The 11 Best Masters in Organizational Psychology and Human Resources

Postgraduate training that links the world of psychology to the world of business.

It is common for many psychology students, when they start their degree, to think of going into clinical psychology. However, as they progress through their degree, they realize that there are other fields of work that they can enter as psychologists.

Currently, one of the most successful is that of work and organizational psychology, in which many psychologists become part of the human resources department of a company.

• If you want to know which are the best masters in psychology, you can visit our article: "The 20 best masters in psychology".

Organizational Psychology and Human Resources are not the same thing.

Many may think that being an organizational psychologist is the same as being a human resources professional, and that is not exactly the case. The two disciplines are related, but there are some differences.

First of all, you don't need to be a psychologist to be a human resources professional. An organizational psychologist, on the other hand, is an organizational psychologist, an organizational psychologist is a psychologist who has specialized in organizations..

Functions of the work and organizational psychologist

Work and organizational psychologists can not only work in the human resources department, but can also perform their functions at the management level or in the area of business research and marketing.

This means that their areas of research and intervention are very varied. For example, they can work in team building, improving the way in which a team coordinates and brings out the best in its members.They can detect errors in the day-to-day organization of work (which results in wasted time and resources), participate in the selection of personnel through interviews and the use of personality and competency tests, or participate in improving the work environment.

On the other hand, they can lead processes of consumer research and purchasing behavior, in the design of a brand or in the design of a product.In addition, they can participate in the design of a brand or product, or track market niches with potential buyers and consumers.

In addition, they are experts in occupational health (e.g, they are experts in occupational health (e.g., stress reduction or burnout) and in occupational health and intervention in this area, and are skilled in the detection and manipulation of psychological variables related to work performance and productivity. For example, role conflict, motivation, sense of belonging to an organization, etc.

And... what are the functions of the Human Resources department?

If you have recently finished your psychology degree, it is important to know this distinction in order to know whether you want to pursue a master's degree in organizational psychology or human resources psychology. Generally, the admission criteria are different.

For example, students of Labor Relations or ADE (Business Administration and Management) are a very competent profile to enter a postgraduate program in human resources, but the same is not true for a postgraduate program in organizational psychology, where it is necessary to be a psychologist.

This is mainly because the Human Resources department not only performs personnel selection or training functions, but can also carry out collective bargaining or tasks such as payroll management. In short, in a master's degree in human resources, in addition to subjects related to psychology, other subjects such as labor and union law or taxation of individuals are also taught.

Recommended Master's Degrees in Organizational Psychology and Human Resources

If you are a psychologist (or a student) and you find this field of application attractive, in this article you will find a list of the best Masters in Organizational Psychology and Human Resources..

This ranking has been prepared following the criteria of some specialized institutions according to their recommendations, and the training actions shown below do not follow an order, but are all considered to be of excellent quality.

1. University Master's Degree in Selection and Talent Management (UMA)

• Center: University of Malaga
• Location: Málaga
• Duration: 15 months
• Price: 3.750

This Master's Degree, promoted by the University of Málaga is an excellent option for training in the two fundamental pillars of Human Resources: the selection and management of talent in the teams of workers that make up the organization.

While many other training programs focus only on the former, this one considers the promotion and retention of talent a key aspect that allows the development of viable projects capable of growing and generating products and services with the appropriate added value, without depending on the constant recruitment of new personnel.

On the other hand, in the Master's Degree in Selection and Talent Management the most useful practical and technical aspects in day-to-day lifeThe program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to manage their work processes, such as hiring processes, the establishment of compensation systems and payroll management, so that they do not encounter any unpleasant surprises when they enter the working world (for which the internships associated with this Master's program are also useful).

• For more information on this specialization and professionalization program, click here.

2. Specialization Diploma in Talent Attraction, Recruitment, Evaluation and Loyalty (UMA)

The Diploma of Specialization in Talent Attraction, Attraction, Evaluation and Loyalty offered by the University of Malaga and directed by the psychologist Antonio González Hernández, is indicated for those people who want to acquire a current perspective of talent attraction in the business environment and acquire highly effective methodologies.

The access requirements for this Diploma are: to have a Bachelor's Degree, Diploma or University Degree, to have a foreign degree with prior authorization of the Commission of Own Teaching or to have a demonstrable experience of at least two years in the field of Human Resources.

This course has a duration of 800 hours of online work distributed in 32 ECTS credits and its price is 960 ¤.

• To see more information about this diploma, click here.

3. Erasmus Mundus Interuniversity Master's Degree in Psychology of Work, Organizations and Human Resources (WOP-P)

• Center: Various
• Location: Various
• Duration: 2 courses
• Price: 5.200

The Master's Degree in Psychology of Work, Organizations and Human Resources (WOP-P) is one of the best in the field. It is part of the Erasmus Mundus Program (European Union) and has the highest level of excellence. Not only is it ideal for acquiring specific knowledge and skills and the best professional aptitude, but it also enables students to develop research competencies in order to take advantage of their full potential in this field.

The master's degree is offered at seven universities: University of Valencia, University of Barcelona, Università di Bologna (Italy), Universidade de Coimbra (Portugal), Université René Descartes Paris V (France), University of Guelph (Canada) and Universidade de Brasilia (Brazil). It has a duration of 120 ECTS credits, and it is mandatory to take one semester in another university in addition to the university of origin. Classes are taught in English for this reason.

4. Master's Degree in Human Resources Management (UAM)

• Center: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
• Location: Madrid
• Duration: 1.5 years
• Price: -

This master's degree is official and has a duration of 90 ECTS credits. The Master in Human Resources Management of the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid has been designed to provide advanced training and excellence to its students. Its curriculum is planned for both theoretical and practical deepening in the different professional areas of HR, and takes into account the entire organizational and social environment, from a comprehensive and strategic approach.

5. Master's Degree in Work Psychology, Organizational Psychology and Human Resources Management (UCP)

• Center: Complutense University of Madrid
• Location: Madrid
• Duration: 2 courses
• Price: 3.200 € (approx.)

Another of the most recognized masters in organizational psychology in Spain.. It was introduced in 2007 and since then it has been a great success. The central axes of the training are to provide the necessary knowledge and competences to be able to develop a good professional function in the specific areas of intervention in Work and Organizational Psychology. The master's degree consists of 60 ECTS credits and costs approximately 3,200 euros.

6. Master's Degree in Management and Development of People and Teams in Organizations (UB)

• Center: University of Barcelona
• Location: Barcelona
• Duration: 2 courses
• Price: 3.000 € (approx.)

The Master's Degree in Management and Development of People and Teams in Organizations (GDO) is a program designed for those who want to continue their professional career in the field of management of people and groups within the business environment. The training action allows students to achieve the necessary training to be able to incorporate a correct methodology in professional practice, and also promotes the clear and practical management of the techniques of psychosocial analysis and intervention in the organizational environment.

7. Master's Degree in Organizational and Work Psychology

The University Master's Degree in Organizational and Work Psychology of the University of Seville is the most economical option on the list, since the total price is 2,631 euros. Its duration is 90 ECTS credits and its main objective is to turn its students into competent professionals in Psychology of Organizations, Work and Human Resources. This master's degree also provides knowledge in the most current trends endorsed from the scientific field.

8. Human Resources Management

This master's degree provides advanced training in the field of human resources and provides the knowledge and skills necessary for professional activity in this sector. The Master's Degree in Human Resources Management of the Universidad Carlos III is unique in that it offers students three options to study it.

These include the Madrid option, the Madrid-London option and the Madrid-Paris option. In other words, in addition to Madrid, the master's degree can be taken in two other European cities. In case of opting for the latter alternative, and once they have passed the master's degree, students will receive the degree of Universidad Carlos III de Madrid and also the degree of the European university where they have completed the mobility. The master's degree is taught in English.

9. Master in Human Resources Management

The human resources manager is nowadays one of the key figures in companies, and that is why the Universidad Nacional a Distancia (UNED) decided to offer the Master's Degree in Human Resources Management in Companies.. Hundreds of students have benefited from this training program, because it is an ideal option for those who are working and want to take an online master's degree.

10. Master's Degree in Human Resources Management in Organizations

The main objective of this master's degree is for students to develop the necessary knowledge and competencies that will help them to work competently in the field of human resources in organizations. After completing the master's degree, the most frequent professional opportunities for its students are as a technician in selection, training and development of people within private and public companies. The Autonomous University of Barcelona is one of the best Spanish universities, as it is ranked 101-151 in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2015.

11. Master's Degree in Managing People in Organizations

This master's degree is a great alternative for training and qualification in the management of people within the organizational environment. Unlike other postgraduate programs on this subject, the Master's Degree in Managing People in Organizations pays special attention to strategic management and, in addition, offers its students a specific module on business and another on innovation. It is an expensive master's degree, but of the highest quality. In addition, for one week, students travel to IESE Business School in Barcelona to expand their knowledge in the area of "Management Skills".

• Location: Seville
• Duration: 2 courses
• Price: 2.631
  • Center: Universidad Carlos III
  • Location: Madrid
  • Duration: 1 course
  • Price: 9000€.
  • Center: UNED
  • Location: Online
  • Duration: 1 course
  • Price: 4.992€.
  • Center: Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona
  • Location: Barcelona
  • Duration: 1 course
  • Price: 3.600 €.
  • Center: University of Navarra
  • Location: Navarra
  • Duration: 1 academic year
  • Price: 17.856 €.