Applied Organizational Psychology: The Role as Practitioner

Introduction

Please note that this is a preliminary course description. The final version will be published in June 2027.

One of the overall learning goals of the Leadership and Organisational Psychology masters programme is to develop skills. Therefore, this course provides a foundation to support students in applying their knowledge acquired during the MSc programme and to prepare them for becoming competent practitioners.

Topics covered in this course include the science of implementation, developing own organization from the perspective of action-research, the role as external consultant, and ethics in practice. Towards the end of the course, after working with real cases and comparing the different roles practitioners might hold (e.g., HR representative versus external consultant), students will reflect upon their own future career. This part of the course will borrow ideas from different scientific literatures (e.g., research on calling, identity, burnout, self-leadership, sustainable careers, mentoring).

Course content

Implementation science and evidence-based practice – how to apply research-based knowledge in the development of leaders, teams, and organizations

The role as external consultant – temptations, risks, and limitations of the profession

The role as HR representative – doing action-research in your own organization

Life as a practitioner – dilemmas, development, and support