Industrial and Organizational Psychology
The new fully ONLINE ASYNCHRONOUS Master of Arts degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology will be available starting Fall 2026. The Ph.D. program is NOT accepting applications.
Our flexible online format means classes are offered fully online, asynchronous, and do not require live class sessions. The program is designed with working professionals in mind.
Students are able to start in the fall, spring, or summer. Applications are reviewed year round!
Industrial and organizational psychologists focus on how people are hired, developed, and supported at work. Organizations succeed when people are supported and work is designed well. In CMU’s online M.A. program, you’ll build practical, applied skills in hiring and assessment, training, performance management, and organizational development, preparing you to solve real workplace problems across a wide range of organizations.
About Industrial / Organizational Psychology
The I/O Psychology Program at Central Michigan University prepares you for careers as active contributors to the psychology of work. Graduates of our programs typically work as consultants to businesses or in university settings where you'll develop, implement and evaluate human resource programs by applying the principles of personnel and organizational psychology. Coursework reflects a balance of classes in personnel psychology, organizational psychology, and research methodology.
Master of Arts in Industrial/Organizational Psychology - ONLINE ASYNCHRONOUS
The master's program is offered ONLINE only. This program is oriented toward the study of individuals in organizations and businesses with a focus on improving the well-being and productivity of the people that work there. You'll learn to use research and measurement skills to solve practical workplace issues and to apply the principles of psychology to human resource and leadership challenges. The M.A. program requires 30 hours of coursework.
Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology - NOT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
The doctoral program prepares students for careers in research, business, or university settings. This program requires 96 hours of course work, a comprehensive exam, a master’s thesis, and a doctoral dissertation and typically requires four or five years of intensive academic work. We require submission of recent GRE General Test scores as part of our admissions process for the PhD program.
Admissions process
Deadline
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Course work starts the semester following acceptance and admittance to the program. In addition to grades and GRE scores (subject portion not required), the Admissions Committee is attentive to letters of recommendation, personal statements, and relevant professional experiences.
Contact information
If you have any questions with regard to the application requirements please contact:
Department of Psychology, 989-774-3001
Central Michigan University, Industrial/Organizational Psychology Program
Sloan Hall 101, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859
Fax number: 989-774-2553
Application forms
1. CMU College of Graduate Studies application (required)
Complete and submit Central Michigan University's application form with all required application materials to the College of Graduate Studies. The Department of Psychology requires a Statement of Research Interest. Requirements can be found in the application. Transcripts should be sent to the College of Graduate Studies, Central Michigan University, 802 Industrial Drive, Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858. They can also be sent electronically directly from your prior school to apply@cmich.edu. For an update on your application status, please call (989) 774-4444.
2. Information form (required)
Complete and submit the Information Form. Print and send this completed form by emailing the Psychology Department or by mailing to:
Central Michigan University
Industrial/Organizational Psychology Program
Sloan 101
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48859
3. Letters of recommendation (required)
The online application requires three letter writers to electronically submit their letters to your application portal. You will need to provide their email addresses within your application in order for the system to automatically reach out to them.
4. GRE scores (*required)
*The GRE is required for our Master's program unless applicants have an undergraduate major in psychology with grades of B or better in research methods and statistics courses. The subject portion of the GRE is not required.
Please use the following information to send your GRE score:
The code for Central Michigan University is 1106
The I/O Psychology Program Code number is 2008.
The GRE is currently administered either in person or remotely on your own computer at home. Please visit the GRE at Home website. GRE fee reductions may be available for those with financial need through the Educational Testing Service.
Program goals
The Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology Program seeks to advance and transmit knowledge related to I/O psychology and to provide a strong educational background in I/O Psychology for students. This background will enable students both to advance and transmit knowledge related to I/O Psychology and to provide consulting and expert services in the field. To fulfill this mission, the goals of the I/O Psychology Program are:
- To promote I/O Psychology as a science and method for advancing the effectiveness and well-being of people and organizations.
- To prepare I/O psychologists whose research, teaching, and applied work is primarily informed by current scientific theory, research, and methods.
- To prepare I/O psychologists who are knowledgeable about ethics and use ethical reasoning in their research, teaching, and applied work.
- To prepare I/O psychologists who respect the dignity and worth of all people.
- To develop and publicize new knowledge.
- To stimulate enthusiasm for the field of I/O Psychology among undergraduates through high expectations and excellent teaching.
Handbooks
Student handbooks
For past Student Handbooks, contact the Department of Psychology at psy@cmich.edu.