- Those seeking to study interpersonal interaction in the workplace can study for an industrial psychology degree.business colleagues image by Vladimir Melnik from Fotolia.com
Industrial psychology focuses on the behavior of humans in the workplace. Psychologists in this field may be teachers who train in the research and application of industrial psychology, scientists who develop principles through research, or consultants and staff psychologists who arrive at solutions to workplace problems. Students may seek a master's or docotrate in industrial psychology, depending on their career goals. Doctorate graduates tend to be in academic positions, while graduates with a master's degree are likely to be in human resource management roles. - Michigan State University, ranked No. 1 in industrial and organizational psychology by U.S. News and World Report in 2009, offers doctorate-level training for students seeking research-oriented positions in corporations or government agencies as well as positions on university faculties. Of about 100 students who apply, 15 to 20 full-time students are accepted into the four- to five-year program. Students are expected to complete their master's degree in two years, take comprehensive exams in the third year, and devote their fourth and fifth years to an internship or dissertation. Application deadlines are Dec. 15 every year.
Michigan State University
Department of Psychology
Psychology Building
East Lansing, MI 48824-1117
517-353-5258
iopsych.msu.edu - Though not ranked in U.S. News and World Report, Appalachian State University offers a two-year graduate program in industrial psychology consisting of 48 semester hours of coursework. The program is a joint venture between the university's management and psychology departments and seeks to prepare graduates for human resource management jobs. According to Appalachian State University, it has held a graduation rate of 91 percent since 1993. The psychology department admits 80 graduate students and employs 33 full-time faculty members. Applications are due Jan. 1 international students and March 1 for other students.
Appalachian State University
Dr. Wiley F. Smith Department of Psychology
222 Joyce Lawrence Lane
Boone, North Carolina 28608
828-262-2730
psych.appstate.edu - University of Minnesota provides an industrial psychology doctorate program focusing on scholarship and research skills. Ranked third in the magazine's survey of industrial and organizational psychology schools, the university does not require a set of courses. Instead, the program allows students to explore their areas of interest. Though individual programs vary, students usually spend their first two years taking core classes in four chosen fields of study. The next two years cover a series of seminars, after which students complete a take-home examination. Following the exam, students complete their dissertation. Approximately 20 to 25 students enter the program each year. The application deadline is Dec. 1 for all students.
University of Minnesota
N218 Elliott Hall
75 East River Road
Minneapolis, MN 55455-0344
612-625-2818
psych.umn.edu
