Best Ph.D. and PsyD in Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychology Degree Programs

Going into the industrial-organizational (I/O) sector of psychology is an exciting career choice. More and more, industries are beginning to realize how important it is to consider the psychology behind employee training, motivation, and learning. As an I/O psychologist, you’ll have the skills that it takes to help companies support their employees and achieve maximum growth. 

2024 - Best PhD/PsyD in Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychology

The Doctorate Degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology rankings from counselingpsychology.org are based on a comprehensive methodology that considers a variety of factors. These include quality of programs, such as program duration and faculty experience; overall affordability, including tuition and cost of living; admissions competitiveness; and the diversity of programs offered. For further information, please see the methodology page.

1.

The Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA

The Pennsylvania State University is a large, public university located in State College, PA. It offers a wide variety of undergraduate and graduate programs and is the only university in the state to offer a Doctorate Degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology. With over 45,000 students and over 250 undergraduate majors, Penn State offers a diverse and stimulating learning environment.

See Program Details

2.

Claremont Graduate University

Claremont, CA

Claremont Graduate University's Department of Psychology offers a rigorous PhD and PsyD program in Organizational Psychology, housed within the Drucker School of Management. The program combines theory, research, and hands-on experience to prepare students for careers in consulting, research, or academia. With a beautiful campus in Southern California, students have access to top industry professionals and cutting-edge research opportunities.

See Program Details

3.

University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL

The University of Central Florida is a public research university located in Orlando, Florida. It is the largest university in the nation by enrollment with 66,183 students. UCF offers a Doctorate Degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology, as well as a wide range of other degree programs. UCF is dedicated to providing an excellent education and empowering its students to become leaders in their fields.

See Program Details

What Will I Learn in an Online Industrial-Organizational Psychology Doctorate Program?

In an online I/O psychology doctorate program, you’ll learn how to work with companies to help them understand the psychology that helps their employees grow. There are many factors that will affect the amount of time that it takes you to complete your doctorate program. You’ll need to choose whether it makes more sense for you to go to school full or part-time. One of the benefits of taking your classes online is that you may be able to complete your courses faster than if you’re only working in a traditional classroom environment. If you teach at the university where you’re earning your doctorate, you may also need more time to complete your degree. 

Components of your I/O doctorate psychology program may include: 

• Assessment of group and individual dynamics and how these dynamics affect motivation and performance

• Optimization of work-life balance

• Identifying areas of potential growth in training and leadership within an organization

• Creation of criteria to effectively evaluate employees and leaders

• Assessment of customer preferences

In your doctorate program, you may be able to highly personalize your program, allowing you to spend time studying the part of your field that’s of the most interest to you. Many industrial-organizational psychologists work to help organizations support the efficiency of their workers by streamlining training programs and developing initiatives that encourage employees to achieve. Others work to improve company leadership by observing leaders in action and providing them with feedback and the next steps to move their department forward.

You may also have the chance to participate in research while you’re earning your doctorate degree. This can both give you the chance to explore your area of interest and make valuable contributions to industrial-organizational psychology as a whole. At the end of your doctorate program, you may be required to present a dissertation to the faculty of your department.

Admissions Requirements for a Doctorate in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

It’s important to remember that admissions requirements for doctorate programs in industrial-organizational psychology will differ depending on the type of program you choose. In order to gain admittance to a Ph.D. or Psy.D. program in I/O psychology, you’ll either need to have a master’s degree or a bachelor’s degree plus work experience. While having an undergraduate degree in a related field (like business, psychology, or sociology) may be preferable, it’s not always required. You may need to have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher.

In addition to your undergraduate and graduate work, you’ll also likely need to provide a writing sample and a personal statement that explains why you’re interested in going into the field. You may also need to provide your GRE scores, as well as letters of recommendation from employers or instructors.

List of I/O Psychology Doctorate Degree Programs

Find an online or campus-based doctorate program in industrial-organizational psychology today – our state-by-state listings make it easy to find a great program near you.

Are we missing your school's program or need to update information listed? Please contact us so we can make the necessary changes.

• Author
• Recent Posts

Joel Gill

Joel Gill is a writer with a background in psychology. He earned his Bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of California, Berkeley, and has a deep interest in the human mind and behavior. Joel's writing often explores themes related to mental health, relationships, and personal growth. When he’s not writing, Joel enjoys cycling, meditation, and spending time with his family.