Industrial Organizational Psychology Degree Overview
A tiny but expanding area of psychology is industrial organizational psychology. What then are the duties of IO psychologists, and what training is required?
Employers are looking at ways to keep current employees and recruit new personnel in light of the “Great Resignation,” a phenomenon that has seen a rise in worker departures since the COVID-19 outbreak began.
This is the specialty of the industrial-organizational (IO) psychologist. These specialists aid businesses in establishing productive, secure, and healthy workplaces.
A career in IO might be the appropriate choice for you if you are passionate about enhancing work-life balance, productivity, and employee morale.
Industrial-organizational psychology degrees
Although some businesses might employ bachelor’s degree holders for IO positions, these chances are uncommon. The majority of industry experts have graduate degrees.
“Those who have a master’s degree in IO psychology can frequently find entry-level jobs to start their careers.
The American Psychological Association states that persons having a Ph.D. degree will have greater work options in this sector.
Many of the IO psychologists working today have undergraduate degrees in human resources or general psychology.
After working for a while, they decided to further their education to focus on IO. More institutions are now providing IO programs because the field has grown in popularity and name recognition as a result of the pandemic.
You can work as an IO psychologist in the government, academia, and private businesses.
Industrial Organizational Psychology Bachelor’s Degree
Even if there are more IO bachelor’s programs rising, it could be challenging to locate one in your area. However, there are numerous online bachelor’s degree programs in IO.
You can choose to major in general psychology and a minor in business if you’d like classroom instruction. You will gain a firm understanding of psychology and business-related issues as a result.
Fundamentals of psychology, research methods, and human resource management are frequently covered in this level’s curricula.
Industrial organizational psychology master’s degree
Both online and offline master’s degree programs in IO are available. The average time to accomplish one is one year, while others can take three to four years.
Students learn the nuances of how to utilize IO principles to benefit firms while pursuing their master’s degrees.
Employee selection, statistics, ethics, legal concerns, project management, and dispute resolution are typical course topics.
At this level, students are required to finish an IO or HR internship, usually in the summer between their first and second graduate year.
Industrial organizational Psychology doctorates
Consider earning your Ph.D. in IO psychology if you’re interested in conducting research or teaching at the collegiate level.
Both on-campus and online doctoral programs are available, and they typically last 4-5 years to complete.
Although some just demand a bachelor’s degree, most colleges prefer applicants to have a master’s degree in psychology or related behavioral science. While some schools include GRE scores as a requirement, others do not.
You are typically required to write a thesis, a dissertation, or both for doctoral programs. Cross-cultural studies, advanced statistics, cognitive psychology, and attitude theory are a few examples of the classes you might take. Different course types are offered by each program.
Questions and Answers Regarding Industrial Organizational Psychology
What is organizational industrial psychology?
Simply put, IO psychology investigates how people behave concerning workplaces. Occupational psychology, organizational psychology, and work psychology are some additional names for IO psychology.
Does being an industrial organizational psychologist require a doctorate?
No. It is not necessary to get a doctorate to work in the subject. A Ph.D. degree, however, may allow you to work in academics.
Do organizational industrial psychologists earn the same as therapists?
In 2020, the annual salary of an IO psychologist was $112,690. Comparatively, a clinical psychologist made $82,180 on average in that same year.
However, the pay for both occupations varies widely depending on the type of workplace, the job title, and the region.
How do IO and HR differ from one another?
Because their knowledge bases overlap, degree holders in each of these areas occasionally work in different fields.
However, IO places more of an emphasis on measurements, science, and research, whereas HR is more concerned with compliance and administration.
What Does an Occupational Psychologist Do?
IO psychologists apply psychological theory to commercial pursuits like marketing, operations, and human resources.
They aid organizations in conducting statistical studies, hiring and educating personnel, and forming policies.
They seek to assist firms in maximizing productivity by enhancing the working environment and employee satisfaction.
An IO psychologist may assist with new hire training, evaluate employee performance, and conduct internal research on business effectiveness or employee satisfaction, and deliver findings to company stakeholders on a normal day.
What Other Jobs Could I Get With a Degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology?
Your ability to work as a trainer, coach, development specialist, HR professional, and research associate can all be enhanced by earning an IO degree.
Some people even decide to work as consultants, offering their client’s services like designing seminars and conducting personality tests.
A degree in industrial psychology also prepares you for several alternative employment choices. You can pursue a Psy.D. in clinical psychology to work as a therapist if you have a master’s degree in IO.
You might also change to a more business-focused position, like marketing analysis, project management, or operations management.
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