M.S. Applied I/O Psychology

Use psychology to help businesses and other organizations maximize their potential with data-driven, evidence-based solutions.
Degree Type Master of Science
Careers & Salaries Graduate Degree Outcomes
Delivery On Campus


Accepting applications for Spring 2024 and Fall 2024. Apply now!
 

UW-Stout's Master's of Science in Applied I/O Psychology (MSAIOP) will give you the applied research and data analysis skills to prepare you for a wide-range of careers in business, education, evaluation, non-profits, healthcare, and other fields. Using theories and methods from psychology, you will help organizations make data-driven decisions and move towards evidence-based practice.

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Video: Explore the M.S. Applied I/O Psychology Program

Discover insights into the program directly from the Program Director.
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 Graduate Success Snapshot

  • 100%: Graduates employed or continuing their education within six months
  • $66,000: Median starting salary for first MSAIOP-related job 
  • 3.3 Months: Average time spent searching for first MSAIOP-related job

Two Concentrations

  • Industrial/Organizational Psychology: Examine the behavior of people at work in group settings in the areas of employee motivation, personnel research, recruitment and selection, and job design methodology.
  • Evaluation: Through a two-course, year-long sequence students will conduct an evaluation for a real-world client. This advanced training in program evaluation will include methodology, planning & management, responding to the needs of organizational partners, assessing the effectiveness of programs/policies, and measuring the integrity of program implementation.

Program Highlights

  • Applied experience throughout the program
  • Professional, experienced faculty
  • Projects with on-campus and external clients
  • Cohort model with small class sizes
  • No summer or winter courses
  • Low-cost, all-inclusive tuition rate (no added fees)
  • Graduate Assistant position opportunities
  • On-campus research centers (Catalyst, Discovery Center)
  • High employment rate in a wide variety of careers

The MSAIOP program is a full-time, in-person program in which students can graduate in two years (four fall and spring semesters). The MSAIOP program grants STEM OPT extensions to eligible F-1 students.

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Program Overview

View program plan, credit requirements and course descriptions.
Applied Psychology

Employer Testimonial

“The MSAIOP program does a wonderful job in preparing students for careers in which experience in research, methodology, project management and critical thinking are essential.”

- John Barlow
President, Barlow Research Assoc

Admission Requirements

General UW-System Application

All prospective graduate students at UW-Stout must follow a standard application process through our Graduate Studies. Beyond that, each graduate program has specific requirements that must be met to be successfully admitted to the program:

Eligibility

Applicants must have an overall grade point average of 3.0 but may be admitted on probationary status if their overall grade point average is less than 3.0. These exceptions are individually negotiated with the recommendation of the program admission committee and approval of the Graduate School. 

The majority of applicants will have an undergraduate degree in Psychology; however, we are interested in students from other fields including but not limited to sociology, social work, and business. Students are recommended to have taken at least fifteen credits of psychology-related courses, especially statistics and research methods courses, but this is not a requirement.

Program-Specific Application Requirements

To successfully apply for the program, first complete the UW System Application and receive your Application ID. Then, use this ID to fill out the UW-Stout Graduate Studies Collection Form, where you will provide the following:

Required Materials:

  1. Statement of Interest. Detail your educational and professional background, outline your career goals, and express your interest in the MSAP program.
  2. Resume
Access Collection Form Site*
*The Collection Form Site requires an Application ID provided upon completion of the UW-System Application
 

Optional Materials:

  1. Letters of Recommendation (up to 3):
  2. Writing Sample (1):
    • Research paper or professional document
  3. GRE Scores
    • Will only be reviewed if GPA does not meet minimum GPA of 3.0

Please submit optional materials, if applicable, by email to gradschool@uwstout.edu.

If materials must be mailed (not preferred), send to:

Program Director, M.S. in Applied I/O Psychology
Psychology Department
University of Wisconsin-Stout
Menomonie, WI 54751

Career Opportunities

A Promising Job Outlook

According to U.S. Department of Labor data, the job outlook for many fields relevant to the MSAIOP is bright. There is a growing demand for data-driven decision-making in the private sector, as well as in many settings within education and government fields. Numerous occupations, such as market researchers and organizational development specialists, are expected to grow at a rate much faster than the national average for other industries.

Graduate Career Details

Position ExamplesSelect Employers
  • Research Specialist
  • Data Analyst
  • Evaluation Associate
  • Human Resource Coordinator
  • Business Intelligence Analyst
  • Policy Analyst
  • Institutional Planner
  • Organizational Development Specialist
  • Project Manager
  • Barlow Research Associates, Inc.
  • Boston Scientific
  • Cigna
  • Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment
  • Delta Dental
  • Inver Hills Community College
  • Manpower Group
  • Mayo Clinic
  • Target Corporation
  • University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
  • United Healthcare
  • UW Madison Institute for Clinical and Translational Research
Professional Advisory Committee

Advisory Committee Members

MaureenCochranMS, MSAIOP Alumna, Senior Director for Strategic Initiatives & AssessmentDivision of Student Affairs, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Brenda KruegerMS, MSAIOP Alumna, Interim Graduate School DirectorUniversity of Wisconsin-Stout, Menomonie, WI
Abby LaibMS, MSAIOP Alumni, EvaluatorColorado Department of Public Health & Environment, Denver, CO
Jim LenioMS, MSAIOP Alumni, Executive DirectorOffice of Institutional Research, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN
Joel MuellerMS, MSAIOP Alumni, Research AnalystBarlow Research, Minneapolis, MN
Jason NicholasM.S., MSAIOP Alumni, Director of Institutional ResearchNorthern Michigan University
Andrea RiceMS, MSAIOP Alumna, Marking Program ManagerSnapchat, Los Angeles, CA
Deanna SchultzPh.D.CAHS/School of Education
Tiffany SmithPh.D.UNC-Greensboro
Angela WebbMS, MSAIOP Alumna, Market Research AnalystIngersoll Rand/Trane, Minneapolis, MN
Meridith WentzPh. D.; MSAIOP Alumna; Assistant ChancellorPARQ Director
VincentSchiavonePh.D., Senior Manager of Learning and EvaluationBridge to Enter Advanced Mathematics

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