Thinking about a career in industrial organizational psychology? Good choice. But you might be wondering if a bachelor’s degree is enough, or if you’ll need a master’s or doctorate to get there. The answer really depends on what kind of work you want to do.
In this article, we’ll walk you through the different degree levels, what kinds of jobs they lead, and how to choose what’s right for you.
What is IO Psychology?
Industrial organizational, or just IO, is a field of psychology that focuses on human behavior in the workplace. In practice, this means helping employees enjoy their jobs and improving how organizations work.
This includes offering guidance to corporations, managing employee health programs, promoting mental health in the workplace, and developing training for employees. Because it deals more with systems and group behavior than individual therapy, there’s not much healthcare in IO psychology.
Bachelor’s in IO Psychology: What It Gets You
Finding a job in IO psychology with a bachelor’s degree isn’t impossible, but they’re hard to find. Still, this is an important starting point for the rest of your career. You’ll learn basic research, principles of human behavior, and essential skills in statistics.
You may find work in entry-level roles in general business, HR support, or administration. But your best bet is moving on to graduate school, where your master’s degree will open new doors and new opportunities for you.
Master’s in IO Psychology: Your Entry Point
A master’s in IO psychology is your first real step into the field. Most positions, including in HR, organizational development, workplace consulting, training, and talent management, expect you to have a master’s degree for even an entry-level job.
With a master’s, you could work as a human resources coordinator, retention analyst, training developer, internal consultant, and more. You’ll also make a lot more money in these positions than with a bachelor’s degree. The median salary for someone with a master’s in IO psychology is $110,500, that’s about $40,000 more than the national average wage index.
Doctorate in IO Psychology: Who Needs It, and Why
If you want a doctorate in IO Psychology, you can earn either a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) to work in research and academia or a Doctorate of Psychology (PsyD) to help patients in a company setting. There’s many benefits of earning a doctorate, and for some career paths, they’re necessary. To be called a “psychologist”, you do need to be licensed and hold a doctorate degree. To work in research or at universities, or to work as a specialized consultant, you’ll need some experience in the field and a doctorate.
Because it’s an even more advanced degree than a master’s, a doctorate will open even more doors to you. There’s a lot you can choose to do with it, but if you don’t find yourself in these kinds of positions in the future, you can stop at a master’s degree and get right to work.
Find the Right Degree For You
Depending on your dream role in the industry, you don’t need a doctorate. A master’s is just enough to find work and get paid well. But if you want to earn the title of “psychologist” or work in research and academia, then a doctorate should be your educational role. Either way, a bachelor’s degree [LINK TO Industrial Organizational Psychology DEGREE PAGE] is your first step to achieving more in industrial organizational psychology.
Citations
https://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/industrial
https://www.apa.org/education-career/guide/subfields/organizational/education-training
https://www.franklin.edu/blog/masters-in-industrial-organizational-psychology-salary
https://www.ssa.gov/oact/cola/AWI.html
https://www.allpsychologyschools.com/blog/psyd-vs-phd-programs/