How to become an industrial-organizational psychologist

Industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology concerns human behavior within the workplace. Psychologists in this field apply psychological and behavioral science principles to help organizations improve their work environments and human resources (HR).

Explore how to become an I-O psychologist and what a potential career in the field may look like for you.

What does an industrial-organizational psychologist do?

I-O psychologists may work in research, academia, or within an organization. They may study or teach about topics in workplace safety, leadership, and employee assessment. They can also contribute to human resources departments, run training and development programs, and offer management consultations.

Along with their job title, an I-O psychologist's duties may vary by their license status. In some states, I-O psychologists need licensure to offer any form of coaching or assessment, which requires a psychology doctorate.

Steps to become an industrial-organizational psychologist

While the requirements depend on the path you want to pursue, becoming an I-O psychologist typically calls for a graduate degree and professional experience at a minimum.

Let's take a closer look at the major steps throughout the process.

Step 1: Earn a bachelor's degree in psychology, business, or a related field

A bachelor's degree in psychology provides the most applicable foundation for the I-O psychology field. These four-year programs cover key principles of psychology, research methods, and statistical analysis.

You may investigate and learn to assess things like human behavior, social interactions, and workplace dynamics. You can also develop practical skills to apply psychological theories to the real world, such as measuring and improving leadership and workplace performance.

Most of all, these degrees provide the foundation on which to add advanced studies in I-O psychology.

A bachelor's in business degree can also create an effective foundation, offering insight into business management, administration, and strategies.

Step 2: Earn a master's degree in industrial-organizational psychology

In a master's in I-O psychology program, you build on your undergraduate knowledge and skills and explore the specialized teachings and applications for I-O psychology.

You may study topics such as methods and strategies for staffing, performance appraisals, and training and development. In these two-year programs, you can also learn how to design and conduct studies, analyze the data, and put your findings into practice.

Through hands-on experiences and practicums, I-O psychology master's programs can also introduce you to real-world challenges and prepare you for work in consulting and corporate settings.

These programs also provide a pathway into doctoral programs, should you wish to pursue psychologist licensure.

Step 3: Build soft skills

Along with the technical skills developed in a master's in I-O psychology, these programs help you build critical soft skills, such as communication, empathy, and teamwork. By participating in fieldwork and group projects, you can better learn how to understand and navigate workplace dynamics and relationships yourself.

These useful skills may help you as an I-O psychologist when developing HR policies, mediating conflicts, and coaching and communicating with managers and employees.

Step 4: Gain professional experience

Much of the required skill sets and expertise for I-O psychologists comes via professional experience. Experience can be obtained through internships and practicums, but entry-level positions within organizations and working directly with real-world research provide the best learning experiences.

Professional experience exposes you to real organizational problems and data. You also have the opportunity to apply and measure the effectiveness of actual intervention strategies and solutions. All the while, you can develop your problem-solving and communication abilities.

How much money do industrial-organizational psychologists make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), I-O psychologists earn a median annual salary of $147,420 as May 2023. The BLS also projects a 6% job growth rate for I-O psychologists between 2023 and 2033.

I-O psychologists may work under various job titles, such as business development consultants, human resources managers, and talent managers.

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