phd industrial organizational psychology

College of Management and Human Potential - Doctoral Programs: PhD in Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology

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Learning outcomes, specializations.

• Learning Tracks
• Degree Requirements

Master of Philosophy (Embedded Degree)

• Doctoral Writing Assessment

8-Year Maximum Time Frame

• PhD in Management
• Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) (Quarter)

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Defined as the “scientific study of the workplace,” industrial and organizational (I/O) psychology explores the impact of individual, group, and organizational psychology on workplace health, productivity, and effectiveness.

The PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology degree is designed to prepare scholar-practitioners to apply evidence-based I/O principles to lead positive change in the 21st-century workplace as researchers, consultants, educators, or organizational leaders.

Through core coursework completed in a prescribed sequence, students develop an in-depth understanding of individual, group, and organizational behavior in the workplace; advanced research design and analytical skills; and expertise applying evidence-based I/O practices in diverse organizational settings. Optional blended coursework provides opportunities for in-person feedback and hands-on practice, while specializations allow students to gain additional expertise in areas consistent with their interests and career goals. Through their dissertation, students have the opportunity to explore in-depth a specific area of interest and contribute to the body of knowledge in the I/O field.

The curriculum in this doctoral program is designed to reflect the professional guidelines set forth by the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP).

The PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology is not a licensure-leading program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology professional.

All graduates will be prepared to:

• Evaluate the role of industrial/organizational psychology issues in the workplace.
• Process/Apply current industrial/organizational psychology theory and research.
• Analyze factors contributing to performance on varied organizational levels.
• Apply the organizational consultation process to address change and development issues.
• Evaluate workplace dimensions using a variety of assessments.
• Assess the impact of the employee on workplace performance .
• Evaluate industrial/organizational psychology’s role in promoting positive social change through fostering a healthy and inclusive workplace
• Apply basic and advanced research principles to produce independent scholarly work.

Specialization in Consulting Psychology

Specialization in evidence-based coaching, specialization in general practice, specialization in human resource management, specialization in international business, specialization in self-designed.

There are two tracks in the PhD in Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology

• Track 1  For Those Entering With a Master's Degree in I/O Psychology
• Track 2  For Those Entering With a GPA of 3.0 on Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in Another Field

Track 1: For Those Entering With an Master’s Degree in I/O Psychology

Minimum degree requirements.

• Foundation course (3 credits)
• Core courses (25 credits)
• Specialization courses (15–17 credits; see each specialization for specific courses)
• Research courses (10 credits)
• Dissertation support courses (7 credits)
• Dissertation writing courses (5 credits per term for a minimum of four terms; taken continuously until completion)
• Quarter Plans
• Four PhD residencies

Foundation Course (3 credits)

Core courses (25 credits), research courses (10 credits).

• Students may take this a non-degree course.

Specialization Courses (15–17 credits)

These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page

Residency Requirements

• Residency 1 – Complete Residency 1 as soon as you begin your program; should be completed in Term 1 or Term 2.
• Residency 2 – Complete Residency 2 at the beginning of your second year, around the time of second research course.
• Residency 3 – Complete Residency 3 once you have a prospectus in Walden’s review system.
• Residency 4 General  (RESI 8404) OR
• Residency 4 Proposal Writing  (RESI 8404Q) OR
• Residency 4 Methods & Data Collection: Qualitative  (RESI 8404R) OR
• Residency 4 Methods & Data Collection: Quantitative  (RESI 8404S) OR
• Residency 4 Publishing & Presenting  (RESI 8404T) OR
• an approved professional conference (RESI 8900 for select programs only. Contact Advising for information.) OR
• a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during your 9000 course. Contact Student Success Advising to register. You must attend all sessions and advising throughout the entire intensive retreat in order to successfully complete the experience to satisfy residency 4 requirements.  NOTE: Intensive Retreats are NOT included in Fast Track tuition.
• Optional:  Complete a  dissertation intensive  (DRWI 8500) during IPSY 9000. Contact Student Success Advising to register.

Completion of the Doctoral Dissertation

Students take this course for a minimum of four quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred.

Course Sequence for Students Entering With an MS Degree

Students undertake courses in the following sequence.

* These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page.

** Students take this course for a minimum of four quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation course shell.

To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the  Dissertation Guidebook .

Track 2: For Those Entering With a GPA of 3.0 on Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree in Another Field

• Professional Development Plan and Plan of Study
• Core courses (40 credits)
• Research courses (25 credits)

Core Courses (40 credits)

Research courses (25 credits).

• Students may take this as a non-degree course.

These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page.

Course Sequence for Students Entering With a BS Degree

Walden awards the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree to recognize PhD students for academic achievement leading up to their dissertation. With an MPhil, students will be able to demonstrate to employers and others that they have an advanced knowledge base in their field of study as well as proficiency in research design and evaluation.

• All required PhD core courses (or KAMs)
• All required PhD specialization courses (or KAMs)
• All required doctoral research and advanced research courses
• Program prospectus development course
• Residencies 1, 2, and 3
• A minimum 3.0 GPA is mandatory.
• The MPhil requires a minimum of 45 quarter credits. Maximum transfer of credit varies by program but is not to exceed 50% of the overall, or embedded, program requirements. Students who previously completed a master's degree with Walden in the same discipline area are not eligible for an MPhil.

Students who start or readmit to doctoral programs at Walden University in the university catalog for academic year 2017 or later will complete the university’s required  doctoral writing assessment . Designed to evaluate incoming doctoral students’ writing skills, this assessment aims to help prepare incoming doctoral students to meet the university’s expectations for writing at the doctoral level.

In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation/doctoral study course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation/doctoral study course shell.

Students have up to 8 years to complete their doctoral degree requirements (see  Enrollment Requirements  in the student handbook). Students may petition to extend the 8-year maximum time frame, but an extension is not guaranteed.

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