Program Overview

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Overview

The Industrial/Organizational-Social Psychology graduate sequence focuses on the application of psychological theory and methodology in employment and social settings. The sequence is designed to prepare students as scientist-practitioners who use psychological theory and methodology to address the problems associated with industrial, business, and government organizations, as well as the problems of individuals and groups in these settings. Students may focus their graduate study on either Industrial/Organizational Psychology or Social Psychology.

The master's degree can be completed in two years with full-time enrollment on campus.

Point of Pride

Roughly two-thirds of our Industrial/Organizational-Social Psychology graduates work as applied practitioners in organizations, consulting, or research settings, and one-third choose to continue on to a Ph.D. program.

Graduate Advisor

Dr. Dan Ispas

DeGarmo 441

University Admission Requirements

A student applying to this program must:

• Have earned a four-year bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college or university that is accredited by the appropriate regional accrediting association, or do so by the time of program matriculation.
• Submit unofficial transcripts from each college or university other than Illinois State at which graduate, undergraduate, or non-degree credit was earned. The unofficial transcript should be easily readable and clearly indicate degree(s) awarded, courses and course grades for each term.
• If admitted, official domestic transcripts can be emailed from the university to [Graduate School email] or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, Graduate School, 208 Hovey Hall, Campus Box 4040, Normal, IL.
• If admitted, official international transcripts can be emailed directly from the international institution to [Graduate School email] or mailed in a sealed envelope to: Illinois State University, International Admissions, Campus Box 6180, Normal, IL.

Additional Program Admission Requirements

Complete your application by January 1.

Admission is offered only for the fall semester and is very competitive. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission. Admission offers are sent in March. The Council for Graduate Schools stipulates that an applicant has until April 15 to accept or decline an admission offer. Some admission offers may be delayed until applicants notify the department that they are declining admission.

GPA

You must have a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework or 3.0 GPA for 9 hours of graduate coursework.

The Grade Point Average (GPA) of all undergraduate credentials earned in the United States that are used for graduate degree admission evaluation is calculated by the last 60 hours of undergraduate work. International credentials are evaluated by using cumulative GPA (CGPA) in lieu of the GPA from the last 60 hours of undergraduate work.

Undergraduate Coursework

It is recommended that the applicants meet the following criteria:

• Have an undergraduate major in psychology or related fields (e.g., business, sociology, human development)
• Have taken at least six credit hours combined of statistics and research methods and one course on industrial/organizational psychology and/or social psychology

You’ll also need to have a proficiency in math. This includes:

• Passing grade in Finite Math or Pre-Calculus (MAT 120, 144, or equivalent)
• B grade or better in Psychological Statistics (PSY 340 or equivalent) or a score 144 or higher on the Quantitative Reasoning section of the GRE General Test

If you have not completed the required undergraduate courses, you may still be admitted. Missing courses will be added to your curriculum and must be completed during your first year of graduate study.

GRE Scores

The GRE is not required for applicants and will not be used to evaluate applicants. The GRE may be submitted to establish math proficiency. If you wish to submit GRE scores, use institution code 1319.

If your subscale scores fall below the 50th percentile, we strongly encourage you to re-take the exam to improve your score. Most competitive applicants score above the 50th percentile.

Average Verbal Score: 157

Average Quantitative Score: 155

Application Materials

In addition to meeting general requirements, a complete application will need to include the following items:

• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Writing Sample
• Personal Statement
• Three letters of recommendation

Curriculum Vitae or Resume

Ensure your curriculum vitae or resume lists your experience. This can be paid or unpaid experience, internships, volunteer work, etc. Include the following information.

• Dates
• Employer or organization
• Business addresses
• Nature of the experiences that are relevant to being admitted to the graduate sequence
• Received academic honors and awards
  • Date received
  • Explanation of what the honor or award recognizes
  • Research experiences, skills, and accomplishments

Writing Sample

Provide a scholarly writing sample (5-15 pages long).

Personal Statement

In no more than three pages double spaced, address the following:

1. Your professional and career goals. Please explicitly address if you are primarily interested in Industrial/Organizational Psychology or Social Psychology.
2. Research interests and any teaching and/or research experience.
3. Please discuss how your previous experience and your future professional goals would fit with our Industrial/Organizational - Social Psychology program and the current faculty.

Current Industrial/Organizational - Social Psychology faculty:

Kelly Clemens (Social), Alexandra Ilie (I/O), Dan Ispas (I/O), Burak Ozkum (I/O), Kim Schneider (I/O), and Eric Wesselmann (Social).

Letters of Recommendation

The online application system will ask you to upload three letters of recommendation. You’ll also need to enter your recommenders’ names and email addresses into the system.

Graduate Assistantships

The University provides graduate assistantships as a means of financial support. They are intended as a way to facilitate a student's progress to degree while providing important professional development.

Eligibility

To be eligible for an assistantship a student must, generally:

• Be admitted as a degree-seeking student into to a graduate program
• Be in good-standing
• Be enrolled full-time (typically at least 9 graduate credits) during the fall or spring semesters

Benefits

Graduate assistants receive:

• Monthly wages paid in the form of either a stipend or an hourly wage
• A waiver for 100% of tuition during a semester of appointment
• A waiver for up to 12 credits of tuition for the summer term immediately following a fall or spring appointment

The department awards graduate assistantships to applicants who accept admission. Graduate assistantships are subject to verification of employment eligibility under U.S. immigration laws and the receipt of anticipated state funding by the University.

Costs & Funding

See Student Accounts for information on tuition and fees. Funding for graduate students is available from several different sources. Students who have been admitted from contiguous states including Iowa, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri, and Wisconsin will receive in-state tuition.