Degrees in Industrial Organizational Psychology
Will earning a bachelor's help you find a job in I/O psychology? Learn what degree you'll really need to start your career.
By Sarah Stevenson
If you're considering a career in industrial organizational (I/O) psychology, it's never too early to start thinking about your educational goals. Most jobs in the field require at least a master's degree—that means you'll want to start thinking about applying to an industrial-organizational psychology graduate program as early in your college career as possible. However, a solid graduate education from a reputable I/O program starts with an appropriate bachelor's degree. Read on to find out more about the available degrees in industrial organizational psychology.
Bachelor's Degree Programs
Undergraduate preparation for an industrial organizational psychology graduate program can take one of two forms. Ideally, you'll want to look for a program that offers focused B.A. or B.S. degrees in Industrial Organizational Psychology, but such programs are few and far between. More often, you'll find psychology programs that offer an emphasis or concentration in industrial psychology or organizational management.
Master's Degree Programs
The next step for most psychology students interested in an I/O career is an industrial organizational psychology graduate program. Master's degrees in industrial-organizational psychology, which generally take about two years to complete, have become increasingly common over the past twenty-five years.
A Master of Arts (MA) or Master of Science (MS) in I/O psychology is a necessary first step to pursuing a doctorate in the field; however, a master's degree may also be an end in itself. Career opportunities for master's degree holders are often available in the business world rather than in academia, which usually demands a doctoral degree. You can read an in-depth survey of industrial organizational master's degrees here.
Doctoral Degree Programs
An industrial organizational psychology graduate program at the doctoral level is usually completed in four to five years, and often includes completion of the master's degree as part of the program.
Doctoral degrees in industrial organizational psychology delve into quite a bit more depth than master's degrees, but the exact requirements may vary depending on what type of degree you choose to pursue. A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) program generally places more emphasis on research and completion of a dissertation, while a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) program is a professional degree that focuses more on applied clinical practice. Read about doctorate degrees in industrial organizational psychology here.
Industrial-Organizational Psychology Certification
Although certification is not required upon completion of an industrial organizational psychology graduate program, some I/O psychologists seek out voluntary certification from the American Board of Organizational and Business Consulting Psychology (ABOBCP) in order to demonstrate competence in the field. Many I/O psychologists also choose to join the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology—membership in professional organizations can help show your commitment to career excellence.
If you're still undecided about which degrees in industrial organizational psychology are right for you, research I/O—or other—psychology subfield degree programs now.
Sources: Siop.org; abpp.org
Industrial Organizational Psychology Resource Center
