Graduate Program in Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Department website: https://www.vanguard.edu/academics/academic-programs/graduate/organizational-psychology

Rene Molina, PhD, Director

Mission: Equipping students to become competent and caring organizational psychologists ready to lead transformative change in businesses and organizational cultures.

The Graduate Program in Industrial and Organizational Psychology offers the following graduate degree and certification tracks:

Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology: The Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology equips you to enhance organizations and improve life at work. You’ll gain hands-on, evidence-based strategies to elevate people operations. Learn directly from I/O psychology scholars and professionals who understand the field and know how to help you go beyond the classroom.

Industrial and Organizational Psychology Certificate: Develop foundational knowledge and practical skills in industrial and organizational psychology through training in theoretical frameworks, consulting practices, assessments, and data analytics. Through a combination of lectures and hands-on lab experiences, this certificate equips students with the essential competencies to enter various administrative roles.

Talent and Leadership Development Certificate: Provides training and skills related to talent and leadership development. This certificate will provide skills in performance management, succession planning, and career pathing, and develop both individual and group leadership training. 

Admissions Information 

Application Process and Deadlines

For information regarding application requirements, admission deadlines, and to begin the application process, please visit: https://www.vanguard.edu/admissions/graduate/how-to-apply

Admission Requirements

Applicants must hold an earned bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. While applicants from any academic discipline are welcome, undergraduate degrees in psychology, business, communications, or related fields are preferred.

In addition to the application materials, applicants will participate in an admission interview scheduled after all required documents have been submitted. Successful applicants typically demonstrate the following characteristics:

  • A strong interest in and motivation to pursue a career in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
  • Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office applications
  • The ability to read, understand, and interpret research literature
  • Strong professional communication and presentation skills
  • A record of achievement, intellectual curiosity, and openness to learning
  • Alignment with Vanguard University's mission, values, and commitment to ethical leadership

Required Application Materials

  • Professional Resume. Submit a current professional resume that includes employment history, educational background, training, certifications, leadership experiences, and other relevant accomplishments.
  • Personal Statement of Purpose. Submit a statement of purpose describing your academic and professional goals, reasons for pursuing graduate study in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, and how the program aligns with your career aspirations.
  • Letters of Recommendation. Submit two letters of recommendation from professional or academic references who can speak to your qualifications for graduate study. Recommendations from family members will not be accepted.

Prerequisite Coursework

Applicants are expected to have completed the following undergraduate-level courses, or their equivalents: 

  • Introduction to Psychology 
  • Introduction to Statistics 

Transfer Credit Policy

Students transferring from an accredited graduate program may be eligible to transfer up to six (6) semester units of graduate-level coursework. To be considered for transfer, courses must be equivalent in content and learning outcomes and be directly applicable to the Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology curriculum. All transfer credit requests must be reviewed and approved by the Director of the Graduate Program in Industrial and Organizational Psychology prior to admission. Transfer credit eligibility is limited to students admitted in Regular Standing.

Student Classification and Academic Standing

Regular Standing

Students who meet all of the requirements for entrance into the program and who are admitted without reservation are granted Regular Standing in the Graduate Program in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. 

Provisional Standing

Students seeking admission to the Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program who have not met all admission requirements may be eligible for admission under Provisional Standing. This classification is intended for degree-seeking students who have earned a bachelor's degree but enter the program with academic deficiencies. Such deficiencies may include missing prerequisite undergraduate coursework, a GPA below the program's admission standard, or a bachelor's degree from a non-regionally accredited institution.

Admission under Provisional Standing is granted at the discretion of the Director of the Graduate Program in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Students may be considered for advancement to Regular Standing after completing all required undergraduate prerequisite courses with a grade of “B” or higher and/or demonstrating the ability to perform graduate-level work by successfully completing nine (9) graduate units with a grade of “B” or higher in each course.

Academic Probation

Students admitted to the graduate program with Regular Standing who later receive a cumulative or current grade point average below 3.0 will be changed to Probationary Standing. Students with such standing must obtain both a cumulative and current grade point average of 3.0 or greater in the following semester. If, after one semester of Probationary Standing, the student is unable to obtain a grade point average of B (3.0), he/she may be dismissed from the graduate program.

Readmission Policy

Students who are absent from the program for more than one semester and do not have an approved Leave of Absence on file will be administratively withdrawn from the University and program.

Students seeking to return after a withdrawal or administrative withdrawal must reapply through Graduate Admissions and complete the standard admissions process. Additional documentation may be required as part of the application review. Applicants must also submit official transcripts from any institution attended while they were absent from Vanguard University.

Students who are readmitted to the program are subject to the academic policies, curriculum requirements, degree requirements, and catalog provisions in effect at the time of readmission.

Academic Policies and Procedures

Academic Policies Reference

Students are responsible for understanding and complying with all University academic policies and procedures. The Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program follows the academic regulations and standards established by the University unless otherwise specified in this catalog.

For complete information regarding University academic policies and procedures, students should refer to the Academic Policies section of the University Catalog: https://catalog.vanguard.edu/academic-policies/. This section includes information on academic standing, academic integrity, grading policies and the grading system, course repeat policies, credit hour requirements, incomplete work, leave of absence and withdrawal procedures, degree requirements and graduation, student records, and other University academic regulations.

Students are expected to familiarize themselves with these policies and comply with all applicable University requirements throughout their enrollment in the program. Any program-specific policies or requirements that differ from University-wide policies are identified within the applicable sections of this catalog.

Course Registration and Schedule Changes

Students who need to add or drop a course after registration must contact the Assistant Director of Graduate Programs to initiate the appropriate Add/Drop process in accordance with University policies and deadlines.

Please visit the University Academic Calendar at https://www.vanguard.edu/academics/registrar/semester-calendar to view important registration, add/drop, and academic term deadlines. Students should contact the Office of Accounting Operations regarding tuition refund deadlines, as refund dates may not align with academic add/drop deadlines.

Because the intensive seminar is a required component of the program curriculum and serves as the equivalent of multiple class sessions, students who are unable to attend the seminar must withdraw from the associated course before the seminar begins. Due to the experiential and instructional nature of the seminar, there is no alternative assignment or make-up option available for missed seminar participation.

Program Requirements and Progression

Program Structure and Schedule Format

The Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology is a cohort-based, 42-unit graduate program designed to be completed in approximately 20 months. The program follows a structured sequence of coursework delivered in a synchronous online format.

The academic year consists of three 16-week terms, with each term divided into two eight-week course sessions. Courses include weekly online class meetings, asynchronous learning activities, and applied assignments. Students are also required to attend a two-day in-person intensive seminar during the program, which provides experiential learning, collaboration, and professional development opportunities.

Program schedules, course sequencing, and intensive seminar dates are communicated to students in advance and are subject to change.

Student Enrollment Status and Academic Load

Full-time. A full-time academic load at the graduate level consists of six (6) or more semester units during a given semester. Students are expected to follow the prescribed course sequence and unit load established by the Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program.

Part-Time. The Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program is designed as a cohort-based, full-time program, and part-time enrollment is generally not recommended due to the structured course sequence and cohort progression model. However, under exceptional circumstances, deviations from the prescribed course sequence or unit load may be necessary based on a student's individual circumstances and academic progress.

Students considering a reduced course load should be aware that part-time enrollment may:

  • Extend the time required to complete the degree
  • Affect eligibility for financial aid, scholarships, veterans' benefits, or other forms of funding
  • Alter the student's anticipated graduation timeline

Students seeking approval for a reduced course load should consult with the Assistant Director of Graduate Programs to discuss the academic and financial implications before making any changes to their enrollment.

Cohort Model

The program follows a cohort model in which students progress through the curriculum together, fostering a strong sense of community, collaboration, and professional networking. Cohorts begin in the fall and spring terms and, in select semesters, may be combined for certain courses and learning experiences. This structure provides students with opportunities to build meaningful relationships, expand their professional networks, and engage with a broader community of peers while benefiting from shared learning experiences.                 

Engagement and Program Expectations

Class Attendance and Participation

Due to the interactive nature of the Industrial and Organizational Psychology program and its accelerated 8-week format, attendance and active participation are required. Class sessions include discussions, group activities, simulations, and applied exercises that cannot be fully replicated outside of class.

Attendance is required for all online class sessions and in-person intensive seminars. Participation points are awarded based on attendance, engagement, and meaningful contributions to class activities and discussions.

Intensive Seminar Requirement

As a program requirement, students must attend a mandatory two-day in-person intensive seminar held during the summer term. The seminar includes six to eight hours of instruction each day and complements the online synchronous coursework through experiential learning, collaboration, and professional development activities. Intensive seminar dates are communicated to students at the start of the program to allow for advance planning.

Advancement to Candidacy

Degree-seeking students must be officially advanced to candidacy prior to degree conferral. Neither admission to the Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program nor completion of required coursework automatically qualifies a student for candidacy.

To be eligible for Advancement to Candidacy, students must:

  1. Be in Regular Standing within the program. Students who were previously admitted under Provisional or Probationary Standing must have successfully resolved all conditions or deficiencies associated with that status.
  2. Maintain a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher in all coursework required for the degree, with no more than one (1) grade of C+ counting toward program completion.
  3. Obtain formal approval of their Thesis Proposal or Applied Project Proposal from the appropriate faculty advisor.
  4. Successfully complete all required data collection activities associated with the approved thesis or applied project.

Students who meet these requirements may apply for Advancement to Candidacy in accordance with the program's established procedures and timelines.

Students who have not been advanced to candidacy will not be permitted to enroll in PSOG 650 Master's Thesis or PSOG 652 Applied Industry Project, the final culminating courses required for degree completion.

Thesis and Applied Project Requirements

To fulfill the graduation requirements of the Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program, students must successfully complete an exit project consisting of either a Master's Thesis or an Applied Industry Project.

During the first term of the program, students will select either the Thesis or Applied Industry Project track based on their research interests, professional goals, and proposed area of inquiry. Once a track is selected, students are expected to follow the requirements and expectations associated with that option throughout the remainder of the program.

Requirements for both options are structured according to the student's semester progression rather than fixed calendar dates. Students must adhere to all program-established milestones, deadlines, and submission requirements, including project development, proposal approval, data collection or project implementation, final report preparation, and project completion. Program Director approval is required at designated milestones throughout the process.

All Thesis and Applied Industry Project work must comply with applicable ethical and professional standards. Thesis projects must comply with Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements, demonstrate rigorous research methodology, and adhere to current APA formatting and scholarly writing standards. Applied Industry Projects must maintain client confidentiality, follow ethical guidelines, and demonstrate professional communication and practice consistent with APA and consulting standards.

Students may not enroll in PSOG 650 Thesis or PSOG 652 Applied Industry Project until all required data collection or project implementation activities are complete. Failure to meet required milestones, deadlines, or approval requirements may delay progression through the program and graduation.

Detailed guidelines, milestone checklists, and deadlines for each exit option will be provided by the program and must be followed throughout the student's course of study.

Community Membership Expectations

Vanguard University selects students based on academic record, the admissions interview, work experience, and willingness to comply with the standards and values of the university. It is expected that each individual who joins the academic community of Vanguard University will deepen his or her ethical commitment and understanding, strengthen his or her intellectual and creative abilities, and participate constructively in the life of the university community. Furthermore, Vanguard University community members are expected to commit to mutual respect for one another and will: (1) Treat all members of the community with the utmost regard, supporting and upholding the rights of others to a safe, collaborative, and collegial learning environment; (2) Foster collegial learning by participating in class as a supportive and cooperative community member; (3) Refrain from derogatory, disrespectful, or inflammatory comments regarding any member of the academic community; (4) Resolve any personal conflicts by first approaching the other party privately in accordance with professional protocol and the principles that are outlined in Matthew 18:15-17. Students who choose to disregard these expectations may be removed from the program regardless of academic performance.

Degree Program:

Certificates:

PSOG-507  Overview of Psychology and Behavior in Organizations  3 Credits  
Prepares students to use theoretical frameworks and apply research evidence to solve practical organizational issues. Students will be exposed to what is required in business, research and consulting skills plus professional, legal and diversity related issues needed to work as an I/O practitioner upon graduation. The core purpose is to build the foundational skill of using research to solve personnel related problems.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
PSOG-520  Professional Development in Organizational Psychology  3 Credits  
This course prepares students for successful transitions into industry roles following graduation from the program. Emphasis is placed on professional development, including networking, career planning, and applying organizational psychology principles in real-world settings. Students will engage in mentoring activities, gain insights from industry professionals, and build practical skills for the workplace. By the end, students will be equipped with the tools and confidence to excel in diverse organizational psychology careers.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
PSOG-521  Organizational Psychology Mentoring  1-3 Credits  
In the student's first semester in the program, this class allows students to get exposure to the different consulting domains within org psych. Students will be paired in groups of five and will get four weeks of exposure to four different consultants in the areas of: talent acquisition, talent management, learning and development, and organizational development. In each four-week segment, mentors will expose students to the domain, present information about it, display work in the area, and discuss what it's like to land and hold a job in that area. This class will be synchronous remote, and the time will be scheduled to meet everyone's needs. This class prepares students for the individual mentoring course in which they pick two mentors and get individual time with each consulting mentor to discuss what consulting is like and what's it like to do consulting in that field, getting them closer to figuring out what lane of consulting they want to pursue (i.e. talent acquisition, talent management, learning and development, or org development)
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
PSOG-531  Talent Assessments  3 Credits  
This course examines the tools and methods used to evaluate talent within organizations. Students will explore topics such as psychometric testing, performance appraisals, 360-degree feedback, and assessment centers. Emphasis is placed on ensuring assessments are fair, reliable, and aligned with organizational goals. By the end, students will be equipped to design and implement effective talent assessment strategies in diverse workplace contexts.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
PSOG-531L  Talent Assessments Lab  1-4 Credits  
Prepares students to understand how to work with assessments and gain experience administer, scoring and explaining results. Students will learn how to work with clients to explain what scores mean and how to integrate the results into actionable insights. The core purpose is to prepare students to work with assessments in order to collect valid and useful data to make actionable insights with.

Co-Requisite: PSOG-530

Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
PSOG-535  Statistics for Organizational Decision- Making  3 Credits  
This course focuses on the application of statistical methods to support strategic decision-making in organizations. Students will learn to analyze data, identify trends, and interpret results to solve complex business challenges. Through case studies and practical exercises, students will develop the skills to communicate data-driven insights effectively.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring and Summer.
PSOG-555  Managing Human Resources  3 Credits  
This course provides an in-depth understanding of the core functions and responsibilities of human resource management. Students will explore topics such as recruitment, employee relations, compensation, compliance, and HR strategy. Emphasis is placed on aligning HR practices with organizational objectives and fostering a positive workplace culture. By the end, students will have the knowledge and skills to manage HR effectively in various organizational settings.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Summer.
PSOG-600  Future Vocational Support  0 Credits  
This is an Optional (0) unit course that is overseen by the program director. The goal of this class is to help land student vocational opportunities in Strategic HR consulting. This could be finding a student a recruiter, helping them prepare to get a promotion, or find a job or internship in strategic HR. The director will help students interview prep, update their linkedIN and get ready for interviews. There will be a cap of 10 students per cohort that can enroll in this course. This course is mainly for students who aren't working or are transitioning fields and need help securing a future internship or job.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
PSOG-615  People Analytics  3 Credits  
This course equips students with the tools and techniques to analyze and interpret data for informed decision-making in organizations. Students will explore topics such as data visualization, predictive modeling, and the use of analytics software. Hands-on projects will focus on transforming raw data into actionable insights that drive organizational performance.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring and Summer.
PSOG-615L  People Analytics Lab  2 Credits  
This lab complements People Analytics by offering hands-on experience in data manipulation, visualization, and analysis using advanced tools and techniques. Students will work on real-world datasets, applying statistical and analytical methods to derive actionable insights. By the end, students will have practical skills to analyze and interpret data effectively in organizational contexts.

Co-Requisite: PSOG-615

Terms Typically Offered: Spring and Summer.
PSOG-621  Talent Management  3 Credits  
Applies theory and practice around selecting individuals in organizations. This course focuses on learning both the research evidence and practical competencies required to select talent in organizations. Students will learn competency modeling, selection of competencies to measure competencies and issues related with predictive validity. Students will gain practical skill and theoretical knowledge to apply major principles related to hiring in organizations.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
PSOG-621L  Talent Management Practicum  1-4 Credits  
Prepares students with hands-on experience working within organizations supporting various aspects of PMP, such as data analysis or building rater training. Students will learn how to implement a PMP related project within an organization. The core purpose is to give students the experience working on a PMP related project for a partner organization.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring and Summer.
PSOG-625  Psychology of Leadership and Motivation  3 Credits  
This course delves into the relationship between effective leadership and personal character. Students will explore leadership theories and practices while reflecting on ethical decision-making and values-driven behavior. Through interactive activities and self-assessment, students will develop skills to lead with integrity and inspire others.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
PSOG-631  Talent Development  3 Credits  
Prepares students to identify short-term and long-term talent needs in an organization at the individual and organizational level. Students will learn how to identify critical roles, create experience profiles for critical roles, implement organization succession planning, create career development frameworks and tools, create process for individual development planning, and build resources for managers and employees to support career development at the individual level. The core purpose is to equip students with the talent development acumen to succeed on day one in a similar role.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Summer.
PSOG-631L  Talent Development Practicum  2 Credits  
Prepares students to work within an established performance management program and offer improvements. Students will learn how to map org structure, audit and compare internal and external PMP benchmarks, revamp PMP process, re-evaluate succession plan process and develop a training program to relaunch PMP program. The core purpose is to give students experience working with an organization to revamp their PMP process and specifically focus on succession planning.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Summer.
PSOG-635  Diversity and the Organization  3 Credits  
This course explores the critical role of diversity in shaping inclusive and high-performing organizations. Students will examine theories and practices related to equity, inclusion, and the impact of diverse perspectives on workplace dynamics. Through case studies and interactive discussions, students will develop strategies to foster belonging and leverage diversity for organizational success.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
PSOG-641  Leadership Development  3 Credits  
Prepares students in scientific research and applied practices in Leadership Development, including executive assessment, coaching, and training. Students will learn how to develop 360 assessment programs, interpret 360 assessment reports, provide leadership assessment debrief, support coaching programs, design and implement leadership programs. The core purpose is to equip students with the leadership development acumen to succeed on day one in a similar role.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Summer.
PSOG-641L  Leadership Development Practicum  2 Credits  
Prepares students with hands-on experience working with an organization to help them create a leadership development program. Students will learn how to develop a core leadership competency model, roll out assessments to assess current leadership capability, design trainings to increase leadership capability and work at both the group and individual level to coach and grow leadership potential. The core purpose is to give students experience working with an organization to implement their leadership development process.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
PSOG-650  Master's Thesis  3 Credits  
Allows students to demonstrate empirical competencies, as well as build a unique professional niche within Organizational Psychology. Suggested topics/areas of focus include Performance Evaluation, Motivation, Training and Development in Organizations, Intercultural Relations, Stress & Health, or other relevant topics reflective of Society for Industrial/Organizational Psychology (SIOP) competencies. Master's thesis will add generalizable knowledge to the field.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring and Summer.
PSOG-651  Field Consulting Practicum  3 Credits  
Allows students to gain practical experience consulting in a strategic HR field. Students get too choice a consulting mentor, who is in either of these fields: talent acquisition, talent management, learning and development or organizational development. Under supervision of a field consultant, students will review relevant case studies that are industry specific and will work with their consulting guide to solve the problem presented in the case study. Students on average will go through 3-5 different case studies. Students will be placed with a range of 3-5 other students but will work on the project alone, and discuss the results with both the group and field consultant. This experience will help prepare students for success on their applied project plus land internship experiences related to these projects.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Summer.
PSOG-652  Applied Industry Project  3 Credits  
Prepares students with hands-on experience working within organizations supporting various aspects of PMP, such as data analysis or building rater training. Students will learn how to implement a PMP related project within an organization. The core purpose is to give students the experience working on a PMP related project for a partner organization.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
PSOG-655  Organizational Systems, Development and Change  3 Credits  
Prepares students on the technical skills, process and practices taught in previous courses. This course teaches students to apply strategic thinking to analyze the current needs of the business (business strategy, performance, future growth plans, headwinds, current talent, and capabilities) to create an integrated talent strategy, inclusive of leadership, culture, talent, and capabilities. The core purpose is to give students the context of how to integrate the talent functions learned into a well-organized human resource strategy.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Summer.
PSOG-657  Talent Strategy  2 Credits  
Prepares students on the technical skills, process and practices taught in previous courses. This course teaches students to apply strategic thinking to analyze the current needs of the business (business strategy, performance, future growth plans, headwinds, current talent, and capabilities) to create an integrated talent strategy, inclusive of leadership, culture, talent, and capabilities. The core purpose is to give students the context of how to integrate the talent functions learned into a well-organized human resource strategy.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
PSOG-680  Independent Study:  1-4 Credits  
Course will allow students to develop knowledge and application skills tailored to their specific interests, career goals, and learning needs. Course emphases must align with one or more SIOP competencies (professional skills, research methods, human performance, individual assessment, etc.) Maximum number of units recommended per semester is 2. Maximum number of units allowed per year is 4. Maximum number that can count toward degree is 8. MSOP students in good standing can enroll in Independent Study only with permission of professor of record and program director.
Terms Typically Offered: Spring and Summer.
PSOG-715  Advanced Research Methods  3 Credits  
This course provides a comprehensive introduction to research design and methodology in organizational psychology. Students will learn to formulate research questions, collect and analyze data, and evaluate findings critically. Emphasizing both qualitative and quantitative approaches, the course equips students with skills to conduct ethical and impactful research. PSOG 715L: Advanced Research Methods Lab (2 units) required corequisite

Co-Requisite: PSOG-715L

Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
PSOG-715L  Advanced Research Methods Lab  2 Credits  
This lab complements Advanced Research Methods by providing hands-on experience in research design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Students will apply advanced techniques, use data analysis, and address ethical considerations through practical projects. By the end, students will have the skills to execute rigorous research in organizational psychology.

Co-Requisite: PSOG-715

Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.
PSOG-720  Professional Development Workshops  0-1 Credits  
(This course is only offered for credit for students in teach-out during the 23-24 academic year.) Six 8-hour workshops are held (3 per year) that present current trends in the field while providing students hands-on support for their own professional development.
Terms Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, and Summer.
PSOG-730  Creating Healthy Organizations Conf.  1 Credit  
This course centers around active participation in the Creating a Healthy Organizations Conference. Students will attend keynote presentations, panel discussions, and workshops led by scholars, industry veterans, and thought leaders. Emphasis is placed on integrating conference insights with organizational psychology principles to develop actionable strategies for fostering healthy, high-performing organizations. By the end, students will reflect on what they have learned and apply it to their professional goals, leaving the program inspired and prepared to drive meaningful change.
Terms Typically Offered: Summer.
PSOG-799  Continued Reg: Master's Study  1 Credit  
Required for each semester subsequent to registration of PSOG 650 or PSOG 652 until completed. Must be enolled in semester of completion. PSOG 799 credits do not count toward MSOP degree requirements.

Prerequisite: PSOG-650; PSOG-652

Terms Typically Offered: Fall and Spring.