Graduate Training in I/O Psychology

The primary focus of the Division of Industrial and Organizational Psychology is the application of psychological methods and principles to understanding human behavior in work settings. Faculty work closely with students to develop a course plan and research experiences that emphasize one of two areas of specialization: Personnel/Organizational Psychology (P/O) and Human Factors/Ergonomics (HF/E). Students also have the option of completing graduate certificates in either of the following areas: Occupational Health Psychology (OHP); Quantitative Research Methods (QRM). The program is designed for students seeking the Ph.D. degree via full-time study. We do not admit students who are seeking a terminal M.A. degree or part-time study.

The design of the graduate program in I/O Psychology is predicated on the value of the scientist-practitioner model as the basis for educating I/O psychologists. Students are trained primarily as research scientists and secondarily as applied practitioners of the discipline. As such, our program is characterized by a heavy emphasis on the development of research and measurement skills that can be used to address the problems of business, government and industry. Research activity is an integral part of the educational experience and is expected of all students for every semester that they are in residence at the University; this is carried out in close collaboration with faculty in the program. To ensure a constructive research partnership it is important that students identify one or more faculty with whom they have shared research interests. For this reason, we encourage all applicants to examine the research interests and current research programs of our faculty with an eye to identifying a potential research partner. Information about ongoing research projects and individual faculty programs of research is posted on the website and all faculty in our program are happy to respond to requests for additional information about their programs of research.

Our program is also designed to provide learning experiences for students to apply their research skills in organizational settings. Students have the opportunity to work on various projects carried out by the Industrial Psychology Applications Center, under the direction of faculty in the I/O program. In addition, all students are required to complete a year-long field research experience as part of their graduate training. This often takes the form of formal full-time internships completed in any of a variety of corporate or government organizations. Those who plan to pursue academic careers are also urged to take advantage of opportunities for independent classroom teaching experiences.

Students who complete the program are prepared to enter careers in academic settings and a variety of applied settings, including large corporations, government research units, and consulting organizations. Examples of organizations where alumni have accepted positions upon graduation include: Aptima Corporation, AON Consulting, Bowling Green State University, IBM Corporation - Human Factors Solutions, IBM International - Global Employee Research, LIMRA International, Quinnipiac University, San Diego State University, The Hartford, University of Georgia, and the U.S. Dept. of Transportation Research Center.