Industrial and Organizational Psychology: Human Resources Management Concentration, (M.A.)

Program Overview

The comprehensive Master of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program trains students in the critical areas of measurement, selection, learning and development, talent management, and performance management. Students are prepared to be professionals with the insight, innovation, and skills to address today’s complex organizational issues of workplace diversity and inclusiveness, employee performance, change management, organizational culture, team building, and more.

Adler University applies a unique emphasis on social justice, socially responsible practice, and inclusion. This is done through intensive online coursework that culminates with a capstone or thesis project. Students and faculty embrace a broad range of perspectives and theoretical approaches. They explore techniques to build and maintain bridges across social, economic, cultural, and racial differences through applied case studies. The program is designed to give students the skills to identify and address shared problems, and fosters the development of social responsibility, corporate citizenship, social justice, and respect through evidence-based action. This program does not lead to professional licensure or certification.

Program Objectives

Upon completion of this degree program, graduates will be able to:

1. Recognize underlying business challenges and key stakeholders involved.
2. Integrate social justice to recognize and acknowledge individual differences and how they influence organizations.
3. Identify and assess organizational efforts toward social responsibility and corporate citizenship.
4. Use data and evidence-based practices to inform ethical decision making.
5. Develop legally defensible talent management systems.
6. Apply I/O and psychological theories to deliver solutions that promote organizational effectiveness.
7. Deepen self-awareness and personal growth for lifelong learning as an I/O practitioner.

Graduation Requirements

1. Satisfactory completion of required credit hours, including all required courses.
2. Satisfactory completion of the Social Justice Practicum.
3. Successful completion of capstone or thesis.
4. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
5. Submission of completed graduation application and full payment of all outstanding tuition and fees.
6. Faculty approval for graduation and recommendation to the Board of Trustees for the conferral of the Master of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Social Justice Practicum

The Social Justice Practicum (SJP) is a nonclinical and non-discipline-specific experiential practicum. Students gain the knowledge, skills, and perspectives to utilize collective power and social justice strategies to build a more equitable society.

The SJP is designed to help students learn how to work alongside different communities as agents of social change and serves as the catalyst for students to realize and understand their strengths and responsibility to contribute to social equity.

The SJP unites the academic institution and larger communities and is an anchor of student learning at Adler University. This experiential learning process includes attending monthly workshops to explore civics, intersectionality, and community organizing and completing a practicum at community-based organizations to work on projects that will strengthen the social justice missions of our community partner members.

All students must complete the SJP before advancing onto any clinical or discipline-specific training, respective of the program in which they are enrolled. SJP requirements include:

- Completion of a minimum of 200 hours at an approved SJP site.
- Completion of online modules. 

- A formal SJP presentation at the Social Justice Symposium. 

- Students must receive a grade of “Pass” for the midterm and final evaluation to receive credit for completing the SJP.

The SJP may not be waived, and life credit is not admissible to meet this requirement.