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Industrial organizational psychology is a relatively new field. This exciting specialty area applies psychological principles to behavior at work. Industrial psychologists, also known as organizational or IO psychologists, study and analyze employee behavior. Industrial psychology is an applied branch of psychology. It utilizes psychological theories to resolve occupational issues. Industrial organizational psychologists are scientist practitioners. They research actionable strategies to promote positive organizational change. Industrial psychology professionals use empirical-based findings to make recommendations. They find ways businesses can improve their workplace. An industrial organizational psychologist can help an organization:
Industrial psychologists implement interventions to crush poor corporate practices. They can improve organizational effectiveness. Here is an overview of what industrial psychologists do and how long it takes to become one. What Industrial Psychologists DoAn industrial psychologist’s job duties vary depending on where they’re employed. Some organizational psychologists work in academia to teach. They may also do in-depth organizational behavior research. Others work on-site in corporate offices and human resources departments. An increasing number work as self-employed consultants and travel to client businesses. Industrial psychology professionals can aid any organization with a workforce of 10 to 10,000. I O psychology jobs are prevalent in diverse sectors including:
Whatever the industry, their main goals are to boost employee performance. Industrial psychology professionals do this by observing human behavior in work settings. They understand organizational culture. They customize corporate programs to meet the needs of a company’s unique employees. Industrial psychologists can specialize in many different areas including:
As a result, industrial psychology professionals often have varying job descriptions. Industrial psychologists may be asked to:
Industrial organizational psychology is very different than clinical psychology. The field doesn’t confine practitioners to the traditional couch therapy sessions. They play pivotal roles in addressing real-life workplace situations that impair employee well-being. Skills Every Industrial Organizational Psychology Professional Must Have Wondering how to become an industrial organizational psychologist? First, prospective industrial psychology majors should do an honest assessment of their skills. Not everyone is suited to enter the U.S. News & World Report‘s 20th best STEM job. Industrial psychology professionals must be strong communicators. They need the ability to properly convey their thoughts in public speeches. Shy introverts may struggle with giving board room presentations of their recommendations. Introverts are also good listeners who may be more observant of human behaviors at work. An industrial organizational psychologist must read people’s body language and facial expressions. They study social interactions between coworkers or managers and staff. Industrial psychologists need negotiation skills to talk down escalated workplace dramas. They focus on interpersonal relationships between employees. Industrial psychology experts must have refined problem solving and critical thinking skills. They need to find effective solutions to workplace issues. Industrial psychology professionals must know research methods to perform:
Analytical skills help organizational psychologists draw the right conclusions from their organizational studies. Organizational psychologists in research or academia need a specific skill set. Basic math and computer skills are important to run research data statistics. Industrial psychologists in faculty positions need to have teaching skills. They also need to develop and deliver a quality course curriculum. Industrial psychology professionals working in human resources need a different set of skills. They need to:
All psychologists must have the utmost integrity to handle confidential employee or research subject information. You may be wondering how to become an organizational psychologist. The journey to a career in industrial and organizational psychology begins with a bachelor’s degree. The Bachelor’s DegreeA bachelor’s degree is a four-year degree. You’ll need to earn a high school diploma or GED to apply. Most colleges admit freshmen based on factors like:
The first two years (60 credit hours) of a bachelor’s degree can be completed at a junior college. Some students may take a couple classes before transferring to a larger university. Other students complete all 60 credits and graduate with an Associate’s degree. The grades you earn at a community college are important. Four-year universities will look at these grades when they make an admission decision. Good grades are also important for scholarships and financial aid opportunities. There are benefits to earning an Associate’s degree from a two year college. Associate degree 2+2 transfer paths at community colleges can save students thousands on tuition. Once admitted, undergrads declare a major. Industrial organizational psychologists degree options typically include:
Bachelor’s degrees have a 120-credit curriculum that lasts at least 48 months. Students take general education courses and courses in their major. Many degree programs offer elective industrial and organizational psychology courses like:
Some colleges offer formal industrial psychology bachelor’s degree programs. These include:
Industrial organizational psychologist requirements don’t end with a bachelor’s degree. You’ll need to continue your education and complete a master’s degree. The Master’s DegreeIndustrial psychology is a professional-level career that demands at least a master’s degree. Most master’s programs take at least 18 to 24 months to complete. So how many years of school to be a psychologist? With the four years of a bachelor’s degree and two years of a master’s degree, the minimum time to become an industrial psychologist is six years. A master’s in organizational psychology requires 30-48 credits rigorous coursework. Post-grads must fulfill prerequisite courses in areas like:
Master’s level industrial psychology concentrations bring together advanced field courses including:
Industrial psychology master’s degrees are available on campus or online. Online programs provide students with flexible 24/7 digital access. Search the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) directory for graduate training. Do master’s degrees always take one to two years?Sometimes a master’s degree can take longer. Part-time students can complete their degree in three to four years. Graduate programs offer courses in evening or weekend formats over longer periods. Industrial organizational psychology requirements usually include a capstone course or experience. Depending on the type of capstone, students may spend more time on their degree with:
The Dual DegreeIndustrial psychology majors can pursue different dual degree options. Dual degrees are post-grad avenues where students tackle two curricula at once. Dual programs may waive certain credits to make the degrees faster to get. Dual degree programs are cost effective. They allow students to earn two degrees together cheaper than when separated. These dual degree tracks can take at least 36 months of full-time study. Content and capstone requirements are frequently doubled for a 50 percent longer timeframe. Popular dual degrees available for future industrial psychologists include:
The Doctorate DegreeIndustrial organizational psychologist schooling doesn’t end with a master’s for some specialized roles. Industrial psychologists interested in university teaching or scientific research must complete a doctorate. There are two main industrial psychology doctoral degree types:
The PhD is research-based and scientific. The PsyD has an applied practice-oriented approach. Some universities also offer a Doctor of Education (EdD) in industrial psychology. This degree to emphasize teaching and employee training skills. Others provide a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA). This degree focuses on managerial leadership abilities. All doctorates will add significant time to your career prep. Doctorates take at least 3-4 years after a master’s degree. Combining the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees equals a whopping 10-year commitment. Further confusing the question of how long is psychology school, CBS News reports the average doctoral completion time is 8.2 years itself. Doctorates can entail:
Licensing Requirements to Work in Industrial PsychologyThe topic of licensing often comes up in discussions about how to become an industrial psychologist. Many jurisdictions require that anyone practicing psychology or calling themselves a psychologist needs to be licensed. Licensure requirements differs from state to state. There are plenty of jobs in the industrial and organizational psychology realm that do not require licensure. Most individuals with a master’s degree in industrial psychology work in a related area like:
These roles most likely would not require licensure. Industrial psychology grads in these roles don’t work in a clinical setting or consider themselves a psychologist. If you decide to pursue licensure (and your job or title require it), you’ll need to know the requirements. Licensing is a post-graduation process run by state regulatory boards to ensure practitioners’ competence. You’ll need to earn a doctorate degree from a university accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA). Candidates need to verify about 1-2 years of supervised field experience. Doctorates with built-in, year-long internships would satisfy. Companies with great I/O psychology internships include:
Even the National Security Agency (NSA) has a 12-week paid internship to build experience. What’s the next licensing step for industrial psychologists?Taking the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP). This licensing exam is required for all psychologists in the United States and Canada. Industrial-organizational psychologists will submit an application and a $600 exam fee. Once accepted, individuals must take the EPPP within a 90-day window at a Pearson VUE center. As of June 2020, the EPPP is a two-part exam that evaluates knowledge then skills. Of the 225 multiple-choice questions, 175 questions count toward the EPPP score. Each testing appointment lasts four hours and 15 minutes. Afterward, industrial psychologists receive their licensing exam scores in 10 days. Scoring below 500 on the 200-800 exam range will require a retake. A maximum of four retakes are acceptable for a 12-month span. Many states require continuing education units (CEUs) for psychologists to stay licensed long-term. For 50+ years, the American Board of Professional Psychology (ABPP) has also awarded specialty certification for industrial and organizational psychology professionals to become trusted corporate consultants. The Organizational & Business Psychology certification unsurprisingly comes with another exam. Industrial psychologists need qualifying academic coursework and doctoral-level experience. Supervised fieldwork hours must total 4,000 or two years full-time. Most test takers are actively engaging in APA Division 13, which is the Society for Consulting Psychology. Candidates presently pay a $125 application fee, $250 practice sample review fee, and $450 exam fee. Unlike the computer based EPPP, this exam is oral like a job interview. Industrial psychologists must display competence in nine key areas including:
Certified individuals can reapply in 15 years to receive the coveted “Senior Option.” Some industrial psychology professionals will earn certification from the American Board of Organizational Business Consulting Psychology. This voluntary credential validates competency and commitment to the field. Current Career Outlook for Industrial PsychologistsIndustrial psychology is a small, yet mighty field specialty. The U.S. Department of Labor predicts that the employment of industrial psychologists will increase 2 percent this decade. By 2028, the number of industrial psychologists will surpass 5,000. In comparison, the hiring of clinical and counseling psychologists will rise 10 percent for 12,300 new jobs. All other psychologists will see 10-year growth of 2 percent for 1,100 specialized positions. Industrial psychologists are needed to help businesses boost productivity and workplace morale. Which industries are hiring industrial psychologists the most?According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the demand for industrial psychologists in management consulting services will soar 22 percent. Industrial psychologists will see 4.8 percent more jobs in research and development. Colleges and universities will also need 8.4 percent more industrial psychologists on staff. An estimated 81.8 percent of industrial psychologists will be self-employed by 2030. In May 2021, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that industrial psychologists had a mean annual wage of $113,320. The 610 industrial psychologists received average hourly pay of $54.48. The top 10 percent brought home a median income of $168,300. The bottom 10 percent of industrial psychologists had median earnings of $63,750. Most fell between the $79,590 and $135,070 salary mark. Hourly wages ranged from $30.65 to $80.92. The top paying industries for industrial psychology include:
California was the top-paying state with mean industrial psychologist compensation of $123,090. Across metropolitan areas, Los Angeles had the best paid industrial psychology jobs with an annual mean wage of $136,940. Pros and Cons of Choosing an Industrial Organizational Psychology CareerIs the time it takes to become an industrial psychologist worth it? It’s important to be sure about organizational psychology before spending 10+ years preparing for the career. First, let’s start off with the potential bad news about industrial psychology. Industrial psychology professionals:
The National Center for Education Statistics priced average annual graduate tuition at $16,435. Industrial psychology programs are extremely competitive. Cohorts usually only accept 5-15 students. Organizational psychologists sometimes struggle to maintain a work-life balance. It’s common for industrial psychologists to clock in for 50+ hours per week and take job stress home. On the flip side, becoming an organizational psychologist is emotionally and financially rewarding. Industrial psychologists can:
Every organizational psychologist flexes their mental muscles to solve complex workplace issues. Unlike clinical psychologists, organizational psychologists can complete their master’s and sometimes doctoral degrees online. Industrial psychologists may enjoy being independent contractors and telecommuting from home. They get the best of two worlds by fusing business and human resources with behavioral health. Related Resource: What Are Psychomotor Skills? Scholarships to Help Become an Industrial Psychology ProfessionalQuestioning if you can afford to become an organizational psychologist? Thankfully there’s financial aid to reduce your tuition. There are also scholarships that include:
Other scholarships and grants that support industrial psychologists include:
Scholarships aren’t the only way to fund the long academic journey to organizational psychology jobs. Incoming industrial and organizational psychology majors should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This tax-based form determines one’s eligibility for government assistance. For example, the Federal Pell Grant could give up to $6,345 each year to bachelor’s psychology students. The Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) has a 2020 maximum of $4,000 to cover undergrad expenses. Organizational psychology majors can carefully take out Graduate PLUS loans with a current interest rate of 7.08 percent. Borrowed funds up to $17,500 could be waived with programs like the Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Always file for the $2,000 Lifetime Learning Credit on tax returns. Apply for organizational psychology jobs at companies with tuition assistance. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) found that 50 percent of employers will pay graduate tuition. Graduate assistantships also give stipends in exchange for part-time teaching or research work. ConclusionOverall, organizational psychology is one of today’s hottest careers. Organizational psychologists have been following in Hugo Munsterberg’s and Walter Dill Scott’s footsteps since 1903. It’s been 110 years since the first organizational psychology book titled Psychology and Industrial Efficiency was printed. College students entering the field can carry the torch and develop new advancements to revolutionize business. Getting into organizational psychology takes considerable effort though. Be prepared to spend at least six years in higher education. Top-level organizational psychologists commit 10-15 years to their education. Industrial psychologists have skills that are in high demand. We hope you’ve learned how to become an IO psychologist. Start searching for accredited colleges that can help you become an industrial psychologist. Related Resources:
How do I get started in industrial/organizational psychology?Aspiring IO psychologists begin their educational pathway by earning a bachelor's in psychology. Graduates often begin working entry-level positions to gain experience. Simultaneously, students go on to earn a master's degree in IO psychology. Applicants should find out if their desired programs require GRE scores.
What are the requirements to study industrial psychology?A master's degree is typically required for students that are interested in becoming I-O psychologists in the private sector. The most common master's degree for this position is a Master's in Organizational Psychology, although some students may elect to complete a Master's in Business Administration.
How do I become an IO?Steps to Becoming an Industrial-Organizational Psychologist. Earn a Bachelor's Degree. To become an I/O psychologist, students need to first earn a bachelor's degree. ... . Graduate from a Doctorate Program. ... . Obtain a State License if Necessary. ... . Pass the Certification Exam.. What are the 3 major fields of industrial/organizational psychology?The field of I-O psychology can be divided into three broad areas (Figure 13.2 and Figure 13.3): industrial, organizational, and human factors.
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How to get into industrial organizational psychology
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