Laboring on an online master’s in organizational psychology degree can open doors for people persons to apply an understanding of employee behavior to enhance workplace quality. Industrial-organizational psychology integrates brain science into business for finding the best corporate practices to retain productive, satisfied talent. That’s important since Forbes magazine recently reported that 70 percent of workers are actively disengaged, plus around eight in 10 resignations result from lack of appreciation. The Healthy Thinking Initiative warned that two-thirds of employees experience significant work stress that causes approximately 1 million sick days daily. Due to alarming office statistics like the 53 percent unhappiness rate, there’s been an increased demand for organizational psychology online master’s graduates to improve personnel conditions in HR departments. A spotlight was shone on I/O psychology by ABC News in 2014 as America’s #1 fastest-growing career that more than doubled in size.
Methodology
The Grad School Hub team wanted to observe World Day for Safety and Health at Work on April 28th by pointing workplace wellness advocates toward cheap organizational psychology master’s offerings. We used the U.S. Department of Education’s NCES College Navigator database to input the search terms “industrial/organizational psychology” and “organizational behavior studies.” We checked the boxes for advanced degrees and distance education only to narrow the results. Our quest was deepened on Google to find omitted online schools. Next, we determined the regional accreditation status for all 32 colleges. Our final step was placing them in descending order by the 2017-18 graduate in-state tuition rate without fees. Here are the 19 most affordable online masters in I-O psychology improving people’s lives through enterprise enrichment.
Ranking Low-cost Online Organizational Psychology Master’s
19. University of the Incarnate Word
Master of Arts in Administration – Industrial & Organizational Psychology Concentration Online
San Antonio, TX
Average Graduate Tuition: $16,470 per year
Founded in 1881 by the Sisters of Charity, the University of the Incarnate Word is a private, coeducational Catholic ACCU member of the Southland Conference that’s endowed for $120 million to enroll 10,389 Cardinals at its 154-acre Alamo Heights campus and online. UIW was declared America’s sixth best college in Hispanic Outlook, 106th best online business program by the U.S. News & World Report, and 77th top standout school on Niche. The SACS-accredited School of Professional Studies accepts free applications for the Master of Arts in Administration – Industrial & Organizational Psychology Concentration Online. Chaired by Dr. Denise Staudt, the 30-credit, capstone-embedded curriculum integrates courses like Industrial Development Interventions and Organizational Consulting.
18. Franklin University
Online M.S. in Business Psychology
Columbus, OH
Average Graduate Tuition: $15,816 per year
Partnered with 230+ businesses, such as Nationwide, Discover, Centene, and Ohio Health, Franklin University is a private, nonprofit B-school endowed for $60 million that’s building on 115 years of excellence to teach 8,018 adults at 25 HLC-accredited locations and online via Canvas. Franklin was picked America’s 109th safest college on Niche, 40th most popular human resources school by College Factual, and 213th best value in Washington Monthly. Headed by Dr. Andy Igonor, the Ross College of Business awards the Online M.S. in Business Psychology for improving human labor efforts. The 36-credit, 14-month ends with the mastery demonstration project after courses like Behavioral Economics, Organizational Coaching, and Managerial Psychology.
17. Capella University
Master of Science in Psychology – Industrial/Organizational Psychology Specialization Online
Minneapolis, MN
Average Graduate Tuition: $14,365 per year
Known for its think2perform Research Institute, Capella University is a private, for-profit 2009 Blackboard Exemplary Course Award winner valued at $930 million in the “Mini Apple” that’s connecting 1,488 faculty in six countries with 37,000 adults online. Capella was crowned America’s 46th most focused human resources school on College Factual, 94th best value by WalletHub, and 257th top Ph.D. producer in Washington Monthly. The Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences presents the Master of Science in Psychology – Industrial/Organizational Psychology Specialization Online in the GuidedPath or FlexPath. Directed by Dr. Randy Johnson, the 55-credit, HLC-accredited major fills each 10-week quarter with courses like Consultation Psychology and Psychometric Measurements.
16. Argosy University
Online MA in Industrial Organizational Psychology
Orange, CA
Average Graduate Tuition: $13,806 per year
Acquired by The Dream Center Foundation with the Art Institutes in 2017, Argosy University is a newly minted Orange County nonprofit that’s now awarding $16 million in scholarships for 15,900 adults logging into Blackboard. Argosy was chosen America’s 25th most focused behavioral science school by College Factual, 149th top value on WalletHub, and 274th best master’s institution in Washington Monthly. Adhering to SIOP standards, the College of Counseling, Psychology & Social Sciences launched the Online MA in Industrial Organizational Psychology for 15-month completion. Overseen by Dr. Eric Rosen, the 36-credit, WASC-accredited degree follows the scholar-practitioner model with courses from Employee Selection to Performance Appraisal before the capstone.
15. Carlos Albizu University-Miami
Master of Science (M.S.) in Industrial & Organizational Psychology Online
Miami, FL
Average Graduate Tuition: $12,582 per year
Esteemed for helping 10,000 clients at the Goodman Psychological Services Center since 1980, Carlos Albizu University-Miami is a private, nonprofit Active Minds member with a $51 million HSI Grant to teach 2,413 multi-ethnic students in Puerto Rico, Florida, and online. Albizu is ranked America’s 103rd most popular health professions school on College Factual, 146th top value by WalletHub, and 597th best master’s institution in Washington Monthly. Connected to 100+ practicum sites, the School of Psychology accepts $50 applications for the Master of Science (M.S.) in Industrial & Organizational Psychology Online. Organized by Dr. Miguel Martinez, the 48-credit program strives to boost work-life satisfaction with courses like Talent Development, Personnel Selection, and Union Relations.
14. Baker College
Online Industrial/Organizational Psychology (MS)
Flint, MI
Average Graduate Tuition: $12,510 per year
Submitting AQIP portfolios to the Higher Learning Commission since 2006, Baker College is a private, nonprofit business-centric institute that’s expanded beyond the Lower Peninsula to teach 16,943 adults in 150+ programs on Blackboard with $172.9 million in financial aid. Baker was designated America’s 169th best engineering school by the U.S. News & World Report, third best online value by College Choice, and 208th top graduation rate in Washington Monthly. Coordinated by Dr. Rand Ziegler, the College of Social Sciences refreshes workplace mindsets in an Online Industrial/Organizational Psychology (MS). The 38-credit, residency-optional program delves into eight-week courses like Employee Motivation, Group Factors, and Evidence-Based Coaching to unlock median yearly income of $70,700.
13. University of Hartford
Master of Science in Organizational Psychology Online
West Hartford, CT
Average Graduate Tuition: $12,510 per year
Ranked 120th nationally by the U.S. News & World Report, the University of Hartford has a cheap organizational psychology master’s powered by Canvas with an average cohort size of 15.
Participating in the Association for Women in Psychology Conference each March, the University of Hartford is a private, non-sectarian liberal arts AEC member established in 1957 that’s endowed for $145.5 million to inspire 1,675 post-grad Hawks from 48 states face-to-face and online. Hartford was judged America’s 232nd best university on the Social Mobility Index, 147th top college for ROI by PayScale, and 122nd best service institution in Washington Monthly. The College of Arts and Sciences in East Hall has a February 15th deadline for entering the Master of Science in Organizational Psychology Online. Administered by Dr. Jessica Nicklin, the 36-credit, MSCHE-accredited curriculum takes two years of courses from Personnel Psychology to Experimental Design and a capstone project.
12. Thomas Edison State University
Online Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Trenton, NJ
Average Graduate Tuition: $12,024 per year
Named for the “Wizard of Menlo Park” in 1972, Thomas Edison State University is a public, self-directed adult learning institution and NUTN Distance Education Innovation Award recipient worth $79.3 million that’s serving 18,684 at its two-acre New York Metro campus or on Moodle. TESU was honored for America’s 134th most popular business school by College Factual, 18th best community college in Washington Monthly, and 282nd best returns on PayScale. Home to the Alpha Zeta Epsilon Chapter, the Heavin School of Arts & Sciences led by Dr. John Woznicki offers an Online Master of Arts in Liberal Studies (MALS) in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. The 36-credit curriculum spans six 12-week terms with courses like Teamwork and Growing Organizational Talent before the capstone.
11. California Southern University
Online MS Concentration in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Costa Mesa, CA
Average Graduate Tuition: $11,138 per year
Declared a USDLA Silver Sponsor, California Southern University is a private, for-profit Orange County school opened in 1978 on Harbor Boulevard that’s conferring 12 WSCUC-accredited degrees via eLearning to prove “Knowledge Conquers All.” CalSouthern was proclaimed America’s 20th best psychology program by Online Schools Center and 13th top online college on TheBestSchools.org. The School of Behavioral Sciences accepts $75 applications monthly to begin the Online MS Concentration in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Advised by Dr. Dorothy Hanson, an IBAM Board member, the 42-credit curriculum progresses toward a master’s thesis with Skype-enhanced courses like Workplace Conflict, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Testing, and Positive Psychology.
10. Bellevue University
Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology Online
Bellevue, NE
Average Graduate Tuition: $10,170 per year
Selected as the NSPA 2017 Scholarship Provider of the Year, Bellevue University is an affordably priced private, nonprofit “real learning” institution that underwent a $4 million transformation to better educate 10,304 Bruins on Cyberactive with resources like the Human Capital Lab. Bellevue was named America’s 198th best location on Niche, 12th best for vets college in Military Times, and #1 top transfer option by Most Innovative Universities Online. The IACBE-accredited Business, Management, and Leadership Division trains I-O practitioners with minimum 2.5 GPAs in the Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology Online. Coordinated by Dr. Jane Schaefer, the 36-credit, non-thesis degree integrates 180 practicum hours into courses like Job Analysis and Performance Appraisal.
9. Kansas State University
Online Master’s in Psychology with an Emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Manhattan, KS
Average Graduate Tuition: $9,960 per year
Given a $10.6 million NIH Grant for its well-known Center on Cognitive and Neurobiological Approaches to Plasticity, Kansas State University is a flagship public, polytechnic APLU member founded in 1863 that’s welcoming 22,795 Wildcats to Manhattan, Salina, Olathe, and online courses. K-State was applauded for America’s 16th best career services by The Princeton Review, 138th best buck in Washington Monthly, and 123rd top education overall on Plexuss. The HLC-accredited College of Arts and Sciences prefers Online Master’s in Psychology with an Emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology entrants with two years of experience. Apply before April 30th to the 38-credit, practicum-included program headed by Dr. Michael Young for topics like Job Training and Staff Development.
8. Colorado State University
Master of Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology (MAIOP) Online
Fort Collins, CO
Average Graduate Tuition: $9,917 per year
Highly regarded for its 100,000-square-foot Behavioral Sciences Building in Fort Collins, Colorado State University is a moderately selective public, land-grant RU/VH hub that’s blossomed since 1870 to teach 33,237 Rams in 70+ majors both on-site and online via Canvas. CSU was ranked America’s 89th best university by Bloomberg BusinessWeek, 243rd top psychology school on Niche, and 274th best value in Money magazine. The College of Natural Sciences managed by Dr. Janice Nerger has 186 full-time faculty for programs like the Master of Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology Online. Requiring GRE subject tests, the 39-credit, coursework-only curriculum uses an active learning model for topics from Criterion Development to Workforce Training and Succession Planning.
7. Eastern Kentucky University
Online Industrial-Organizational Psychology Master’s
Richmond, KY
Average Graduate Tuition: $9,900 per year
Chosen to host the 15th Annual Mid-South Psychology Conference in 2012, Eastern Kentucky University is a public, SACS-accredited research institution and Psi Chi Chapter location that’s endowed for $61 million to employ 588 faculty teaching 16,844 Colonels from Richmond to Canvas online. EKU stands out for America’s 165th best opportunity on the Social Mobility Index, 209th best value by WalletHub, and 324th top graduation rate in Washington Monthly. The College of Letters, Arts & Social Sciences waives GRE scores for entering the Online Industrial-Organizational Psychology Master’s speedy, eight-week terms. Overseen by Dr. Robert Brubaker, the 36-credit, non-thesis program offers PASS tutoring services for courses like Psychological Interviewing and Workplace Behavior.
6. Missouri University of Science & Technology
Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology Online
Rolla, MO
Average Graduate Tuition: $9,854 per year
Established in the Lead Belt in 1870, Missouri University of Science & Technology is the oldest public, land-grant polytechnic Midwest institution that’s endowed for $176 million to enroll 8,884 Miners from 60+ countries online or at the 284-acre, NSPE Award-winning Rolla campus. Missouri S&T was selected America’s 408th best psychology college on Niche, 118th top research university by Forbes, and 120th best buck in Washington Monthly. The School of Humanities & Social Sciences adheres to SIOP guidelines for its Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology Online and Applied Workplace Psychology Certificate. Directed by Dr. Nathan Weidner, the 40-credit degree has June 15th and December 15th deadlines for beginning courses from Group Dynamics to Human Factors.
5. Grand Canyon University
Online Master of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Phoenix, AZ
Average Graduate Tuition: $9,737 per year
Practicing the Boyer Model at the Canyon Neuroscience Center since 2010, Grand Canyon University is a private, nonprofit Baptist MPSF member in the “Valley of the Sun” that’s worth $153 million to support 75,200 Antelopes finding purpose 24/7 on Blackboard. GCU was deemed America’s 275th most ethnically diverse school by College Factual, the seventh best small company in Forbes, and 166th best buck in Washington Monthly. Administered by Dr. Sherman Elliott, the College of Humanities & Social Sciences partners with the ACBSP-accredited Colangelo College for the Online Master of Science in Psychology’s Emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. The 36-unit, Christ-centered program optimizes worker efficiency with eight-week courses like Personnel Management and Leadership Consultation.
4. Kaplan University
Master of Science in Psychology – Industrial/Organizational Psychology Concentration Online
Davenport, IA
Average Graduate Tuition: $9,432 per year
Given an A+ Better Business Bureau rating with 3.2/5 stars, Kaplan University is a private, nonprofit NewU sold to Purdue for $1 by Donald Graham in 2017 that’s teaching 45,335 adults primarily on Blackboard from headquarters in “Iowa’s Front Porch.” Kaplan is recognized for America’s 338th best student life on Niche, 20th best for vets education in Military Edge magazine, and 11th top online value by Best College Reviews. The 2015 EdTech Best Practice Award winner houses the Master of Science’s Industrial/Organizational Psychology Concentration Online in the HLC-accredited College of Social & Behavioral Sciences. Advised by Dr. Dee Strbiak, the 65-unit, practicum-optional curriculum offers thesis or exam tracks after courses like Workplace Attitudes and Employee Evaluation.
3. Touro University Worldwide
Online Industrial & Organizational Psychology Master’s Degree
Los Alamitos, CA
Average Graduate Tuition: $9,000 per year
Budgeting $508 million annually, Touro University Worldwide is a private, Jewish four-college system named for philanthropists Isaac and Judah Touro that’s employing 1,982 faculty to educate 18,000 diverse adults in New York, California, Nevada, Israel, or entirely online. Touro is deemed America’s 27th most focused psychology school by College Factual, 336th best private university in Forbes, and 289th top master’s institution in Washington Monthly. The WASC-accredited School of Business considers applications for the Online Industrial & Organizational Psychology Master’s Degree year-round. Organized by Dr. Shelia Lewis, the 36-credit, non-licensure program follows SIOP guidelines for concentrations in Coaching and Consulting, Human Resource Management, or Occupational Health Psychology.
2. Liberty University
Master of Science in Psychology: I-O Psychology Concentration Online
Lynchburg, VA
Average Graduate Tuition: $8,217 per year
Linked to 127,286 LinkedIn alumni, including business gurus Patrick Ayota, Jurnee Carr, and Tad Skylar Agoglia, Liberty University has 47 years of expertise and $1 billion in assets for delivering nonprofit, conservative Christian education on Blackboard with a 19:1 student-faculty ratio. Virginia’s first Loening Trophy winner is ranked the 382nd best private college in Forbes, 140th top psychology school on Niche, and 231st best university by the U.S. News & World Report. Known for its Daniels Program Mentoring, the Department of Psychology chaired by Dr. Justin Silvey grants the Master of Science in Psychology: I-O Psychology Concentration Online. The 36-credit, asynchronous program glorifies God in courses like Cognitive Psychology and Human Resources Training before the thesis.
1. Austin Peay State University
Online Master of Science in Industrial Organizational Psychology
Clarksville, TN
Average Graduate Tuition: $7,686 per year
Bestowed the 2018 Maurice A. Clay Leadership Development Initiative Grant, Austin Peay State University is a public, regional SACS-accredited Ohio Valley Conference member that’s endowed for $22 million to teach 10,728 Governors at its 160-acre Cumberland campus and on Desire2Learn. APSU is crowned America’s 343rd most conservative college on Niche, 189th best value by WalletHub, and 230th top university on the Social Mobility Index. The Department of Psychological Science & Counseling in Clement Hall charges our list’s lowest price for the Online Master of Science in Industrial Organizational Psychology. Directed by Dr. Adriane Sanders, the 34-hour, residency-free curriculum ends with an exam or thesis after courses like Personnel Assessment and Organizational Change.
Other Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology Online Degree Offerings
Online Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Average Graduate Tuition: $16,553 per year
MS in Management and Organizational Behavior Online
Average Graduate Tuition: $16,888 per year
Online Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Average Graduate Tuition: $18,270 per year
Master of Arts in Psychology, I/O Psychology Online
Average Graduate Tuition: $18,613 per year
Southern New Hampshire University
Online Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Average Graduate Tuition: $18,810 per year
Penn State University-World Campus
MPS in the Psychology of Leadership Online
Average Graduate Tuition: $20,470 per year
Online Master of Science in Organizational Psychology
Average Graduate Tuition: $24,964 per year
The Chicago School of Professional Psychology at Los Angeles
M.A. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology Online
Average Graduate Tuition: $27,048 per year
Online MS in Applied Psychology, I/O Psychology Concentration
Average Graduate Tuition: $28,114 per year
Organizational Psychology Master of Arts (MAOP) Online
Average Graduate Tuition: $39,750 per year
University of Southern California
Online Master of Science in Applied Psychology
Average Graduate Tuition: $43,200 per year
Master of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology Online
Average Graduate Tuition: $43,400 per year
See also: 10 Most Affordable PhD in Organizational Psychology Online Programs
Which Careers Benefit From an Online Organizational Psychology Master’s?
Master’s in organizational psychology online study has broad applications for virtually all careers, excluding college teaching and scientific research, that focus on the people making businesses run. I-O psychology theories are useful in various disciplines, such as labor relations, workplace diversity, occupational safety, recruitment, compensation, and employee assistance, depending on industry credentials. For instance, the National Association of Personnel Services has the Certified Personnel Consultant (CPC) title for staffing specialists who earn 17 CEUs each year. The Society for Human Resource Management offers the Certified Professional (CP) distinction for master’s grads with 1,000 hours of HR experience who pass a $300 exam. Please note that a doctorate is required to take the American Board of Professional Psychology exam for Organizational & Business Consulting Psychology (OBCP) licensure. These four jobs open immediately with an organizational psychology master’s online though.
Industrial-Organizational Psychologist- Labeled America’s #2 best science job by the U.S. News & World Report, this is the broadest title for online master’s in organizational psychology graduates to revitalize business’ labor dynamics. I-O psychologists research corporate morale, assess workplace productivity, develop personnel-related changes, start wellness initiatives, mediate conflicts, identify training needs, and perform career counseling.
Talent Assessment Consultant- The American Psychological Association chose employee screening as one of the I/O field’s foremost responsibilities, so master’s in organizational psychology online grads can specialize here. Talent assessment consultants conduct pre-hire psychometrics, deliver aptitude tests, create job analysis surveys, examine leadership styles, interpret SPSS data results, set employee selection policies, and uphold staffing laws.
Human Resources Development Manager- Adapting to ever-changing HR trends like those written by Business 2 Community in February 2018 falls on the human resources development manager’s shoulders. Getting an online organizational psychology masters could help introduce new personnel strategies, implement corporate eLearning, negotiate HR vendor contracts, comply with legislation, boost salary budgets, and meet performance targets.
Workforce Analytics Director- Research methods courses in organizational psychology master’s online degrees can even prepare for the Big Data market poised to pass $203 billion this decade according to Information Week. Workforce analytics directors lead diverse teams who run statistics on leadership performance, corporate culture, competency acquisition, employee churn, and more to turn data into operational changes that achieve SMART goals.
Master’s in Organizational Psychology Salary
Cheap organizational psychology masters online can harvest abundant ROI that soars above the median graduate salary of $78,000 on a Georgetown CEW report. That’s welcome news since the College Board found that only 26 percent of post-grads finish without debt. The Department of Labor says the 1,020 industrial-organizational psychologists earn a mean annual income of $104,570 with top pay of $184,380. Human resources managers snag high profits averaging $120,210 yearly. Managers in training and development bring home a median wage of $105,830. Employee benefits administrators are given average compensation of $116,240. Industrial relations managers score standard pay of $107,320. On Salary.com, business psychology jobs post a median revenue of $118,780. Other six-figure averages are $111,015 for organizational development managers, $137,309 for recruiting directors, $108,032 for EEO managers, $104,383 for EAP directors, $184,080 for employee relations executives.
Job Outlook
Earning a master’s in organizational psychology online can be a savvy business move into one of The Wall Street Journal’s hottest jobs. Currently, SIOP JobNet has 80 openings featured at companies like PepsiCo, Novo Nordisk, Marriott, Aon, and Northrop Grumman. Although it dropped from 53 percent in recent years, the job growth rate published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for the teeny I-O psychology specialty is 8 percent. Human resources management is predicting a faster-than-average increase of 9 percent for 12,300 new jobs. By 2026, the number of training and development managers will spike by 10 percent to 38,100 total. The 10-year outlooks are also 9 percent for job analysis specialists, 8 percent for executives, and 10 percent for personnel services managers. Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Florida, and Utah were crowned the best states for jobs on CNBC, so take advantage of flexible online master’s in organizational psychology courses to follow your employee engagement passion anywhere.
Additional Sources:
The Healthy Thinking Initiative
GSH Staff
August 2018
