The Industrial and Organizational Psychology track in the Psychology PhD program develops competency through research and training for the application of psychological principles to organizations. The degree is patterned on the scientist-practitioner model of the American Psychological Association (APA).
Program graduates are involved in many issues of critical importance to society, including fairness in the selection and treatment of employees, the creation of work environments that maximize the satisfaction and productivity of employees, and the study of technological influences on human performance.
The doctoral program provides students with training consistent with the scientist-practitioner model. A key assumption of the program is that every graduate must be a highly competent scientist who can contribute to both the science and practice of the discipline.
You can view our Industrial and Organizational Psychology Doctoral Program Handbook in the link above.
The Psychology PhD program in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (I/O) requires four to five years of full-time study beyond the baccalaureate and three to four years beyond the masters. The first few years are devoted to course work and the final year to the doctoral dissertation.
The I/O program requires a minimum of 75 credit hours of graduate study for students who enter the program with a baccalaureate degree. The nature of this study is determined by the I/O Area Program Committee.
Total Credit Hours Required: 75 Credit Hours Minimum beyond the Bachelor's Degree
Program Prerequisites
Bachelor's or master's degree in Psychology or another allied area.
Evidence of successful completion of undergraduate courses in statistics and in the general area of experimental psychology.
Degree Requirements
I/O Area Courses
30 Total Credits
- Complete the following:
- INP6005 - Overview of Research in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (3)
- INP7214 - Industrial Psychology I (3)
- INP7310 - Organizational Psychology I (3)
- INP7081 - Professional Issues in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (3)
- PSY7315 - Psychometric Theory and Practice (3)
- PSY7217C - Advanced Research Methodology I (4)
- PSY7218C - Advanced Research Methodology II (4)
- PSY7219C - Advanced Research Methodology III (4)
- INP7071 - Research Methods in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (3)
Psychology Field Courses
6 Total Credits
- Complete the following:
- SOP5059 - Advanced Social Psychology (3)
- EXP6506 - Human Cognition and Learning (3)
Research Courses
6 Total Credits
- Earn at least 6 credits from the following types of courses: INP 6933 - Seminar in Industrial and Organizational Psychology 3 Credit Hours (taken twice) or INP 6971 - Thesis 3 Credit Hours (taken twice)
Teaching Experience
3 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Earn at least 3 credits from the following:
- EXP6939 - Teaching Seminar (3 - 99)
- All students must successfully teach a minimum of one undergraduate course as instructor of record prior to completing the I/O Psychology PhD degree. Fulfillment of the Teaching requirement involves first taking the UCF College of Graduate Studies online and face-to-face GTA Training and EXP 6939 - Teaching Seminar. In addition, students need to serve as instructor of record for an undergraduate class at UCF. First-time students as instructor of record must submit a syllabus, lecture notes, examinations, two course evaluations (mid and end-of-semester), as well as written feedback from the student's major professor or members of the student's doctoral committee who directly observed or viewed videotapes of at least one lecture. Students will be required to administer student evaluations to their class mid-way through the semester so that they can receive feedback and make any necessary changes. The student's adviser will provide ratings of the student's performance as instructor of record at the end of the semester. If the adviser believes that the student has not performed satisfactorily, the adviser will determine remediation specific to the student's weakness (e.g., presentation skills). This remediation is not limited to, but may include, the following: serving as a guest lecturer for another instructor of record, taking a course or seminar, or teaching another semester, as determined by the student's adviser. Fulfillment of the traditional Teaching requirement is intended to provide students with (a) additional training and opportunities to develop instructional skills consistent with university-level instruction, (b) the opportunity to receive and react to constructive comments concerning their developing instructional skills, (c) additional opportunities to learn and develop expertise in using newly developed technology and methods relevant to university-level instruction (e.g., active learning groups, computer-assisted technology, software programs that facilitate and complement traditional instructional activities), and (d) additional expertise in select areas of psychology to prepare them for future professional instructional opportunities following graduation from the university.
Elective Courses
15 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Students must select five elective courses. These courses must be approved by the student's major adviser and the program director. The courses in this set are selected by the student in conjunction with his or her adviser. Note, however, that all courses in the set must be approved by the I/O Program Committee. The available elective courses include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Complete at least 5 of the following:
- MAN6311 - Advanced Topics in Human Resources Management (3)
- MAN7207 - Organization Theory (3)
- MAN6385 - Strategic Human Resources Management (3)
- INP6605 - Training and Team Performance (3)
- INP6215 - Assessment Centers and Leadership (3)
- INP6058 - Job Analysis and Performance Appraisal (3)
- INP6318 - Recruitment, Placement and Selection (3)
- INP6933 - Seminar in Industrial and Organizational Psychology (3)
- INP 6933 - Seminar in Industrial and Organizational Psychology: 3 Credit Hours (may be taken up to 6 times for credit)
Dissertation
15 Total Credits
- Earn at least 15 credits from the following types of courses: PSY 7980 - Doctoral Dissertation
Candidacy Examination
0 Total Credits
- After completing all required courses, students must pass all four sections of the Candidacy Examination. This is a written examination covering the content of the field and are graded by the I/O faculty. Candidacy Examinations may be taken a maximum of two times. Failure to pass the examination will result in the student being dismissed from the program.
Admission to Candidacy
0 Total Credits
- The following are required to be admitted to candidacy and enroll in dissertation hours: Completion of all course work, except for dissertation hours. Successful completion of the candidacy examination. The dissertation advisory committee is formed, consisting of approved graduate faculty and graduate faculty scholars. Submittal of an approved program of study.
Independent Learning
0 Total Credits
- Given the nature of graduate training and the pursuit of a doctoral degree, graduate students in industrial and organizational psychology are expected to engage in independent learning throughout their graduate career. The completion of the doctoral dissertation is an example of independent learning in which all graduate students participate. In addition, a master's thesis or other research projects will be undertaken by the students from the first year on. To facilitate this process, students are expected to attend weekly program-sponsored research presentations during the fall and spring semesters and will be required to give at least three of these presentations prior to graduation.
Grand Total Credits: 75
Application Requirements
For information on general UCF graduate admissions requirements that apply to all prospective students, please visit the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog. Applicants must apply online. All requested materials must be submitted by the established deadline.
In addition to the general UCF graduate application requirements , applicants to this program must provide:
- One official transcript (in a sealed envelope) from each college/university attended.
- Official, competitive GRE score taken within the last five years.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in Psychology or another allied area.
- Evidence of successful completion of undergraduate courses in statistics and in the general area of experimental psychology.
- Résumé.
- Statement outlining the student's academic and professional background and goals, along with career aspirations and goals.
- Three letters of recommendation, with at least two furnished by college or university professors who are acquainted with the applicant.
Meeting minimum UCF admission criteria does not guarantee program admission. Final admission is based on evaluation of the applicant's abilities, past performance, recommendations, match of this program and faculty expertise to the applicant's career/academic goals, and the applicant's potential for completing the degree.
It is preferred that applicants to the program either have a bachelor's degree with a major in psychology, or a baccalaureate degree and completion of undergraduate psychology courses in statistics and research methods; and four additional upper-division courses (12 credit hours) in the core content areas of psychology, for a minimum of 18 upper-division hours in psychology. It is up to the discretion of the I/O admissions committee whether a student accepted into the I/O Psychology PhD program, with a bachelor's degree other than psychology, will be required to take upper-division courses in the core content areas of psychology.
Applicants should note that admission to the PhD program is competitive, and successful applicants are expected to have an outstanding academic record. Admission to the program is based upon an overall assessment of the applicant's potential for completing it and for making significant contributions to the science and/or practice of I/O psychology. Admissions decisions are generally made by the second week in March and applicants are notified of their status shortly thereafter. Note that admission to the program is restricted to the fall semester of each academic year.
Application Deadlines
| Industrial and Organizational Psychology PhD | *Fall Priority | Fall | Spring | Summer |
| Domestic Applicants | Dec 1 | Dec 1 | | |
| International Applicants | Dec 1 | Dec 1 | | |
*Applicants who plan to enroll full time in a degree program and who wish to be considered for university fellowships or assistantships should apply by the Fall Priority date.
Financial Information
Graduate students may receive financial assistance through fellowships, assistantships, tuition support, or loans. For more information, see the College of Graduate Studies Funding website, which describes the types of financial assistance available at UCF and provides general guidance in planning your graduate finances. The Financial Information section of the Graduate Catalog is another key resource.
Fellowship Information
Fellowships are awarded based on academic merit to highly qualified students. They are paid to students through the Office of Student Financial Assistance, based on instructions provided by the College of Graduate Studies. Fellowships are given to support a student's graduate study and do not have a work obligation. For more information, see UCF Graduate Fellowships, which includes descriptions of university fellowships and what you should do to be considered for a fellowship.
