Harvard Extension Courses

Return to Department List

Department - IORP

IORP E-1501 Section 1 (16845)

Fall 2024

Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Adam Smith PhD, Consulting Associate, Leadership Advisory Services, Spencer Stuart

How would you choose the ideal worker out of 400 applicants? Is it possible to predict employee motivation? Are virtual teams more effective than in-person teams? Questions like these can be answered through the help of industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology, which is the application of psychological theories and principles to the workplace. Examining decades of research from psychology, sociology, management, and statistics, we discuss a wide range of theories and practices which have had an impact on I/O psychology applications. We also focus on how organizations currently use I/O principles in everyday scenarios and evaluate practical examples of how the field continues to influence talent management. Examined through the scientist-practitioner lens, course material covers both theoretical and real-world applications and addresses the gap between the two. Course topics include job/worker analysis, organizational research methods, employee selection, motivation, attitudes, health and stress, and leadership. Students may not take both IORP E-1501 and PSYC E-1501 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.

IORP E-1501 Section 1 (26452)

Spring 2025

Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Adam Smith PhD, Consulting Associate, Leadership Advisory Services, Spencer Stuart

How would you choose the ideal worker out of 400 applicants? Is it possible to predict employee motivation? Are virtual teams more effective than in-person teams? Questions like these can be answered through the help of industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology, which is the application of psychological theories and principles to the workplace. Examining decades of research from psychology, sociology, management, and statistics, we discuss a wide range of theories and practices which have had an impact on I/O psychology applications. We also focus on how organizations currently use I/O principles in everyday scenarios and evaluate practical examples of how the field continues to influence talent management. Examined through the scientist-practitioner lens, course material covers both theoretical and real-world applications and addresses the gap between the two. Course topics include job/worker analysis, organizational research methods, employee selection, motivation, attitudes, health and stress, and leadership. Students may not take both IORP E-1501 and PSYC E-1501 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.

IORP E-1501 Section 2 (26885)

Spring 2025

Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Carmine P. Gibaldi EdD, Professor of Management and Organizational Psychology, St. John's University

How would you choose the ideal worker out of 400 applicants? Is it possible to predict employee motivation? Are virtual teams more effective than in-person teams? Questions like these can be answered through the help of industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology, which is the application of psychological theories and principles to the workplace. Examining decades of research from psychology, sociology, management, and statistics, we discuss a wide range of theories and practices which have had an impact on I/O psychology applications. We also focus on how organizations currently use I/O principles in everyday scenarios and evaluate practical examples of how the field continues to influence talent management. Examined through the scientist-practitioner lens, course material covers both theoretical and real-world applications and addresses the gap between the two. Course topics include job/worker analysis, organizational research methods, employee selection, motivation, attitudes, health and stress, and leadership. Students may not take both IORP E-1501 and PSYC E-1501 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.

IORP E-1502 Section 1 (17032)

Fall 2024

Psychometric Theory and Assessment

Daniel A. Schroeder DPhil, President and Chief Executive Officer, Organization Development Consultants, Inc.

This course exposes the student to the basic principles of test construction and interpretation, including issues related to reliability and validity. Additionally, issues related to test administration, scoring, and reporting are explored, with emphasis given to the ethical uses of tests. Attention is also given to emerging trends in the practical uses and applications of tests. Students may not take both IORP E-1502 and PSYC E-1502 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.

Prerequisites: PSYC E-15 or the equivalent.

IORP E-1502 Section 2 (17233)

Fall 2024

Psychometric Theory and Assessment

Leanne Tortez PhD, Supervising Research Specialist, Department of Public Social Services, County of Riverside

This course exposes the student to the basic principles of test construction and interpretation, including issues related to reliability and validity. Additionally, issues related to test administration, scoring, and reporting are explored, with emphasis given to the ethical uses of tests. Attention is also given to emerging trends in the practical uses and applications of tests. Students may not take both IORP E-1502 and PSYC E-1502 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.

Prerequisites: PSYC E-15 or the equivalent.

IORP E-1502 Section 1 (26453)

Spring 2025

Psychometric Theory and Assessment

Jenny Weil Malatras PhD

This course exposes the student to the basic principles of test construction and interpretation, including issues related to reliability and validity. Additionally, issues related to test administration, scoring, and reporting are explored, with emphasis given to the ethical uses of tests. Attention is also given to emerging trends in the practical uses and applications of tests. Students may not take both IORP E-1502 and PSYC E-1502 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.

Prerequisites: PSYC E-15 or the equivalent.

IORP E-1502 Section 2 (26672)

Spring 2025

Psychometric Theory and Assessment

Daniel A. Schroeder DPhil, President and Chief Executive Officer, Organization Development Consultants, Inc.

This course exposes the student to the basic principles of test construction and interpretation, including issues related to reliability and validity. Additionally, issues related to test administration, scoring, and reporting are explored, with emphasis given to the ethical uses of tests. Attention is also given to emerging trends in the practical uses and applications of tests. Students may not take both IORP E-1502 and PSYC E-1502 (offered previously) for degree or certificate credit.

Prerequisites: PSYC E-15 or the equivalent.

IORP E-1510 Section 1 (16947)

Fall 2024

Lies, Fears, and Expectations: Mindful Work and Life

Deborah R. Phillips PhD

This course focuses on the application of mindfulness theory (without meditation) as developed by Harvard Professor Ellen Langer and how it can have an impact on our work and health. It has a special emphasis given to her psychology of possibility in applied settings to encourage students to become more mindful and, as a result, less stressed about organizational life and decisions. Conceptual frameworks, case discussions, and skill-oriented activities are applied to each topic. We investigate how an increase in mindfulness can give rise to an increase in well-being and subsequently how we do our work and integrate our play.

Prerequisites: PSYC E-15 or the equivalent, or an introductory business course.