Master of Science in Industrial / Organizational Psychology

In addition to regular course examinations, each student must pass a general comprehensive examination before the degree is conferred. Students are required to demonstrate breadth of knowledge in the discipline, depth in specific areas, and the ability to integrate what has been learned. Additional detail about the comprehensive exam and examination policies in each program will be provided to students in the semester when they are eligible to take the exam.

Students must pass a written comprehensive examination, which is offered twice a year, in the fall and the spring semester. Fall testing dates are usually scheduled for the week immediately after undergraduate mid-semester break. Spring testing dates are usually scheduled for the week immediately after Spring Break. No examinations are offered in summer sessions.

To be eligible to sit for the examination, students must be in good academic standing (i.e., not on academic probation or suspension), been admitted to candidacy, completed all prerequisites, have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher, have a “B-” or better in all required courses, and have at least a “B-” average in all core courses at the mid-term grading period in that semester.

During the semester in which a student schedules his or her comprehensive examination, a final core course may be taken and the student is responsible for all material covered in the course. All other core courses must have been completed in prior semesters. Program requirements for practicum, internship, and elective courses may occur after a student takes his or her comprehensive examination if permitted by the respective Graduate Program Director.

The 225 hour practicum experience is a very important component to the degree program. Students will have the opportunity to use the skills that they have developed in their degree program at their placement site(s). Practicum placements are made in collaboration with the Graduate Program Director and the student candidate.

Placements vary depending on student interests and aptitudes, available supervision, student demand, and programmatic factors that may be out of the immediate control of the University.

Students in our program are encouraged to cultivate practicum placements in the community provided these are approved in advance by the Graduate Program Director. Additional, program specific, practicum requirements may be obtained from the Graduate Program Director.

In the past, students have completed their practicum at organizations such as: Valero, Optech Inc., City Public Service (CPS), Professional Service Industries, Inc. (PSI), United Services Automobile Association (USAA), and many others.

Students can select to either participate in a thesis or non-thesis option to graduate. For many students, the primary reason to pursue a thesis is to obtain an independent research and writing experience prior to entry into a doctoral program. For some, it is a means of acquiring greater depth of knowledge in a subject of interest, or preparation for employment in a specialized field.

Although reasons for writing a thesis vary, the purpose of the research is to discover new knowledge or enhance existing knowledge in the field of interest. A project that helps to solve a practical problem may also be acceptable. The thesis is a cumulative experience, which provides a record for student achievement in the program.

The technical and grammatical quality of a thesis is an index of the professional abilities of the student, the supervising professor, and committee members. Moreover, it is representative of the quality of graduate education of the University.