Mar 28, 2024  
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Psychology, B.A. or B.S. (Accelerated Pathway to Organizational Psychology, M.S.)


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This 36-credit hour (13 courses) M.S. degree program in organizational psychology is designed for SMU undergraduate students with a strong interest in pursuing a career using psychological skills in organizations or businesses. The program begins in the student’s senior year and lasts four semesters plus one summer. Core courses are taught primarily by psychology faculty along with three courses offered by the Cox School of Business faculty. Admission to the program is by application during the spring term of the junior year.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program is competitive and open only to current SMU undergraduates. Sophomores who plan to major in psychology and who want to pursue this accelerated M.S. in organizational psychology program should consult with the psychology department’s director of undergraduate studies and/or the undergraduate adviser for approval before the end of the spring semester of their sophomore year (or for transfers, after completing 60 credit hours). Applicants need to be sure they have taken all of the undergraduate courses required for entry into the program.

To apply for the accelerated master’s program, the student must:

  • Be enrolled in the B.A. or B.S psychology program at SMU
  • Apply for admission to the accelerated M.S. in organizational psychology program in the spring of their junior year
  • Submit two recommendation letters from SMU faculty members
  • Submit their transcript
  • Complete a personal statement

Undergraduate students not majoring in psychology may apply for admission to the M.S. program, but will need to complete a subset of psychology courses to be eligible for admission. Students should consult with the psychology department’s director of undergraduate studies and/or undergraduate adviser for more information.

Requirements for the Degree

The curriculum consists of eight required psychology courses, three required Management and Organizations (MNO) courses in the Cox School of Business, and two elective courses. The program is offered on a cohort model: students begin the program in their senior year and take the required courses together but choose their own electives.

To receive a M.S. degree in organizational psychology, the student must:

  • Have been awarded an undergraduate degree at SMU
  • Complete a minimum of 30 credit hours of graduate coursework at SMU 
  • Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.000 (on a 4.000 scale) in the M.S. degree coursework
  • Satisfactorily fulfilled other degree requirements

Curriculum


Students should refer to the psychology section of the undergraduate catalog  for the B.A./B.S. degree requirements:

The degree requirements for the M.S. in organizational psychology are as follows:

Psychology Core Courses (Dedman School of Humanities and Sciences) (24 Credit Hours):


  • PYSC 6381 - Advanced Applied Social Psychology
  • PSYC 6382 - Foundations of Organizational Psychology
  • PSYC 6383 - Ethical, Legal, and Diversity Issues at Work
  • PYSC 6384 - Applied Methods and Analysis
  • PSYC 6385 - Assessment: Individuals
  • PSYC 6386 - Assessment: Programs
  • PSYC 6391 - Internship (taken twice for a total of 6 credit hours; once during the first summer and once in the second semester)

Management and Organizations Core Courses (Cox School of Business) (6 Credit Hours):


  • MNO 6201 - Organizational Behavior: Managing and Leading People
  • MNO 6212 - Intro to Consulting
  • MNO 6214 - Strategic Management of Human Capital

Electives Courses (6 Credit Hours)


Two courses from the following:

Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences


STAT 6306 - Introduction to Data Science

Lyle School of Engineering


  • DSIN 7303 - Human-Centered Design
  • EMIS 7365 - Project and Program Management

Simmons School of Education and Human Development


  • HDDR 6341 - Employment Law 
  • HDDR 6347 - Systems Design in Dispute Resolution
  • HDDR 6351 - Workplace Conflict
  • HDDR 6370 - Assessment and Interviewing 
  • HDDR 6371 - Transitional and Development Coaching
  • HDDR 6372 - Performance Coaching
  • HDCN 6321 - Lifestyle and Career Development: Individual and Systemic Perspectives

Masters of Liberal Arts Studies


  • BHSC 6320 - Organizational Leadership, Sustainability Leadership: An Introduction to Organizational Sustainability Leadership

Total: 36 Credit Hours


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