Industrial Organizational Psychology, Ph.D.

Florida Tech's industrial-organizational psychology program is defined by a strong commitment to scholarly rigor, professional development and collaborative engagement. Small class sizes and accessible faculty support a mentoring approach that emphasizes individualized guidance and high academic standards.

Students are encouraged to pursue their specific research and applied interests while engaging with a range of perspectives across the discipline. While the training is intensive and comprehensive, the overall environment remains collegial and supportive.

Our I/O psychology faculty bring extensive research expertise into close collaboration with doctoral students, offering opportunities to contribute to ongoing research programs in areas such as group trust, computer-mediated communication, employee engagement, self-regulation and the effects of dishonesty in the hiring process.

As an I/O Ph.D. student, you’ll work closely with faculty mentors to design and lead original research, with the expectation of publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at academic conferences. Students regularly serve as lead and co-authors on scholarly manuscripts. This experience helps students build a strong publication record and develop as independent researchers.

The industrial-organizational psychology Ph.D. program is grounded in the scientist-practitioner model.

You'll conduct original research that contributes to the field while gaining experience translating findings into organizational settings. Faculty mentorship and collaborative research teams support your growth as an independent scholar.

This approach prepares you to generate new knowledge, engage with complex human behavior in organizations and apply evidence-based insights in academic, research or high-level consulting roles.

All students complete a doctoral dissertation reflecting a deep, theory-driven exploration of complex organizational phenomena.

Research is introduced early in the curriculum, allowing students to develop the skills needed to design and conduct independent studies. Formal dissertation research begins after successful completion of the comprehensive examination, with the fourth year typically devoted to completing the dissertation.

Students without a prior master’s thesis will also complete a thesis as part of the doctoral program, generally beginning in the first year and finishing by the end of the second year.

The program offers a concentration in international I/O psychology. This concentration includes classes in cross-cultural psychology and international business, and students are encouraged to conduct research or take classes with the program's international partners.

Academic units at Florida Tech may offer graduate student assistantships to full-time, degree-seeking graduate students on a competitive basis.

Teaching Assistants (TAs) support faculty in teaching undergraduate and graduate courses, including tasks such as grading, tutoring and conducting office hours. First-time TAs attend a teaching assistant seminar to prepare for their responsibilities.

Research Assistants (RAs) collaborate with faculty on projects funded by government agencies, private sponsors and university research funds.

For current information about assistantships, please contact the School of Psychology.

Florida Tech offers a safe and welcoming campus environment that supports advanced research alongside personal well-being. The campus includes extensive green spaces, such as the Joy and Gordon Patterson Botanical Garden, along with facilities like the Holzer Health Center and Clemente Center for health, fitness and stress management.

Located minutes from the Indian River Lagoon and 72 miles of Atlantic beaches, the university combines access to outdoor recreation with proximity to industry and government organizations that contribute to research collaboration and career development.

Applicants may apply to the I/O Ph.D. program with either a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Prospective students are encouraged to contact faculty before applying to discuss research fit and, if possible, visit campus to learn more about the program.

Admission is competitive and limited, with a priority application deadline of December 1. New I/O psychology students begin in the Fall semester only.

For more information, including application requirements and deadlines, please see our graduate admission requirements.