During the first year of CIRP, students will take core conceptual and methodological courses. During the second year, students will take some electives and the remaining core courses while devoting time to their theses. Further, during the second year students are encouraged to take part in an internship in a business setting relevant to one's primary interest (Consumer or I-O research). While students can complete the Program in two years, most elect to take at least an additional semester to complete the thesis and the 43 credits required for the Program.

The program requires satisfactory completion of a 43-credit-hour sequence, including Thesis.

Core A Core Content Requirements (16 credits)
  PSY 519 Consumer Psychology (4 credits)
  PSY 620 Advanced Consumer Research (4 credits)
And two of the following courses
  PSY 518 Personnel Psychology (4 credits)
  PSY 522 Organizational Psychology (4 credits)
  PSY 593 Special Topics in Psychology: Advanced Organizational Psychology (4 credits)
  PSY 631 Job Analysis and Performance Appraisal (4 credits)

Core B Methodological Requirements (12 credits)
  PSY 531 Computer Applications of Advanced Statistics (4 credits)
  PSY 512 Field Research Methodology (4 credits)
  PSY 611 Advanced Data Analysis with Computer Applications (4 credits), or COM 531 Multivariate Statistical Methods (4 credits) with CIRP program director’s permission

Core C Research Requirements (4 credits)
  PSY 699 Research and Thesis (4 credits)

Electives (11 credits)
Select from the following:
  PSY 518 Personnel Psychology (4 credits)
  PSY 522 Organizational Psychology (4 credits)
  PSY 525 Social Psychology (4 credits)   
  PSY 590 Consumer/Organizational Psychology Internship (4 credits)
  PSY 593 Special Topics in Psychology: Advanced Organizational Psychology (4 credits)
  PSY 596 Special Problems in Psychology (4 credits)
  PSY 631 Job Analysis and Performance Appraisal (4 credits) 
  COM 533 Content Analysis Research Materials (4 credits)
  COM 540 Persuasive Communication and Campaigns (4 credits)
  MLR 640 Performance Appraisal, Compensation, and Benefits (3 credits)
  MKT 501 Marketing Theory and Practice (3 credits)

Other courses in Marketing, Operations and Supply Chain Management, Management and Labor Relations, Communication, and Psychology are possible for elective credit, subject to approval by the CIRP Program Director.

Thesis

A three-member thesis committee consisting of graduate faculty must review and approve a student’s thesis proposal in a formal prospectus meeting before he or she can sign up for thesis credits. Students should take four credit hours of PSY 699 Research and Thesis.