Missouri State University’s master’s of industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology received top rankings in a study reported in the most recent edition of The Industrial-Organizational Psychologist newsletter.

The study, titled “The Cream of the Crop: Student and Alumni Perceptions of I-O Psychology Master’s Degree Program Quality,” surveyed current students and recent alumni from 44 universities across the country with I-O programs.

“We rarely lose touch with our alumni,” said Dr. Carol Shoptaugh, coordinator of the MSU I-O program. “I believe that speaks to their appreciation of the opportunities provided to them.”

The four categories surveyed were:

• Student perceptions of program culture
• Student perceptions of program resources
• Overall student satisfaction
• Overall alumni perceptions

MSU’s rankings

MSU’s program ranked top five in the first three categories. It finished in the top 20 in the final category.

The rankings are as follows:

• Fifth, student perceptions of program culture
• Fourth, student perceptions of program resources
• Second, overall student satisfaction
• 18th, overall alumni perceptions

These results raise the profile of the I-O program for prospective graduate students. They also act as a checkpoint for the program’s progress.

“We love when former students let us know about their success following their time here,” Shoptaugh said. “It reinforces that we have been effective in preparing them for the next stage of life.”