Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology Program Guide

Learn about the top Ph.D. programs in industrial organizational psychology online and what you can do with this degree.

Published on October 4, 2023

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Edited by

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Reviewed by

Published on October 4, 2023

Learn more about our editorial process

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Industrial-organizational psychology studies how people behave in organizations.
You can use this degree as a consultant, organizational leader, researcher, or academic.
The median salary for an industrial-organizational psychologist is $139,280.
Learn what to expect in a Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology online program.

Industrial-organizational psychologists work to improve an organization's performance by applying psychological principles. These principles create cultures and systems that are more effective, more inclusive, and more ethical.

This guide explains what a Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology online program is like, how to get into a program, and what you can do with this degree. Explore more about this applied psychology specialty today.

Should You Get a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology?

Whether earning a Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology online is right for you depends on your interests and career goals. If you enjoy applying psychology to solve organizational issues and studying how organizations affect human behavior, this may be an ideal degree for you.

You can often start a career in industrial-organizational psychology with a master's degree. Some Ph.D.s in industrial-organizational psychology online programs even prefer or require some workplace experience.

However, to teach in most colleges or universities or to lead an industrial-organizational psychology team, most employers prefer or require a Ph.D.

A Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology online program typically takes 4-7 years, depending on the program's pace. The cost depends on the program and school; most programs will cost at least $30,000 per year for tuition and fees.

Why spend all that time and money? Because without a doctorate, the scope of what you can do with I-O psychology is limited. You can use applied psychology principles from a Ph.D. in organizational psychology without a license, but many states limit the title “psychologist” to licensed psychologists.

You need a license to provide clinical psychological services, even if you do not call yourself a psychologist. You don't need a license to provide general advice based on psychological principles.

Check with your state licensing board to see if there are any limits on your title, scope of work, or other legal considerations you need to consider.

Featured Online Psychology Programs

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

What to Expect from a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology Program

A Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology online program combines classroom learning and original research. Your original research will be part of your doctoral thesis. The program teaches you the theory and practice of research and industrial-organizational behavior.

What You'll Learn

Your coursework includes multiple research methodologies that apply to industrial-organizational psychology. You'll also learn about applying the principles of psychology to specific organizational challenges or needs.

For your thesis, you will conduct original research on a topic in industrial-organizational psychology that interests you. The skills you will develop include:

Survey and questionnaire design
Focus groups and interviewing
Literature reviews
Ethical experimentation design
Effective communication of research findings to different audiences

What You’ll Pay

$47,773 per year

Average Tuition, Fees and Expenses for the 2019-20 School Year

How Long You’ll Spend in School

4-7 Years

Source: NCES

Ph.D. Program vs. Psy.D. Program: Industrial-Organizational Psychology

A Ph.D. in industrial organizational psychology emphasizes research methods and how to conduct and publish research. A Psy.D. emphasizes applying research in real-world settings.

If you want to teach or work in a think tank or similar organization, a Ph.D. can be a better choice, while a Psy.D. is better if you want to work in an applied setting.

Ph.D.

Best if you want to teach at a college or university or an academic setting like a think tank
Prepares you for a career of conducting and publishing research
Focuses on advancing the subject body of knowledge

Psy.D.

Best if you want to work in an organization applying the principles directly
Prepares you for a career that analyzes and uses the latest research, and you may publish your research only internally
Includes an emphasis on practical applications

How to Choose a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology Program

Because attending a Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology online or on-campus is a major commitment of time and money, you want to make sure that you choose the right program for your goals. Some considerations include:

Program's curriculum
Academic reputation
Cost and financial aid
How the program format (such as synchronous or asynchronous classes) and schedule work with your other responsibilities
faculty interest and expertise in your preferred area of interest, if you already know what it is
On-campus requirements

How to Get into a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology Program

While each Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology online program has its own requirements, most expect applicants to have:

A master's in industrial-organizational psychology or a related field, such as organizational behavior
A 3.0 or higher GPA
At least two references
Experience in industrial-organizational psychology research, either as part of a master's program or from your work experience or both

What Can You Do with a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology?

A Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology online or on-campus diploma can prepare you for several different types of roles. Academia and research institutions are some of the most common employers, but you can also work directly in organizations or as a consultant to organizations.

Some common areas for consulting or specialty work within an organization include performance improvement; safety and ethical compliance; organizational assessment; diversity, equity, and inclusion; and change management.

Academic Researchers and Teachers: These roles emphasize conducting original research and teaching the principles and practices of industrial-organizational psychology. Depending on the organization, you may be responsible for publishing, either for an academic or educated layperson audience (such as business or HR leaders).
Human Resources: With a Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology, you may be the head of human resources as a generalist or have a specialist focus, either as a consultant or staff member. This role typically requires workforce planning, establishing and fostering the desired workforce culture, and measuring progress toward workforce goals.
Training and Development: Demand for training and development is faster than average because employees need to upskill and meet continuing education requirements to advance their career. . If your Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology online program included an emphasis on adult learning and how to ensure that staff apply learning in the workplace, this may be an area of interest.
Employer Evaluation: Measurement and evaluation methods are a major part of the Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology online and on-campus curriculum. This role may be responsible for establishing the best ways to measure and improve performance through surveys, focus groups, or observation.

How Much Can You Make with a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median salary for industrial-organizational psychologists is $139,280 and the average salary is $144,610. Industrial-organizational psychologists in colleges and universities make an average $111,050 per year.

The BLS also reports that the median salary for all psychologists is $96,190 and $102,740 for clinical and consulting psychologists.

The highest-paying workplace for industrial-organizational psychologists is local government, paying an average salary of $156,940 per year. Most industrial-organizational psychologists work in scientific research and development settings, where the average salary is $122,100. In California, the highest-paying state for industrial organizational psychologists, the average salary is $125,270.

Frequently Asked Questions About Getting a Ph.D. in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Is it worth getting a Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology?

Whether it is worth getting a Ph.D. in industrial organizational psychology depends on your goals. It requires a significant investment of time and money to earn a degree, but the average industrial and organizational psychologist salary is $144,610.

How long does it take to get a Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology?

Earning a Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology takes 10-17 years after high school. A Ph.D. in industrial-organizational psychology takes between 4-7 years, and you must also have a bachelor's and master's degree, which typically take six years — two for the master's and four for the bachelor's degree.

What is the difference between I-O psychology and HR?

The difference between I-O psychology and HR is that HR supports all functions related to staffing, while IO psychology focuses on using applied psychology to solve workforce issues. For example, HR is responsible or partially responsible for hiring, onboarding, and maintaining personnel records.

Should I get a master's or doctorate in industrial-organizational psychology?

Whether you should get a master's or a doctorate in industrial-organizational psychology depends on your goals. If you plan to teach at a college or university, work in a think tank or other research organization, or lead a team at a major employer, a doctorate will be more valuable.

Page last reviewed on September 8, 2023