Home > Research Groups > Industrial/Organizational Psychology > Program Information

Industrial-Organizational Psychology Specialization

The Psychology Department of The University of Calgary offers specializations in Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology at the Masters and Ph.D. level.

The Industrial-Organizational Psychology specialization is based on the scientist-practitioner model. As a scientist, the focus is on the generation of new knowledge through theory building/testing/evaluating using research skills. As a practitioner, the focus is on the effective consumption, dissemination and use of research-based knowledge in applied settings. These areas in the I-O specialization draw on the theory and research carried out in the more traditional areas of psychology such as personality, social, perception, cognition, quantitative methods and analysis. The aim of all research in the I-O specialization, however, is to develop theories and carry out research that will optimize conditions leading to high levels of performance in applied settings.

I-O psychologists examine human behaviour in a variety of workplace settings from both an individual perspective (e.g., job analysis, job evaluation, selection, interviewing, test development, testing, placement, training, performance evaluation, job satisfaction, leadership, motivation, program evaluation, decision-making) as well as striving to understand group and social influences on work behaviour (e.g., organizational structure, organizational context, organizational development, career development, organizational culture and climate, group dynamics, team development, strategic planning, organizational transformation).

The purpose of this program is to expose students to the theoretical knowledge base in Industrial-Organizational Psychology, and to carry out independent research in one of these areas leading to the completion of a thesis. Completion of this program will prepare students to continue to pursue a Ph.D., take on research and applied consulting roles at the Master's level, and typically takes two years to complete.

The purpose of obtaining this advanced degree is to prepare graduate students to be able to perform in an academic research position and/or practice in non-clinical applied settings. As such, students will be expected to complete their coursework and candidacy examinations as well as pursue individual research in the areas of Industrial-Organizational Psychology, leading to the completion of a dissertation. Students are offered the opportunity and encouraged to engage in applied contractual work and/or internship during their tenure in the program. This program should take 3 years to complete.