Industrial/Organizational Psychology

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Program Overview

Welcome Prospective Students! 

On these pages, we hope that you will find helpful information about the Fairfield University Industrial/Organizational Psychology program.  Some of you may already have a solid foundation in I/O psychology (through your undergraduate courses or work experience) but, for others, this may be your first exploration of this exciting field.  We hope this site will provide you with helpful information about the field and about our specific program’s offerings.

As the director of the graduate program, I am passionate about increasing awareness of I/O psychology.  I/O psychology is the application of psychological science to the study of work, with the goal of improving employee experiences and organizational performance.  Grounded in the scientist-practitioner approach, it is an exciting applied field that lies at the intersection of psychology and management.  If you enjoy asking challenging questions about human behavior and believe in evidence-based best practices, I/O psychology might be a good home for you. 

As a modern-Jesuit university, Fairfield strives to care for the whole person – you will be assigned an advisor who will work closely with you throughout your graduate career and faculty are available and eager to support your academic, personal, and career goals.  Our graduate students are diverse in terms of their backgrounds and interests and we hope that you will feel part of a supportive learning community.

We offer two degree options: a traditional master’s degree (typically completed in about two years) and a five-year integrated bachelor’s and master’s degree (for Fairfield undergraduates who have completed a series of pre-requisites). All of our courses are focused on providing both knowledge and practical skills, making this program ideal for those who want to advance in their careers or pursue a new career path.  We cover topics such as consulting, coaching, program evaluation, and survey design, as well as central courses in behavioral statistics and research methods.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis (i.e., you can apply at any time!). After all components of your application are submitted, you should expect to be invited for an interview within a few weeks – following that interview, an official decision will be sent to you by email.  While most students begin the program in the fall semester, we do have options for students who would like to begin in the spring or summer terms.

Please reach out to me with any questions about the program, the application process, or I/O psychology.  You can contact me at ktomlin@fairfield.edu.

Katie Tomlin, PhD
Associate Professor of the Practice
Graduate Program Director

Industrial Organizational Psychology | Fairfield University

Requirements & Course Offerings

Industrial-organizational psychology is the branch of psychology that applies psychological theories and principles to organizations, promoting efficiency and productivity, as well as the well-being of employees. Many graduates of the I/O Psychology MS program work in organizational settings after graduation, while others use their time in the program to strengthen their academic backgrounds in psychology before pursuing further graduate studies at another institution.

Required Courses

Introduction to Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Team Processes
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Work
Conflict Management and Negotiation
Behavioral Statistics
Research in Psychology
Program Evaluation
Development and Training Programs
Effective Interviewing and Survey Design
Consulting and Organizational Development
Performance Coaching
Field Work in Applied Psychology
Comprehensive Exam in Applied Psychology
One (1) elective course in Communication or Management

A detailed list of course requirements, offerings, and more can be viewed in the University’s course catalog.

Five-Year BS/MS Program in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

This program has been designed for Fairfield University undergraduate students who are interested in a pathway to work in settings such as large organizations using specific psychology skills necessary to work as industrial/organizational specialists.

Graduates of the program assume positions in profit and non-profit organizations in human resources, training, consulting, research, organization development, recruiting and similar specialties. The skills, psychological principles and methodologies mastered in the program may be applied in a variety of organizational settings depending upon the student's interests and career choices.

See the Industrial/Organizational Psychology Five-Year Dual Integrated Bachelor and Master of Science program requirements and course descriptions.

College of Arts & Sciences Admission

Applicants for the MS in IO Psychology must hold a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited college or university (or the international equivalent) and give promise of meeting the standards set by the University.

More About MS in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

Diversity and Inclusive Excellence

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Diversity and Inclusive Excellence

Four Students sitting together talking to each other in common srrea 

As a Jesuit, Catholic university, Fairfield is dedicated to diversity and inclusion; to radical hospitality in service of racial, social, and economic justice.

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Career & Professional Opportunities

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Career & Professional Opportunities

Fairfield's Master of Science in I/O Psychology provides:

  • Knowledge to enhance work in community agencies
  • Knowledge and skills for professional work in corporate organizations
  • Foundational knowledge and skills in psychology

Graduates of Fairfield's I/O Psychology programs are much in demand, finding advantageous fieldwork placements and meaningful employment with some of the country's top organizations:

  • Bayer Corporation
  • Cendant Mobility
  • Cendant International
  • Deloitte
  • IBM
  • Jones Retail Corporation
  • MasterCard Worldwide
  • Merrill Lynch
  • Oxford Health Plans
  • Pepperidge Farm
  • Sara Lee Corporation
  • Shell Oil Company
  • The College Board
  • Toyota Financial
  • U.S. Department of Justice
  • U.S. Surgical

Learn about how Fairfield's Career Center can support your post-graduate goals, and how Fairfield's tight-knit alumni network can build career and mentoring opportunities that last a lifetime.

Visit the Career Center

Faculty

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Faculty

The College of Arts and Sciences at Fairfield University is home to a vibrant community of engaged faculty, dedicated staff, and accomplished scholars devoted to the process of invention and discovery and excited by the prospect of producing knowledge in the service of others. Our faculty members are experts in their field and work closely with graduate students to provide academic advice and individualized attention that makes their experience as productive as it is rewarding.

Meet the Faculty

Frequently Asked Questions

The Office of Graduate Admissions is available to explain the application requirements and to help you get your application together. You may contact them by submitting a request for information or by phoning (203) 254-4184 or toll-free (888) 488-6840.

No, the GREs are not required.

Visit the tuition and fees page for more information regarding tuition costs for Fairfield's graduate programs.

No. While some of our students attend full-time, most of our students are working professionals who attend our program part-time.

Most of our courses are offered in the evening and a few are offered on the weekends. Weekday courses generally meet once a week for two hours. Weekend courses tend to be full day courses that meet for four or five weekends or weekend days over the semester.

We keep our classes small. On average, our maximum class size is 20, but class sizes range from 10 to 25.

An undergraduate degree in psychology is not required. Our students come from a variety of undergraduate backgrounds, which adds to the richness of our class interactions.

Students who attend full-time take 9 credits each Fall and Spring semester and up to 6 credits in the summer sessions. For full-time students who start in the Fall semester, the program can be completed in about two years. For students who attend part-time, the time will vary based on how many courses are taken at a time.

Students are required, however, to complete their degree within five years after they begin their first course.

To be considered for financial aid, Fairfield University requires students to complete a FAFSA form. For further information on financial aid, visit the Office of Financial Aid.

Yes, graduate assistantships are offered that provide tuition credit for work. Please see the information noted on the website regarding available positions.

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