Online and Distance Learning

Taking an organizational psychology PhD is a good step towards a rewarding career. This page will help you to find out more about this career and to locate suitable programs, especially university online programs.

The role of a psychologist in an organization is to create a positive working environment, and to assist in maintaining harmony and good working relationships. It is a career that is challenging, but also very interesting and rewarding, especially for someone with a relevant PhD. 

Organizational psychology doctoral programs are very popular with graduate students. Many students who are are unable to attend on-campus classes take distance learning programs instead.  This page is for those students.   However, if you wish to explore the on-campus programs available, go to the on-campus programs page.

If you wish to study at the master's level, go to the masters in organizational psychology page.  You can also study it at the associate and bachelor levels.

Where can you take an organizational psychology PhD?

There are several schools where you can take an organizational or industrial psychology PhD online.  Here are a few selected ones:

• Capella University
  • PhD - Industrial / Organizational Psychology

• University of Phoenix Online
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Industrial / Organizational Psychology

• University of the Rockies
  • Doctor of Psychology
    • Business Psychology
    • Executive Coaching
    • International Leadership
    • Mediation and Conflict Resolution
    • Non-Profit Management
    • Organizational Consulting
    • Organizational Diversity
    • Organizational Leadership

• Browse more schools and programs at the foot of the page.

• Search for organizational psychology PhD programs.

What do you study in an organizational psychology doctorate program?

Careers in organizational psychology require you to deal with people in a number of business settings.  Thus, you need to know:

• how to improve the work place environments and workplace communications;
• how groups function;
• strategies for negotiations, problem solving and group cohesion.

In an industrial organizational psychology doctorate program you learn about adult, social, and group psychology as well as how to examine the culture of a given organization and evaluate the effect it has on the business so as to create work environments conducive to better performance.  You would also cover some of the following in depth: communication, advanced testing, statistical and research methodology, team building, motivational, analysis and evaluation, leadership, and critical thinking.

What jobs do graduates get?

With a PhD industrial psychology or PhD organizational psychology, you can choose a career in human resources, work in executive search firms, be a research consultant, or teach in universities.

Salaries are high among some of the jobs, but vary widely depending on the job type, geographical location, company size, education level and experience.  For example, as an HR Manager with 5-9 years experience, you would earn over US57,000 per annum (PayScale.com).  Some other job titles to look for are: Senior Research Consultant, Human Resources Consultant and Employee Relations Manager.

Related areas

You may also wish to look at the related areas listed below:

• business psychology;
• general psychology;
• leadership psychology degrees.

For more schools and programs