: see university's Financial Aid and Scholarships page
• First day of Fall 2026 Instruction: August 24, 2026

Admissions Requirements

• You must have a bachelor's degree in Psychology from a four-year accredited college or university, or a bachelor's in another area and the equivalent of four lower division and eight upper division CSULB courses.
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5
• Prerequisite coursework must include the following CSULB courses (or equivalents):
  • PSY 220: Research Methods
  • PSY 310: Intermediate Statistics (requires Introductory Statistics)
  • PSY 314: Psychological Assessment
  • PSY 351: Social Psychology
  • PSY 381: Introduction to Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  • PSY 453/553: Principles of Group Dynamics

Application

The following documents must be submitted:

• University application
• MSIO Department Application for Admission
• Statement of Purpose
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• MSIO Prerequisite List
• Last 60/90 Units GPA Computation Form
• Psychology GPA Computation Form
• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Unofficial transcripts from schools other than your Bachelor's degree-granting institution

Tuition, Assistantships, & Scholarships

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees will depend on each student's residency status and semester unit load. Typically MSIO students take three courses (9 units) per semester, for a total of four semesters.

Graduate Assistant (GA) Positions

GA positions are available on a competitive basis. Successful Psychology applicants who accept a program offer and are eligible to work in the US will be invited to submit a GA application.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

Information about Scholarships and Financial Aid is available through the university.

Learning Outcomes & Program Requirements

Candidates in this program are responsible for observing the general requirements stated in the University Catalog as well as requirements specified by the Psychology Department.

Sample Course Schedule

The MSIO Program features a 36-unit full-time, four-semester curriculum, with either a Professional Portfolio or Thesis as the capstone project. Students must maintain both a minimum cumulative and program GPA of 3.0 and successfully defend their capstone project.

SAMPLE SCHEDULE

1ST FALL SEMESTER

• PSY 582 – Research in Industrial Psychology
• PSY 585 – Personnel Psychology
• Statistics or Elective

1ST SPRING SEMESTER

• PSY 515 – Test Construction
• PSY 581 – Organizational Psychology
• Statistics or Elective

2ND FALL SEMESTER

• PSY 683 – Issues in Organizational Development
• PSY 686 – Issues in Training
• Statistics or Elective

2ND SPRING SEMESTER

• PSY 688 – Practicum in Industrial Organizational
• PSY 699 – Directed Research/Portfolio and Elective OR
• PSY 698 – Thesis (6 units)

MSIO Faculty Mentors

• Gino Galvez, Professor, PhD, Portland State University
• Christopher Warren, Professor, PhD, Tulane University, Industrial-Organizational Psychology
• Amy Wax, Associate Professor, PhD, Georgia Institute of Technology, Industrial-Organizational Psychology
• David Whitney, Professor, PhD, Michigan State University

Current Students and Alumni

Information about current students and alumni is available through the department.