Best Online Master’s in Organizational Psychology

The best online organizational psychology master’s programs prepare you for a lucrative and in-demand career as an industrial-organizational psychologist. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, industrial-organizational psychologists earned a median salary of $105,310 per year in May 2021.

Unlike most psychologist roles, organizational psychologists don’t need a doctorate. To rank the best online organizational psychology master’s programs, we compared factors like academic rigor, student outcomes, and cost.

Combining the principles of psychology and business, organizational psychology (also known as industrial psychology) is the scientific study of working. A master’s degree in organizational psychology provides graduates with the critical leadership skills to drive structural and cultural change across an organization.

Online master’s degree programs in industrial organizational psychology explore an array of topics related to human behavior and business, including workplace diversity, employee training, performance auditing, and change management. Students learn to use evidence-based best practices to effectively restructure organizations, promote teamwork, and enhance the workplace. Available concentrations in this degree track include talent management, human resources management, and coaching and consulting.

Each school offers its own unique program. For example, instead of traveling to a college campus for classes, some schools let distance learners complete all their work in virtual classrooms. This allows students to take classes and complete assignments in the comfort of their home or office. It also opens the door for students to enroll in programs outside of where they live and work. Online students engage with their professors and classmates through email, web conferences, and discussion boards.

Instructors deliver online coursework synchronously, asynchronously, or as a combination of both formats. Asynchronous programs do not require any specific login times, which means that students can complete work on their own schedules. Conversely, synchronous courses require students to sign on at specific times to participate in real-time video conferences or group discussions with classmates and instructors. Cohort-style online programs tend to mandate that students complete courses together at a set sequence and at a specific pace. Students in more flexible programs can choose their course loads and finish their programs at a pace that best suits their needs.

Online learning serves as a great option for students who require maximum flexibility, such as needing to balance work, family, or other personal commitments. The most successful distance learners are independent and self-motivated enough to complete their work.

After earning an undergraduate degree, students often face the decision of whether to pursue a master’s degree. A bachelor’s degree in organizational psychology is a great stepping stone to a more advanced degree in the field. Professionals with bachelor’s degrees in organizational psychology may find careers as training and development coordinators, instructional designers, personnel analysts, or human resources generalists.

However, many positions in this field require a master’s degree. Earning an online master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology opens the door to many job opportunities with higher earning potential, including as organizational consultants, training development directors, researchers, and employee relations directors. Some organizations may even prefer to hire industrial-organizational psychologists who hold their Ph.D. Earning a doctoral degree in industrial organization also qualifies graduates to become college professors. The following section describes five potential careers for students with a master’s in organizational psychology.

The accreditation process involves an evaluation of a school’s academics, faculty, resources, and more. Accredited institutions are approved and recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (ED). The ED and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), a non-governmental organization of colleges and universities, ensure the credibility of accrediting organizations.

Two types of accreditation apply to higher education: regional and national. Regional accreditation is the highest standard of accreditation, and seven ED- and CHEA-recognized regional accreditation agencies oversee accreditation in the U.S, including the Higher Learning Commission and the Middle States Commission of Higher Education. Schools with regional accreditation boast nonprofit status and typically serve as the more reputable institutions.

The ED also recognizes national accreditation agencies, including the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and the Accrediting Council for Continuing Education and Training. National accreditation focuses on specific trades, vocations, or faith-based careers. Students should note that attending a school with only national accreditation comes with some downsides, such as employer skepticism regarding the degree conferred and credit-transfer issues.

Organizational psychology programs analyze the behavior of people in business settings. Professional organizational psychologists use psychological principles to create methods and plans in order to optimize productivity. The highly specialized nature of the degree means that further concentration options are not always available. However, students often personalize their program by choosing electives of interest.

Courses in an online master’s in industrial-organizational psychology program apply theory to practical settings. Students may take classes such as measurement and statistics, research methods, workforce training, and cross-cultural psychology. Prospective students should note that specific classes and electives vary from school to school.

Various criteria impact the length of time it takes to earn a degree. For example, most master’s degrees require students to earn 30–40 credits, with some degrees requiring up to 54 credits. Whether distance learners take classes on a full-time or part-time basis also affects the length of time it takes to graduate. Some schools allow students to choose between full-time or part-time status; however, some programs only come in one format.

Students who take courses on a full-time basis may earn their degrees in 2–2 years, while those who opt for part-time programs may need 2–4 years to complete their degrees. Distance learners who wish to earn their degrees at a quicker pace should look for accelerated programs, which allow students to graduate in as little as 11 months. Additionally, students who transfer in previously earned credits may require less time to earn their degrees, as taking fewer credits results in a cheaper total program cost.

Working at the intersection between modern business and traditional psychology, industrial-organizational psychologists often partner with business or government professionals to develop employee training programs, evaluate organizational structures, and assist with change management programs. Students with their online master’s degree in industrial organizational psychology also apply these principles to a variety of business operations within administration, human resources, and marketing. Professionals in this specialized field can also opt for careers in academia to conduct research, write papers and books, and instruct students.

Industrial organizational psychologists analyze human behavior in the workplace. Their work includes research design, creating assessment exercises, conducting surveys, and interpreting results. Industrial-organizational psychologists generally hold a master’s degree and state licensure, though some organizations prefer a doctoral degree.

As the industrial-organization field grows, so does the demand for professors. Industrial-organizational professors teach college-level courses, conduct research, and mentor students. They also present lectures, assign coursework, and grade assignments. Colleges and universities require adjunct professors to hold at least a master’s degree; however, most tenured professors hold a Ph.D.

Training development directors create and implement employee training programs. They establish training objectives and ensure that goals align with an organization’s larger strategic initiatives. Most positions require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree; however, many employers prefer a master’s degree.

Research consultants collect and analyze data, and then they present their findings. Industrial-organizational research consultants solve business problems related to employees and the workplace. Most positions require at least a bachelor’s degree; however, many employers require or prefer a master’s degree.

Employee relations directors typically work in human resources departments. They manage the workforce, guide employee actions, conduct training sessions, and ensure compliance with labor regulations. Employee relations directors must hold at least a bachelor’s degree; however, most employers prefer a master’s degree.