Industrial-Organizational Psychology Master's Degree Program

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.

Program Benefits

Customizable path, stackable certificates, & experiential learning
Instructors who are Harvard faculty and industry professionals at the top of their fields
Personalized academic & career advising
Entrepreneurial opportunities through the Harvard Innovation Labs
Paid research options
Harvard Alumni Association membership upon graduation

Customizable Course Curriculum

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.

Core Courses

The following core courses are taken for admission:

IORP 1501 Industrial-Organizational Psychology
MGMT 4000 Organizational Behavior
STAT 100 Introduction to Quantitative Methods for the Social Sciences and Humanities

Additional core courses include:

Organizational Management
Psychology Theory
Motivation
Human Resource Management
Psychometrics

Elective Courses

You’ll choose from a variety of interdisciplinary course options, including:

Managing Yourself and Leading Others
Management Consulting
Negotiation and Organizational Conflict Resolution

11 Online Courses

Asynchronous (on demand) and synchronous (live) options
Fall, spring, January, and summer terms

On-Campus Experience

You’ll complete 1 degree requirement in person at Harvard, at an accelerated or standard pace:

2 weekends in fall or spring
3 weeks in the summer
3 week days in January

Admissions

The path to your degree begins before you apply to the program.

You first register for and complete 3 required courses, earning at least a B in each. These foundational courses are investments in your studies. They count toward your degree and help ensure success in the program.

Upcoming Terms: Summer 2025 & Fall 2025

You can enroll in your first admission course this summer or fall. Course registration opens March 3 for summer and in mid-July for fall.

To get started, explore degree requirements, confirm your initial eligibility, and learn more about our unique “earn your way in” admissions process.

Admissions & Degree Requirements

Earning 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:

A Faculty of Experts

Studying at Harvard Extension School means learning from the world’s best. Our instructors — many of whom teach in Harvard University’s psychology department and at Harvard Medical School — are experts in organizational behavior, psychology, motivation, management, and more. They bring a genuine passion for teaching, with students giving our faculty an average rating of 4.6 out of 5.

Our Community at a Glance

Our students in the Industrial-Organizational Psychology Master’s Degree Program are established professionals looking to deepen their expertise and advance their careers. They work across a variety of industries — including higher education, consulting, human resources, and technology.

Download: Industrial Organizational Psychology Master's Degree Fact Sheet

37

Average Age
1-2

Courses Taken Each Semester
85%

Work Full Time
96%

Would Recommend the Program
26%

Professional Experience in the Field
Most

Pursued for Career Advancement

Students at a Harvard graduation ceremony.

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

Career Advising and Mentorship

Whatever your career goals, we’re here to support you. Harvard’s Mignone Center for Career Success offers career advising, employment opportunities, Harvard alumni mentor connections, and career fairs.

Your Harvard University Degree

Upon successful completion of the required curriculum, you will receive a Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in Extension Studies, Field: Industrial-Organizational Psychology.

Expand Your Connections: the Harvard Alumni Network

As a graduate, you’ll 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.

Erhime Badejo

Emergency medicine staff physician, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Illinois

Tuition & Financial Aid

Affordability is core to our mission. When compared to our continuing education peers, it’s a fraction of the cost.

After admission, you may qualify for financial aid. Typically, eligible students receive grant funds to cover a portion of tuition costs each term, in addition to federal financial aid options.

Learn more about the cost of attendance.

Paying for School

Coffee Chat: All About Management Programs at HES

Are you interested in learning more about management graduate degree programs at Harvard Extension School? Hear directly from our program directors, faculty, academic advisors, and alumni about their experiences.

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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.

Industrial-Organizational Psychology Master’s Degree Program

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