Master of Arts in

Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Understand Organizational Needs

The Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology equips graduates to spearhead a variety of initiatives including identifying and improving employee training, evaluating internal problems, conducting market research, and increasing productivity by improving employee relations.

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Online
San Francisco
Hybrid

1,050 /unit

42 Total Units

These and many other skills prepare graduates to assume leadership roles in industrial-organizational psychology in small, medium, and large organizations in a variety of fields — technology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, entertainment — or work at global consulting firms. Graduates are also well-prepared to pursue doctoral study in industrial-organizational psychology and related disciplines.

PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

Math Proficiency

Students admitted to this program are expected to possess a level of mathematical skill at least equivalent to Statistics (Math 40). Learn More

Writing Proficiency

Graduate degree programs require proficiency in writing to ensure that students are successful in their course of study. Learn More

Undergraduate Psychology Pathway Programs

As a pathway to the graduate-level industrial organizational programs, students who complete certain undergraduate-level courses at Golden Gate University as a part of completing the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology or a Psychology concentration with either the Bachelor of Arts in Management or Bachelor of Science in Business may have the comparable graduate-level required courses waived from their Master of Arts in Industrial Organizational Psychology, Graduate Certificate in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, or Graduate Certificate in Conflict Resolution program requirements.

The following courses are eligible for this waiver option: PSYCH 143 Psychology of Leadership satisfies the PSYCH 343 Leadership and the Development of Managerial Excellence requirement. MGT 141 Organizational Leadership satisfies the PSYCH 341 Organizational Behavior and Process requirement. As a consequence of having these courses waived, the total number of units required to complete the program will be reduced accordingly. Note: Students who have not completed (or are expected to complete) one of the Bachelor programs listed above are not eligible for this waiver.

TOTAL UNITS — 42

CORE COURSES — 33 UNITS

HRM 307: International HRM
PSYCH 306: Group Models of Counseling
PSYCH 308: Applied Psychological Research
PSYCH 341: Organizational Behavior & Process
PSYCH 342: Organizational Development, Assessment & Intervention
PSYCH 343: Leadership & the Development of Managerial Excellence
PSYCH 344: Tests & Measurements
PSYCH 348: Organizational Change
PSYCH 349: Executive Coaching Theory & Practice
PSYCH 354: Consulting Skills
PSYCH 355: Diversity in Organizations

ELECTIVE COURSES — 9 UNITS

Three of the following:

HRM 301: Work & Workforce Trends
HRM 302: Acquiring & Retaining Human Resources
HRM 306: Learning & Development
HRM 308: Ethics in Managing People at Work
PSYCH 352: Structure, Theory & Ethics of Conflict Resolution
PSYCH 353: Conflict Resolution Skills & Techniques
PSYCH 398: Internship Applied Psychology (1 - 3 units)

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LEARNING OUTCOMES

Graduates of the Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology will possess the skills and knowledge to:

Understand the main theoretical frameworks of industrial-organizational psychology with emphasis on organizational behavior, team and individual functioning, and leadership in a global context.
Examine the dynamic and evolving nature of professional practice with focus on careers in industrial-organizational psychology, as well as human resources, executive coaching, and management consulting.
Learn assessment tools to measure and diagnose individual, team, and organizational performance.
Explore contemporary challenges such as diversity in organizations, managing generational differences, and the growing role of human resources technology.

PSYCHOLOGY DEPARTMENT

Erika Boissiere, Adjunct Professor
Daniel Popkin Clurman, Senior Adjunct Professor
Joseph W. Coyne, Distinguished Adjunct Professor
Gregory Desierto, Adjunct Professor
Peter DiGiammarino, Adjunct Professor
John Ford, Adjunct Professor
Yaguang (Grace) Gethers, Adjunct Professor
Patrick Glasscock, Adjunct Professor
Pamela Hopkins, Adjunct Professor
Stephen B. Jeong, Adjunct Professor
Philip Keddy, Adjunct Professor
Kathy Langsam, Senior Adjunct Professor
Stella Lefevre, Adjunct Professor
Bonita Mackey, Adjunct Professor
Dr. Nida Mirza, Adjunct Professor

Ron Perry, Adjunct Professor
George Romanko, Adjunct Professor
Jonathan Rousell, Adjunct Professor
Koke Saavedra, Adjunct Professor
Julie Salzman, Adjunct Professor
Nina/ Maria Christina Samaco-Zamora, Adjunct Professor
Lori L. Silverman, Adjunct Professor
Jere Sitko, Senior Adjunct Professor
Leslie Swanson, Adjunct Professor
Beverly Winslow, Adjunct Professor
Tom Wooldridge, Department Chair and Associate Professor
Jeffrey D. Yergler, Associate Professor, Management & Department Chair, Management
Joseph Zamaria, Adjunct Professor
Joe Zarate-Sanderlin, Adjunct Professor

View All Graduate Faculty

Featured Alumni

Wajdi Akef Fakhoury

MA, Psychology 15

Principal
Head Health

Denis Minaev

MA, I/O Psychology 12

Business Consultant

Claudia Giolitti

MA, Psychology 13

Private Practice Therapist

Learning from practicing professionals on the faculty provided a true understanding and realistic preview of the field. One of my professors continues to mentor me to this day and had a life-changing impact on my career.

Briana GoldmanMA, I/O Psychology '14