MALS in Industrial Organizational Psychology

Areas of Study Overview

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The online Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) degree program in Industrial-Organizational Psychology prepares students with the skills and knowledge required to manage and resolve complex workplace situations and conflicts and facilitate organizational change to improve working conditions.

Industrial and organizational psychology is the study of human behavior in the workplace. This field emphasizes the application of psychological theories, principles, and research to situations that are encountered within organizations.

The need for advanced training in industrial and organizational psychology is driven by the increasing competition that is evolving as markets become more global, by the state of the current economy, and by the changing composition of the workforce. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of industrial-organizational psychologists is projected to grow by approximately 53 percent from 2012 – 2022.

Students who complete the program will learn to create and manage work environments that lead to satisfied, motivated, productive and fulfilled employees and how to foster positive change that increases an organization’s competitive edge.

Credit Distribution

I. Core Course Sequence (18 Credits)

LAP-500	Liberal Arts and Professional Life	3
SAM-501	Sense of Community I: Art and Morality	3
SAM-502	Sense of Community II: Faith and Reason	3
CCR-610	Change, Conflict, and Resolution	3
SIC-520	The Species, the Individual, and Community	3
THC-625	Technology and the Human Community: Challenges and Responses	3

II. Area of Study (12 Credits)

IOP-510	Industrial and Organizational Psychology	3
IOP-610	Psychological Factors in Selecting and Growing Organizational Talent	3
IOP-620	Unearthing and Enhancing Organizational Talent through Psychology	3
IOP-710	The Psychology of Leadership, Motivation, and Teamwork	3

III. Capstone (6 Credits)

MLS-700	Capstone I	3
MLS-710	Capstone II	3

Total Credit Hours: 36

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the area of study in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, students will be able to:

• apply psychological theories and research to solve organizational problems;
• design job-specific recruitment, selection, placement and appraisal processes;
• design training and development programs to increase globalization in the workplace; and
• incorporate psychological theories of leadership, teamwork and motivation to evaluate plans to increase satisfaction and productivity in the workplace.