Why IOHRM at App State?

Real Experience

Our students are heavily involved in a number of research and applied projects. Here are some of the ways you can get involved outside of the classroom.

HR Science Research Team

IOHRM students serve on the executive team and lead research on HR-related issues.

Practice HR on Campus

Students help schedule, train, and coordinate the HR department for an on-campus coffee shop.

Internships

Students gain real-world experience during summer internships at various companies across the nation.

Applied Coursework

Courses focus on the application of IOHRM principles and often include applied projects.

Recent Student Accomplishments

IOHRM students are recognized for their involvement in a number of additional activities outside the classroom.

Appalachian Safety Summit

Students and faculty collaborate on a conference that educates and inform safety employees, teams, and managers about the latest research in safety practices, including things like behavioral safety approaches to safety culture change.

HR Summit

Students have the opportunity to meet and network with accomplished alumni and learn from their experiences.

Teach Undergraduate Courses

Students act as graduate teaching assistants for undergraduate classes in both the Psychology and Management departments.

Professional Development Opportunities

Each year, students attend and present at a number of professional conferences and serve on the executive board for the App State SHRM Chapter.

River Cities I-O Psychology Conference

North Carolina Industrial and Organizational Psychologists (NCIOP)

Society for Human Resource Management, ASU Chapter

Supportive Culture

Award-Winning Faculty

The IOHRM program has nine full-time, dedicated, award-wining faculty.

IOHRM Alumni Network

Alumni interact with current students through the IOHRM Alumni Mentor Program and annual alumni events.

Student Support Fund

The IOHRM program provides funding to assist students who present at regional and national conferences.

Photo Galleries

Testimonials

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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

"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. All my classes gave me opportunity to 'test' what I was learning, be it in doing deep research or in actually applying my learning real time in local businesses. The thesis and internship process were both enriching in that I was able to see how my training would apply in a real job, and also see if doing academic research would be a career I'd want to pursue. And as I've stayed connected to my peers and the program, I've seen that the alumni network from the IOHRM program is out there doing awesome work. I feel fortunate to say that I was a part of this tremendous program."

Andrew Smith '08

"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

"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 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. As we learn more about the ever-changing workplace of today and prepare for the exciting (and challenging!) future, I remain convinced that committed IOHRM professionals of all disciplines are equipped for delivering significant contributions to the most critical of individual and organizational outcomes."

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

Danielle Kretschmer '15

"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 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

"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

"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

"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 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

"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

"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

"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. The business classes provided a strong foundation to work as an HR business partner, and the psychology focus has enabled me to provide a perspective that is unique in an organization's corporate structure. The program also facilitated a great opportunity to connect with other students, professors, and colleagues, as well as exposure to several great organizations. Many of the HR Executives that I have had personal interaction with in the Denver area either have an advanced degree in I/O Psychology, or recognize it's worth."

Elizabeth Schmidt '04

"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

IOHRM