University of Houston

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Organizational Psychology Graduate Program at the University of Houston

The University of Houston appears in our ranking of the Top 10 Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology.

The University of Houston offers a graduate program in industrial and organizational psychology called the I/O Psychology program. Incoming students will receive a sample schedule that shows the courses they need to take. It provides them with an outline that they can follow as they work through the program. The university also assigns students an advisor who can guide them through those courses.

This program consists of five distinct areas. The first are the courses that students take. They need to take 15 courses from the Department of Psychology and other colleges. One course is Statistics for Psychology and teaches students how to analyze statistics and the research that they will do later. Applied Psychology Measurement is another research course that students must take before doing any research. They must also take one foundation course from options such as:

  • Health Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Cognitive Psychology

As I/O professionals work in the business field, the program recommends that students take at least one class from the Bauer College of Business. Other required classes include:

  • Research Methods
  • Experimental Design
  • Foundations of I/O Psychology
  • Foundations of Social Psychology

Students will pick a thesis topic in the first year and submit a proposal in the second year. They also need to do a thesis proposal defense in December of the second year and a full thesis defense in the third year. Once they finish the thesis, they will take a comprehensive exam. Only those who receive a passing score can continue with their studies. Other requirements of the program include teaching and research experience and a practicum. The University of Houston asks that students assist in research projects and do some teaching at the university before completing a practicum.

About the University of Houston

Located in Houston, Texas, the University of Houston is a public university also known as U of H. It was established in 1927 as Houston Junior College. It operated as part of the Houston Independent School District Board of Education. Only evening classes were available, and students attended classes in rooms at a local high school. A new resolution passed in 1934 led to the junior college becoming the University of Houston. As a four-year university, it offered a large number of degree programs for local students. Its new curriculum led to students from other states moving to Houston for school.

Though most think of U of H in terms of the flagship campus in Houston, there are other schools in this system. The U of H system now includes four campuses in Houston, Victoria and Clear Lake. It operates a large campus in Sugar Land and a smaller campus in downtown Houston. The main campus has an enrollment of more than 42,000 students. It’s the largest university in Houston and one of the largest in Texas. Some of the organizations that ranked U of H as one of the top schools in the world include ARWU and U.S. News and World Report.

University of Houston Accreditation Details

Most of the psychology programs at U of H have APA accreditation. This shows students that the programs meet APA standards and that they will have opportunities for success while in grad school. Students who want to transfer from another university or college can have their credits applied to a new program because the university has accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). This regional accreditation also lets students apply for government funding through the FAFSA.

University of Houston Application Requirements

The Department of Psychology at U of H has several application deadlines. The deadline for those applying to the I/O Psychology program is January 15. Students should start the application as soon as possible and make sure that they have time to submit all required information and documents. The graduate school application is available online and asks students to create new accounts or log into an existing account when they visit. They must complete each section of the application and pay a $65 fee.

I/O students will also submit documents. The university offers an express mail address for those who want their applications processed quickly. Students can also use electronic forms to submit documents. U of H will accept transcripts and test scores digitally. In addition to a GRE score and their transcripts, students will also provide three letters of recommendation from either faculty members or professionals they worked with in school and in the field. The university offers a digital option for those who want to submit their letters online. Students will also write a career statement that goes over the professional experiences they have. It should include the names of two professors or faculty members they worked with in college.

Tuition and Financial Aid

Graduate students in the U of H I/O Psychology program pay $377 per credit hour as Texas residents. To qualify for this rate, students need to show the university that they lived in the state for an extended period of time before applying. Those who cannot prove they are residents will pay the nonresident rate of $892 per credit hour. All students pay a $106 recreation fee each semester, This gives them full access to the Recreation and Wellness Center on the Houston campus. They also pay a university fee of $135 and a student services fee of $260 each semester.

Students have more financial aid options beyond student loans. Those who want to take out loans can submit the FAFSA and complete a few online steps to get their money at the start of the semester. Students can also use any alternative loans they find. Fellowships and assistantships are also available. Those who qualify for either program receive:

  • a waiver that reduces their tuition costs
  • a small stipend each month
  • health insurance

They also get funds that they can use to pay for conferences and other special events. Teaching assistantships and fellowships require that students teach at least two classes every semester. Research assistantships require that students help faculty members with their research studies. The University of Houston encourages students to apply for fellowships and assistantships before taking out any loans.

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