Program Information
What is the difference between an MS and an MA/Ph.D. in I/O psychology?
What kinds of classes will I take during the program?
What employment opportunities will I have after graduation?
Can I attend part-time or online?
Application Information
Do I need to take the Psychology Subject test of the GRE?
What are the average GRE scores and GPA of those applicants accepted into the program?
What is the deadline for application materials?
Is there a form I need for my letters of recommendation?
What factors are considered during the admission process?
When will I find out about my application?
What kind of background do I need to apply for the program?
What kind of courses should I complete to prepare for an I/O psychology program?
If I already have a Master’s degree, can I apply to the program?
If I have a Master’s degree in I/O psychology, will my credits transfer?
If I have a Master’s degree in I/O psychology, how will I know which classes transfer?
Costs and Funding
What options exist for funding?
How many years of funding are available to students with assistantships?
Do I have to apply for an assistantship separately?
How are funding/assistantship decisions made?
Is there some form of health insurance available?
Applied Experiences/Internships
What applied experiences does the program include?
Will someone help me find an internship?
Life in Omaha
What is it like to live in Omaha, NE?
What is the cost of living in Omaha, NE?
Program Information
What is the difference between an MS and an MA/Ph.D. in I/O psychology?
A Master of Science (MS) degree in I/O psychology is a terminal degree, in that those students who pursue an MS do not intend to complete any education beyond a Master’s degree, at this point. This is a two-year program, where students take 36 credit hours. Students do not complete a thesis, but instead are expected to complete an internship or practicum experience.
A Master of Arts (MA) degree in I/O psychology features similar course content as an MS, but is most often earned en route to a Ph.D. in I/O psychology. At UNO, MA students are expected to complete an empirical thesis. Students in the MA program are typically admitted to the MA/Ph.D. program. The program is 36 hours, and most students complete it in 2.5 to 3 years.
A student in the Ph.D. program receives all the training of an MA student, as well as more in-depth exposure to content areas and methodological instruction and mastery. An essential expectation of the Ph.D. in I/O psychology is the completion of the dissertation. Full time students typically complete the coursework in 4-5 years, and the full program in 6 years.
What kinds of classes will I take during the program?
In both degree programs, you will be equipped with analytical tools—like regression, ANOVA, and psychometrics—necessary to address and investigate the kinds of questions I/O psychologists face. Additionally, you will be exposed to research and literature that dives into core contents of I/O psychology, including Job Analysis, Performance Appraisal and Personnel Selection, Leadership, Motivation, and Training.
What employment opportunities will I have after graduation?
Students with MS degrees in I/O psychology work primarily in applied settings, often as part of human resources divisions.
Ph.D. graduates in I/O psychology can expect to find employment opportunities in a variety of settings, both applied and academic.
For more information on the employment opportunities available to graduates with Master’s and doctoral degrees in I/O psychology, please visit SIOP’s website, or visit our alumni page to see where some of our alumni work.
Can I attend part-time or online?
Currently, most students are full-time students. Some MS students occasionally are part time students (taking 2 courses a semester instead of 3, and completing the degree in 3 years). While some courses are offered in the evening, some courses are offered during the day. We do not offer a graduate degree through online courses, as we believe in a mentorship program and personal relationships.
The program consists of about 35 students. 4-6 students are usually pursuing an MS degree, each cohort in the MA/Ph.D. program consists of an average of 3-5 students.
Application Information
Do I need to take the Psychology Subject test of the GRE?
Due to COVID-19, the reporting of GRE scores is OPTIONAL for those applying to the I-O Program. All applications will be reviewed whether or not GRE scores are included.
No, the I/O program at UNO does not require you to take the Psychology Subject test. We only require the GRE Verbal Reasoning (V), Quantitative Reasoning (Q), and Analytical Writing sections. Make sure to send UNO your GRE scores when you take the test, our institutional code for the GRE is 6420.
What are the average GRE scores and GPAs for those applicants accepted into the program?
Due to COVID-19, the reporting of GRE scores is OPTIONAL for those applying to the I-O Program. All applications will be reviewed whether or not GRE scores are included.
- The average GRE quantitative reasoning score (Q) for those admitted in 2014-2016 was 157, using the scale of the GRE revised general test (corresponding to 690 in the previous scoring system).
- The average GRE verbal reasoning score (V) for those admitted in 2014-2016 was 157, using the scale of the GRE revised general test.
- The average undergraduate GPA of applicants admitted, by program, in 2014 was: 3.75
What is the deadline for application materials?
Materials must be received by UNO by January 10.
Is there a form I need for my letters of recommendation?
We do not utilize any forms for recommenders to use. We only ask for three (3) letters of recommendation from professors and individuals who can speak to the applicant’s potential for success in a graduate program.
What factors are considered during the admission process?
Due to COVID-19, the reporting of GRE scores is OPTIONAL for those applying to the I-O Program. All applications will be reviewed whether or not GRE scores are included.
We weigh multiple criteria as part of evaluating applicants including:
- Potential for Success—indicated by GRE scores, letters of recommendation and statement of purpose
- Prior Research experience—indicated by CV, statement of purpose, recommendation letters
- Knowledge about I/O Psychology – indicated by coursework, CV, work experience, statement of purpose
When will I find out about my application?
We try to make decisions in a timely fashion, and most applicants receive a response by the second week in March.
How many applications on average are received each year, and how many applicants are accepted for each program?
In January 2015 and 2016:
- The MA/Ph.D. program received 30 applications and 4- 6 applicants were admitted.
- The MS program received 25 applications and 2- 4 applicants were admitted.
What kind of background do I need to apply for the program?
Students must have the equivalent of a minor in Psychology (15 semester hours in Psychology). Most of our students enter with an undergraduate degree in psychology, but it is not required. Successful students have also entered with degrees in business, human resources, and relevant social sciences like sociology. Many students enter the program directly after receiving their undergraduate degree, but some of our students possess a wide variety of backgrounds—including professional and/or military experiences—that distinguished them as applicants and equipped them with unique perspectives as graduate students.
What kind of courses should I complete to prepare for an I/O psychology program?
Specific courses include:
- Statistics for behavioral sciences (can be in Psychology or other social science)
- Research methods
- Research experience in psychology or behavioral science (e.g., Psychology lab, independent study, senior thesis).
- Course in I/O Psychology or OB/HR (not required for admission, but required once entered in the program).
If I already have a Master’s degree, can I apply to the program?
Yes, we accept students who have master’s degrees in I/O Psychology from other schools. If your Master’s is not in I/O Psychology, please contact the area director to determine if you should apply to the Ph.D. program or the MA program.
If I have a Master’s degree in I/O psychology, will my credits transfer?
Each student’s experience is weighed individually, so no absolute answers can be provided. However, students who have entered with a master’s in I/O psychology have been able to waive some Ph.D. requirements. In general, you may expect your graduate credits to apply at least as electives towards your total of 90 credit hours required for the Ph.D. Certain incoming course credits may apply directly to specific UNO requirements.
If I have a Master’s degree in I/O psychology, how will I know which classes transfer?
Make sure you keep all of your syllabi, reading lists, and provide transcripts for your courses. Faculty in the program can use this information to determine which of your previous classes “map onto” our program requirements. We do our best to minimize redundancies, and focus on the importance of content mastery more than class title.
Costs and Funding
Tuition costs are calculated based on the number of credit hours a student takes in a semester. Rates, which change year-to-year, for graduate credit hours and student fees can be found here. Most students enroll in 9 credit hours per semester.
What options exist for funding?
Many students are awarded an assistantship, which requires 20 hours per week of work for a department on campus in exchange for a waiver of tuition and a monthly stipend. The duties of an assistant vary by department and assignment, but often include helping an instructor to teach a course, providing support to an office on campus, or working on a research grant.
Students who have a Master’s degree may also find adjunct instructor opportunities in the Psychology Department or Management Department.
Finally, some students fund school through internships or applied opportunities, either through The Center for Applied Psychological Services (CAPS) or working for one of the many organizations that has contacts with the I/O program.
Other sources of funding include fellowships, scholarships, and tuition waivers. More information can be found on the graduate studies website.
How many years of funding are available to students with assistantships?
Teaching assistantships awarded by the Psychology Department may be renewable, or non-renewable.
Students who receive renewable assistantships must maintain good standing with the graduate college, as well as the department for which they work, by maintaining at least a 3.0 GPA, enrolling in at least 6 credit hours for each contracted semester, and fulfilling the expectations and obligations of their assigned work duties. Based on the student’s program, the assistantship may be renewable for 2 years (MS), 3 years (MA), or 4-5 years for a Ph.D. student.
Non-renewable assistantships are awarded on a yearly basis, and require the same criteria for maintenance over the course of the year as renewable assistantships. In the spring semester, decisions are made regarding the assignments of non-renewable assistantships for the following academic year.
Do I have to apply for an assistantship separately?
No, all I/O program applicants are automatically considered for assistantships within the Psychology department.
How are funding/assistantship decisions made?
Assistantship decisions are made based on a formula including your GRE score and undergraduate GPA. Students are rank-ordered based on these variables, and assistantships are awarded accordingly.
Is there some form of health insurance available?
Yes. If you are awarded an assistantship, you will be eligible for a subsidized health insurance plan through the University’s system. More information on the StudentBlue Plan can be found here. If you do not have an assistantship, you are eligible to take part in the same plan, or various alternatives that the University offers to all students. See the UNO health services site for more details.
Applied Experiences/Internships
What applied experiences does the program include?
At UNO, we have the exciting distinction of being home to CAPS. Additionally, students will complete a practical experience in organizations as part of their program requirements. Previous students have gained applied experience in companies like Sprint, United Way, Gallup, Union Pacific, and ConAgra Foods. A more complete list can be found here.
Will someone help me find an internship?
Yes! We collaborate with a variety of organizations to help students secure internship positions.
Life in Omaha
What is it like to live in Omaha, NE?
Omaha is the largest city in Nebraska and the metropolitan area also includes Council Bluffs, Iowa, which lies across the Missouri River. As of 2010, Omaha’s population was 408,958, with a larger metropolis population of 895,151. The city of Omaha maintains an informative website that can tell you a great deal about the city and different topics of interest.
Some notable examples of Omaha’s cultural offerings include the world-class Henry Doorly Zoo, the home of the College Baseball World Series, as well as a vibrant downtown area.
What is the cost of living in Omaha, NE?
Omaha compares favorably to the national average cost of living, with an overall cost of living that is 10% less than the national average. Housing costs in Omaha are 23% less than the national average. More information on the cost of living in Omaha compared to other cities can be found here.