Welcome

IOHRM logo

The Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management Program is an Interdisciplinary Master of Arts degree, offered by the Departments of Psychology and Management, to prepare professionals for work in business, industry, and government. As part of the only cross-disciplinary master's degree program in the nation, students have the unique opportunity to leverage the application of I-O Psychology to business.

Designed to equip students with specialized training in human resource management, program emphasis is placed on developing knowledge of theories, methods, and research findings derived from the behavioral sciences. The program also emphasizes the acquisition of skills in the application of this knowledge to such organizational activities as selection, placement, and motivation of employees; training and development; performance appraisal; and development and change of organizations.

The unique curriculum offered is aligned with the educational guidelines of both SIOP and SHRM.

National Recognition

In the most recent rankings of I-O graduate programs, the IOHRM program was rated highly by multiple independent research teams:

First for overall student satisfaction, first for resources provided to students, and second for program culture (Acikgoz et al., 2018)
Third highest-ranked program overall based on student ratings (Roman, Barnett, & Eatough, 2018)

The IOHRM program adheres to SIOP's (Society for Industrial Organizational Psychology) guidelines for Master's level training in I-O Psychology. IOHRM students are members of both the College of Arts and Sciences and College of Business and take classes in both the Departments of Psychology and Management.

News

Student Spotlight: Anna Van

May 9, 2025

For this week’s IOHRM Student Spotlight, we are featuring Anna Van, a second-year graduate student in the Industrial-Organizational Psychology and H...

Student Spotlight: Cassidy Zekas

May 5, 2025

Meet Cassidy, a second-year student in the IOHRM graduate program whose path has been shaped by curiosity, persistence, and a genuine interest in peop...

Student Spotlight: Taylor Brynds

Apr 24, 2025

This week, we spotlight second-year student Taylor Brynds, whose path to graduate school reflects both curiosity and intentionality. With a unique ble...

Eye on IOHRM Newsletters

Eye on IOHRM logo Introduced in Spring 2011, Eye on IOHRM is our department's bi-annual publication to keep program alumni and other stakeholders up-to-date about the IOHRM program. In each issue, we highlight the achievements of current and former students and faculty and let you know about new developments within the program. Below is our most current issue, or view additional newsletters!

Eye on IOHRM Spring 2025 (PDF)

Photo Galleries

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Testimonials

"The HRM part of the degree has been critical to my success. It is what got me in the door for several interviews. It is absolutely essential to my current job and career path. Having the HR foundation allows the I/O to have context."

Ariel Grosshuesch ‘10

"“The IOHRM program had a profound impact on my life in more ways than I can count. From professors who supported my personal and professional development, to cohort-mates who became lifelong friends, there just aren't enough words to describe what my time in Boone meant to me.""

Erin Marion (Class of 2020)

"What I gained from my time in the App State IOHRM program from 2001-2003 goes beyond the technical curriculum knowledge that I learned; "softer" skills of critical thinking, debate preparation and engagement, leadership, and more have proved just as valuable post-graduation. This comprehensive program has proven to be a lifelong investment as I continually apply lessons and knowledge gained from those fulfilling 3 years."

Nicholas Graham '03

"The cross-disciplinary aspect of the program was the primary reason that I looked at attending App for my graduate studies. I absolutely loved my HRM courses and deeply valued each of them."

Kerry Talbert '12

"Being part of the IOHRM program at Appalachian State was a remarkable experience. I received terrific guidance and mentoring from my professors in both the psychology and business areas of my coursework. The coursework was challenging but enriching, and I grew in both my appreciation and understanding for the I/O discipline within psychology."

Andrew Smith '08

"The masters program in IOHRM at Appalachian State University provided me with both the theoretical foundation and applied experience to excel in my career. Not only did the program prepare me for doctoral studies, it also equipped me to be an effective practitioner upon graduation. The distinct program format provides non-business degree majors with a unique opportunity to bridge the social sciences with business education. I give the IOHRM Program my very highest recommendation for the program – it changed my life!"

William Sparks, Ph.D '96

"The IOHRM program creates the conditions for students to thrive. The faculty is truly dedicated to providing each student with the enriching coursework, experience, and mentorship that they need to accomplish their unique goals. In addition to the professional benefits, the program has created a strong familial culture that extends support even after graduation."

Darby Ford (Class of 2020)

"Being able to integrate my existing business experience into a psychology degree through the dual-teaching of I/O Psych with HRM was the number one reason I elected ASU for furthering my graduate education."

Kate Thompson ‘14

"I have been so fortunate to have built cross-functional expertise even beyond my time at ASU. That vast experience would not have been possible without the strong foundation I received through ASU's IOHRM program."

Cynthia Miller ‘01

"The two years I spent in this program led to friendships that will last a lifetime and memories that will never fade. The success I've experienced so far in my career, I owe to the program and the faculty that prepared me for the real world!"

Elma Dostovic '12

"The coursework and experience with client-facing, applied projects equipped me with a solid foundation for succeeding in a corporate setting."

Danielle Kretschmer '15

"“I wouldn’t be where I am today without IOHRM. No matter what career you choose, the principles and foundations learned will set you apart and accelerate your career.” "

Michael Boitnott (Class of 2012)

"The IOHRM degree from ASU has been extremely beneficial to my career in human resources. The dual concentration in business and psychology opened doors I didn't realize could be opened in our field."

Elizabeth Schmidt '04

"The IOHRM program at ASU has exposed me to different ways of thinking and analyzing behavior within the workplace, which has benefited me in becoming well-rounded HR professional."

Carlton Brunson '11

"This hybrid I-O program, which seeks to bridge the scientist-practitioner divide, had the perfect appeal to me. Indeed, this was the only such program I applied for, because there were no other I-O programs that excited me like ASU’s."

Ricky Carroll '13

"No other Master's program (that I know of) has such a unique composition of curriculum. When I obtain a diploma from ASU's IOHRM program, employers will immediately have a good idea what kind of training I received."

Jason Copeland ‘13

"What we have on our resume is not specific classes we take, it is the degree we have. Therefore, when applying for an HR position, having the HRM part on the resume will make it more relevant for a person who doesn't know what courses are taken in a given program."

Yalcin Acikgoz ‘13

"ASU’s I/O program provided me with access to peers, teachers and resources from two different colleges. The result was more developmental opportunities and a breadth of perspective that I may have missed had I attended a more traditional I/O program."

Brett Cooksey

"I was among the first graduates in I/O Psychology. The program provided a wonderful blend of Psychology, Business and Human Resources courses. The degree has been helpful in landing career positions and I have used what I learned in every job I have had since I graduated."

Laverne (Hales) Hibbett '84

""I chose to pursue a PhD after my time in the IOHRM program, and the skills and knowledge (e.g., research, statistics, public speaking, applied business and consulting knowledge) I developed during my time at App State have continually set me apart from my peers""

Maria Ezerins (Class of 2020)

"I am thankful for my time there. The exceptional faculty, environment, curricula, and fellow students of the ASU IOHRM Program prepared me for adding evidence-based value to a variety of talent initiatives. I have yet to experience a day of work that is not positively impacted by the learning and development delivered through the ASU IOHRM Program."

Ryan Felty '12

"It only took seeing the curriculum and meeting the program director for me to know that ASU's IOHRM program would fully prepare me to begin a career with all of the tools I will need to be successful."

Kate Thompson ‘14

"The HRM component of my degree was extremely important when I entered the job market. The psychology courses I took within the program helped me solidify my research skills and perspectives on human behavior but the HRM courses really got down to what businesses want from HR/IO employees."

Dagmara Pawlowska '11

"This unique program prepares you for success in a number of different positions including as a generalist across all the fields of HR and OD or as a specialist. The foundation you receive in measurement and analytics as well as making sound decisions based on the data is applicable to any practitioner regardless of discipline."

Amber (Boyles) Harrison '09

"I am so thankful for my time at Appalachian State, and for the opportunities that the IOHRM program afforded me. The faculty are top notch and treat students as colleagues. Through my coursework, I gained an appreciation for the significance of my profession. The application of this knowledge during my internship and practicum experiences helped to prepare me for my current role and beyond."

Amanda Eberhardt '14

"The IOHRM program not only granted me the opportunity to connect with future HR professionals from various backgrounds, but also provided me with a more comprehensive foundation necessary to pursue a career in HR with my Psychology background."

Ashley Rankin (Class of 2022)

"Appalachian's IOHRM program more than prepared me for my career. The consulting experiences I had with leaders of large organizations, and the knowledge I gained through the rigorous coursework allowed me to enter my position prepared for what I needed to accomplish."

Kristin Berglund '07

""The IOHRM Alumni Mentor Program provides students with the unique opportunity to view how their classroom experiences translate into real-world job roles. That's why the IOHRM program at App excels in general - it puts students in positions to gain job skills before they're officially in the job market.""

Austin Mezer (Class of 2021)