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Master of Science in Psychology

The Department of Psychology offers a master of science in psychology with the goal of developing students who have the professional skills necessary to function as applied or basic scientists in psychology. Concentrations within the degree include industrial/organizational psychology and research psychology. The I/O psychology program is intended to provide students with the necessary preparation for effective professional practice in work organizations or to prepare them to pursue doctoral work in I/O psychology or a related discipline. The research concentration is designed for students who wish to pursue graduate study of topics other than those covered in the I/O Psychology. Options within this concentration are general experimental psychology and social/developmental psychology. 

Program Requirements - Industrial / Organizational Concentration

Completion of a minimum of 48 hours of graduate coursework is required for graduation. Thirty of these hours are specific required course work, with the remaining 18 hours consisting of approved elective courses. (See the Graduate Catalog for the policy regarding transfer credit.) Students must also either successfully pass a written comprehensive exam or successfully defend a thesis.

Schedule of courses - Industrial/Organizational Concentration
First Year
Fall
Psychology 506 - Organizational Psychology
Psychology 511 - Research Methods

Elective

Spring
Psychology 512 - Human Resource Measurment and Job Analysis
Psychology 513 - Advanced Research Techniques
Psychology 516 - Training

Elective

Summer
Psychology 536 - Practicum

Second Year
Fall
Psychology 520 - Uses of Groups
Psychology 527 - Human Resources Selection and Appraisal
Psychology 536 - Practicum
Elective or Thesis

Spring
Psychology 526 - Organizational Development
Elective or Thesis

Elective

Elective

Program Requirements - Research Concentration

Completion of a minimum of 36 hours of graduate coursework is required for graduation. Eighteen of these hours are core courses, with the remaining 18 hours consisting of approved elective coursework or thesis credit. Students must successfully defend a thesis.

Schedule of courses - Research Concentration

First Year
Fall
Psychology 510 - Applied Research I
Psychology 595r or 596r - Advanced Studies
Psychology 501 - Teaching of Psychology

Spring
Psychology 514 - Applied Research II
Psychology 595r or 596r - Advanced Studies
Elective

Second Year
Fall
Psychology 595r or 596r - Advanced Studies
Psychology 599r - Master's Thesis
Elective

Spring
Psychology 599r - Master's Thesis
Elective
Elective

Program Faculty  Research Facilities 

The Department of Psychology is housed in Holt Hall. A well-equipped computer lab is located near the department offices. Lab space is available for research studies. In addition, the University computers support microsoft office and major statistical packages and all have internet access.

Industrial/Organization Concentration
Placement

The goal of the I/O program is to provide students with the training necessary to pursue a variety of I/O related careers. These include, but are not limited to, positions in human resources departments in work organizations and human resource management consulting. In addition, the I/O program can be used as a preparation for the pursuit of doctoral training in I/O or related fields of study. As with any educational program, many graduates have found work in many other fields based on some combination of their interests and circumstances. 

Former students have gone on to doctoral study at schools such as The University of Georgia, Kansas State University, The University of North Carolina, and Vanderbilt University. Graduates have used their I/O master's degree to gain, or continue, employment with firms such as Duracell, Shaw Industries, McKee Foods, Magic Chef, Olan Mills, Schering Plough, United Parcel Service, the Tennessee Valley Authority, First Tennessee Bank, and UnumProvident Life Insurance. 

Practicum

The integration of course work and practice throughout the students' graduate academic program makes possible the most effective learning to prepare them for applied professional careers in I/O psychology. To achieve this end, I/O students become involved in a variety of real life work organization activities through completion of a practicum program. The practicum is carried out in private and public work organizations in which the students engage in projects under the guidance of field supervisors, coordinated by the I/O faculty. 

Thesis

I/O students may, at their option, elect to complete a thesis. This option is particularly valuable for students who are considering the pursuit of a doctoral degree.

Research Concentration

The research program is individually tailored to meet each student's needs and goals. Because it is primarily a tutorial program with a strong emphasis on independent study and one-to-one faculty/student interaction, the number of students admitted each year is quite limited. In addition to GPA and GRE scores, admission decisions are heavily based on the personal statement which should detail the applicant's research interests and educational goals. Persons wishing to apply to this program should obtain a listing of the current research interests of the faculty to determine which instructor would best match or support their needs. This list is available from the coordinator of the research program. 

Admission Procedures 
Applicants must: 

  • Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. 
  • Submit an official score (not over five years old) for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE). 
  • Submit three letters of recommendation and a personal statement. 
  • Have prerequisite undergraduate courses in statistics, I/O psychology, general psychology, and computer literacy. 
  • Have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 (based on a 4.0 scale) on all undergraduate work taken prior to receiving the baccalaureate degree or 3.0 in the senior year. In a typical year, the average GPA of admitted applicants is 3.4; GRE scores and GPA are combined into a single admissions index. 

I/O Psychology Forms:

Supplemental Data Form
Letter of Recommendation (3 letters are required)

Personal Statement

Research Psychology Forms:

Supplemental Data Form
Letter of Recommendation

Applicants who wish to maximize their probability of admission should be sure to have their application materials complete by March 15 for the fall semester or October 15 for the spring semester. The admissions committee will make their first set of decisions shortly after these dates. Applications will be considered through July 15 for the fall semester as long as space is still available.

For more information:
Dr. Mike Biderman, Graduate Coordinator
I/O Concentration 
Psychology Department (2803)
The University of Tennessee, Chattanooga
615 McCallie Avenue
350 Holt Hall
Chattanooga, TN 37403-2598
423-425-4268

Dr. David Ross , Graduate Coordinator
Research Concentration
Psychology Department (2803)
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
615 McCallie Avenue Chattanooga, Tennessee  37403
349F A Holt Hall
Phone (423) 425-5288

Department of Psychology

Last Updated: 01.03.07