Department of Psychological Sciences

Industrial/Organizational

Ph.D. Program in Industrial Organizational Psychology

The doctoral program in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Kansas State University prepares students for careers in consulting, private business, public agencies, and academic settings. The program was founded in the late 1950s, and has existed in its current form since 1976. Its graduates have obtained jobs in the following industries:

  • Academics
  • Federal government agencies
  • Major corporations
  • International and National consulting firms.

See a partial list of graduates since 1975.

Students who plan to pursue a career that involves teaching are encouraged to take advantage of the department's teaching apprenticeship program. All students in the program are encouraged to pursue apprenticeships in applied settings during their graduate work, typically after receiving the master's degree.

Course requirements

These industrial and organizational psychology courses are offered on a regular basis to assure that all students are able to take them in a timely fashion. Descriptions of these courses can be found in the graduate course catalogue.

Here is the list of required I/O courses:

  • PSYCH 804. Introductory I/O Psychology (introductory seminar)
  • PSYCH 806. Psychological Measurement
  • PSYCH 878. Industrial Psychology: Personnel Selection
  • PSYCH 879. Organizational Psychology

In addition to these requirements and those established by the Department of Psychological Sciences, I/O graduate students are encouraged to take advantage of other elective courses specifically related to industrial and organizational psychology as part of their program of study.

Here is the list of suggested electives:

  • PSYCH 816. Psychology of Health
  • PSYCH 820. Personality Theory and Research
  • PSYCH 830. Pro-Seminar in Social Psychology
  • PSYCH 875. Personnel Training
  • PSYCH 876. Work Motivation
  • PSYCH 877. Leadership
  • PSYCH 880. Performance Appraisal
  • PSYCH 885. History of Current Trends
  • PSYCH 956. Seminar in Psychological Measurement
  • PSYCH 958. Seminar in Mathematical Models of Behavior
  • PSYCH 960. Seminar in Industrial Psychology
  • PSYCH 961. Multivariate Analyses of Behavioral Data

Students should consult with their major advisor and supervisory committee to determine which of these courses would be most appropriate.

Here is the list of courses required by the department:

  • PSYCH 802. Psychological Research Design and Analysis I
  • PSYCH 805. Psychological Research Design and Analysis II
  • PSYCH 968. Seminar in Professional Problems (Ethics)

Additionally, five courses in the following list are required by the department:

  • PSYCH 803. Physiological Psychology
  • PSYCH 804. Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  • PSYCH 810. Learning
  • PSYCH 812. Perception
  • PSYCH 814. Advanced Cognitive Psychology
  • PSYCH 816. Psychology of Health
  • PSYCH 820. Personality Theory and Research
  • PSYCH 830. Pro-Seminar in Social Psychology
  • PSYCH 885. History of Current Trends

Preliminary Exams

  • The preliminary examination for industrial and organizational students, taken after receiving the master's degree, focuses on but is not restricted to the following courses:
    • PSYCH 804: Introductory I/O (introductory seminar)
    • PSYCH 878: Personnel Selection
    • PSYCH 879: Organizational Psychology
    • PSYCH 806: Psychological Measurement
    • PSYCH 961: Multivariate Analyses of Behavioral Data
    • PSYCH 968: Seminary in Professional Problems (Ethics)

Plus, questions will be created based on specialized knowledge concerning the topics of one's thesis and/or dissertation (or related courses).

Scholarships and Awards

  • Students who have a regular assistantship and have been making adequate progress on their master's thesis are eligible for the Joseph Dunlap Fellowship (generally around finishing their 2nd year).
  • Students whose dissertation proposals have the potential to impact the field of Industrial/Organizational Psychology are eligible for the Ronald G. & Dorothy J. Downey Industrial/Organizational Dissertation Award (generally after their successful dissertation proposal).

Distance Education Master’s in Industrial/Organizational Psychology

  • The Master of Science program in industrial/organizational psychology is a 38-hour sequence of on-campus and web-based courses. The program is directed at working human resource professionals and aims at teaching students to apply analytical behavioral science skills and course concepts to company-related issues. The program spans 2 1/2 years and consists of eight courses in such areas as performance appraisal and compensation, training and program evaluation, job analysis and selection, organizational topics, ethical and legal issues, and applied research methods. The last semester of the program consists of students conducting a research practicum in their own organization under the supervision of faculty. Students attend campus once a year over the summer for two-week sessions. Four courses are taught as on-campus courses, and the remaining four courses and practicum are delivered via web-based instruction.
  • Follow this link for more information about our distance master's program.

Inquiries

For further information about the Industrial/Organizational program, please contact: