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Industrial and Organizational Psychology has seen significant progress in understanding the dynamics within organizations and businesses, leading to better management of organizational complexities.
The field is projected to grow at 12.5%, making it an interesting choice of profession that is quite stable. Entry typically requires a terminal degree, such as a PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
Most Industrial and Organizational Psychology programs are designed for students already working in the field, allowing them to work coursework into their schedules.
PhD degrees in this field require original research in the form of a dissertation.
Methodology
We selected these Industrial Organizational Psychology online doctorate programs based on these characteristics:
- Offers online/hybrid learning format that still retains the overall structure and rigor of on-campus programs,
- Features a comprehensive curriculum that advances student’s scientific research skills, covering theoretical and practical aspects,
- Feature residencies, internships, or other experiential opportunities for valuable hands-on experience,
- Taught by IO-experienced doctoral faculty,
- Features competitive tuition rates, financial aid, and scholarship opportunities,
- Holds proper institutional and programmatic accreditation credentials.
For details, visit our Methodology.
Best Online Doctorate in Organizational Psychology Degree Programs
The University of Arizona
PhD in Organizational Development and Leadership
Tuition: $812 per credit hour
Required Credit Hours: 62
Duration: 4 years
UAGC’s online PhD in Organizational Development and Leadership is one of the most preferred doctorates of students seeking flexible and affordable programs. The program’s coursework includes applications in a variety of subjects, including employee motivation, ethics, performance management, organizational change, executive coaching, and more.
Students take one course at a time, and courses are at accelerated 6 to 9-week lengths. It also involves students completing three non-credit In-Residence workshops and defending a dissertation using quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods research.
National University
PhD in Industrial Organizational Psychology
Tuition: $19,650 per year
Required Credit Hours: 60
Duration: 48 months
NU’s IO psychology doctorate is a 100% online PhD program that aligns with the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) guidelines. Specialization courses include:
- Dynamics of Leadership
- Employee Motivation and Engagement
- Structure and Procedures of Organizational Development
Aside from specialization courses, the program also covers tests and measurements, quantitative and qualitative research methods, as well as scholarly writing.
Liberty University
PhD in Psychology – Industrial/Organizational
Tuition: $595 per credit (full-time)｜$650 per credit (part-time)
Required Credit Hours: 60
Duration: 4-7 years
In addition to being an accessible doctoral program, Liberty’s IO psychology is also among the most affordable. The curriculum includes courses in:
- Test construction and validation
- Organizational behavior
- Organizational consulting and organizational change
- Personnel and performance management
Liberty is a Christian institution, and as such, adopts the unique practice of integrating Biblical principles into the understanding of human behavior.
Adler University
PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Tuition: $924 per credit hour
Required Credit Hours: 90
Duration: 3 years
Adler’s online PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology is designed as a post-bachelor’s degree program. Those who have a closely related MA or MS can also opt to transfer in up to 36 credit hours, letting them complete the program within three years.
The program includes courses in key areas of Industrial/Organizational Psychology and advanced research. A unique feature of this online doctorate program is the required 200-hour Social Justice Practicum.
Keiser University
PhD in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Tuition: $31,712 per year
Required Credit Hours: 60
Duration: 36 – 48 months
The IO Psychology PhD at Keiser emphasizes preparing students for independent research and scholarship. Courses are in 8-week long terms, and depending on the student’s pace, transfer credits can be completed in as few as 36 months.
The program is offered throughout Keiser University’s various campuses, as well as online. Students can enter the program through the traditional post-master’s entry point, as well as a Baccalaureate entry, which adds 18 graduate-level credits.
Chicago School of Professional Psychology
PhD in Business Psychology: Industrial and Organizational Track
Tuition: $1,703 per credit hour
Required Credit Hours: 61 (post-master’s entry) or 97 (post-baccalaureate)
Duration: 3-5 years
This online PhD in IO Psychology is slightly on the expensive side of doctoral programs. However, its tuition is compensated by the quality of its student services and curriculum.
The Chicago School Business Psychology PhD in IO psychology offers a multidisciplinary approach. The program offers a post-bachelor’s or post-master’s entry point, requiring students to complete internships, residency stints, a comprehensive exam, and a dissertation in business psychology.
Alliant International University
PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
Tuition: $1,326 per credit hour
Required Credit Hours: 66
Duration: 3 years
Alliant’s PhD in IO Psychology uses a scholar-practitioner approach to enhance student’s skills in conducting an organizational diagnosis, intervention, decision-making, and knowledge generation.
Students who have previously taken relevant doctoral courses can transfer in up to 25% of the program (16 credit hours). The online format includes asynchronous courses with two yearly start dates (January or August).
Grand Canyon University
PhD in Psychology – Industrial & Organizational Psychology (Qualitative)
Tuition: $725 per credit hour
Required Credit Hours: 60
Duration: 3 years
GCU’s IO Psychology PhD offers a qualitative approach to advanced learning, focusing on conducting qualitative research designed to deepen the understanding of human behavior and dynamics. It requires students to create relevant data-gathering tools such as sampling plans, design, and field test their research tools.
The program offers a comprehensive curriculum in leadership psychology, business principles, research methods, and human resources management, with additional requirements for licensure.
Walden University
PhD in Industrial Organizational Psychology
Tuition: $620 per quarter credit hour
Required Credit Hours: 67-97
Duration: 3 years
Walden’s IO Psychology is a research-intensive doctoral program with specialization options that align with the standards and guidelines set by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP). Students can choose among six specialization areas, which include:
- Consulting Psychology
- Evidence-Based Coaching
- General Practice
- Human Resource Management
- International Business
- or a Self-Designed specialization option
Students with a Master’s in IO Psychology can waive six courses and complete the program earlier with four academic residencies to prepare for dissertation.
Capella University
PhD in Psychology, Industrial/Organizational Psychology
Tuition: $555 per credit hour
Required Credit Hours: 87
Duration: 3 years
Capella’s PhD in Psychology offers an IO Psychology emphasis that includes a number of intensive in-person residencies designed to enhance the learning of online courses. Students can transfer up to 25 transfer credits of previous courses.
On top of various scholarships, employer discounts and military discounts that students can access, Capella University also features GuidedPath, their approach to a structured learning format that features faculty guidance and the support of an active peer community. As a PhD, the program also concludes with the completion of a dissertation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some typical admission requirements for a Doctorate in Organizational Psychology?
Applicants must pass a specific GPA threshold, typically a minimum of 3.0. Other requirements include:
- professional letters of recommendation
- proof of relevant work in the field
Also, since most of these programs are designed as PhDs, which involve a huge amount of scholarly writing, research, and analysis, students are typically expected to submit a writing sample.
Does a Doctorate in Organizational Psychology require a Psychology-related master’s degree?
Universities may require a nationally accredited master’s degree in Psychology, but this may not always be the case. Nevertheless, these programs often require advanced coursework in organizational behavior and strong research skills.
Some universities assess individual students coming from a related field for specific suitability to the doctoral degree.
How long does a Doctorate in Organizational Psychology take to complete, and how many credit hours are typically required?
These doctorate degrees vary in terms of their structure, but overall, they typically contain a total of 60 credit hours, including the required dissertation. Some degree programs also have accelerated formats that let students finish faster, but most of these industrial and organizational psychology doctorate programs take a minimum of 3 years to complete on full-time enrollment.
Does the typical online doctoral program in organizational psychology still have on-campus/residency requirements?
Generally, yes. The bulk of coursework in these IO Psychology programs is delivered online, but they also typically have a set number of residency requirements that students are required to complete. These are scheduled in advance, however, and have regular lengths so that students can plan well ahead for their travel to campus.
Key Takeaways
IO Psychology is a specialized application of the field of Psychology. IO Psychologists’ work focuses on human behavior and dynamics and organizational culture as they pertain to workplace, business, organizational, or industry contexts and settings.
Most Doctorate in IO Psychology programs are designed as PhD degrees, emphasizing research methods and skills.
Students are expected to generate original research. IO students can pick a specialization to carve their niche of expertise. As opposed to applied projects that are typical in professional doctorate programs, dissertations are a PhD requirement.
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