Industrial-Organizational Psychology, PhD

Program Description

The PhD program in Industrial-Organizational Psychology prepares students for careers in which they apply principles, techniques, and theories from scientific psychology to solve real world problems involving human behavior. The Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology specialization emphasizes the application of scientific psychology to address issues pertinent to contemporary workplaces. Examples include performance management, leadership development, employee engagement, team dynamics, and occupational health and safety. Graduates of this program work in positions in industry, government, or consulting that all involve using the knowledge and skills acquired in the program to help organizations to become more productive and to help employees lead safer and healthier work lives. Graduates of the PhD program also may work in academic positions.

Summary of Degree Requirements

The program consists of 90 credits.

Coursework

Required Methods Coursework-12 Credits

• PSYC 8100 - Research Design and Quantitative Methods I 3 Credits  
• PSYC 8110 - Research Design and Quantitative Methods II 3 Credits  
• PSYC 8130 - Research Design and Quantitative Methods III 3 Credits  
• One additional Statistics and Research Methods course 3 Credits

Required IO Core Coursework-9 Credits

• PSYC 8610 - Personnel Psychology 3 Credits  
• PSYC 8620 - Organizational Psychology 3 Credits  
• PSYC 8710 - Psychological Tests and Measurement 3 Credits  

Required IO Experiential Coursework-18 Credits

• PSYC 8910 - Master’s Thesis Research 1-3 Credits  (6 Credits total; includes completion of an empirical master’s thesis research project)
• Any combination of 12 credits of PSYC 8950 - Applied Psychology Internship 3-6 Credits  and PSYC 8970 - Special Problems in Applied Psychology 1-9 Credits  

Required Industrial and Organizational Psychology Content Coursework-18 Credits

• Students must complete two industrial psychology courses (3 credits each) and two organizational psychology courses (3 credits each) from a list of approved courses designed by the program. Students then complete an additional two courses (3 credits each) of either industrial or organizational content courses.

General Electives-15 Credits

• These may be courses within or outside the department. Students normally obtain approval to take courses outside the department for elective credit prior to taking the course.

Dissertation Research-18 Credits

• Students complete PSYC 9910 - Doctoral Dissertation Research 1-9 Credits . These credits may be taken upon completion of comprehensive exams.

Outcomes, Learning Objectives, and Graduation Requirements

To graduate, students must maintain a 3.0 or better grade point average in all coursework with no more than one course earning a grade of C or below. Students must complete an empirical master’s thesis project under the supervision of their advisor and with the approval of at least two additional committee members. Students also must complete an empirical dissertation research project under the supervision of their advisor and three additional dissertation committee members. Prior to beginning work on the dissertation, students also complete a written comprehensive exam that is evaluated by IO area faculty member. For additional program policies, lists of typical elective courses, and descriptions of faculty research, please review the Department of Psychology Graduate Program website, particularly the graduate program handbook.