Academics

Industrial and Organizational Psychology

PhD • Doctoral

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The PhD in Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology is a leading STEM-designated degree program, equipping students to tackle the scientific study and evidence-based practice of using psychological principles to understand and improve human behavior in workplaces and organizational settings.

Scientist–practitioner model
The program equally emphasizes both the generation and application of psychological science to improve the workplace. Students develop methodological expertise and fulfill the requirements for our Advanced Quantitative Methods in Psychology certificate as well as learn a balance of industrial and organizational topics aligned with the SIOP competency model. Students also take business courses and work on consulting and other experiential projects.

In addition, students select a specialization track allowing them to develop deeper expertise in psychology, business, or data science.

All students join an active faculty research lab and complete a research-based thesis, prospective doctoral exam, and dissertation before graduation. Students are given opportunities to, and encouraged to, present at conferences and publish papers in peer reviewed journals.
See the curriculum.

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Distinctive Advantages

  • Wide expertise with seven full-time faculty and multiple active laboratories, making us one of the largest I/O programs in breadth
  • Balanced curriculum mapping to SIOP standards, including methodology, industrial and organizational topics
  • Required business courses in business processes and HR strategy– Advanced Quantitative Methods certification plus training in R, Python and machine learning
  • Exclusive Data Science concentration in collaboration with Computer Science
  • Guaranteed funding for four years, plus robust support with onboarding, peer mentorship, celebratory events, travel and research support
  • Only I/O Psychology PhD in New Jersey – building on a rigorous MA program and earning strong regional reputation
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Program Structure

The PhD program requires 79–81 credit hours, with students completing 24 credits in the first year and about 18 credits in subsequent years. The initial year emphasizes coursework in statistics, research design, I/O psychology, and business, alongside building mentorship with faculty.

In the second year, students engage in advanced I-O topics and a year-long research project. After passing a preliminary exam, students spend the final years pursuing advanced seminars, teaching, dissertation work, and specialized areas of study that align with their research and career goals.



Admission Requirements

  • Equivalent of a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
  • Applicants with non-U.S. degrees: Please visit the international applicants page to review U.S. degree equivalency information.
  • Applicants must have a bachelor’s degree in psychology OR a minimum of 12 undergraduate credits in psychology, including a course in statistics and a laboratory experimental course. Please note: an introductory course in psychology does not count toward the minimum credit requirement, though it might be needed as a pre-requisite to other psychology courses.
  • Students demonstrating a strong background in psychology and behavioral research will be given priority.

Application Checklist

Application Deadline: December 1st.

  1. Deposit Required: An enrollment deposit is required upon admission and will be applied to your first semester’s tuition.
  2. Online Application: Submit application and $60 non-refundable fee (or waiver if applicable).
  3. Transcript: One from each college attended.
  4. Essays/Personal Statement:
    • What are your goals for graduate study and your future career?
    • What are some strengths that make you an excellent candidate for our program? You may also want to explain any areas of relative weakness.
    • What are some areas of research that you might be interested in?
    • What faculty members would you like to work with if you were to be accepted into our program?
    • Is there any further information we should consider in assessing your candidacy?
  5. Letters of Recommendation: Three (3), from those qualified to evaluate the your promise of academic achievement and potential for professional growth.
  6. Standardized Test Scores: GRE (General Test)
  7. Resume: Not required, but applicants are encouraged to include one.

Featured Faculty



Related Programs

The Department of Psychology offers two doctoral programs, three master’s degree programs with concentration options, one combined bachelor’s/master’s program, and one certification program.



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Get guidance on every step of the application process, from admission requirements and deadlines to transcripts, test scores and next steps toward enrollment. The Office of Graduate Admissions provides the information and resources needed to put forward a strong application.

Program Coordinator: Dr. Valerie Sessa

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