What is an Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychology? Why is it so popular these days? This field of psychology is the study of behavior in work settings. Industrial organizational psychology is a diverse field with opportunities in several different areas. Some I-O psychologists can find job in business in positions dealing with worker productivity, employee training and assessment, and human resources. Other I-O psychologists work in research or academic positions. Specific specialty areas in I-O psychology include human-computer interaction and human factors. Consulting opportunities are also available for experienced I-O psychologists.

If you are interested in the career of an I-O psychologist, you should possess the following features of character. One skill that is very important is communication. Besides you should have an idea of organization. If one is interested in consulting work, they would have to have a great deal of knowledge and background in Industrial-Organizational psychology. They would have to be able to look at a corporation and help them decide which training style will best fit their company.

Nowadays there are many university programs that offer Bachelor’s degrees in industrial-organizational psychology. Individuals, who have a psychology bachelor’s degree may work in human resources. But they may also find a job in other areas. However, if you are looking for greater job opportunities and higher pay, you’ll probably may to consider continuing your education at the master’s level.
There are many opportunities for job candidates with Master’s degree in I-O psychology. These individuals often work in human resources, consulting, government, and positions in the private sector.

i/o psychologyIf you have a doctorate degree in I-O psychology, you’ll certainly have the highest amount of opportunity and pay. However, if you want to get a doctoral degree in Industrial Organizational psychology, you should have both a BA/BS and a master’s degree in a related field. You can participate in a doctoral program while receiving their master’s at the same time. Nowadays there are many different doctoral programs but most of them require you to spend 1 year working on an internship along with writing a dissertation. Individuals with doctoral degrees in I/O psychology may work as research/senior scientists, organizational development leaders and professors working on a tenure track position.

Master’s Degree Programs for Pursuing a Career in I/O Psychology

Industrial Organizational Psychology at West Chester University

If you are interested in Human Resources, business and industry, this program may be the right choice for you. It also prepares students for doctoral programs in I/O.

I/O psychology at University of North Texas

The program offers concentrations in Personnel Psychology, Consulting, and Employee Counseling.

Industrial Organizational Psychology at Indiana University

The program gives both an industry and psychology doctoral program background in a work related research teaching style along with applying problem solving skills.

Sychology at Rensselaer Polytechnical

This program focuses on traditional personnel psychology along with traditional organizational psychology.

Doctoral Degree Programs for Pursuing a Career in I/O Psychology

Industrial-Organizational Psychology at the University of Tulsa

The program offers choices of specialization (e.g., business, law).

I/O Psychology at the University of Connecticut

The program applies personnel and/or human factors psychology to problems of business, government and industry.

Philosophy and Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Old Dominion University

The program combines philosophy and I/O psychology in approaching personnel issues, training, organizational psychology, and human factors.

io psychology degree
With a bachelor’s degree in psychology,one can have numerous job opportunities. If I/O is what one is interested in, human resource (HR) jobs could be appealing. These particular jobs involve lots of interaction with people. For most companies, it is the HR department that helps with the hiring of new employees, training of employees and benefits. These particular jobs usually start from about $25,000 to about $28,000 (Salary Data).

This pay range also depends on the type of background skills one might have. For instance, if you have been certified in healthcare/insurance information, you would be considered to be an HR specialist in insurance and might have a higher pay range. If you do not focus in on any particular topic you would be considered an HR generalist and would be participating in small aspects of various different jobs, ie. interviewing, training, benefits and recruiting. With a bachelor’s degree, there is room for promotion but if you wanted to move on to management, you would most likely have to continue your education to the masters level.

With a master’s degree in psychology, one has many more choices when it comes to job opportunities. With this degree one could start off their career working as an HR specialist. They could also focus their career on working for a consulting firm, teaching at a university or devoting their life to research in Industrial Organizational psychology. The pay ranges for this degree start at about $30,000 and work their way up to about $40,000. If one chooses to move up to management, the salary could reach about $50,000 to $80,000 (Salary Data). Some typical job titles with a master’s degree are Senior Research Consultant, HR Consulting Assistant or Employee Relations Manager.

Master’s Degree Programs for Pursuing a Career in I/O Psychology

I/O Psychology at West Chester University

This program is designed for students with interests in Human Resources, business and industry. It also prepares students for doctoral programs in I/O.

Industrial Organizational Psychology at University of North Texas

This program offers concentrations in Personnel Psychology, Consulting, and Employee Counseling.

I/O Psychology at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis

This program gives both an industry and doctoral program background in a work related research teaching style along with applying problem solving skills.

I/O Psychology at Rensselaer Polytechnical

This program focuses on traditional personnel psychology along with traditional organizational psychology. It also allows you to individualize your studies.

With a doctoral degree in Industrial Organizational psychology, the amount of education and experience needed increases along with the pay. In order to pursue a doctoral degree in I/O psychology, one must first have both a BA/BS and a master’s degree in a related field. Often one can participate in a doctoral program while receiving their master’s at the same time. There are many different doctoral programs but most of them require you to spend a year working on an internship along with writing a dissertation.

Some typical job titles that people with doctoral degrees in I/O psychology have are research/senior scientist, organizational development leader and a professor working on a tenure track position. With these type of positions one would be performing job and task analysis assessments, managing company’s consulting practice or teaching college students. A typical salary can start at about $40,000 (Salary Data).

Related Info

Psychology Schools in Washington

Degree Programs for Pursuing a Career in I/O Psychology

Industrial Organizational Psychology at the University of Tulsa

This program also allows choices of specialization (e.g., business, law).

I/O Psychology at University of Connecticut

This program h applies personnel and/or human factors psychology to problems of business, government and industry.

Philosophy and I/O Psychology at Old Dominion University

The program combines philosophy and I/O psychology in approaching personnel issues, training, organizational psychology, and human factors.

Employment Resources for I/O Psychology

There are many different resources one can use to find out more about I/O psychology. One can look on the internet for more information, contact a faculty member that has specialized in this field or contact a consulting firm that deals with this type of work. Often these sources can have a big impact on helping you decide if this field is right for you and what type of jobs exist in the field.

What Do Industrial-Organizational Psychologists Do?:
I-O psychology is a diverse field with opportunities in several different areas. Many I-O psychologists work in business in positions dealing with worker productivity, employee training and assessment, and human resources. Other I-O psychologists work in research or academic positions. Specific specialty areas in I-O psychology include human-computer interaction and human factors. Consulting opportunities are also available for experienced I-O psychologists.

What Type of Degree Is Needed?:
There are a number of university programs that offer Bachelor’s degrees in industrial-organizational psychology. People with a Bachelor’s degree typically work in human resources, although there are some opportunities in other areas. Those looking for greater job opportunities and higher pay may want to consider continuing their education at the master’s level.

There are many opportunities for job candidates with Master’s degree’s in Industrial-Organizational psychology. These individuals often work in human resources, consulting, government, and positions in the private sector. The growing demand for I-O psychologists had led to an increase in the number of universities offering master’s degrees in I-O psychology. Those with doctorate degrees in I-O psychology have the highest amount of opportunity and pay.

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