Industrial / Organizational Psychology

The Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology Program is designed to train psychologists who are qualified in the scientific study of human behavior in the world of work. We expect students to obtain a firm grounding in several basic areas of psychology and research methodology, as well as a thorough foundation in theory, research, and practical techniques specific to I/O psychology. Our program emphasizes the contributions of both industrial and organizational psychology to the understanding of workplace behavior. We train students to conduct both basic and applied research, and to apply of theory and research to organizational and human resource management problems in organizations.

Beyond the common core requirements, there are many opportunities to tailor the program to each individual student’s interests and objectives. For more information about the I/O psychology doctoral program, please see the program brochure.  Further courses in the department, electives in other departments, independent study projects, and research activities are selected by the student and his or her advisory committee. Seminars allow faculty and students to explore, in depth, topics of current mutual interest. Practicum arrangements in organizational settings expose students to some of the everyday problems of applying their research and professional skills. Each student is required to be involved in research and is encouraged to obtain supervised teaching experience in the course of his or her program.

The on-campus doctoral program admits only students interested in attaining the Ph.D. degree. If you are interested in a terminal master’s degree only, please see our online Master’s of Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology program (which is entirely separate from the doctoral program).

Past graduates have moved comfortably into jobs in personnel research departments of industrial and governmental organizations, psychology departments and business schools in universities, consulting firms, and research institutes.

Occupational Health Psychology

The CSU Department of Psychology offers a training concentration in Occupational Health Psychology (OHP) to students enrolled in the Ph.D. program. OHP is the application of psychological theories and research methods to protect and promote worker safety, health and well-being. OHP trainees are required to complete additional coursework in occupational health (Occupational Health Psychology, Principles of Ergonomics, and Prevention of Occupational Illnesses and Injuries) beyond the I/O psychology doctoral degree requirements. In addition to their coursework, OHP trainees conduct research in occupational health psychology, participate in multidisciplinary applied occupational health projects, and coordinate, deliver, and attend workshops and colloquia. Each student’s OHP program of study is discussed with and agreed upon by the student’s doctoral committee.​

The OHP program is funded by the Mountain & Plains Education and Research Center (ERC), one of only two NIOSH ERCs to support a graduate training program in Occupational Health Psychology (OHP).

For more information about the CSU OHP Program, click here.

George C. Thornton, III Graduate Scholarship

Through the generous donations of alumni and friends of the program, we have established the George C. Thornton, III Graduate Scholarship award through the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) Foundation. This scholarship recognizes a doctoral student in I/O Psychology who epitomizes the scientist/practitioner model in his or her training, research, and practicum experiences. For more information and to make a tax-deductible donation to grow the scholarship fund, please visit SIOP’s foundation website.