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Online PhD in Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychology


Prepare for a variety of careers in a field you’re passionate about.
Prepare for a variety of careers in a field you’re passionate about.

Ready to Get Started?

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Current 01 Step 1: About You
  • 02 Step 2: Contact Information

Online PhD in Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychology

Ready to Get Started?

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Current 01 Step 1: About You
  • 02 Step 2: Contact Information

Why Choose Walden?

TWO DEGREE TRACKS

Whether you have a master’s in I/O psychology or in a completely different field, Walden offers a degree pathway for you.

PERTINENT CURRICULUM

Learn from a curriculum designed according to the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology.

PURPOSEFUL PROGRAMS

Expand your professional expertise and tailor your coursework to fit your career plan in one of six areas of PhD specialization.

DOCTORAL DEGREE COACH™

Map and track milestones, meet weekly targets, connect with faculty, and find support with this personalized digital resource.

PROFESSIONAL CREDIBILITY

Earn your degree at a university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission—a designation we’ve held since 1990.

PROVEN EDUCATIONAL LEADER

Walden is one of the leading conferrers of doctoral degrees in industrial and organizational psychology.

Program Details

Academic Residencies

Broaden your scholarship and shape your professional identity during this integral doctoral learning experience. Held both virtually and in person, academic residencies function much like a conference and provide valuable networking and collaborative opportunities with Walden faculty, staff, and peers.

Earn Your Master of Philosophy Degree Along the Way

Walden understands the rigors involved with preparing for your doctorate. To signify how far you’ve come on your journey, you will be eligible to be awarded a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree upon completion of program requirements, prior to completion of your dissertation.

Walden is one of a few universities that offer this advanced research master’s degree. Highlight your academic achievement and show employers and others that you possess comprehensive knowledge in your field of study.

Admission Requirements

Learning Tracks:

Depending on your previous educational experience, you will enter the PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program through one of two degree completion tracks.

Choose:

  • Track 1 if you have a master's in I/O psychology or related field.
  • Track 2 if you have a bachelor’s degree1 or a master’s in an unrelated field

(Note that you do not need to take the GMAT or GRE to apply for this program).

General Admission Requirements: To be considered for this doctoral program, you must have either a bachelor’s or a master’s degree from an accredited school and meet the general admission requirements. All applicants must submit a completed online application and transcripts. More information for international applicants.

Your Doctoral Journey

At Walden, we’ll guide you every step of the way with a comprehensive suite of support resources designed to help you confidently pursue the finish line, including our Doctoral Degree CoachTM. Are you ready to reach a higher level in your field?

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Doctoral Degree Coach™: A Personalized Guide to Completing Your Doctorate

Earning your PhD in Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology requires commitment, perseverance, and hard work. You can do it, and Walden is here to help—with our Doctoral Degree Coach™.

  • Map and track milestones: Break your research down into manageable, sequential steps. See where you are, what’s ahead, and what you’ve already accomplished—all in one place.
  • Meet weekly targets: No more guesswork. Set prompts based on your to-do list and receive reminders and updates directly to your inbox.
  • Connect with faculty: Stay on the same page and keep your progress on track. With shared access to your dashboard, your chair can easily guide you through your checklists, goals, and timelines.
  • Access helpful resources: Quickly find support from the right person at the right time. Our comprehensive resource guide points you in the right direction—no more frustrating searches.

Paying for Your Education

Our Enrollment Specialists can help you outline a plan and find resources for funding your education.

Program Savings

Looking to reach your potential with a doctoral degree? We want to support you by making your goals more achievable. Receive up to a $5,000 grant when you start this program on April 8, 2024. Contact one of our Enrollment Specialists to learn more.

Program Outcomes

Career Outlook

As a graduate of Walden’s PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program, your career options may include:

  • Employee development consultant

  • Organizational development practitioner (ODP)

  • Administrator

  • Consultant

  • Director of training

  • I/O practitioner

  • Organizational consultant

  • Human resources director or consultant

  • Director of research

  • Professor

  • Director of data analysis

  • Director of career planning and development

  • Political strategist


Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

Learning Outcomes

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.

Resources

FAQ About Walden’s Online PhD in Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychology

What is industrial and organizational psychology?

Industrial and organizational psychology, also referred to as I/O psychology, is the scientific study of the workplace. Psychology professionals apply science-based principles and methods of psychology to identify issues and solve problems in business. Psychology professionals may help organizations with policy planning, employee testing and selection, employee training and development, organizational development and analysis, and assessment and improvement of worker productivity.

What can you do with a doctorate in industrial and organizational psychology?

As the terminal degree in a field with broad applications, an I/O psychology PhD may qualify you for a range of opportunities in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Potential positions may include employee development consultant, career planning and development director, organizational development practitioner, political strategist, or consultant.

Do you need a license to practice industrial and organizational psychology?

Licensure for I/O psychology professionals varies by state. Some states require all psychology professionals to be licensed, while others do not require I/O psychology professionals to be licensed. There are also some I/O psychology jobs that require licensure, while others do not. Walden University’s PhD in Industrial and Organization Psychology offers an Evidence-Based Coaching specialization that prepares graduates to sit for the Board Certified Coach Examination.

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1You must have graduated with a 3.0 GPA in order to be considered for Track 2.

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

Note: Time to completion and cost are not estimates of individual experience and will vary based on individual factors applicable to the student. Factors may be programmatic or academic, such as tuition and fee increases; transfer credits accepted by Walden; program or specialization changes; unsuccessful course completion; credit load per term; part-time vs. full-time enrollment; writing, research, and editing skills; use of external data for the doctoral study/dissertation; and individual progress in the program. Other factors may include personal issues such as the student’s employment obligations, caregiving responsibilities, or health issues; leaves of absence; or other personal circumstances.