How can I get a Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology | Schools, Requirements?

A Ph.D. in Industrial Organizational Psychology is sincerely what you need to advance your career in psychology.

Part of what you’ll be doing is to help companies and organizations create and implement proven strategies that improve the performance of talented employees and the overall work culture.

In this article, you’ll learn all you require and how to get a Ph.D. in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. So do read carefully to the end.

Meanwhile, see the table below to peep into what you’ll find in this article.

Table of contents

What is Organizational and Industrial Psychology?

Industrial and organizational psychology, also called I/O psychology, is the scientific study of the workplace. In this career, psychologists apply science-based principles and psychology methods to identify issues and solve client problems.

Part of what the psychologist does is to help organizations in policy planning, employee testing and selection, employee training and development, organizational development and analysis, and assessment and improvement of worker productivity.

What can I do with a Phd in Organizational Psychology?

So many career opportunities are open to you if you acquire a Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology. In the following lines, you’ll discover some things you could as a Doctor of Organizational Psychology.

Industrial-Organizational Consultant

As an Industrial Consultant, you’ll be helping companies and organizations carry out career planning, changes in management, development and training, evaluation and testing, executive coaching and leadership, recruiting and selection, and talent and performance management.

You’ll also be in charge of preparing employment law and offering recommendations on management matters based on industry research findings and best practices.

Human Resource Manager

You can also find career opportunities as a Human Resource Manager. Human resource managers help organizations maximize workplace efficiency by understanding the organization’s goals, strategies, and systems and applying the principles of behavioral science. 

Talent Acquisition Specialist

Part of what you’ll be doing as a Talent Acquisition Specialist is to help organizations create and implement proven strategies that improve the performance of talented employees. They also help prepare the template for the future talent needs of a company.

Furthermore, Talent Specialists organize and facilitate meetings with the management of organizations to highlight current and future talent needs.

They assess the competencies of employees to identify which employees have the abilities, knowledge, and skills to fill essential roles; help management choose the best candidates, and support the selected candidates throughout the transition process.

How long does it take to get a Phd in Industrial/Organizational Psychology?

To become an Organizational Psychologist, you must acquire a bachelor’s degree. Getting a bachelor’s degree takes about four years, and then a master’s degree of two more years.

After your master’s degree, you must enter a doctoral degree program. A doctoral degree program in organizational psychology takes about two to three years. So on average, pursuing and acquiring a Ph.D. in Industrial and organizational psychology will take you about nine years to complete.

How do you get a Phd in industrial/organizational Psychology?

To get a Ph.D. in Organizational psychology, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree in psychology. During your bachelor’s degree study, you must take some psychology-based classes, such as social psychology, statistics, psychological principles, and research methodology.

After your undergraduate work, you’ll need to complete a master’s degree in industrial psychology or psychology with a concentration in industrial psychology.

After your master’s degree program, you can enroll for a doctoral degree. During your doctoral degree program, you’ll spend most of your time on coursework and the rest on dissertations and research.

You must also get a professional certification to be relevant in the field. But before your certificate, you’ll have to complete a supervised internship.

The certification comes with an exam you’ll need to pass before being certified as a professional psychologist.

What schools offer Phd in Industrial Psychology?

There are so many schools where you can acquire your doctoral degree in Industrial Psychology. Below are some of them you can check out.

  • UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA
  • HARVARD UNIVERSITY
  • JOHN F. KENNEDY UNIVERSITY
  • UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA
  • STANFORD UNIVERSITY
  • UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS

1. UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA

The University of Pennsylvania was founded in 1740. The University of Pennsylvania’s psychology program is the best psychology Ph.D. program. It gives graduates extensive knowledge of researched approaches to the field with the intent that graduates will work primarily in research as research investigators, counselors, and administrators.

This clinical psychology Ph.D. program allows students to spend five years in the program, followed by a one-year internship, which makes it 6 years on average.

Students are expected to receive training and learning in assessment, diagnosis, and psychotherapy.

The University is regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). The Psychological Science Accreditation System and the American Psychological Association also accredit the training program.

2. Harvard University

Harvard University is one of the best universities that offer a Ph.D. in psychology. Their program takes about five years to complete. In students’ second and third years, they undergo some assessment; in their fifth year, they undergo a professional internship.

The university offers courses like Psychotherapy Research, Cultural, Racial, and Ethnic Bases of Behavior, Contemporary topics in Psychopathology, and Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment of Psychological Disorders. Students are also allowed to do their projects before the dissertation.

The average cost of study in this school is $17,030. Applicants who wish to study here must submit transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and GRE scores.

3. John F. Kennedy University

John F. Kennedy University is one of the universities that offer the best psychology Ph.D. programs accredited by the American Psychology Association.

The psychology Ph.D. program in this school takes up to five years of full-time study to complete, with a program cost of $8,500. The psychology Ph.D. graduates can apply for state licensure as psychologists in California and find careers as program administrators, clinicians, and assessors.

The Ph.D. students must pass three written comprehensive exams, write their dissertations, and complete a 36-credit internship. Their classes include clinical interviewing skills, multicultural awareness in professional psychology, and cognitive-behavioral theory and applications to diverse organizations.

4. University of Florida

When it comes to the best schools that offer the best psychology Ph.D. programs, the University of Florida in Gainesville is the place to be. The university is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the American Psychological Association accredits its Ph.D. in Psychology.

The admission requirements for the clinical psychology Ph.D. program include; A bachelor’s degree and at least two undergraduate or graduate psychology courses. Applicants must also submit official transcripts, GRE scores, a resume, a statement of purpose, and three letters of recommendation.

5. Stanford University

Stanford University is a prestigious private university founded in 1885 by Mr. and Mrs. Leland Stanford, a California senator. According to the U.S. News & World Report, the university is ranked No. 5 nationwide.

Stanford University is among the prestigious universities that offer the best psychology Ph.D. program. The program offers five areas of study: social psychology, neuroscience, cognitive, affective, and developmental, with an average program cost of $51,354.

The psychology Ph.D. program at Stanford University prepares students for careers in research and teaching and takes roughly five years to complete.

The admission requirement for the industrial psychology Ph.D. program includes; A bachelor’s degree and at least two undergraduate or graduate psychology courses.

Applicants are also required to complete an interview with the admissions committee and submit unofficial transcripts from all postsecondary institutions., GRE scores, and three letters of recommendation.

6. University of Illinois

The University of Illinois at Chicago is one of the best in Industrial psychology Ph.D. programs.

Their industrial psychology Ph.D. program includes five major areas: Behavioral, cognitive learning, Community and Prevention Research, and Social and personality, with an average net price of $18,456.

The amazing thing about this prestigious university is that the psychology department funds all psychology Ph.D. students for at least their first year of study.

There are specific admission requirements for the organizational psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Illinois. The program requires a master’s thesis by the end of the second year of study, and also students are required to create a dissertation proposal by their fourth year and defend the dissertation by the end of their fifth year.

Phd in Organizational Psychology: Frequently Asked Questions

How much do Psychologists earn?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychologists earned a median annual salary of $75,710 in 2016. On the low end, psychologists earned a 25th percentile salary of $56,390, meaning 75 percent earned more than this amount. The 75th percentile salary is $97,780, meaning 25 percent earn more.

What do I need to be a human resource assistant?

You can become a human resource assistant or talent acquisition specialist with an AA in psychology.

What is the Job growth for Industrial-organizational psychologists?

Job growth for Industrial-organizational psychologists is expected to grow by 26 percent through 2018. Industrial-organizational psychologists are in high demand because company leaders realize how they help boost employee retention, productivity, and engagement rates.

Conclusion

A career in Industrial-organizational psychology is one you would enjoy. The reason is that companies and organizations are on the lookout for you. However, you have to understand you’re not the only one.

The job market for industrial-organizational psychologists is likely to be competitive because qualified job seekers are many. So, you’d need to up your game by earning an advanced degree to improve your job prospects.

Author’s Recommendation

Sources

Does this article meet your immediate needs? If yes, leave us a 5-star rating in the Review Box below. If not, leave us an opinion in the comment box to express your concern or ask a question, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

I’m Queen Ojukwu, a professional SEO content writer at Silicon Africa Technologies. I'm also an on-page SEO technical expert with over 4 years of experience. I'm a fan of technology, reading, and writing, and also interested in web development. You can hit me up for business by clicking any of my social media handles.

— Previous article

Cherokee Nation Scholarships | Indian Students

Next article —

Study In Germany: How Do I Apply for Masters in Germany

You May Also Like