South Dakota State University

south-dakota-state-university

South Dakota State University Organizational Psychology Degrees

South Dakota State University appears in our ranking of the Top 9 Most Affordable Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.

The Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology at SDU is a two-year, full-time program that adheres to the scientist-practitioner model. Students balance the training of research and applied skills with field training in industrial/organizational psychology. This requires them to complete coursework, an internship, and a thesis. The program uses the Guidelines for Education and Training at the Master’s Level recommended by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Students develop knowledge of contemporary industrial and organizational theories, methods used in research as well as the analytical tools used in the fields. Students gain knowledge of theory, statistics and research methods used in the field. This includes research, external and internal consulting as well as data and workforce analytics. Courses required for the program may include:

  • Advanced Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  • Applied Research Methods in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  • Job Analysis and Performance Appraisal
  • Leadership and Motivation
  • Organizational Development
  • Personnel Selection
  • Statistical Methods II
  • Teams in Organizations
  • Tests and Measurement
  • Topics in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
  • Training
  • Work Attitudes Theory and Measurement

About South Dakota State University

South Dakota became a state in 1889 and, under the Morrill Act of 1862, was granted 160,000 acres of land that could be used in support of an agricultural college. Another act of Congress, the Hatch Act of 1887, established the Agricultural Experiment Stations at land-grant institutions. The goal of the stations was to conduct research and provide information about agriculture and home economics. A third act, the Smith-Lever Act of 1914, created the Cooperative Extension Service that extended the research and knowledge requirements of land-grant colleges as well as adding programs designed to educate teachers for secondary schools.

South Dakota State College was identified as the location for the three programs. By 1923, South Dakota State College had five divisions including Agriculture, Engineering, General Science, Home Economics and Pharmacy. In 1964, the school became South Dakota State University.

In 1994, the federal government granted four tribal colleges as land-grant institutions. Tribal land-grant extension programs are conducted in cooperation with the original land-grant institutions. This led South Dakota State University to continue a relationship with the tribal colleges through their land-grant status.

Today, South Dakota State University is the largest, most comprehensive institution of higher education in the state. There are more than 12,000 students attending South Dakota State University, some who attend at various off-campus sites and online. US News & World Report ranks the school in the top 200 in the country for high school counselor rankings, top public schools, and the best engineering programs. It is in the top 300 in the country for national universities.

South Dakota State University Accreditation Details

South Dakota State University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1916. Since then, the school has continued building on areas of excellence. They have undergone periodic reviews that have confirmed they have dedicated faculty and staff, quality facilities, excellent student leadership, shared governance, partnerships in the local community and integrated assessment programs. In addition, programs throughout the University are accredited by the following:

  • Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
  • Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration
  • Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education
  • Accreditation Council for the Education of Nutrition and Dietetics
  • Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism & Mass Communications
  • American Association of Museums Accreditation Commission
  • American Association of Veterinary Lab Diagnosticians
  • American Chemical Society
  • American Society of Agricultural & Biological Engineers
  • American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • American Society of Health System Pharmacists
  • Aviation Accreditation Board International
  • Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
  • Commission on Accreditation of Programs in Applied and Clinical Sociology
  • Commission on Accreditation for the Exercise Sciences
  • Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • Council for Interior Design Accreditation
  • Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
  • Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
  • Council on Rehabilitation Education
  • National Architectural Accrediting Board
  • National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
  • National Association for Education of Young Children
  • National Association of Schools of Music
  • Society for Range Management
  • Society for Simulation in Healthcare

South Dakota State University Application Requirements

Applications for the Master of Industrial and Organizational Psychology must be received by March 15 and incoming students begin in the fall semester. There are no spring or summer admissions. Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited college or university. They must have a GPA of 3.5 or higher and have taken at least one year of undergraduate statistics and research methods. Official transcripts from all colleges and universities must be submitted. Applicants must submit official GRE scores and must have at least a 150 quantitative, 150 verbal and 4.0 analytical writing score. They must also have experience in research as well as work or leadership experience.

Applicants must provide a current resume and a personal statement that describes the applicant’s interest in Industrial/Organizational psychology, their reasons for pursuing the degree at South Dakota State University, who they would like to work with, any research or work experience and their career goals.

South Dakota State University Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition for the Master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program is $336.80 for residents, $168.40 for National Guard members, teachers, ROTC, and state employees. Students over 65 pay $185.25 per credit hour. Non-residents pay $647.55. Minnesota reciprocity tuition is $486.65 and western regional graduate tuition is $336.80.

Financial aid is available and students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Graduate students may be offered grants and scholarships as well as fellowships or assistantships. Financial aid may also be offered in the form of loans, including federal, private and parent. Loans must be repaid after graduation while grants, scholarships, and work-study do not require repayment.

South Dakota State University challenges students to imagine, believing that imagination is one of the most powerful tools necessary to achieve goals.

Related Resources: