Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Make Better Workplaces with Psychologically Backed Practices

Earn your master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational (IO) Psychology and apply psychological practices to make workplaces healthier and function better. The comprehensive M.S. in IO Psychology program explores the psychological perspectives that build the underlying organizational processes found in different industries.

Through faculty-mentored research and hands-on learning experiences, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how psychology can be used to improve productivity, increase efficiency, and promote team-building within an organization. Your master’s degree will give you the experience and knowledge to thrive in careers in research, consultation, teaching, or general employment in organizations in both the public and private sectors.

Upcoming Term Start Dates

8/19/2025

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Top Reasons

Expert Faculty

Learn from faculty who are published experts in their fields and teach with engaged learning practices and years of practical experience. Professors are committed to your success and will provide you with individualized mentoring to propel you along your career path.

Flexible Schedule

Earn your master’s degree around your busy schedule with flexible course offerings. The program is offered in a hybrid format with a combination of in-person class time and online coursework.

This accelerated degree can be completed in two years.

Team Building

This program utilizes a team-oriented educational model to encourage you to work collaboratively with your peers and form meaningful connections. Each semester, you’ll be placed in work groups for group-based projects and discussion forums.

Choose Your Path

This MS program offers two different culminating degree experiences based on what your next moves are after finishing your master’s.

If you’re planning to pursue a doctorate, you can choose the Thesis option, in which you’ll work with faculty on a research project that matches your interests.

If you anticipate moving into an applied position after completion, you can choose the Internship option, which will better prepare you for strong performance in the corporate world.

Top-Tier Internships

Florida Southern partners with local corporations to provide you with internship opportunities that will give you a competitive edge and a meaningful experience to learn from. Internship partners include:

Bristol-Myers Squibb
Collins Aerospace
Globalization Partners
Cemex
AgAmerica

Publix Supermarkets
Employment Technologies
Braathe Enterprises
Allegiance Staffing
Rebellion Defense

STEM Optional Practice Training

International F-1 students may be eligible for a STEM Optional Practice Training (OPT) extension. The extension allows for 24 months of additional OPT employment authorization for students in specific STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) fields.

Employment must be directly related to the student's program of study in an approved STEM field.

Meet Our Mocs

Adara Richter

It was an easy decision to trust Florida Southern to guide me through the next phase of my continued education. I've been exposed to content across disciplines and gained knowledge in decision making, talent selection, talent appraisal, statistics, and research. The curriculum is robust and the faculty is readily available to the students. My goal is to use the knowledge acquired to prepare our team for extended growth.

Adara Richter

Jessica Rodriguez

I knew a graduate program at Florida Southern was the right choice for me. I have expanded my overall statistical knowledge, learned about enacting change within organizations, and benefited from the conversations and ideas shared by cohort members. The professors create an environment dedicated to student success.

Jessica Rodriguez

Nehu Bain

I aspire to make a difference in the work environment. By earning a Master of Science degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology, I will be able to use my knowledge to enhance my role in social work. My experience with my cohort and Florida Southern College has been nothing short of amazing. The faculty insure that all students are heard and their ideas are considered.

Nehu Bain

Rachel Hunt

One of the main reasons I chose Florida Southern over other programs was because of the hybrid delivery. I am able to have in-person engagement and learning that works with my busy schedule. The student to professor ratio was also important. My professors have gone out of their way to create relevant learning opportunities and guidance toward meaningful internships.

Rachel Hunt

Sam Wiitala

There are so many valuable resources available to you while you are a student at Florida Southern. The faculty, professors, and advisors genuinely care and want to help you succeed; you just need to take the initiative. Dr. Lew has been an amazing resource and advocate for my academic success and journey. I was highly interested in research and sought out her guidance. She was happy to help me and found different possible options – and we worked together to find projects that aligned with my research interests.

Sam Wiitala

Isabella LiCausi, MSIO

I chose FSC because of the 4+1 program opportunity. I was able to complete my master's degree in one additional year rather than the typical 2 years post-grad. I was able to learn a lot of information in a variety of areas within IO Psychology. I appreciated being able to get a perspective from an academic side, as well as an industry side from the different professors of the program. The faculty contributed to my academic success by being understanding and flexible. They know the real world is never perfect, so they do not expect the students to be perfect.

Isabella LiCausi, MSIO

Program Highlights

Innovative Engaged Teamwork Model

Each semester, you and your peers will be assigned to small groups that will work together across courses to complete group-based projects. The purpose of the group work is to give you a chance to interact directly with members of your cohort and experience different work styles. Although the bulk of your coursework will be done independently, every course will include a group project to ensure that you hone and develop important social skills necessary for the workplace.

New groups are created each semester so that you have the chance to make meaningful connections with different peers from your class. Your group experiences are not only a great way to get to know your fellow classmates but they also function as an applied laboratory for understanding fundamental principles of industrial and organizational psychology.

Groups will meet either in person or online for project work.

Mission Statement

The mission of the IO Psychology program is to prepare students for meaningful careers in the field through understanding and applying psychological principles to the workplace. The program seeks to engage students in academic and applied high-impact learning experiences to enable students to make meaningful contributions to organized life. The program endeavors to instill professional skills through coursework, relevant research, and professional internships

Outstanding Faculty

The Psychology faculty are housed within the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Florida Southern College. Faculty contributors to the program consist of a diverse group of published, research-oriented professionals with expertise in human factors, organizational culture, leadership, research methods, statistics, industrial psychology, motivation, experimental psychology, and other areas of IO Psychology. Our professors are deeply committed to student success, academic excellence, and providing every student with positive, engaged learning experiences.

Featured Faculty

Victoria Lew

I believe that education is, as Nelson Mandela once said, "the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world," and that I, as an instructor, have a responsibility to each and every one of my students to provide the best learning experience possible so that they will be prepared and ready when they go out into the real world.

Program Details

Admission Requirements

Official transcripts of all academic work
Current Résumé
Applicant must have an earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution as verified by an official transcript of all undergraduate work completed with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 overall.
Recommendation Form or Letter of Reference (Academic or Work-Related Preferred)
Professional Essay (Maximum of two single-spaced pages).
- Why are you interested in pursuing a graduate degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology?
- Highlight your academic and/or professional experiences that may be relevant to your success in this graduate program.
- Discuss your academic strengths and weaknesses. How will these enhance or challenge your success as a graduate student? As the program at FSC is highly focused on a teaming model, please share your experiences contributing to teams in the past, whether in an educational, employment, or other setting.

Additional International Requirements

Official Translated Transcripts With Course By Course Evaluation**
Bank Letter Verifying Funds of Sponsor***
Sponsor's Guarantee Form
Valid Passport
Official TOEFL/IELTS Score****

** SpanTran (discount available), Academic Evaluation Services, Inc., Josef Silny, or World Education Services or another similar approved transcript evaluation agency.

*** A bank letter is a written statement on bank letterhead and signed by a bank official.

**** Must have completed an English language training program or at least one year at an English speaking institution to waive the TOEFL/IELTS testing requirement.

Additional Admission Requirements for IO Psychology

Completion of the following undergraduate courses (or approved equivalents) are preferred for admission into the IO program:

MAT 2022 Elementary Statistics
PSY 2206 Social Psychology
PSY 2210 Tests & Measurements
PSY 3310 Research Design & Statistics
PSY 3336 Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Course Delivery

Weeknight Hybrid

Students enjoy a convenient class schedule through a hybrid format. Each week, students attend two courses — one online and one on campus.

Curriculum

Required Courses - 33 hours

Course Number	Course Name
PSY 6100	Statistics and Research Methods I
PSY 6150	Industrial Psychology
PSY 6200	Statistics and Research Methods II
PSY 6250	Organizational Psychology
PSY 6300	Workplace Motivation
PSY 6350	Personnel Selection
PSY 6400	Training and Development
PSY 6450	Leadership
PSY 6500	Special Topics in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
PSY 6960/6961	Internship in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
OR
PSY 6970/6971	Thesis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Program Total - 33 hours

Program Costs

2024-2025

Base Required Fees	Cost
Tuition Per Credit Hour	$850
Technology fee per semester is based on credit hours enrolled	$30 to $120

$250 Non-Refundable Enrollment Deposit (Upon acceptance and applied toward your first semester tuition balance)

Related Materials

FSC Graduate and Doctoral Programs thumbnail

FSC Adult MS Industrial and Organizational Psychology thumbnail

Industrial Organizational Psychology Brochure thumbnail

Frequently Asked Questions

How is this program different than other graduate programs in psychology?

Industrial and Organizational Psychology is the intersection of psychology, business, and computer science. It studies emotions, cognition and behavior in the workplace.

Are online courses asynchronous?

This program includes an in-person course and an online course each semester. There will be times when the online course has synchronous (scheduled) meeting times.

What types of careers will I be prepared for with a degree in IO Psychology?

IO Psychologists work in various fields, including Human Resources, Training and Development and a variety of other positions in industry and academia, including non-profit organizations, religious institutions, military organizations, as well as large corporations.

Will this program prepare me for a PhD in a related field?

Toward the end of our MSIO program, students have the opportunity to choose an internship route or a thesis route. The internship option will prepare the student to go to work in an IO-related field. The thesis option is for students who are interested in preparing for a doctorate program.

How does the internship option work?

Our faculty have developed relationships with various employers in the Central Florida area that offer internships in the field of IO psychology. In their second year of study, students will work with their program director to coordinate relevant internship experiences in an appropriate setting.

Upcoming Events

Learn more about the program with these in-person and virtual admission events.

Adult & Grad Admissions

IO Psychology Virtual Information Session

Jan 15 12:00 PM

Join us for this virtual session to learn more about the field of IO Psychology as well as our IO program here at FSC. Hear about the program plan and career forecast from your program director and learn from your admission counselor how to move forward to apply to our program!

Location: Online

Adult & Grad Admissions

IO Psychology Virtual Information Session

Feb 12 12:00 PM

Our information session will share more about the Master of Science in Industrial & Organizational Psychology program at Florida Southern College. Our faculty will discuss the industry and job forecast for the field and go in-depth into our curriculum and opportunities for internship or a thesis.

Location: Online

Adult & Grad Admissions

IO Psychology Virtual Information Session

Mar 19 12:00 PM

Location: Online

Adult & Grad Admissions

IO Psychology Virtual Information Session

Apr 16 12:00 PM

Location: Online

Adult & Grad Admissions

IO Psychology Virtual Information Session

May 21 12:00 PM

Location: Online

Adult & Grad Admissions

IO Psychology Virtual Information Session

Jun 25 12:00 PM

Location: Online

Program Contact

Abbey Bonet, MSHE

Assistant Director of Adult and Graduate Admission

863.680.3090

863.656.0755