Program Overview
Industrial-organizational psychology professionals play a critical role in the workplace. They help foster healthy, productive, and engaged organizational cultures. And today, these professionals are in high demand across industries. The reason? Employers increasingly understand that employee satisfaction and motivation is key to retaining talent, increasing productivity, and boosting the bottom line.
The Industrial-Organizational Psychology Master’s Degree Program will help prepare you for a successful career in the field. Led by expert faculty, the graduate program will equip you with the tools you need to empower professionals in the workplace — and maximize their skills and talents to optimize organizational performance.
- Build expertise in the core elements of psychological and management theory, including personality, social psychology, organizational behavior, motivation, and human resource management.
- Develop an advanced understanding of quantitative analysis, psychometrics, psychology of diversity, statistics, leadership, talent development, and workplace wellbeing.
- Gain critical industry insights and preparation through case studies, group projects, and active learning experiences from Harvard instructors and professional experts.
- Graduate with a Harvard University degree: Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies in the field of Industrial-Organizational Psychology.
Courses
Through case studies, group projects, and active learning experiences, you’ll learn the core elements of psychological and management theory. And you’ll explore essential industrial-organizational psychology concepts, tools, and strategies. You can study part time, choosing courses that fit your schedule and align with your career goals.
Example Courses
- Industrial-Organizational Psychology
- Organizational Behavior
- Introduction to Quantitative Methods for the Social Sciences and Humanities
- Motivation
- Human Resource Management
- Managing Yourself and Leading Others
- Management Consulting
- Negotiation and Organizational Conflict Resolution
Earn a Stackable Certificate
As you work your way toward your master’s degree, you can take courses that also count — or “stack” — toward a graduate or microcertificate. It’s a cost-effective, time-saving opportunity to build specialized skills and earn more professional credentials. For each certificate, you can choose courses that best fit your goals.
Stackable graduate certificates include:
Admissions
The path to your degree begins before you apply to the program. You’ll earn your way in through our performance-based admissions, completing coursework for admission and earning credits toward your degree right away.
Next Start Term
You can enroll in your first admission course this fall. Course registration opens July 21.
Featured Faculty
Our industrial-organizational psychology instructors bring a genuine passion for teaching, with students giving our faculty an average rating of 4.6 out of 5.
Adam Smith
Consulting Associate, Leadership Advisory Services, Spencer Stuart
Laura Wilcox
Director of Business and Management Programs
Lee Bolman
Professor and Marion Bloch/Missouri Chair in Leadership Emeritus, Bloch School of Management, University of Missouri - Kansas City
Bobbi Wegner
Adjunct Lecturer on Education, Harvard Graduate School of Education
Margaret Andrews
Founder, The MYLO Center and Managing Director, Higher Ed Associates
Shelley Carson
Associate of the Psychology Department, Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences
Career Opportunities & Alumni Outcomes
Our industrial-organizational psychology graduates have gone on to work in banking, consumer goods, financial services, energy, nonprofit management, and management consulting. They have also pursued further studies at renowned institutions such as Columbia University, Georgetown University, the University of Paris, and Brandeis University.
Sample Alumni Job Titles
- Chief Talent Officer
- Leadership Development Manager
- Director, Organizational Effectiveness
- Organizational Behavior Consultant
- Performance Coach
Sample Alumni Employers
- Coca-Cola
- Charles Schwab
- Lockheed Martin
- McKinsey & Company
- Meta
- FedEx
Program Benefits
Experience a rigorous curriculum. 96% of recent graduates would recommend the program.
Access career advising and other services through Harvard’s Mignone Center for Career Success, including career fairs like the annual Business and Consulting Fair and Harvard Startup Career Fair.
Explore entrepreneurial opportunities through the Harvard Innovation Labs.
Pursue paid research opportunities through the Faculty Aide Program.
Become a member of the worldwide Harvard Alumni Association (400,000+ members) and Harvard Extension Alumni Association (29,000+ members).
Harvard Extension School has been a symbolic key to unlocking numerous leadership opportunities, breaking through barriers, and elevating my professional trajectory.
Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in the field of Industrial-Organizational Psychology, '24; Graduate Certificate in Organizational Behavior, '23
Tuition & Financial Aid
Learn more about the cost of attendance.
FAQs
Is a master’s degree in industrial-organizational psychology worth it?
A master’s degree in industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology from Harvard Extension School can prepare you for a variety of roles across diverse industries. You might help employees improve their job performance, create more inclusive work environments, or resolve workplace conflicts. Or, you may choose to focus on corporate efficiency and safety, develop better hiring policies, or deliver training programs. Your path will depend on your unique personality and skillset (read about 10 skills you need to be an effective I/O psychologist).
Some common career paths include human resources manager, staffing and recruitment manager, behavioral analyst, workforce analyst, and executive coach. Learn more about building a career in industrial-organizational psychology.
What are alumni of the program doing in their careers today?
Many Harvard Extension School alumni now work in organizational consulting, human resources, performance coaching, and talent development. The program’s challenging online courses provide hands-on learning in topics that are relevant to today’s workplace. Through the program’s on-campus residency experience, you’ll foster connections with faculty and peers in applied active learning weekend courses. You can learn more about alumni outcomes in the articles How an Industrial-Organizational Psychology Degree Prepared Me for a Consulting Career or How an Industrial-Organizational Psychology Degree Supported My Leadership Career.
How long does it take to complete the industrial-organizational psychology graduate program?
Program length is ordinarily anywhere between 2 and 5 years. It depends on your preferred pace and the number of courses you want to take each semester.
For an accelerated journey, we offer year round study, where you can take courses in fall, January, spring, and summer.
While we don’t require you to register for a certain number of courses each semester, you cannot take longer than 5 years to complete the degree.
