Industrial Organizational Psychology - University of Tulsa

Industrial-Organizational Psychology Graduate Programs

Industrial-organizational psychology focuses on mastering key knowledge and skills needed to help organizations succeed, and the doctoral program expands those skills, targeting creation and dissemination of new knowledge in the field of I-O psychology through scientific research. The program is designed for those seeking to develop the applied skills necessary for basic consulting projects in business and government. Graduates of our master’s program typically find jobs involving analysis of jobs and people as a basis for improving the fit between them.

We emphasize that the best foundation for good practice is good science. Our curriculum offers a balance of I-O content, methods and applications in a culture stressing professionalism, respect for individual differences and the importance of evidence-based practice. Our students learn to think critically and to communicate clearly in solving real-world problems in work settings.

Courses are offered in a broad array, including but not limited to job analysis, employee selection, training, leadership, work motivation, organizational development and a variety of methods topics, such as psychological measurement and statistics.

Application deadline: Jan. 15

  • Program Learning Outcomes

    Master of Arts in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

    1. Describe and apply theory and related methods suited to helping organizations solve people-related problems.

    2. Describe and evaluate the aims, practices, and strategies of organizations, workgroups, and individual workers to achieve fit.

    3. Identify, describe, and execute methods suited to testing the qualities of specific HR-related practices and interventions serving organizational aims through research design, assessment, and statistical methods.

    4. Communicate with technical proficiency in terms understandable by lay professionals.

    5. Describe, explain, and engage the standards of academic, research, and business professionalism.

    Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

    1. Describe, apply, and integrate theory and related methods suited to helping organizations solve people-related problems.

    2. Describe and evaluate the aims, practices, and strategies of organizations, workgroups, and individual workers to achieve fit.

    3. Identify, describe, and execute methods suited to testing the qualities of specific HR-related practices and interventions serving organizational aims through research design, assessment, and advanced statistical methods.

    4. Communicate with technical proficiency in terms understandable by lay professionals.

    5. Describe, explain, and engage the standards of academic, research, and business professionalism.

    6. Design and execute research studies independently, addressing questions relevant to organizational interventions involving people.

  • Degree Options

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    Suitable for those seeking to develop the applied skills necessary for basic consulting projects in business and government.

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    For those seeking deeper understanding of the principles and methods of fitting people and jobs; follows the scientist-practitioner model of psychological training, incorporating a synergy of theory, research and practice.

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  • Application Checklist

     I-O Psychology Graduate Program Handbook

    1. A completed Graduate School application: Including payment of the $60 application fee.
    2. Statement of Purpose: A 500- to 1,000-word explanation for why you are seeking a degree in I-O psychology and any relevant research experience (especially for doctoral applicants). We do not need to hear your whole life story, but it is a good opportunity to explain any anomalies on your transcript or GRE record. Your statement can be uploaded online after you submit your application.
    3. Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can comment on your academic potential: At least two should be from professors who know you well. Letters from family friends and work supervisors are given less weight. The online application system allows you to have requests for these sent to your letter writers electronically after you submit your application.
    4. Official or unofficial transcripts from all universities attended: Unofficial versions* can be uploaded to the online system after you submit your application.
    5. GRE General Test scores: (Verbal, Quantitative, Analytic; we do not require the subject test). Our program focuses mostly on percentiles, which are included in your GRE report. Unofficial versions* can be uploaded to the online system after you submit your application.
    6. Curriculum Vitae/Resume: Required if you want to be considered for any graduate assistantship funding. Your resume/vita can be uploaded online after you submit your application.
    7. TOEFL/IELTS Scores: Required of all international applicants who have not previously earned a college degree from a U.S. institution. Unofficial versions* can be uploaded to the online system after you submit your application.

    *The Graduate School carefully screens all documents and reserves the right to request official versions for any reason as a condition of admittance.

  • I-O Faculty Research Labs

    Teams, Attitudes & Climates Lab (TACL)

    Recent work conducted by the Teams, Attitudes & Climates Lab (TACL) includes various projects. Dr. Anupama Narayan and members of the TACL lab organized a climate assessment with a nonprofit organization in Tulsa to assess the reward and recognition climate, employee effectiveness, attitudes and organizational citizenship behavior. In order to develop a diversity program that stresses both the instrumental and terminal values of diversity, Narayan and members of the TACL lab have partnered with a local university. With the same organization, the TACL lab conducted a training needs analysis for a global community staff development project.

    Meet the director of TACL, Anupama Narayan.

    REST (Recovery, Employee Stress and Technology) Lab

    Dr. Juseob Lee and the members of the REST Lab conduct research on the following three questions: (1) What causes work-related stress, and how do employees experience it at work or home? (2) How can workers better recuperate from work-related strains to improve their physical health, mental health, and productivity at work? (3) What are the implications of recent technological developments for organizations and employees?

    Meet the director of REST, Juseob Lee.

    Thapa Lab

    Dr. Stuti Thapa and the members of her research lab study well-being, emotion, and performance in the workplace. Their primary research concerns the ways individuals vary in their lived experiences, and how temporal, person-centric, interdisciplinary, and cross-cultural, diversity-focused approaches can expand on our current understanding of individual and organizational constructs. They leverage novel methodologies and big data approaches to further organizational science.

    Meet the director of Thapa, Stuti Thapa.

     

  • Current Students

    Felix Schuster
    Vienna, Austria
    Felix Schuster graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology from Campbell University. He was head moderator at the Carolina Psychology Conference (CPC) in 2023, where his group presented their research project “Resilience and Personality Traits in the U.S. Military.” Felix’s research interests include how different leadership styles in work settings and in sports teams affect the productivity and success of employees and athletes. His goal is to become an IO and sports psychologist to help athletes in professional soccer clubs maximize their performance. In his free time, Felix is a hobby chocolatier and wants to open his own chocolate shop after retiring.

    Lora Garrison
    Owasso, OK
    Lora Garrison received her BA in psychology and MS in gerontology from Baylor University. She has previous experience in social work, gerontology consulting, and teaching college level psychology courses. Lora’s research interests include neurodiversity and aging in the workplace, and continuing education. Her goal is to get her PhD, work in a full-time university teaching position, and work with organizations that help neurodivergent individuals succeed in the workplace. In her free time, Lora and her husband like to hike to the highest geographical point in each state.

    Brianna Roblow-Law
    Bossier City, LA
    Brianna Roblow-Law graduated with a B.S. in psychology and a double minor in sociology and non-profit administration. In addition to working for three years at a juvenile courthouse assisting with children and families with trauma, Brianna worked in various research labs assisting with clinical, ABA, and autism research. Her research interests lie in childhood exposure to extreme traumatic situations and how these adversities alter developmental processes in ways that increase risk for various psychopathologies. Brianna’s goal is to receive her doctorate in clinical psychology and give and examine assessments for children and adolescents to aid in intervention and treatment for children and families with trauma. Brianna spends her free time with her beloved silver Labrador, Noel.

    Tori Horton
    Star Valley, WY
    Tori Horton is a mother of two who received her BA in psychology from the University of Montana. She is primarily interested in researching historical and intergenerational trauma in the Native American community. She hopes to serve this community in the future throughculturally responsive research and clinical work.

    Brandon Jones
    Wagoner, OK
    Brandon Jones graduated from NSU with his bachelor’s in psychology and master’s in counseling. He has worked as a counseling intern with OJA and FCJJ. Brandon is interested in research topics such as Native American health disparities, historical trauma, community resilience, and culturally sensitive interventions. A fun fact about Brandon: he is left-handed.

    Justin Homer
    Orange, CA
    Justin Homer comes to The University of Tulsa from Orange, CA where he was an avid rock climber. He received his BA in psychology from the University of Arizona in 2023. His research interests lie in work motivation, perception and mindset, organizational efficiency, and teams.Justin hopes to work as an industrial psychology consultant or in private practice as a therapist and eventually return to school for his clinical or counseling certification.

    Kate Korsah Enninful
    Ghana
    Kate Korsah Enninful is a creative “jack of all trades.” She has received her Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Sciences and is pursuing a master’s degree. Her areas of interest include work motivation among employees and how sexual harassment is handled in and impacts the workplace. Kate would like to apply her psychology degrees and knowledge in corporate work, and eventually go into academia.

    Mckynzie Webster
    Webb City, MO
    Mckynzie Webster previously served as a research assistant and intern for the crime and security data analytics lab at the University of Arkansas. She is open-minded and ready to learn about the various fields in psychology as she begins her graduate school journey. Her dream is to one day work for the FBI where she hopes to one day apply her knowledge gained at The University of Tulsa. Fun fact: Mckynzie did gymnastics for 16 years and is now a competitive cross fitter.

    Asa Carlson
    Hemingford, NE
    Asa Carlson joins The University of Tulsa from Hemingford, NE. His research interests include A.I. in psychometrics, groups, and teams. His goal is to become a university professor or a consultant. When he is not studying, he tends to the two orange trees and passion fruit vines growing in his living room.

    Jalynne Gonzalez
    Tulsa, OK
    Jalynne Gonzalez is a first-generation college student from immigrant parents. She has worked in various jobs, including retail and leasing, and with the TACL lab on The University of Tulsa campus since her senior year of her undergraduate. Her research interests center on diversity and inclusion. Her goal is to receive her PhD and become an applied psychologist.

    Sierra Lancaster
    Flandreau, SD
    Sierra Lancaster is a graduate student from Flandreau, SD who, with five kids and four dogs, thrives in chaotic environments. After receiving her bachelor’s in finance and her MBA, she worked for 12 years as a branch manager in banking. Sierra is interested in researching diversity, equity, and inclusion alongside Native American’s cultural affects in the workplace. As a Native American from a small reservation in South Dakota, she plans to be a trial consultant for Native Americans that have been charged with capital crimes.

    Janet Bolois
    Troy, OH
    Janet Bolois is a lifelong student from Troy, OH. She is working at The University of Tulsa Graduate School while pursuing her graduate degree in psychology. Janet is interested in researching team motivation and employee selection. She hopes to apply her knowledge to a career as an administrator in higher education.

    Seth Osborn
    Hot Springs, Arkansas
    A Tulsa native, Seth worked as a supervisor for a team of trainers and consultants providing employee development services to Oklahoma. He is primarily interested in researching personality-based developmental interventions for groups and teams, as well as identity and demographic measurement issues. Seth’s goal is to work in academia while continuing his research and teaching. When he is not researching or studying, Seth moonlights as a paranormal investigator.

    Gordon Hermansen
    Kamas, UT
    Gordon Hermansen is a fluent Spanish speaker who received his Bachelor of Arts from Southern Utah University. Gordon’s goals are to earn his master’s in I-O Psychology, work as a consultant, and eventually earn his PhD. His research interests include employee motivation, job satisfaction, and team processes.

    Margaret (Meg) Grundy
    Tulsa, OK
    Margaret (Meg) Grundy received her degrees in psychology and criminology at Saint Louis University. While pursuing her degrees in Saint Louis, she participated in research on sexual violence and transgender prejudice. Meg’s goal is to work as a forensic psychologist withinmarginalized communities in Oklahoma. Something you may not know about Meg: she was almost in a tornado.

    Ken Barton
    Tulsa, OK
    Ken Barton has previous work experience in academic and non-profit organizations in both the United States and Japan. He is interested in understanding aspects of work-life that are associated with negative outcomes for employees and organizations, and how we can mitigate those negative outcomes. Ken’s goal is to improve people’s work lives to help them reach their personal and professional potential. When not taking classes, Ken spends time in Tokyo with his wife, Satoko, his daughter, Sarina, and their two pet degus, Choco and Bebe.