Program Overview

Introduction to Industrial/Organizational Psychology

The Industrial/Organizational Psychology program is designed to apply psychological science to the study of work, with the goal of improving employee experiences and organizational performance. This field focuses on topics such as efficiency, productivity, equity, training, and employee wellbeing, and is grounded in the scientist-practitioner approach.

Program Overview

The Industrial/Organizational Psychology program at Fairfield offers two master's-level programs of study:

• A traditional Master of Science program in Industrial/Organizational Psychology, which requires the completion of 39 credits of approved courses.
• An Accelerated MS program for eligible Fairfield University Psychology majors, which requires the satisfactory completion of 11 credits at the undergraduate level and 30 additional credits at the graduate level.

Certificates

The program also offers two 12-credit certificates:

• Personnel Psychology Certificate, ideal for those working in human resources, talent development, or talent acquisition.
• Organizational Psychology Certificate, ideal for those working in strategic HR, management, organizational change/development, consulting, or program evaluation.

Curriculum

The program focuses on breadth, exposing graduate students to the many different sides of I/O psychology and potential career options. A major curriculum update was implemented in 2022, resulting in a modern and comprehensive series of courses, covering topics such as:

• Consulting and OD
• Training
• Teamwork
• Conflict management
• Coaching
• Equity
• Research methodologies

Fieldwork

The program includes one semester of fieldwork, during which students apply the knowledge and skills they developed across their coursework to a real-world project.

Comprehensive Examination

The final assessment for the program is a comprehensive exam, which takes place in the last semester of each student's program plan. Successful completion of the master's comprehensive examination is required of all candidates.

Career Opportunities

Most graduates of the I/O Psychology MS program work in organizational settings after graduation, while others use their time in the program to strengthen their academic backgrounds in psychology before pursuing further graduate studies at other institutions. Graduates of the program can assume positions in for-profit and non-profit organizations in human resources, training, consulting, research, organizational development, recruiting, and similar specialties.

Courses

The program includes a range of courses, such as:

• PSYC 5110: The Psychology of Work: Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• PSYC 5210: Team Processes
• PSYC 5310: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Work
• PSYC 5410: Conflict Management and Negotiation
• PSYC 5810: Behavioral Statistics
• PSYC 5820: Research in Psychology
• PSYC 6230: Program Evaluation
• PSYC 6260: Employee Development and Training Programs
• PSYC 6310: Effective Interviewing and Survey Design
• PSYC 6410: Consulting and Organizational Development
• PSYC 6520: Performance Coaching
• PSYC 6850: Fieldwork in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• PSYC 6999: Comprehensive Exam in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Faculty

The program is led by a team of experienced faculty, including:

• Professor Andreychik
• Associate Professor of the Practice Tomlin, director
• Visiting Assistant Professor Vardsveen
• Lecturer Baitch
• Lecturer Ciccia
• Lecturer Lewis

Admission

Admission to the Industrial/Organizational Psychology program is accepted on a rolling basis. After all components of the application are received, candidates are invited for an interview with one of the faculty members. Each candidate is provided with a faculty advisor, who outlines a planned program of study.