DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque has received official approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer a master of arts in industrial and organizational psychology. Launching this fall, the program will prepare students for professional service, leadership, and transformation in the workplace through the study of hiring and selection, training, performance, motivation, work design, organizational development, and consumer behavior.

"We are grateful for the time and energy of UD's Graduate Curriculum Committee this past academic year and for their oversight in the submission of the institution's proposal to HLC," said Amy Baus, PsyD, associate professor of psychology at UD. "Receiving approval for this distinct graduate program within our tri-state community better meets a supply gap. Currently, there is no other local graduate program in the discipline of industrial and organizational psychology in Dubuque."

The new graduate program was developed in direct response to labor market demand in organizational effectiveness, consulting in human resources, and workplace leadership. The distinct focus of industrial and organizational psychology is on human behavior in work settings such as business, industry, labor, public and non-profit, academic, community, and health organizations.

Industrial and organizational practitioners address training and development, performance assessment, workplace motivation, reward systems, quality of work life, structure of work and human factors, organizational development, consumer behavior, and more.

"The master of arts in industrial and organizational psychology complements our current graduate business offerings by being one of the few programs in the region that examines how the intersection of psychology and business can help our students understand what drives people and organizations," said Ricardo Cunningham, DBA, dean for graduate and adult studies at UD.

The master of arts in industrial and organizational psychology requires at least 36 credit hours via 15 credits of core courses, 18 credits of elective courses, and options to complete practicum requirements. At two courses per seven-week session, students can finish in about 15 months. Classes are offered via in-person, HyFlex, and online. Enrolled graduate students may also seek specializations from UD's graduate curriculum.

Previous content area of study for applicants to this type of graduate program is less important than their previous or current supervised experience, which seeks to enhance reasoning, quantitative and qualitative perspectives, comprehension, and organizational skills. Applicants from all other areas of study outside of psychology are encouraged to apply to the new graduate program.

"Industrial and organizational practitioners engage in a variety of problematic issues to improve the quality of work life for individuals, such as applying a needs analysis to determine the skills and technical training needs of employees. They study employee turnover and factors associated with job satisfaction, absenteeism, motivation, and productivity. They assist management in improving incentives and redesigning jobs to create meaningful opportunities for employees. They also might address problems associated with barriers to organizational development, as well as consumer behavior of products and services," Baus said.

Applications are currently being accepted for fall 2026 and spring 2027 sessions. For more information, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies at [email protected] or 563.589.3664.

The master of arts in industrial and organizational psychology is part of a broader University of Dubuque effort to develop academic programs at the intersection of student opportunity, workforce demand, and community need. Designed to meet tomorrow's needs, these programs include an associate of applied science in flight operations (rotary wing) that launched this fall to help address a shortage of helicopter pilots. A new engineering program that will begin classes fall 2027 will build on the strength of Midwest manufacturing. Also in fall 2027, the master of science in medical science program will, pending HLC approval, provide students the opportunity to explore clinical careers, strengthen academic credentials, and enhance understanding of the role a community plays in health outcomes. UD is also planning to open the first new medical school in Iowa in over 125 years. The proposed John and Alice Butler College of Osteopathic Medicine (applicant, seeking accreditation) will help address healthcare shortages in rural communities, and it is on track to open its doors in summer 2028, pending accreditation through the American Osteopathic Association's Commission on Osteopathic College Accreditation.