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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Psychology

Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Department of Psychology

Industrial/Organizational Psychology specialization

Improve your career opportunities in the growing field of industrial/organizational psychology through this doctoral specialization designed to deepen your knowledge of workplace and organizational behavior, and demonstrate your own research-based contributions to the field. You will gain a strong foundation in adult, social, and group psychology, as well as advanced testing, statistical and research methodology. People who choose this specialization often pursue higher education faculty positions, leadership positions in training or human resources, or consulting or executive coaching positions.

This specialization is not designed to meet licensure requirements for the counseling professions. If you are seeking information on professional licensure, please visit our Licensure Resource site.

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Gain more value from your degree

Expand your educational and career opportunities by choosing one of Capella's degree enrichment options.

  • Add a concentration to gain deeper expertise

    Delve more deeply into a specific knowledge area by earning a concentration that will be included on your transcript and can enhance your career opportunities. If you have elective courses in your degree program, you may be able to use them to fulfill both your degree and concentration requirements at the same time. However, completing a concentration may extend your total credits beyond the requirements of your degree.

    Concentrations available as part of this specialization include:

    • Child and Adolescent Development
    • Coaching Psychology
    • Consultation Psychology
    • Industrial Psychology
    • Organizational Psychology
    • Program Evaluation and Measurement
    • Psychology Teaching and Instruction

Visit Organizational Perspectives, an online community focused on human capital management from the perspectives of three disciplines: business, education, and psychology.

Residency Requirements: Three four-day colloquia (PSY-R8921, PSY-R8922, PSY-R8923).

Learn about the residential colloquia experience.
As a PhD learner, you will attend three three-day residential colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your PhD studies and beyond. Learn more about residential colloquia:
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Total Program: 120 quarter credits
Up to 50 quarter credits may be transferred into this specialization
Admission Requirements Icon indicating PDF
Next Start Date: March 5, 2012
Credit: $487
Quarter - Comps/Diss: $2,679

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Residency requirements: Three 4-day weekend experiences

Learn about the residential colloquia experience.
In addition to your online courses, you will complete 3 residential colloquia, each of which includes a 4-day weekend experience, at specific stages in your program. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your PhD studies and beyond.

Doctoral colloquia each have 3 steps:

Step 1: Colloquium Courseroom (opens approximately 2 weeks prior to Weekend Experience)
Step 2: Weekend Experience (4-day residency)
Step 3: Colloquium Courseroom—Assessment and evaluation (completed the week after the Weekend Experience)

What is the cost to attend?

The price for each colloquium is $1,495 (pricing is subject to periodic adjustment), but doesn’t include costs for evening meals or travel. You’ll be responsible for making your hotel reservations and travel arrangements.
  • Learn more about residency requirements.
  • Get more detailed information and learn how the residency experiences will enrich your learning at Capella University. Speak with an enrollment counselor at 1.877.269.7780.

Core Courses (each course 5 quarter credits unless noted)

  • PSY8002 - Orientation to Doctoral Learning in Psychology
  • PSY7110 - History and Systems of Psychology
  • PSY7210 - Lifespan Development
  • PSY7520 - Social Psychology
  • PSY7543 - Ethics and Multicultural Issues in Psychology
  • PSY7610 - Tests and Measurements
  • PSY7630 - Qualitative Analysis
  • PSY7625 - Advanced Inferential Statistics**
  • PSY7658 - Quantitative Research Methods in Psychology**

Specialization Courses (each course 5 quarter credits unless noted)

  • PSY8711 - Principles of Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  • PSY8720 - Psychology of Leadership
  • PSY8730 - Consultation Psychology
  • PSY8740 - Psychology Practices in Personnel and Human Resource Management
  • PSY8765 - Testing and Assessment in Workplace Psychology*
  • PSY8768 - Theory and Practice of Psychological Coaching*
  • PSY9919 - Doctoral Comprehensive Examination*
  • PSY9920 - Dissertation Courseroom* - non-credit
  • PSY9921 - Dissertation Research 1*
  • PSY9922 - Dissertation Research 2*
  • PSY9923 - Dissertation Research 3*
  • PSY9924 - Dissertation Research 4*
  •  
  • In addition, choose one of the following recommended Industrial/Organizational Psychology concentrations:
  • For an industrial psychology concentration
  • PSY7670 - Psychological Principles of Strategic Planning*
  • PSY8785 - Compensation and Benefits Planning Psychology
  • PSY8780 - Psychology of Organizational Ergonomics in the Workplace
  • PSY8795 - Psychology of Health and Stress in Organizations
  •  
  • For an organizational psychology concentration
  • PSY8770 - Psychology of Motivation and Performance
  • PSY7550 - Process of Professional Development*
  • PSY7530 - Psychology of Group Dynamics
  • PSY8721 - Introduction to Business Practices for Psychologists*
  •  
  • For a coaching psychology concentration
  • PSY7510 - Psychology of Personality
  • PSY8770 - Psychology of Motivation and Performance
  • PSY8721 - Introduction to Business Practices for Psychologists*
  • PSY8162 - Career Counseling Theory
  •  
  • For a consultation psychology concentration
  • PSY8770 - Psychology of Motivation and Performance
  • PSY8721 - Introduction to Business Practices for Psychologists*
  • PSY7530 - Psychology of Group Dynamics
  • PSY7670 - Psychological Principles of Strategic Planning*
  • OR
  • Choose four from the following courses:
  • PSY7510 - Psychology of Personality
  • PSY7530 - Psychology of Group Dynamics
  • PSY7550 - Process of Professional Development*
  • PSY7670 - Psychological Principles of Strategic Planning*
  • PSY8162 - Career Counseling Theory
  • PSY8721 - Introduction to Business Practices for Psychologists*
  • PSY8770 - Psychology of Motivation and Performance
  • PSY8780 - Psychology of Organizational Ergonomics in the Workplace
  • PSY8785 - Compensation and Benefits Planning Psychology
  • PSY8795 - Psychology of Health and Stress in Organizations
  • OR
  • Choose any graduate courses, excluding introductory and special topics courses, lectures, seminars, practica, internships, and any Capella-designated first course.
Courses without a PSY designation may be worth fewer than five quarter credits. Learners must carefully plan their elective courses to ensure that total credit requirements for the degree are met. Special topics courses in the Harold Abel School of Social and Behaviorial Sciences can be used as an option to complete the total required credits needed for graduation.
** This course has a prerequisite that is not listed as a required course, which may increase the total number of courses needed to complete this specialization. See course descriptions for additional course prerequisites.
* This course has a prerequisite. Contact an enrollment counselor for more information.

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Great Program, but...

July 8, 2010Leslie I cannot say enough about the I/O program, the professors, the quality of the teaching, and the texts and resources used. I would recommend this program to anyone interested in the field. I recommend Capella University to anyone wishing to pursue additional education. Here is the But. There is too much work assigned. Compared to a brick and mortar dschool, the work load is easily 4 xs the amount assigned or more. If one has other responsibilities, which all of us do, it is near impossible to do your best work for every assignment. Each week there are two assignments requiring a paper with references.Then, students are required to respond to two other classmate's posts. These responses and discussions suffer b/c of the amount assigned each week. Worse, there is often nothing to discuss because of the nature of the assignments. I think this needs to be reconsidered. since there is so much, and students are required to respond to the posts of two other students per assignment

How has earning the PhD in Industrial Psychology impacted your professional opportunities?

August 7, 2010Guest Hello, all: I have read all the comments, some very flattering and others less so. However, none of them seem to provide very specific details about how the PhD in I/O psychology has impacted your careers. Prospective students would like more concrete examples of how employer's view the degree, how do your colleagues view your credentials compared to theirs (if they came from landbased universities), does the lack of APA accreditation detract from the value of the degree, and have been able to teach at traditional, landbased universities? Just my thoughts. Hope to see some replies. Thanks in advance!

Very Satisfied

July 31, 2010Rita Getting my Ph.D. in Organizational Psychology from Capella was one of my best "life" decisions. I enjoyed the courseroom, my fellow students and the professors so much - it was a great journey. What REALLY has been wonderful, however, is the career difference it made - opening doors for me that my experience and other credentials might not have opened. When I say "Capella," there is often instant positive recognition. I recently encouraged my daughter to enroll as a Masters' student - she did and is thoroughly enjoying the program! Thanks again, Capella!

Highly Satisfied Capella Student

July 9, 2010Kimberly While pursuing my previous degrees (Associates, Bachelors & Masters) I became apathetic towards learning and was quickly lost in the minutia. In lieu of learning for the pure joy of it I begin to crave the power, influence and monetary gains the education was lauded to afford one. Moreover, I had tired of the rote and antiquated philosophy that most institutions were structured around. The antiquated methods of learning would no longer subdue the 21st century student. Subsequently, I yearned for autonomy and liberation. Alas, I found these things and more at Capella. I now have control of my learning process. Institutional ideologies and political views no longer dominate my coursework. Gone are the days of empty rhetoric replaced with the contemporary pursuit of intellectual debates and culturally rich interactions. These are but a few of the reasons I chose Capella. I have been at Capella for almost a year now. The professors are knowledgeable, give valuable feedback and encourage student interaction. Moreover, my interaction with peers has stimulated rapid growth in and reflection of my personal and professional development. Being a student at Capella allows an individual to have autonomy over their learning process. The textbooks are relevant and current, the course content is challenging, and the peripheral services afforded to students are invaluable. Suffice it to say, Capella is an excellent academic institution and I would recommend it to students seeking a proactive, challenging and innovative learning environment.

A Learning Experience Unlike Any Other

July 30, 2010Greggory Hello all.If you are unsure or questioning whether or not to attend Capella, please take the time to read my experience.I graduated from a traditional private university for my BS degree, then attended a traditional counseling program at another private school.I quickly found that the traditional environment does not bode well for a graduate-level learner.I started researching and found Capella, then ranked as the number 4 online school in the U.S.I had been interested in I/O Psychology, but really didn't have a grasp of what it was nor access to an educational program which offered it.I transferred from the counseling program to Capella's online MS program in I/O Psychology.I will never go back to a traditional classroom again.Not only are you pushed to achieve and do well, you're extremely involved in the process.The PhD program has been wonderful as well and has opened many opportunities for me, especially through colloquia.The whole process is excellent,and Capella will soon be No.1

Why Capella?

October 22, 2010JOHN I could notice a resonance in every single contact I had with Capella personnel...a distinctly uplifting and clear cultural nuance. How they do this, I cannot say. Those of you who take on the major of organizational psychology will likely know better than I soon enough! But, my instinct lead me to investigate further because of it. My findings have been that the positive learning culture, the leading professionalism, and the thick, rich learning opportunities are just mesmerizingly interwoven throughout. I would (and often do) recommend Capella to every single human I encounter. I actually use this suggestive communication in my practice and during field interviews to lift up the atmosphere of conversations. And, I am writing a post doctoral piece about such things as constructive perception during human encounters, as well! Oh, and I have been promoted twice and received more job offers than I can count. I bid you join us. Onward!~

Crapella Disappointed

July 30, 2010Michael Spend $80,000 for a degree and they send you a cheap piece of cardboard for a diploma. I (and you) would have (will be) better off buying a degree from a junk e-mailer.

Interested in going to capella but not sure if it is going to work out with my schedule

August 11, 2010Kristina I was just wondering what the regular work load for one class would be? I also wanted to know what were some of the challeges that you faced at capella? How many assignments do they assign and is the program manageable if you are working full time?

I was a skeptic

July 13, 2011Liz Hands down, attending Capella was the best decision I ever made. I was skeptical- very skeptical -about how a PhD program could offer me a rich experience online. I have joined clubs, gained a mentor and great friends. I am starting my 5th quarter already begun to decide on my dissertation topic choices. The first "Intro to doctoral learning" course really downplays the amount of time and effort classes will require, but you truly get what you give. Those who wanted a degree but haven't bothered to find practical applications will probably have a very expensive piece of paper to hang on their walls. Those who have embraced the scholar-practitioner model and take the time to participate, read, do the research, get involved, etc have a completely different experience and when it "clicked" for me - I finally understood what set Capella apart. Instructors who give out their home numbers, librarians who will spend hours helping you find exactly what you need at 2am contribute as well!

I was pleased...

October 19, 2010Jay As an alumnus of Capella University, I was very pleased with the rigorous curriculum and the challenging aspects with my masters program. I was not questioned by any professional or employer regarding the "validity" of my degree, I was looked at as a professional who EARNED her masters. I am very pleased with decision, however, learners must be aware that you have to put in effort and energy to make it work for you. Its an investment that you made and you must treat it as such. Give your degree all you got and watch the positive return... Jay <a href="http://www.oscsolutions.org" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://www.oscsolutions.org</a>
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