Dr. Patrick McCarthy's
I/O Psychology
Overview Notes

What is Industrial/Organizational Psychology?

involves research and application of the methods, facts, and principles of psychology to people at their work

Topics of Study

Industrial side: (sometimes called "personnel psychology")

job analysis
job evaluation & compensation
performance appraisal & feedback
abilities & performance (e.g., abilities critical to effective managerial performance)
fairness in personnel decision-making

EEO, workplace discrimination, affirmative action, sexual harassment
much of the landmark research & legal precedents happening today

staffing: recruiting, selection, placement

interviews, biodata, ability testing, assessment centers

training & development
human factors (engineering psychology) & working conditions

Organizational side:

organizational behavior, work teams

social behavior, communications, decision-making (styles & effectiveness), creativity, group dynamics/processes, organizational culture, org change

job satisfaction, attitudes, & job stress

work-family balance a hot topic currently

personality characteristics important to performance
motivation
leadership
job design & organizational development
individual, group, & cultural differences
career counseling
union-management relations
conflict management
consumer psychology

Any difficulty seeing the relevance of this field to human resources management?

Where do I/O psychologists work?

1993 study:

35% colleges/universities
34% consulting firms
19% business/industry
12% government

Dr. McCarthy has worked in all of these settings

How become I/O psychologist?

What opportunities for Bachelor's, vs. Master's, vs. Doctorate degrees?

job prospects are terrific in this field
a Bachelor's degree with an emphasis on I/O psych makes you very employable

typically yields an entry-level job for a company in business & industry (as is the case for most BA/BS degrees)

very few colleges/universities offer an undergraduate major in I/O psych, but many offer I/O-related courses
Middle Tennessee State University one rare example offering I/O major...and also has one of the elite Masters I/O programs in the country as well
topics listed above relevant to a wide variety of work settings, including (and perhaps especially) human resources management

however, formal recognition as an I/O Psychologist typically requires a graduate degree

Master's in I/O opens many more opportunities, just as MBA does over undergrad business major
best and most opportunities come with a Doctorate

e.g., basically all FT academic positions, most higher-level consulting jobs
APA survey showed only 0.5% of those with I/O Doctorate unemployed/seeking job

What's it take to get into an I/O graduate program?

obviously, a strong academic record

Doctoral programs most competitive; Master's still expect consistent, positive track record

research experience a big plus, and often essential for doctoral programs

experience, such as internships, always a plus

strongly recommended even if not going to graduate school
if only have Bachelor's, track record of successful experience is invaluable! big advantage!
internships terrific career boosts, sharpening interests, skills, & opportunities

start preparing early . . . during sophomore & junior years . . . do not wait until senior year

More questions about I/O Psychology?

see Dr. Patrick McCarthy (Jones Hall 354), or any of the other I/O faculty

MTSU offers an undergraduate major in I/O Psychology, and a Master's degree in I/O

The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology offers an additional brief description about what I/O psychologists do.

Here is where you can return to Dr. McCarthy's Course Supplements webpage

Or you can go to his Homepage, if you like

Copyright 1997 Patrick M. McCarthy

Last updated: 8 December 1999
URL: http://www.mtsu.edu/~pmccarth/io_ovrvw.htm
Send comments to: PMCCARTH@mtsu.edu