It is with profound pleasure and a deep sense of pride that I extend a warm and scholarly welcome to you on behalf of the Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology. Our department occupies a distinctive and strategically significant position at the convergence of human and organisational behaviour, workplace psychology, organisational performance, and social transformation. This unique intersection allows us to integrate rigorous academic inquiry with tangible, real-world impact, thereby advancing both the science and practice of Industrial and Organisational Psychology.

Our academic portfolio is both comprehensive and responsive, meticulously designed to meet the complexities and demands of contemporary workplaces. At the undergraduate level, our Bachelor of Commerce degree in Industrial and Organisational Psychology provides a robust theoretical foundation alongside practical competencies. This programme empowers students with critical analytical skills and applied knowledge necessary to comprehend, interpret, and influence human behaviour within complex organisational systems.

At the postgraduate tier, we offer two distinct Master of Commerce degrees tailored to diverse professional and academic trajectories. The Professional Master’s degree, structured primarily as a coursework-based programme, caters to practitioners’ intent on deepening their specialised expertise and expanding their influence within industry contexts. This degree advances to professional registration as Industrial Psychologist with the Professional Board of Psychology of the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Conversely, our Research-focused Master’s degree, culminating in a comprehensive dissertation, is designed to foster original scholarly contributions that extend the academic frontiers of the discipline.

Further advancing our innovative curriculum, we proudly introduce the Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychometry — a pioneering programme within our region. This diploma delivers rigorous and specialised training in psychological measurement techniques, equipping graduates for workplace, clinical, and research settings that demand precision and methodological sophistication. This degree advances to professional registration as Psychometrist with the Professional Board of Psychology of the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Additionally, the Postgraduate Diploma in Organisational Development aims to consolidate and elevate students’ professional knowledge in organisational change management, including the option to enhance their research capabilities within relevant methodological frameworks.

At the apex of academic pursuit, the Department offers two doctoral programmes: the PhD in Psychology (Industrial and Organisational Psychology) and the PhD in Psychology (Consulting Psychology). These doctoral degrees are meticulously designed to nurture innovative, high-impact research, preparing scholars to become intellectual leaders and transformative agents within both the academic and applied sectors.

Our research enterprise is anchored in a spectrum of vibrant and dynamic Research Focus Areas (RFAs), which embody the diverse and interdisciplinary nature of our scholarship. These areas include, but are not limited to: Afrocentricity; The Fourth Industrial Revolution; Coaching Psychology; Integrity, Ethics and Risk; Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) Higher Education; Organisational Neuroscience; Organisational Psychology; Performance Management; Reward and Remuneration; The Psychology of Career and Human Capacity Development and Retention; Psychological Measurement; Qualitative Wellbeing and Adjustment; Socio-Analytic Methods; Systems Psychodynamics; and Work-related Sense of Coherence. Together, these RFAs not only illuminate our scholarly expertise but also ensure that our research agenda remains critically aligned with both African and global socio-economic contexts.

The principal strength of our Department resides in the scholarly excellence and unwavering commitment of our academic college, who are distinguished educators, prolific researchers, and engaged collaborators in community service and industry partnerships. Their scholarly endeavours bridge theoretical frameworks and practical application, thereby facilitating meaningful organisational transformation and societal advancement. As a collective, we remain steadfast in our mission to harness academic excellence, pioneering research, and extensive professional networks to fortify African scholarship and promote organisational sustainability. Our educational endeavours are oriented towards producing graduates who exemplify academic rigor, social responsibility, and leadership acumen. These individuals are poised to adeptly navigate the multifaceted challenges of modern work environments, embrace cultural and contextual diversity, and spearhead ethical, evidence-based organisational innovations.

Annually, the Department proudly enrolls over 30,000 students, supported by a dedicated team of more than 40 academic and administrative professionals committed to delivering high-quality training and mentorship. In a rapidly evolving world marked by technological innovation, shifting paradigms of work, and changing societal demands, our mission remains unwavering: to cultivate human potential, enhance organisational efficacy, and contribute substantively to sustainable development across Africa and beyond. On behalf of the Department, I extend an invitation to all prospective and current students, colleagues, and stakeholders to join us in this shared journey of learning, innovation, and impactful change. Together, through collaborative effort and intellectual commitment, we will continue to make a lasting difference — one idea, one organisation, and one community at a time.

Dr Betty Portia Maphala
Chair of the Department
Industrial and Organisational Psychology
Email: maphabpm@unisa.ac.za