Training, Development, And Performance Improvement


Masters Degree
The Department of Psychology offers a graduate study program leading to the master of science degree in training, development and performance improvement with a special emphasis on planned organizational change. The program is designed to prepare professionals who can function as effective leaders of successful teams in private or public agencies and organizations. Graduates of the program will be able to create and lead learning and performance improvement efforts that contribute to organizational achievement, and employ action research to identify and solve organizational problems related to the effective use of human resources.

Program Prerequisites:

PY100S, L, or H: Psych as a Natural Science - 4 credit hours
    Or PY100G: Psych as a Social Science
PY305: Psychological Statistics (or equivalent) - 4 credit hours
    Or MA171: Statistics (or equivalent)

Admission Requirements


Applications for admission to the M.S. program in Training, Development, and Performance Improvement at Northern Michigan University, on either a full-time or a part-time basis, will be accepted from students holding a B.A. or B.S. degree. Candidates must have completed an Introductory Psychology and a Statistics class. Candidates must submit an authorized transcript of their B.A. or B.S. level work, and at least three letters of reference from individuals who know the candidate personally. The Graduate Admissions Committee of the Department of Psychology will review all applications. Dossiers are evaluated in their entirety. The Committee will offer full or conditional admission to the M.S. degree program, depending upon the candidates comparative strengths and weaknesses, to a limited number of acceptable applicants each year.

Total Credits Required for Degree - 40 Credit Hours

Professional Core:
PYTD500: Adult Learners - 3 credit hours
PYTD505: Designing Learning - 3 credit hours
PYTD510: Delivering Training - 2 credit hours
PYTD515: Facilitating Organizational Change - 3 credit hours
PYTD520: Managing Organizational Knowledge - 2 credit hours
PYTD525: Improving Human Performance - 3 credit hours
PYTD530: Managing the Learning Function - 3 credit hours
PYTD535: Measuring and Evaluating Training - 3 credit hours
PYTD540: Executive Coaching - 2 credit hours

Psychology Core:
PY436: Psychology of Organizational Behavior - 4 credit hours
PY500: Dev. of Modern Psychology: Fields & Careers - 4 credit hours

Research Core:
AIS435: Research Using Digital Info - 2 credit hours
PYTD555: Research Procedures - 2 credit hours
PYTD560: Research Seminar - 2 credit hours
PYTD590: Field Research - 2 credit hours
    Or PYTD599: Thesis - 2 credit hours


Training, Development, And Performance Improvement
One Year Certificate Programs
For those individuals interested in training, development and performance improvement but who do not wish to pursue the masters degree, the department offers two one-year graduate certificate programs. A 16-credit hour facilitated training, and a 17-credit hour performance improvement certificate are available to interested individuals.

Facilitating Training
Total Credits Required for Degree - 16 Credit Hours
PYTD500: Adult Learners - 3 credit hours
PYTD505: Designing Learning - 3 credit hours
PYTD510: Delivering Training - 2 credit hours
PYTD530: Managing the Learning Function - 3 credit hours
PYTD535: Managing and Evaluating Training - 3 credit hours
PYTD540: Executive Coaching - 2 credit hours

Performance Improvement
Total Credits Required for Degree - 17 Credit Hours
PYTD500: Adult Learners - 3 credit hours
PYTD515: Facilitating Organizational Change - 3 credit hours
PYTD520: Managing Organizational Knowledge - 2 credit hours
PYTD525: Improving Human Performance - 3 credit hours
PYTD540: Executive Coaching - 2 credit hours
PY436: Psychology of Organizational Behavior - 4 credit hours