Master of Arts in Psychology,
Business Psychology Specialization
Program Disclosures
Program Emphasis:
Attain your Master of Arts in Psychology, Business Psychology Specialization from University of the Rockies. This specialization focuses on the application of organizational psychology principles and theories in the management of teams and organizations, with an emphasis on nurturing diversity, teamwork, and ethical behavior.
This curriculum prepares you for exceptional career opportunities, especially as an entrepreneur and consultant in new business ventures.
Through a wide variety of diverse seminars and courses, you will explore the depths of such subjects as creativity, breakthrough thinking, and human performance, and then apply your knowledge and skills to motivating people and making businesses more effective. Specialize in Business Psychology and take your place at the cutting edge of leadership and innovation.
Courses:
Courses are listed in the proposed sequence. Your Student Advisor will help with scheduling your courses.
CoursesORG 6300 Human Development (3 credits)
This course explores the major theories of adult development related to emotions, personality, cognitive functioning, social and family influences, and physical functioning. Current theoretical approaches and research related to adult development are emphasized as well as practical applications in the therapy setting.
ORG 5270 Mental Health & Psychopathology in the Workplace (3 credits)
This course acquaints the student with both normal and abnormal behavior evident in the workplace. The focus of the course is creating a healthy culture in the workplace, maintaining a healthy work/life balance, and managing stress. In addition, students learn the common mental disorders and personality disorders manifested in an organizational setting and how to exercise leadership to bring about positive change.
ORG 6530 Theories & Techniques of Counseling & Psychotherapy (3 credits)
This course is an overview of the psychodynamic, cognitive/behavioral, and existential/humanistic schools of psychology, as well as corresponding models of counseling and frequently used assessment and therapeutic techniques. The primary focus in the course is on the development of both skills and rationale in the application of intervention strategies to treatment and case management.
ORG 6499 Cultural Diversity and Individual Differences (3 credits)
This course provides a systematic review of the wide range of cultures and individual differences and the ways in which cultural mores, ethnocentrism, and factors such as matters of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, customs and cultures impact behavior of the individual themselves and of those around them. Through this course, students better understand themselves and others, in terms of perceptions and behaviors.
ORG 5400 Statistics & Research Design (3 credits)
This course emphasizes statistical concepts related to methods most appropriate to data and theories in psychology. The focus is on a quantitative approach to the concepts and methods of statistical inference. Topics include sampling, frequency distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing, and probability. Statistical analyses covered include correlation, regression, t-tests, nonparametric tests, and Analysis of Variance. Basic research design issues are addressed, with a focus on selecting data analysis techniques to appropriately address research questions and apply the concepts covered to various psychological problems and real life situations. Emphasis is on developing skills in interpreting statistical results presented in research articles.
ORG 6405 Applied Research in Organizational Leadership (3 credits)
This course is designed to give the student hands-on knowledge of the practices employed in analyzing organization and program data sets. Whether the data is provided as quantitative in nature, primarily through the use of surveys, questionnaires, or outcome data, or qualitative, through interviews or focus groups, students will be able to critically analyze the information in order to provide the appropriate feedback to the requesting entity. Students will be prepared to communicate the research and analysis processes to others and execute an appropriate article on the matter.
ORG 6520 Professional Ethics, Standards of Practice & Law (3 credits)**
This course is a study of the ethical and legal issues confronting the practicing psychologist. Topics related to clinical methodology, standards of practice, and inter-professional relations are explored. Students learn principles of ethical decision making, standards for human and animal use in research, and standards of care specified by state and federal laws. Emphasis is placed on exploration of the emotional impact that major ethical and legal dilemmas have on decision making. Students also master the current code of ethics of the American Psychological Association and other professional codes of ethics, such as the code of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapy or the code of the American Counseling Association. This course must be taken at University of the Rockies and may not be transferred from another institution.
ORG 5525 Psychology of Marketing & Purchasing Behavior (3 credits)
This course explores the social psychology of purchasing behavior and marketing efforts to influence that behavior among consumers and business decision makers. Topics include market research, mass marketing, branding, packaging, pricing, labeling, and product fads.
ORG 6506 Leading Organizational Change (3 credits)
This course focuses on the principles and techniques associated with leading organizations through the change process. Included is a discussion of why organizations need to change in the current business and organizational environment. In addition, a process model of how best to bring about change serves as the core schema for the class sessions. To complement the "macro" or organizational approach to creating change, we also examine a "micro" viewpoint, addressing how to encourage individuals to change. Along these lines, we spend some time exploring the parallels between the organizational change process and how this discipline might inform how we change ourselves, and perhaps individuals. Finally, we draw some connections between the function of change and the role of leadership.
ORG 6503 Organizational Theory & Systems (3 credits)
This course explores the theories of human organizations and how they function and the factors which influence the structure, design, operation, and performance of individuals in complex organizations. The emphasis is on integrating theory and concepts from the behavioral and social sciences as a basis for understanding human behavior within organizations.
ORG 6505 Diagnosing Organizations (3 credits)
This course explores qualitative and quantitative research methods and data analysis that leaders and consultants use in organizations with particular attention to interview and observation. An understanding of organizational structure and organizational life-cycle development is provided. The course also examines how leaders in organizations can mediate high performance and learning through project team development, communication, collaboration, and individual and group conversation-based assessment.
ORG 6600 Principles of Human Resource Management (3 credits)
This course explores the key roles of the human resources discipline and professionals in organizations. Topics include recruitment, selection, training, development, diversity, compensation, benefits, employment law, and employee relations. The course also explores human resources from the perspectives of preventing legal actions against an organization and leveraging human resources as a competitive advantage.
ORG 6610 Principles of Project, Program, & Operations Management (3 credits)
This course explores the application of management best practices in leading projects, managing programs composed of multiple projects, and managing operations of large organizations. Topics include project planning, staffing and budgeting, as well as managing people, funds, schedules, and other resources to accomplish project and program goals. The course emphasizes the psychology of selecting and teaming individuals based on diversity of backgrounds, skills, and styles, in addition to motivating individuals and teams to achieve peak performance.
Comprehensive Exam
Total Credits 39
** This course may not be transferred in.
