Ph.D. in General Psychology: Industrial and Organizational Psychology (Qualitative Research)

What is Industrial and Organizational Psychology?

Grand Canyon University’s qualitative Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology allows learners to study human behavior across a number of settings. This program focuses most on people in the workplace. Graduates will understand how relationships are formed and what makes people engaged and motivated. Studying these topics allows learners to consult and coach business professionals who wish to make improvements in relationship-building, culture and organizational performance.

The PhD in industrial and organizational psychology program was designed by the College of Doctoral Study to emphasize the following aspects of the field:

What Is a Qualitative PhD Organizational Psychology Degree?

Throughout this PhD in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program, students will employ qualitative research methodology to conduct their dissertations. This research methodology focuses on how and why people think, believe and behave a certain way, while quantitative research methodology focuses on analyzing events by interpreting numeric data. Students pursuing their qualitative PhD will create a sampling plan, design and field test research tools, collect data and conduct an analysis using a systematic approach.

Earn Your PhD in Industrial Organizational Psychology Online or On-Campus

The PhD in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program includes coursework in the history and theory of general psychology. Learners discuss key theories and synthesize how they apply to behavior in the workplace. Common psychological theories are examined as they formulate new ideas and practices.

Scholarly research is as the heart of the GCU PhD industrial organizational psychology online and on-campus programs. Learners evaluate existing research and consider the application and design used to formulate those principles. They also conduct independent research to better understand approaches to thought processes in the workplace such as memory, reasoning, intelligence, motivation and learning.

This work leads PhD industrial organizational learners to research and complete their own dissertation. Throughout the program, learners have numerous avenues of support with their dissertations including two or three hands-on doctoral residencies. Graduates who intend to pursue licensure will need to complete additional requirements, as this degree on its own does not lead directly to licensure.

Study Organizational Behaviors and Management Strategies

    Psychology of leadership
    
    Social and organizational principles to business and industry
    
    Probability, descriptive and inferential analyses of data and statistical testing
    
    Principles related to personnel and human resources management
    Research

Industrial and Organizational Psychology Careers

Learners who plan to work with all levels of employees will be supported by the coursework in the PhD in General Psychology with an Emphasis in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program. In order to support businesses that wish to help their workers excel, an expert in industrial organization must understand and be able to evaluate leadership, supervision and culture-building. At GCU, the study of these topics helps build that background:

Graduates of the PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology online or in-person program may become behavioral experts in the workplace and bring the methods of psychology to business. They may also find work as:

    Consultants
    
    Researcher
    
    Teacher at the university level

If you are eager to learn more about how psychology functions within work environments, a degree in industrial organizational psychology may be for you.