M.S. in Business Psychology

M.S. in Business Psychology Program Information

Available online at Franklin University .

Applied Psychology, with its emphasis on a pragmatic understanding of individual thought and action offers an excellent complement to the practical field of business. The Master of Science degree in Business Psychology is specifically designed to fuse a functional understanding of business with applied psychology. By connecting relevant theory with practice students can immediately apply their in-course learning to their current work situations, prepare themselves for their next position, and obtain a long-term educational advantage for future positions.

This program integrates concepts and practices from the emerging fields of positive psychology, neuroscience, sociobiology, and organizational coaching with the basic business functions of management, finance, marketing and human resources. The intent is to graduate professionals who have a practical insight into human behavior, a working knowledge of business functions and practices, who can thoughtfully integrate the two, and who can make effective organizational contributions at both the individual and group level.

Curriculum & Course Descriptions

36 Semester Hours
Major Area Required
PSYC 601 - Introduction to Business Psychology (4)

A brief history and overview of the fields of business and psychology as well as a discussion of the issues and opportunities related to their integration. Topics include brain organization and dominance, neuroethics, neurolinguistic programming, multiminds, mindmapping and the application of positive psychology to work settings. Includes the application of recent discoveries in cognitive psychology and neuroscience to resolve contemporary issues in the workplace.

PSYC 602 - Individual & Organizational Intelligence (4)

This course focuses on the application of systems theory, social psychology concepts, organizational lifecycles, and biological principles to the understanding of business operations. Includes a review of basic business principles, multiple intelligences, organizational intelligence, organizational culture, emotional intelligence, biomimicry and organizational DNA.

PSYC 603 - Managerial Psychology (4)

This course will explore the psychological influences on the development and behavior of managers and organizational leaders. Topics include: follower influences, nature vs. nurture in the development of leaders, relationship of personality to leadership style, behavioral decision- making biases, tactical, operational, and strategic decision-making , group think, and scenario planning.

PSYC 604 - Behavioral Economics and Neurofinance (4)

An inquiry into how brain structures limit or reinforce economic and financial decision-making. Topics include: basic principles of traditional and behavioral economics, measures of economic and financial performance, logical and non-linear decision-making, human factors in finance, and essential financial analysis.

PSYC 605 - Psychology of Marketing (4)

An exploration of the use of psychological and neuroscience-based principles and techniques applied to the discipline of marketing. The course also incorporates a brief review of traditional marketing approaches. The principal focus is on the practical use of advanced marketing technologies, consumer behavior principles, and an understanding the implications of employing conscious and unconscious processes as a means of influencing behavior.

PSYC 606 - Psychology of Human Resources (4)

This course provides an investigation into the use of psychology in the acquisition of organizational talent, the retention and development of individual talent, and the selective departure of talent. Areas of interest include: applicant testing, the organizational impact of generational differences, individual and group motivation, coping with organizational stressors, the psychology of individual and group performance, and succession planning.

PSYC 607 - Psychology of Creativity, Innovation And Change (4)

This course provides a study of the relationship between creativity, innovation and change from a psychological perspective. Areas of interest include: social-technical change waves, change facilitation, unintended consequences, Appreciative Inquiry, creativity enhancement, and diffusion of innovation.

PSYC 608 - Psychology of Organizational Coaching (4)

This course is designed to acquaint the student with the discipline of executive and organizational coaching from a psychological viewpoint. The focus will be on the practical use of the principles of psychology over the lifecycle of a typical coaching assignment. Topics to be covered include: optimal practitioner characteristics, coach selection, psychology-based approaches to coaching, coaching tools, coaching interventions and resources. Additional emphasis will be placed on techniques for dealing with organizationally dysfunctional individuals.

PSYC 609 - Business Psychology Mastery Demonstration (4)

The intent of this course is to integrate course learning into a personally and organizationally meaningful synthesis. It is designed to provide an opportunity for students to demonstrate mastery of the Business Psychology program?s overall learning outcomes. Working with an assigned instructor, students will implement a self-selected major project that can be completed during the duration of the course.