Degree programs in industrial organizational psychology

If you're interested in conducting research or teaching at the collegiate level, consider pursuing your Ph. Doctoral programs are offered both in person and online and usually take years to complete.

Most universities require applicants to hold a master's degree in psychology or another behavioral science to apply, though some only require a bachelor's degree. Some programs require GRE scores, while others don't list this as a requirement. Doctoral programs usually require you to write either a thesis, a doctoral dissertation, or both. Some examples of the courses you might take include cross-cultural studies, advanced statistics, cognitive psychology, and attitude theory.

Each program offers different class types. Simply put, IO psychology examines human behavior as it relates to work environments.

Some other names for IO psychology include occupational psychology, organizational psychology, or work psychology. Doctorate degrees aren't mandatory to enter the field.

However, having a doctoral degree can qualify you to work in academia. However, both professions' salaries vary significantly based on work setting, job title, and geographic location. Degree-holders in either of these disciplines sometimes cross fields because their knowledge bases overlap. However, IO puts a greater emphasis on science, research, and metrics, while HR focuses more on compliance and administration. IO psychologists apply psychological theory to business activities, such as human resources, marketing, and operations.

They help organizations shape policy, select and train employees, and conduct statistical analyses. They aim to help employers optimize productivity by improving workplace conditions and employee morale. This compensation does not influence our school rankings, resource guides, or other editorially-independent information published on this site. As organizations grow, they may face unexpected challenges.

Quite often, it is difficult for companies to solve problems on their own because they are attached to current practices. An industrial organizational psychology degree trains you to create solutions that blend principles of psychology with management to improve efficiency and quality of life in the workplace.

Studying workplace management, productivity, and work styles helps professionals understand the current culture of an organization and areas that could be improved. Industrial organizational psychologists also uphold ethical guidelines and best practices, which means they create a positive impact on workplace culture. Organizational psychologists are found in nearly every industry, which means there are a variety environments in which to build your organizational psychology career. Technology and the emergence of a global economy have dramatically altered workplace environments over the last two decades.

This has led to an increased demand for innovative management techniques to improve efficiency. Students interested in this field have several kinds of bachelor's programs available to them. For example, graduating high school students can pursue an on-campus degree that provides an interactive experience and networking opportunities with other emerging professionals.

On-campus programs typically offer local internship opportunities to help young aspiring professionals build their resumes. Students who are already working professionals may discover issues in their current jobs that they can tackle in a school project. Students in these situations can take advantage of distance learning programs.

Earning a bachelor's in organizational psychology online offers the same content as on-campus programs, but students get to use their current work environment as a living case study. A bachelor's in organizational psychology cultivates excellent communication skills, as organizational psychologists use active listening and speaking to solve complex problems every day.

Students also learn to analyze systems and implement operational changes, while also exploring learning strategies, intrinsic motivation, management, and negotiation tactics to help employees become the best versions of themselves. Ultimately, a bachelor's in organizational psychology prepares graduates to enter the workforce or pursue a terminal master's in organizational psychology. A bachelor's degree in organizational psychology prepares graduates for a variety of positions in nearly every industry.

For example, many organizational psychologists take management positions as workforce insight managers, evaluation and assessment analysts, talent management specialists, or HR organizational development managers. Professionals like these analyze and report workforce data to produce fact-based decisions and improve a company's efficiency. Organizational psychologists may also be trainers and professional development specialists who educate other professionals.

Finally, industrial organizational psychologists may find work as organizational effectiveness directors or development advisers. Learn more about why to pursue an organizational psychology major here.

These professionals identify training needs through interviews and surveys. Practitioners create training manuals and coursework that help employees perform their daily activities more efficiently. Work environments include healthcare organizations, insurance agencies, educationals services, and administrative support departments of organizations.

HR managers plan, coordinate, and direct the administrative aspects of an organization. They also oversee interviews and recruitment processes, and work with top management to develop workplace culture.

Work settings often include management companies, government offices, and healthcare facilities. Graduates of industrial organizational psychology degrees are also prepared to manage conflict and behavior in the workplace. HR specialists identify talent needs for employers. Specialists hire and train qualified professionals, manage paperwork and payroll, and complete other administrative duties.

Smaller organizations may hire HR specialists as contractors, while larger organizations often have specialists onsite as full-time employees. To qualify, applicants must have a bachelor's degree. Also hired as consultants, an analyst identifies ways organizations can improve their efficiency. This requires data collection, onsite observations, solution development, and collaboration with top management. Many management analysts are self-employed, and others work for the government, insurance agencies, or management companies.

Employers prefer to hire candidates with organizational psychology bachelor's degrees. Professionals in this role examine job compensation by using data and cost analyses, and work closely with human resource managers to provide recommendations and support. These specialists often work in management department offices for enterprises and companies, or other organizations such as healthcare and government facilities.

Completing a bachelor's degree is no small endeavor, which is why you should identify what you need -- both personally and professionally -- from any prospective school. Most bachelor's degrees in organizational psychology require credits, which include a mix of foundational and major-specific coursework.

If you know what industry you'd like to work in, you may want to inquire about relevant elective courses that can provide you with a competitive advantage. You should also identify how much time you want to invest into your education. For example, traditional bachelor degree programs take four years to complete; however, online organizational psychology degrees may offer modified, eight-week semesters that allow students to complete their degree in less time.

Students who can't attend class full time may want to consider part-time attendance, which is usually an option available for both traditional and online programs. You should also consider whether a program requires internships or a capstone course; each of these provide important practical experiences, but may also mean significant time commitments that can impact your ability to work full time. Paying for school is an important step in the program selection process. To make an educated decision, students should familiarize themselves with the factors that influence the total cost of attendance.

For instance, residents attending schools in their own state get the perk of in-state tuition, and some online schools do not charge students out-of-state tuition rates at all.

Students should also ensure a program is reputable by checking for accreditation. International students must also submit proof of English proficiency. The University of North Carolina-Charlotte is a fantastic state school. Its students benefit from small class sizes, widely respected faculty members, and some of the most cutting-edge courses around.

Thankfully, the University of North Carolina-Charlotte had people like you in mind when it was designing its program. Are you torn between organizational psychology and other workplace human-centered professions? Some of these courses cater to aspiring organizational psychologists; others are more focused on the human resource aspects of business.

Either way, these two fields are adjacent; there is no useless information taught here. Ready to become an Appalachian State University student? Applying students must submit GRE scores that are five or fewer years old, three letters of reference, a two-page personal statement, a professional resume, a 3.

This program focuses on imparting the scientific, business, and ethical knowledge required to understand and prosper in the field. Students here choose to write a thesis or complete an internship. The former focuses on research, while the latter focuses more on practice. These courses prepare students for postgraduate schools in the field. Applying students must submit an application cover sheet, resume, statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, transcripts from an accredited undergraduate or graduate program, and GRE scores.

What makes the University of Nebraska-Omaha unique is its availability of three programs. What you choose is up to you. The Master of Arts program is recommended for students who want to earn a Ph. Students pursuing a Master of Science complete a hour practicum and write a technical report on it. Finally, the Ph. The doctoral program takes three to four years to complete.

Are you ready to help organizations flourish by playing a vital role in improving performance metrics, work culture, and training strategies?

This two-year program requires students to complete applied projects and take rigorous but rewarding classes. Students may complete an internship or a thesis. The internship is best for people who want to work in human resources or a related field; the thesis is best for those who want to complete a Ph. Students must have an undergraduate degree in psychology or twelve or more psychology credits to apply to this program.

Additionally, students must submit a transcript from each college they attended, a personal statement, two letters of recommendation, and GRE scores. California Baptist University offers an excellent Master of Science in industrial-organizational psychology.

As the name of the university suggests, California Baptist University is a Christian school. Whether you want to become a behavioral scientist or IO psychologist, this program will help you make your professional dreams come true. Students at Christian Baptist University often take advantage of the opportunities to research alongside faculty members.

The program requires four semesters of full-time study, which takes students two years to complete. Students here can choose between a thesis and non-thesis option, depending on their professional and academic goals. As you can see, students at the University of Central Florida have options. The University of Central Florida is a selective program, but students who have excellent grades and worthy resumes are likely to be accepted.

The University of Georgia is a large and highly acclaimed state school with more excellent programs, alumni, and faculty members than we could name. Students here take six semesters that total two years of coursework. Students only take two courses per semester, but the classes are demanding.

Students in this program complete an immersive practicum rather than a thesis. Students must have a 3. Students must also submit the standard application materials: official transcripts, letters of recommendation, GRE scores, resume, personal statements, and the application fee. Closing out the top ten, the University of Hartford offers one of the best Master of Science in organizational psychology in the country.

Students here learn about research, research design, analysis, communication, facilitation, psychology, and more. The University of Hartford offers one of the most well-balanced programs available, and graduating students are almost always satisfied with their education. Students choose a capstone or internship track. The latter is suggested for working students who wish to apply their learnings in the classroom. Internships suit those who want to gain practical experience in the field. Students can complete this program on-campus or online in a full or part-time format.

No matter your commitments, the University of Hartford will fit into your busy schedule. Minnesota State University offers an excellent Master of Arts in industrial-organizational psychology. This program promotes real world applications to organizational psychology courses perhaps more than any other program on this list. Students in this program piece together a portfolio, take a comprehensive exam, and complete a three-month internship or thesis.

Each student devotes more time to research and applications in the second year of the program. Ready to join this esteemed program? Applying students must submit GRE scores, transcripts from each attended school, a personal statement, your resume, three letters of recommendation, and the application fee.

Applying students must have a 3. Some students want to become organizational psychologists; others simply want to learn the psychology behind business to help them obtain fruitful careers in human resources, organizational change, and leadership development.

While students here can technically matriculate to a doctoral program, it better suits those who want to go straight into the field. Students also complete an internship in this program; there is no thesis option. Salem State University has excellent partner organizations that offer students some of the best internship opportunities around. This credit program takes students two years to complete.

Upon graduation, students can become leaders and supporters in businesses of all kinds. A gorgeous campus, an even better location, excellent student organizations, and more opportunities than we could name. Students in the program become scholars in the field. Upon graduation, alumni have become researchers, professors, psychologists, and business leaders.