Course Information

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Course Descriptions
CORE COURSES (15 CREDIT HOURS)

CAPSTONE COURSE (3 CREDIT HOURS)

SPECIALTY COURSES (12 CREDIT HOURS)

CORE COURSES (15 CREDIT HOURS)

Industrial/Organizational Psychology [3]

This course covers a general survey of industrial psychology, including such topics as personnel selection and evaluation, job satisfaction, environmental factors and current research on individual behavior in complex organizations. *Note that this course serves as a pre- or co-requisite for all M.P.S.:I/O Psychology courses. Prerequisite: Introduction to Psychology, Social Psychology and/or consent of instructor.

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Seminar in Social Psychology [3]

Class sessions involve regular discussions and exchanges of information among students and the faculty member on topics of social psychology. Discussion topics include perception and attribution, attitudes, self-identity, interpersonal attraction, close relationships, social influence, persuasion, prosocial behavior, aggression, group behavior, job satisfaction and work, quality of life and mental health, and forensics. Particular focus is on how the content of these topics can be applied to real-world situations for increased individual and group well-being and productivity. Prerequisite: Social Psychology and/or consent of the instructor.

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Introduction to Data Analytic Procedures in I/O Psychology [3]

This course gives students the background and the basic understanding of statistical theory and techniques required in the field of industrial / organizational psychology. The course provides an overview of descriptive and inferential statistics, with emphasis on statistical techniques used in the practice of industrial / organizational psychology, including analysis of variance and multiple regression. Students are also introduced to the advanced topics of analysis of covariance, factor analysis, reliability analysis, discriminant analysis, and path analysis. Prerequisite: Research Methods in Social Sciences with Statistics (or equivalent) and/or consent of the instructor.

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Methods of Assessment in I/O Psychology [3]

This course provides an I/O-oriented introduction to intellectual and personality assessment of individuals working in organizations. In addition, it gives an introduction/overview of basic measurement theory; essentials of test evaluation including reliability, validity and utility; methodology of test and survey construction, development, and analysis; and the utilization and interpretation of test scores. Prerequisite: Introduction to IO Psychology course or equivalent, Introduction to Data Analytic Procedures in IO Psychology course and/or consent of instructor.

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Professional Human Resources Practice [3]

This course gives an overview of personnel selection from an I/O prospective in terms of theory, practice, and research. Topics include needs analysis, personnel selection and placement, interviewing (research and techniques), and performance appraisal, training and development. In addition, validity and utility of predictors of job performance will be addressed as will Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws and their implications in terms of personnel selection, retention, training, and management. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

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Legal, Ethical and Professional Issues in I/O Psychology [3]

This course addresses ethical issues involved in the practice or application of psychology in promoting employee and organizational physical and mental health and well-being. In addition, students will discuss legal issues, such as EEO, affirmative action, ADA as well as issues relating individuals of different ages and cultures, health status, organizations and local, national, and international communities; the legal system; and policy-making. Also highlighted are issues of ethnic and cultural sensitivity, and sexual harassment. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

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CAPSTONE COURSE (3 CREDIT HOURS)

Practicum in I/O Psychology [3]

This course serves as the capstone experience for M.P.S.: I/O Psychology graduate students and provides those students with practical experience in the field. UMBC faculty and staff will help place students in relevant, supervised internships. Alternatively, for students currently working in I/O, faculty and staff will help students find or design an enriching internship experience within their own company. In addition to the work experience, students will complete a portfolio of their work-products and will culminate the course with an in-depth written analysis of the experience and a formal presentation. The course, taken during the student’s final semester requires a minimum of 9 on site work hours per week. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

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SPECIALTY COURSES (12 CREDIT HOURS)

Advanced Seminars in I/O Psychology [3 each]

  • Decision Making
  • Human Performance Technologies
  • Organizational Surveys
  • Program Evaluation
  • Strategic Planning


Prerequisite for all: Consent of instructor.

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Organizational Behavior Management [3]

The purpose of this class is to expose students to a behavior-analytic conceptualization of organizational behavior and the underlying research on applied interventions in a variety of organizational settings. The readings and class discussions will provide students with a strong foundation in organizational psychology from a behavioral orientation. Among the topics covered in the class are performance assessment, performance measurement, intervention techniques (for example: training, prompts. incentive systems, feedback, including 360-degree feedback, self-monitoring, goal setting, and leadership), follow-up, and maintenance of interventions. Students will also develop a research proposal for an OBM-type intervention in an applied setting. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

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Human Factors [3]

This course provides background in the areas of Human Factors and Human-Computer Interaction as they relate to the design and use of information systems in the workplace. In addition, this course addresses the importance and interdisciplinary nature of information systems, computer science, psychology, and sociology as they relate to the design of usable systems. Quantitative and qualitative methods for analyzing usability will be discussed and conducted, including task analyses, usability tests, and expert reviews, as well as ongoing assessments of installed products by interviews and surveys. Students learn about the design lifecycle and guidelines that are involved in developing professional-level, high quality user interfaces. Students also learn to address the needs of disabled users in terms of accommodation and accessibility. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

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Instructional Systems Development I [3]

This online course focuses on theoretical processes and models of instructional systems and their applications in a variety of settings. Students acquire the competencies to analyze educational and training needs in terms of general systems theory, to develop and sequence learning objectives, to design instructional strategies and to develop evaluation procedures. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. Note: Please register through the Education Department.

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Principles in Training and Development [3]

This online course provides an overview of designs used in educational research. Topics include, but are not limited to, experimental, quasi-experimental, historical, ethnographic and phenomenological modes of inquiry. Emphases are on the assumptions, applications, tools and procedures associated with each of the varied designs. For example, study of experimental and quasi-experimental design will attend to issues such as validity, randomization and multivariate statistics. Prerequisite: EDUC 601, EDUC 602 and/or consent of instructor. Note: Please register through the Education Department.