Program of Study

Program Requirements

The Graduate and Professional School requires a minimum of 32 hours for a master's degree (M.S.). The MSIOP program is a 33-credit hour program designed to be completed in 16-months. Students are also required to complete an internship and a qualifying exam.

Proficiency in Research & Data Analysis Proficiency in methodology and statistics is foundational to graduate study in I-O psychology. Students in the program will complete multiple courses on psychological methods, statistical analyses, and psychometrics in preparation for job roles in people and data analytics. #accordionGroup1 { display: none; }

Qualifying Exam Students close to graduation are expected to have a breadth and depth of knowledge in the discipline, integrate what has been learned, and demonstrate professional application to the field. During their final semester in the program, students must pass a qualifying exam covering core concepts from coursework. The exam serves to assess students' mastery of the field to ensure that students are ready for the applied world. See the MSIOP Program Handbook for more details. #accordionGroup2 { display: none; }

Course Sequence

The curriculum complies with the Guidelines for Education and Training in I-O Psychology as recommended by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP). According to the guidelines, graduates completing the I-O psychology program should possess certain competencies (i.e., general knowledge and skill areas, core content, and related competencies) needed to be successful in their I-O psychology careers.

The 16-month program is rigorous and demanding, yet productive and rewarding. Students are challenged and work hard to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to be successful in their careers.

PBSI 610 Organizational Psychology

Year 1, Fall Semester - 3 credit hours

Current literature and research in employee motivation, satisfaction, leadership, communication, group conflict and other group processes.

Instructor: Isaac Lindquist, Ph.D.

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PBSI 611 Personnel Psychology

Year 1, Fall Semester - 3 credit hours

Application of psychological principles and research methods to the areas of selection, placement, job analysis, performance appraisal and training.

Instructor: Stephanie Payne, Ph.D.

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PBSI 652 Statistics and Research Methods in IO Psychology I

Year 1, Fall semester - 3 credit hours

The first of two courses in statistics and research methods; integrates research design, appropriate methodology, and advanced statistical techniques used by industrial/organizational psychologists (e.g., General Linear Model); current topics pertinent to the content domain draws heavily from the application of quantitative psychology literature to workplace problems; statistical software packages will be used to enhance conceptual understanding.

Instructor: Yumiko Mochinushi, Ph.D.

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PBSI 683 Professional Seminar

Year 1 Fall semester - 1 credit hour

Guidance in searching for and securing internships and jobs upon graduation; review of internship requirements and expectations; professional development sessions and preparation of application materials; assistance in the transition from student to professional, e.g., professional identity, affiliation and networks.

Instructor: Cheryl Jackson, Ph.D.

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PBSI 653 Statistics and Research Methods in IO Psychology II

Year 1, Spring semester - 3 credit hours

The second of two courses in statistics and research methods; integrates research design, appropriate methodology, and advanced statistical techniques used by industrial/organizational psychologists (e.g., GeneralIZED Linear Model, nonlinear regression); current topics pertinent to the content domain draws heavily from the application of quantitative psychology literature to workplace problems; statistical software packages will be used to enhance conceptual understanding.

Instructor: Yumiko Mochinushi, Ph.D.

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PBSI 657 Training and Performance Management

Year 1, Spring semester

A comprehensive review of theory, research, current topics and practice associated with training and performance management; training as an organizational subsystem is emphasized as the model for the design, implementation and evaluation of training programs; appraisal and management of work performance for various organizational purposes.

Instructor: Bisi Atoba, Ph.D.

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PBSI 658 Work Attitudes and Motivation

Year 1, Spring semester - 3 credit hours

A critical analysis of major theories, current research and practical or current issues associated with employee attitudes and motivation in the workplace; topics include job satisfaction, organizational commitment, work engagement, stress, absenteeism, turnover, motivation, job design and quality of work, and work values; key methodological and measurement issues; application of social psychology literature to workplace problems.

Instructor: Yumiko Mochinushi, Ph.D.

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PBSI 683 Professional Seminar

Year 1, Spring semester - 1 credit hour

Instructor: Allison Alexander, Ph.D.

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PBSI 684 Professional Internship

Year 1, summer semester - 3 credit hours

Full-time internship experience in a departmentally-approved internship training facility.

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PBSI 654 Psychometrics and Survey Design in I/O Psychology

Year 2, Fall semester - 3 credit hours

Study of psychological measurement for testing and assessment purposes in I/O psychology; classical and modern test theories are introduced as well as their implications for test construction and survey design; emphasis on skill acquisition through developing, administering and scoring predictor or criterion tests and presenting results.

Instructor: Yumiko Mochinushi, Ph.D.

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PBSI 656 Advanced Selection

Year 2, Fall semester - 3 credit hours

An in-depth analysis of psychological principles and employee selection methods with a focus on applied practice and current topics; emphasis on the application of evidence-based best practices to the selection process; importance of job and work analysis, testing and assessment, psychometrics, validation procedures, and measurement in light of ethical, legal, diversity and international issues.

Instructor: Winfred Arthur, Ph.D.

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PBSI 659 Groups, Teams, and Leadership

Year 2, Fall semester - 3 credit hours

An in-depth review of the factors leading to effective groups, teams and leadership in organizations; topics include strategies for building high performance teams and techniques for assessing, selecting and developing leaders; the course integrates theory, research and current topics with experiential learning; application of social psychology literature to workplace problems.

Instructor: Bisi Atoba, Ph.D.

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PBSI 683 Professional Seminar

Year 1, Spring semester - 1 credit hour

Instructor: Cheryl Jackson, Ph.D.

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Qualifying Exam

Year 2, Fall semester

Students who are close to graduation are expected to have a walking-knowledge, understanding, and mastery of all three I-O content areas, namely organizational, personnel, and quantitative methods. The qualifying exam assesses the extent to which students have mastered the three domains

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Experiential Learning and Professional Development

Hands-on learning are an essential part of the MSIOP experience and the program places an emphasis on applied skill acquisition and development. Students develop these skills by completing I-O psychology projects for local organizations through coursework and non-coursework opportunities.

Course Projects

The local organizations students have completed applied course projects for include the following: Aggieland Outfitters, Brazos Valley CASA, Brazos Valley Food Bank, Brazos Valley Marketing, City of Bryan, City of College Station, Family Promise, Mathnasium, Ment Services, MHMR of Brazos Valley, QuestSpecialty, Scotty’s House, TAMU HROE Division, and Texas A&M Engineering Extension (TEEX). The students’ free service to local organizations was also recognized by the College of Liberal Arts in this news article.

Example of course projects include:

Leadership assessment and development plan, Brazos Valley Food Bank.
Recruitment, selection, and retention analysis, City of College Station.
Employee engagement survey development, Mathnasium.
Training program development, QuestSpecialty.
Job analysis, TEEX.

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Internships

Students further acquire real-world experience through applied internships. These allow students to apply the knowledge they have gained during their first year in the MSIOP program. They also acquire work-related experience and sharpen the skills needed for successful future careers in the I-O field.

Projects completed by recent interns include those listed below. To learn more about the nature of each students’ internship experience, visit the students’ page.

Developed situational judgment test items for the US Air Force.
Completed a job analysis of data scientist for Bell Textron.
Developed and facilitated leadership training at WPS Health Solutions.
Analyzed diversity data to propose DEI initiative at SelectQuote.
Migrated and visualized people metrics data using Power BI desktop for Rio Tinto.

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Weekly Colloquium Series A distinguishing feature of the MSIOP program are weekly colloquium series that further complements other program requirements. These colloquia provide unique opportunities for students to learn directly from I-O professionals in applied settings as well as researchers from various I-O psychology backgrounds who are invited as guest speakers. They discuss updates on cutting-edge research and perspective in the discipline. Weekly colloquia are typically scheduled on Fridays from 1:30-3:00PM and all MSIOP students are required to attend and participate in the colloquium series. #accordionGroup19 { display: none; }

Career Preparation Although students have the primary responsibility of securing internships and jobs, the program provides them the resources and support they need to be successful. The PBSI 683 (Professional Seminar) instructor and the Program Director work closely with students to prepare job application materials, practice interviewing, and successfully negotiate offers. Program faculty also forward internship and job announcements to students and provide advising during their application or offer negotiation process. #accordionGroup20 { display: none; }

Student Alumni Mentoring

Our mentoring program brings students and alumni together to help students thrive in grad school, facilitate their professional development, and support their I-O career preparation. Each new student is assigned an MS/PhD alumni mentor who volunteer their time to actively listen, offer tips on navigating grad school challenges, and provide general career advice.

Review the program's handbook to learn more about the program of study.

Buddy Program

New students often have many questions and concerns prior to matriculating and during their first semester. Buddies play an important role in making the new students feel welcome to the program and University. The MSIOP Buddy Program was created to ease the transition as returning students offer support to new students.

Buddies support new students by establishing contact with assigned student before they arrive, taking the lead in building and maintaining the connection by contacting student throughout their first semester, and offering helpful advice/suggestions/guidance and share experiences with student.