A lot of people ask me about the types of classes I take as part of my MS Psychology Program, specifically in I/O Psychology. While the classes and textbooks may vary based on the university you attend, your specific program, and your enrollment period, I decided to create this short post, which I’ll update over time, to share the textbooks I’ve read during my program. This list is not complete or comprehensive and does not represent my academic institution; rather, it should be viewed as a growing compilation of what I found useful, which may also include resources outside those assigned as part of my curriculum.
This list is meant to offer a glimpse into the kinds of topics you might encounter in a graduate‑level psychology program. It isn’t a self‑study guide or a list of books to purchase in advance. When you enroll in a course, your university’s bookstore will ensure you receive the correct textbooks and the proper editions for your specific class, so it’s best to wait and order through them.
I have embedded the books from Amazon directly. I do not receive a referral fee if you choose to buy one or more of the linked textbooks.
to be extra clear
This list is a personal project and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or representative of Purdue Global or any other institution.
getting started with learning psychology (foundational stuff)
psychology ethics (learn the American psychological association’s ethics code so you keep your license, don’t get sued, and don’t to jail, and perhaps even become a good person)
As part of any Psychology degree program you are going to have to take one or more ethics classes which will likely include learning the American Psychological Association’s code of ethics, and depending on the license/area of pursuit you may need to learn ethics specific to that area. This is probably the class you should pay the most attention to, ethical mistakes can end your career and given the cost of education I would advise against making sn ethical mistake.
human lifespan development (a very cursory overview to developmental psychology)
You will learn about the various stages of life, read and write about different case studies, and how events throughout human development affect outcomes.
Psychological research methods
psychological testing and assessment
Psychologists utilize tests and assessments to collect data and make informed decisions on the interventions they’ll use as part of their work.
Industrial and Organizational psychology
This is where the fun actually begins as you learn about organizations, management, and much more!
This list is actively in development
I’ll continue updating this list as I move through my program. I hope it offers a helpful overview of the kinds of topics you’ll explore—and some of the textbooks you might encounter—if you decide to pursue a graduate degree in psychology.
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