Within the industrial and organizational program, the student is expected to become competent in theory, research, and applications of psychology as they relate to human behavior in organizations. The program emphasizes the contributions of both industrial and organizational psychology to the understanding of people in their world of work. Training is received in conduct of basic and applied research, and in the applications of theory and research to organizational and human resource management problems in organizations. Beyond the core requirements common for all students, every effort is made to tailor the program to the individual student's interests and objectives. Further courses in the department, electives in other departments, independent study projects, and research activities are selected by the student and his or her advisory committee.
Seminars allow faculty and students to explore, in depth, topics of current mutual interest.
Practicum arrangements in organizational settings expose students to some of the everyday problems of applying their research and professional skills. Each student is required to be involved in research and is encouraged to obtain supervised teaching experience in the course of his or her program. The program admits only students interested in attaining the Ph.D. degree. Past graduates have moved comfortably into jobs in personnel research departments of industrial and governmental organizations, psychology departments and business schools of universities, consulting firms, and research institutes.