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Organization Studies is a multidisciplinary group that brings together the concepts and research methodology of social psychology, sociology, anthropology, and other social sciences. The Organization Studies research group focuses on interactions across individuals, groups, organizations, and institutions, as well as organizational processes themselves. Faculty members—including Deborah Ancona , Kate Kellogg , Erin Kelly , Ray Reagans , and John Carroll —study topics such as distributed leadership, AI in everyday work, social capital, and the future of work.
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Standing faculty.
Deborah L. Ancona
Seley distinguished professor of management.
Deborah Ancona is the Seley Distinguished Professor of Management, a Professor of Organization Studies, and the Founder of the MIT Leadership Center at the MIT Sloan School of Management.Her pioneering research into how successful teams operate has…
John S. Carroll
Gordon kaufman professor of management, emeritus.
John Carroll is the Gordon Kaufman Professor of Management, Emeritus and a Professor Post Tenure of Work and Organization Studies at the MIT Sloan School of Management. He was also Professor of Engineering Systems until 2015 and served as Co…
Emilio J. Castilla
Ntu professor of management.
Emilio J. Castilla is the NTU Professor of Management and a Professor of Work and Organization Studies at the MIT Sloan School of Management.Castilla is currently the co-director of the Institute for Work and Employment Research. He joined the MIT…
Jared R. Curhan
Gordon kaufman professor of management.
Jared Curhan is the Gordon Kaufman Professor and a Professor of Work and Organization Studies at the MIT Sloan School of Management, as well as Faculty Director of MIT’s Behavioral Research Lab.Curhan specializes in the psychology of negotiation and…
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Example PhD Thesis Topics
Vanessa conzon (2021).
“Essays on Professionals’ Temporal Autonomy”
Jenna Myers (2021)
"Talking Shop: Worker Voice and Representation in the Digital Age"
Hee Jin (Heather) Yang (2021)
“Press ‘1’ to speak to a machine: An examination of the psychological factors influencing preference for interaction with artificially intelligent actors”
Top 10 PhD in industrial organizational psychology Programs
Welcome to our ranking of the Top 10 PhD programs in industrial organizational psychology .
The field of industrial and organizational psychology takes an in-depth look at human behavior in the workplace. I/O psychologists are an asset to any organization in today’s competitive business environment. Doctoral level psychologists have advanced training in areas like human performance and human factors and job analysis. They are able to address issues in areas like training and development, recruitment, and workplace motivation. Industrial/organizational psychology is a great fit for psychologists who want to help teams succeed and organizations achieve their business goals.
Featured Schools
Methodology.
We created this ranking of the top industrial organizational psychology PhD programs to showcase some of the best IO psych PhD programs in the country. We used information from the National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator to identify accredited colleges offering a doctoral degree in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. We narrowed our focus to programs offering a well rounded curriculum based on the scientist-practitioner approach which prepares graduates for a variety of different career settings. All programs require a dissertation and research experience which provide students with the necessary training and skill development to be successful in the field. We then applied our ranking criteria using the average graduate tuition rate (realizing it may differ for PhD programs) and student to faculty ratio.
Ranking: Top 10 IO Psychology PhD programs
Average Graduate Tuition
- Less than $10,000 per year= 5 Points
- $10,000 to $15,000 per year= 4 Points
- $15,001 to $20,000 per year= 3 Points
- $20,001 to $25,000 per year= 2 Points
- Greater than $25,001 per year= 1 Point
Student to Faculty Ratio
- 12:1 or less= 5 Points
- 13:1 to 15:1= 3 Points
- Greater than 15:1= 1 Point
10. DePaul University – Chicago, Illinois
Industrial organizational psychology ma/phd.
More Information
Student to Faculty Ratio: 17:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $17,951/year Points: 4 The College of Science and Health at DePaul University features an industrial organizational psychology MA/PhD program. Students can tailor the program to meet their professional goals by choosing a secondary specialization in:
- communication
- women’s and gender studies
Students are engaged in forward-thinking research that helps prepare them for successful careers. 100% of I/O psychology graduates from DePaul were employed or pursuing other goals within six months of graduation.
9. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign – Champaign, Illinois
Phd in industrial-organizational psychology.
Student to Faculty Ratio: 21:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $14,635/year in-state and $27,674/year out-of-state Points: 5 The Department of Psychology at the University of Illinois offers a top doctorate in organizational psychology that prepares students for research and to apply theory to organizations around the world. Students will participate in research tackling tough challenges like:
- hiring/personnel selection
- race gaps in HR
- effects of job loss
The curriculum covers the breadth of I/O psychology and general psychology through coursework with faculty and the depth of the field with an individualized program of study created by the student and their advisor. Program alumni include prominent I/O psychologists and journal editors.
8. CUNY Bernard M Baruch College – New York, New York
Doctoral program in industrial organizational psychology.
Student to Faculty Ratio: 20:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $11,090/year in-state and $20,520/year out-of-state Points: 5 The City University of New York Baruch College is a regionally accredited institution offering a top doctoral program in industrial organizational psychology. The program supports a collaborative culture of faculty and student support in research excellence. Diversity is a core value, emphasized by student and faculty research in areas like demographic diversity and LGBTQ issues in the workplace. The program attracts some of the top talents in the field and faculty are widely recognized for their contributions to I/O psychology. Graduates are ready for a wide variety of career paths in academic and consulting settings.
7. Clemson University – Clemson, South Carolina
Industrial organizational psychology phd.
Student to Faculty Ratio: 16:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $10,600/year in-state and $22,050/year out-of-state Points: 5 The top organizational psychology doctorate program from Clemson University follows the scientist-practitioner model and follows the doctoral program guidelines set by the SIOP. Students gain experience in quantitative research techniques and design and in solving complex organizational issues. Students complete dissertation research and internships to gain professional experience. The program is designed to be completed in four or five years.
6. Columbia University in the City of New York – New York, New York
Doctor of philosophy in social-organizational psychology.
Student to Faculty Ratio: 6:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $50,496/year Points: 6 The Teachers College at Columbia University offers a top PhD in social-organizational psychology for students interested in research, practice, or scholarship. The program is designed for full-time graduate students. A unique aspect of the program is the theoretical, research, and applied focus that allows students to study organizations from a variety of perspectives. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods are used to tackle complex issues. Most students can complete their degree in six or seven years of post-baccalaureate study.
5. University of Georgia – Athens, Georgia
The industrial organizational psychology doctoral program.
Student to Faculty Ratio: 17:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $8,878/year in-state and $25,186/year out-of-state Points: 6 The top industrial organizational doctorate degree at the University of Georgia is a highly customizable program. Students can choose to focus exclusively in the area of I/O psychology or complete a blended program that includes measurement and individual differences. Students will participate in research and select courses that align with their career goals. Professional experience opportunities are available through internships approved by the faculty. Graduates are ready to pursue exciting I/O psychology careers in settings like academia and government.
4. University of Houston – Houston, Texas
Phd industrial organizational psychology.
Student to Faculty Ratio: 21:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $8,713/year in-state and $17,857/year out-of-state Points: 6 The University of Houston offers the oldest and largest I/O psychology graduate program in the United States. Students produce high-quality research featured in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences. Courses include:
- Multilevel Modeling
- Personnel Psychology
- Statistics for Psychology
The program structure allows students to work with their advisors as well as other program faculty, including business school faculty and faculty at other universities. Students are trained to be academic faculty members and real-world practitioners through the scientists-practitioner model. Most students can complete their degree in four years.
3. Texas A&M University – College Station, Texas
Doctor of philosophy (phd) in industrial and organizational psychology.
Student to Faculty Ratio: 19:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $6,885/year in-state and $19,592/year out-of-state Points: 6 The industrial organizational psychology doctoral program at Texas A&M University prepares students to be scientists and practitioners. The program emphasizes academic research-based training, but graduates are also prepared to work in government agencies, consulting firms, and research organizations. Faculty are renown scholars in areas like performance appraisal, group processes, and workplace diversity. Students can complete the program in about five years of post-baccalaureate study.
2. Louisiana Tech University – Ruston, Louisiana
Industrial organizational psychology (phd).
Student to Faculty Ratio: 20:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $5,416/year in-state and $10,147/year out-of-state Points: 6 The College of Education at Louisiana Tech University features a top industrial organizational psychology PhD program rich with hands-on learning opportunities. Courses cover areas like:
- Job Analysis and Performance Appraisal
- Psychometrics
- Organizational Consulting
Students complete 84 semester hours of coursework, a dissertation, practicum training, and must pass a doctoral comprehensive examination. Students work on research and applied projects through the Applied Research for Organizational Solutions group. Most students take between three and four years of full-time post-baccalaureate study to complete the program.
1. Saint Louis University – Saint Louis, Missouri
Industrial and organizational psychology phd.
Student to Faculty Ratio: 9:1 Average Graduate Tuition: $21,960/year Points: 7 Our top choice for a PhD in industrial organizational psychology is offered by Saint Louis University. Saint Louis University features the oldest psychology department at a Jesuit university, offering courses in psychology for over 100 years. This top I/O psychology PhD program covers areas like:
- Occupational health
- Systems and process consultation
Students are involved in supervised research and professional experience while gain competence in research and organizational consultation. Graduates are employed at top organizations like Nike, the US Secret Service, and Pfizer.
Should I Obtain My Masters or PhD in Organizational Psychology?
As a student begins to plan for their ultimate careers in the field of IO psychology, the decision should be made as to how much education is desired, a master’s degree or a doctorate. Typically speaking, in a master’s program, the student is training to be an IO professional. An IO professional will consider how to apply the principles of IO psychology to solve specific organizational problems. Simply speaking, IO professionals are trained to help organizations; IO professionals practice IO psychology.
In a PhD organizational psychology program, students are training to become an IO scholar. An IO scholar will do the same tasks as the IO professional, but will also use those experiences to advance our general understanding of IO through research. For students that would like to teach at a collegiate level, the only suitable degree is a PhD. Ultimately, IO scholars are trained to advance organizational science, helping organizations along the way; IO scholars conduct research.
In practice, this means that an I/O psychology PhD will generally be making the big decisions, while the IOs with Master’s degree will aid with implementation or conduct background research.
A student should decide if he or she wants to pursue a terminal master’s or continue on to a PhD as early as is possible in his or her educational career. This will help the student tailor his or her coursework through the undergraduate and graduate years specifically to the degree and future job prospects that he or she desires.
Job Descriptions for I/O Psychologists
According to a 2014 report by the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, positions in industrial and organizational psychology are expected to increase by 53.4% from 2012 to 2022, placing trained I/O professionals in high demand. I/O psychology is still fairly uncommon in the grand scheme of psychologists, but the number of practitioners continues to rise exponentially.
I/O practitioners typically find employment in a number of areas including:
- public and private industries
- educational institutions
- government agencies
Because the skills they possess are so varied, it is sometimes difficult to enumerate the jobs that an IO psychologist could successfully fill. One obvious area where IO psychologists thrive is in human resources. Typically, these types of jobs include working directly with employees in such areas as:
- employee training and development
- employee relations
- employee compensation and benefit negotiations
Many times, the human resource skills brought to the table by IO psychologists make for solid general managers, as well. Another area where IO psychologists thrive is in government. Those with an advanced degree in social (industrial organizational) psychology are especially adept in labor law, affirmative action cases and policy, and union relations. Finally, many industrial organizational psychologists, especially at the PhD level, find their home in the area of research. Studying such areas of business such as personnel selection, work motivation, talent development, and organizational change can make monumental improvements in the working lives of millions of people.
Additional job titles held by Industrial Organizational professionals are: HR Practice Leader * Behavioral Analyst * Behavioral Scientist * Talent Management Specialist * HR Organizational Development Specialist * Executive Coach * Career Coach * Leadership Coach * Employment Testing Professional * Testing Specialist * Tests and Measurement Specialist * Assessment and Selection Specialist * Employment Law Expert * Research Analyst * Organizational Development * Organization Effectiveness * Organizational Capability * Talent Management * Management Development * Workforce Insights * Human Resources * Human Resources Research * Employee Relations * Training and Development * Professional Development * Leadership Development * Selection Systems * Evaluation & Assessment * Testing Programs * Leadership Research * Assessment * Applied Behavioral Research * Optimization * Managing * Leadership * Learning & Performance * Career Planning
Related Resources:
- 30 Great Scholarships, Grants & Awards for Industrial-Organizational Psychology
- Top 10 Most Affordable Online Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
- Top 9 Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology Online
- Top 10 Master’s in Industrial-Organizational Psychology Online
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- Top 15 Industrial/Organizational Certificate Programs
- Neoacademic.com
- Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology
- U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics
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Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Ph.D.
- Learning Outcomes
- Requirements
- Contact Info
Saint Louis University's graduate program in industrial-organizational psychology prepares doctorate-level professionals with the knowledge, research abilities, assessment skills and intervention approaches to impact organizational issues at the individual, group and system levels to improve individual well-being, group functioning and organizational effectiveness.
Some important topics within these levels include:
- Individual differences
- Performance management
- Groups/teams
- Organizational development
- Occupational health
- Systems and process consultation
- Organizational assessment
Curriculum Overview
This SLU program requires that students complete a minimum of 73 credits (or the equivalent for students who enroll with a master's degree in industrial-organizational psychology). In addition to coursework and professional training activities, industrial-organizational psychology students must complete and successfully defend an empirical thesis and dissertation.
Graduate Handbook
Fieldwork and Research Opportunities
In SLU's doctoral program in industrial-organizational psychology, students will learn to conduct research on and in organizations and how to apply psychological theory, models and principles in the workplace.
Through supervised research and professional experience, students are trained as science-practitioners and are expected to develop competence in research and, if their career goals warrant, organizational consultation.
Supervised applied experience is essential for good training in the doctoral psychology program. While it is not required, most students take advantage of a vast network of professional connections that the program has established in St. Louis and complete practica (i.e., short-term projects) and/or internships (a one-year minimum commitment). Many students finish the program with two to three years of professional experience, making them attractive to potential employers.
Graduates are fully prepared to practice as industrial-organizational psychologists, applying the principles of psychology to human resources, management, marketing and more. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the mean annual salary of this occupation as $113,320 in 2021.
Alumni are employed at organizations such as:
- Center for Creative Leadership
- Collarelli, Meyer, & Associates
- United States Secret Service
- Metropolitan Life
- Embry-Riddle University
- Northern Illinois University
- DePaul University
- Appalachian State University
- Virginia Commonwealth University
- University of West Florida
Admission Requirements
Applicants should possess an undergraduate GPA of 3.5 or higher, a psychology major (i.e., a minimum of 18 upper-division credits in psychology, including statistics/research methods), and a review of TOEFL scores (for international applicants).
Application Requirements
We evaluate applications on several criteria including:
- Application form (no fee required)
- Number of courses demonstrating both depth and breadth of Psychology (we anticipate that successful applicants will have had a minimum of 18 credits in psychology)
- Coursework in Research Methodology and Statistics.
- GPA (we anticipate that successful applicants will report undergraduate GPAs that are at and above 3.50)
- Professional Goal Statement (should detail previous research/applied experience and clearly align student research/applied interests with faculty research/applied programs).
- Academic Vitae
While the criteria listed above are standard, we invite applications that may fall below any of the requirements, as strengths in some areas may compensate for weaknesses in other areas.
Requirements for International Students
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students. International students must also meet the following additional requirements:
- Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
- Courses taken and/or lectures attended
- Practical laboratory work
- The maximum and minimum grades attainable
- The grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations
- Any honors or degrees received.
- WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the student's time at Saint Louis University
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of the student's study at the University
Assistantship Application Deadline
Students who want to be considered for an assistantship must submit their application by Dec. 1.
Review Process
Applications are reviewed by a committee of I/O program psychology department faculty members.
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
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Information on Summer Tuition
Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aid
For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, apply by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award.
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- Graduates will be able to assess the relevant scientific literature in industrial-organizational psychology.
- Graduates will be able to apply the major research methodologies in industrial-organizational psychology.
- Graduates will be able to use knowledge for industrial-organizational psychology to address applied problems.
- Graduates will be able to articulate explanations about industrial-organizational psychology's approaches that are appropriate to the audience being addressed (e.g., professional or general audience).
- Graduates will be able to evidence professional integrity as an industrial-organizational psychologist.
Non-Course Requirements
- Involvement in research/professional practice activities each semester.
- Written and oral preliminary examinations.
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.
Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.
Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.
This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.
Individual- or Group- or System-Level Industrial-Organizational Graduate Course defined by IO Psychology Graduate Student Handbook. Two courses at each level required.
Advanced Graduate Methods or Statistics Course defined by Industrial-Organizational Psychology Graduate Student Handbook.
Elective Graduate Courses in Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Statistics and methods defined by Industrial-Organizational Psychology Graduate Student Handbook. Five elective courses required.
Recommended: Satisfies Elective Graduate Course 5 in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
Program Notes
Additional information regarding coursework and other program requirements can be found in the Industrial-Organizational Graduate Student Handbook. This roadmap is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute a contract. Graduation, general regulations and curricula are subject to change. Students should also be familiar with the policies and regulations contained in the Saint Louis University Graduate Education Catalog.
For additional information about our program, please contact:
Richard Harvey, Ph.D. Coordinator of graduate admissions, industrial-organizational psychology [email protected]