Psychology Program at Montclair State University

Industrial and Organizational Psychology (MA)

Apply NowFrequently Asked QuestionsRequest InformationUpcoming EventsDepartment Website

Industrial and Organizational Psychology (MA) – STEM Designated Degree Program

The Master of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Montclair State University prepares students for careers in any organization concerned with human capital in the workplace or prepares students for continued education in this or related fields. Industrial and Organizational Psychology is one of the few fields in psychology where a doctoral degree is not required and students can gain employment with a master’s degree. Career opportunities exist in all areas of business, industry, consulting, government, health and education. Additionally, Industrial and Organizational Psychology is one of the fastest-growing careers that requires a master’s credential.

Why Study Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Montclair State University?

  1. We are committed. Industrial and Organizational Psychology courses are taught by highly successful full-time faculty members.
  2. We are balanced. We combine theory and practice to ensure students have the practical skills to succeed in the job market as well as the scientific skills to succeed in PhD programs. Students learn both “industrial” and “organizational” topics. Students can choose to do either a thesis or an internship.
  3. We are flexible and affordable. Graduate classes are held at night making attending school and working a real possibility. Because Montclair is a state university, tuition costs are relatively low compared to other institutions. Most students complete the degree in two years, taking 9 credits per semester, but some take fewer credits and complete it in three years.
  4. We have an incredible location. We are located in one of the largest, most diverse, most populated business centers in the world. Travel into New York City is facilitated by two train stops right on the University campus into Penn Station, New York.
  5. We are rigorous. Our students and alumni wouldn’t have it any other way. We offer training in R, univariate and multivariate statistics, demand integrative projects that blend concepts across courses, and require evidence-based thinking in presentations and consultation. Our alumni are well regarded in the NJ/NY area.
  6. We are successful. Our graduates do well once they leave the University. Examples of organizations that have employed graduates include: Deloitte, EY, Estee Lauder, Goldman Sachs, Gotham Consulting Partners, JetBlue, Johnson & Johnson, Korn Ferry, KPMG, Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Samsung, United States Department of Veterans Affairs, United Nations. Graduates have entered PhD programs at institutions including Clemson University, Hofstra University, University of Connecticut, University of Houston and Virginia Tech.

Along with the Industrial and Organizational Psychology (MA) degree, the Psychology department also offers the following options for graduate study:
Clinical Psychology (MA), Child/Adolescent Psychology Concentration
Clinical Psychology (MA), Forensic Psychology Concentration
Industrial/Organizational Psychology (PhD)
Psychological Sciences (MA)
Psychological Sciences (Combined BA/MA)

More details about the I/O program can be found at the Psychology Department’s website.

Please refer to our programs of study page for a comprehensive list of all of the graduate programs offered within the university.

Admission Requirements

The Office of Graduate Admissions requires the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree in order to be eligible to apply for a graduate program. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in psychology OR a minimum of 12 undergraduate credits in psychology, including a course in statistics and a laboratory experimental course. Please note: an introductory course in psychology does not count toward the minimum credit requirement, though it might be needed as a pre-requisite to other psychology courses.

Applicants with non-U.S. degrees, please visit the International Applicants page to review the U.S. degree equivalency information.

Application Checklist

In order to make applying for graduate school as seamless as possible for you, we have
created an application checklist. This checklist can be a reference point for you during the
application process to ensure that you have a comprehensive understanding of the steps
needed to apply, as well as all corresponding supplemental materials for your specific
program of interest.

  • Application Deadline: Fall Admission Only 
    • Priority Deadline: March 15th. Applications to the Master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program that are complete as of the March 15th deadline will receive priority review, and can expect an admissions decision no later than April 15th. Applications completed after the priority deadline will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the program is full.
  • Submit Online Application: Please create your online account and submit your application by following the general application instructions and pay (or waive) the non-refundable $60 application fee. Once this step has been completed, the online portal will allow you to upload your supplemental materials.
  • The following is a list of the supplemental materials that will accompany your application for the Industrial and Organizational Psychology (MA) program:
  • Transcript: One from each college attended.
  • Essays/Personal Statement – Please write an integrated essay providing a response to each of the following questions:
    • What are your goals for graduate study and your future career?
    • In what ways do your academic background and your professional experiences provide evidence of your potential for success in the program you selected and in your eventual career?
    • Please give specific examples of relevant coursework and/or experience.
    • Is there any further information we should consider in assessing your candidacy?
  • Letters of Recommendation: Two.
  • GRE General Test scores (optional if your overall GPA is 3.3 or greater or have completed a master’s degree).
  • Applicants with non-U.S. degrees, please visit the International Applicants page to review the US degree equivalency information.
Curriculum

This academic program is comprised of 36 total credits in relevant coursework, including Crisis Communication, Theories of Consultation, Behavior Modification, and Sociological Theory. For more information, please visit the Industrial and Organizational Psychology (MA) program listing in the University Catalog.

Contact

If you have any general questions regarding the application process and requirements, please email or call us:
Office of Graduate Admissions
Email: graduate@montclair.edu
Telephone: 973-655-5147
Fax: 973-655-7869

If you have specific inquiries regarding your program of interest, please contact the Industrial and Organizational Psychology (MA) Program Coordinator:

Program Coordinator: Dr. Mele Kramer
Email: psycgrad@montclair.edu