Doctor of Philosophy in Organizational Psychology

Program Description/Overview

The program combines coursework in psychology and organizational theory with specialized courses in organization development and change, industrial-organizational psychology, consulting to organizations, and human resources management. The curriculum includes two half-time academic year (or equivalent) applied practice internships, which students can complete across a variety of settings, including consulting firms, major corporations and other businesses, government agencies, and not-for-profit community organizations.

Completing the curriculum is designed to take four years if students attend full-time. The program will take longer to complete if students attend part-time. Also, students sometimes take longer to complete the dissertation, especially for those working full-time. New enrollment occurs twice per year: Fall and Spring. However, beginning in Spring may require part-time enrollment due to the required sequencing of some courses.

Emphasis/Concentration/Tracks

Students choose either one of two concentrations or the consulting psychology specialization as a required part of the curriculum. The two concentration areas are Strategic Human Resource Management and Executive Coaching. The three courses making up each of the concentrations are part of the program. In addition, there is an optional specialization in the field of Consulting Psychology. Students in Consulting Psychology receive guidance from faculty on how to prepare for licensure, as do all students who inquire.

Program Learning Outcomes/Goals

1. Understand and critically evaluate the organizational and consulting psychology literature.
2. Ability to apply evidence-based professional practice of organizational and consulting psychology to assess and intervene at the individual, group, and organizational levels.
3. Knowledge of research design, measurement, and statistical tools appropriate for basic research as well as for applied research in such areas as organizational consulting, selection testing, surveys, and program evaluations.
4. Ability to integrate knowledge of ethical and legal behavior in organizational studies and professional practice.
5. Development of a positive, pro-active and non-judgmental attitude towards diverse cultural and international identities and in interpersonal and professional interactions.
6. Ability to deliver culturally competent professional services in their respective areas to diverse populations.
7. Skills in applying psychometric concepts to problems in industrial-organizational psychology.

Training Model

The program combines coursework, professional practice, and research in industrial-organizational and consulting psychology. Academic studies are integrated with the equivalent of one academic year of full-time internship. Since most internships are completed in business organizations, not-for-profit organizations, or public sector agencies, they provide good opportunities to build relationships with experts in the field outside of the university. Underlying this program is the belief that effective organizational change is founded on a thorough understanding of scientific research and experience about human behavior in the workplace. Change is also based on practitioners’ ability to develop relationships with their clients and coworkers to work jointly on issues relating to organizational effectiveness.

Graduates are prepared for careers in a wide variety of practice areas, including consulting to managers and leaders, team development and consultation, organizational assessment and design, coaching, human resources management, organization development and change, diversity and inclusion work, and talent management.

Coursework in the program covers three primary areas: theory, research, and professional practice. In addition, courses focus on multicultural and international applications of behavioral science and management-related knowledge and skills. Students in the program first complete the required coursework and electives in areas such as organizational theory, scientific foundations of organizational psychology, group development, consulting skills, intervention skills, leading/facilitating organization change, as well as research design and research methods. After passing the qualifying/comprehensive examination, students continue with advanced coursework that includes additional required courses, supervised internship hours, and completion of the dissertation research. Students’ professional internship training is completed under the supervision of field-based professionals and faculty, while the design, conduct, and write-up of a research-based dissertation occurs under the guidance of a faculty advisor.

Within the structure of the curriculum, students have opportunities to customize their education and training based on their professional career goals, through elective coursework, professional fieldwork training, and dissertation research. Students work closely with faculty, the Internship Coordinator, and the Program Director to determine areas of specific professional and academic focus. The coursework during the first two years of study for full-time students (three or more years for part-time students) is intended to develop the foundational competencies required for future professional careers. The two concentrations and one specialization provide students with the opportunity to pursue specific areas in greater depth. Elective courses may also be taken. The internship experiences and the dissertation research also allow students to develop expertise and experience in specific areas of professional interest.

Professional Behavior Expectations/Ethical Guidelines

As professionals-in-training, students in the program are required, in addition to any university-wide behavioral requirements, to comply with the ethics code of the American Psychological Association (see apa.org). Any ethical or professional behavior problems may be referred to the SERC and Program Director for action.

Licensure

Organizational Psychologists may or may not require licensure as a psychologist to practice their profession. Only the Consulting Psychology specialization offered in San Diego builds into the curriculum the necessary courses to prepare for licensure. Students anticipating seeking licensure are advised to consider the specialization. The internships for the CP specialization generally require supervision by a licensed psychologist approved by the Program Director. Students in the CP specialization may seek registration as a CA psychological assistant to enable some of their internship hours to count for the CA licensure supervised experience requirement. Although this specialization helps students prepare for psychology licensure, other OP PhD students may seek licensure by taking additional courses and supervised experiences that have been built into the CP specialization (see http://www.psychboard.ca.gov/ for licensure requirements in CA or the psychology licensure board websites of other states, provinces or other jurisdictions in which psychologist licensure is being considered.

Internship, Practicum, and/or Dissertation Information

Students develop professional practice related skills in organizational psychology and organizational consulting through a variety of professional training experiences, including class projects, case studies, in-class simulations, and internship. The internship is designed to provide students with in-depth supervised professional practice learning experiences. In their third or fourth year of a full-time program, students participate in 1,280 hours of supervised professional internships in the business community, non-profit or public sector - for a total of 8 units.

Credit Units

Total Credit Units: 98*

Total Core Credit Units: 83

Total Elective Credit Units: 6

Total Concentration Credit Units: 9*

*Additional units are required for students completing the Consulting Psychology specialization.

Degree Requirements

At the beginning of their third year, students demonstrate mastery of the program competencies through comprehensive examinations.

Prerequisite Courses

Two approaches are possible for completion of program pre-requisites:

1. An undergraduate or graduate degree in psychology from a regionally accredited university or equivalent;
2. Completion of the following three courses in psychology from a regionally accredited university or equivalent:
   1. Introduction to Psychology;
   2. Statistics course with a grade of B or better;
   3. One other course in psychology.

Emphasis/Concentration/Track Requirements

Elective Requirements

Elective options for students must be approved by the site Program Director but generally can be chosen from among courses in the following areas: Organizational, Clinical, or Forensic Psychology; Business, Management, or Leadership. Note that students must have completed the prerequisites for the courses submitted to the site PD for approval.

The availability of these elective courses will vary from semester to semester and from campus to campus. 

Curriculum Plan