What Can You Do with a Degree in Organizational Psychology?

What Can You Do with a Degree in Organizational Psychology?
By Chloe Dembski
Reviewed By Dr. James Barham
Published:

If you’re searching for the best psychology-centric institutes offering degrees in organizational psychology, here are some of the top schools in the US.

 
UniversityEstimated Tuition CostRequired Credits To GraduateAccreditationDelivery Format
University of Central FloridaResident: $6,916; Non-Resident: $25,75938 creditsSACSCOCOn-campus + Online
CUNY Bernard M Baruch CollegeResident: $11,090; Non-Resident: $20,52036 creditsMSCHEOn-campus
University of GeorgiaResident: $8,878; Non-Resident: $25,18636 creditsSACSCOCOn-campus + Online
Michigan State UniversityResident:$16,522; Non-Resident: $44,72630 creditsHLCOnline
San Jose State UniversityResident: $7,176; Non-Resident: $16,68030 creditsWASCOn-campus + Online
Georgia Institute of TechnologyResident: $11,764; Non-Resident: $32,87630 creditsSACSCOCOn campus

Key Takeaways

  • Most organizational psychologists have at least a master’s degree, and many go on to earn a doctorate degree.
  • The state where you practice organizational psychology may require you to be licensed.
  • Organizational psychologists need analytical, data analysis, and conflict resolution skills to be successful.

Opportunities in organizational psychology are expected to rise by 6% from 2022 and 2031 in the US.  If you are not sure what can you do with a degree in organizational psychology, we have compiled a comprehensive guide on everything you need to know.

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Featured Programs

What can you do with a degree in organizational psychology?

A degree in organizational psychology offers rewarding career opportunities. It makes you eligible to learn and manage the behavior of groups. Here are the five professions you can enter with this degree:

Career TitleAverage Annual SalaryWork Environments
Human Resource (HR) Consultants$77,861Consulting firms, IT companies, healthcare organizations
Change Management Specialists$86,768IT departments, consulting firms, government agencies
Talent Management Coordinators$57,341IT departments, human resources departments, large corporations
Organization Effectiveness Consultants$105,000Consulting firms, IT companies, manufacturing companies
HR Administrators$60,750IT companies, small businesses, non-profit organizations

Human Resource (HR) Consultants

HR consultants play a vital role in connecting HR strategies with the general goals of a business. They support leaders by improving and applying important HR tasks. These experts act as advisors, helping to understand and apply workplace rules. They answer questions and advise on tricky HR issues.

Change Management Specialists

Change Management Specialists help organizations adapt to new situations. They work closely with top executives, leaders, and managers to make changes smoothly. Their projects can include reorganizing the company, starting new systems, or making big changes to how things are done.

Talent Management Coordinators

Talent Management Coordinators play a vital role within organizations. They work closely with HR directors and managers to enhance employee performance and development. These professionals are integral in cultivating an organizational culture. This culture supports growth and high team performance. 

Organization Effectiveness Consultants

Organization Effectiveness Consultants specialize in enhancing the performance and efficiency of client organizations. These consultants are pivotal in guiding companies through transformational changes and strategic initiatives.

HR Administrators

HR Administrators handle a broad spectrum of responsibilities that vary by company and industry. They look after the key HR programs and initiatives, playing a strategic role in hiring. Ensuring employee compliance with HR policies is also their job. They are also responsible for collaborating closely with management on workforce planning.

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How can you become an organizational psychologist?

These professionals apply psychological principles to improve work environments. Their job includes enhancing employee performance, boosting morale, and increasing organizational effectiveness.

Here’s how you can become an organizational psychologist:

Get a Bachelor’s Degree

A bachelor’s qualification is a prerequisite to getting a degree in organizational psychology. Usually, students from a psychology background pursue this degree for specialization. It’s not mandatory. You can do a degree in organizational psychology with various bachelor’s degrees.

Specialize in Psychology

After earning a bachelor’s degree, the next step is to pursue a specialized degree in psychology. Students can pursue a master’s in psychology. It opens up career opportunities for HR managers and business development consultants. They can also work as organizational effectiveness managers.

Many continue their education by joining a doctorate program while working. Gaining a doctorate, like a Psy.D. or Ph.D. in psychology, expands career options. You can earn more by preparing graduates for high-level positions.

Secure a State License

State laws may need a license to practice. The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology has licensing requirements on its website. Typically, states give practitioners up to 60 days to secure a license.

Get a Certification

After obtaining a doctorate, graduates are ready to work in psychology. Many choose to get board certification to increase their credentials. Earning certification often means juggling full-time work with fulfilling certification requirements, which include 1,000 hours of professional experience and research.

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Skills Required for a Job in Organizational Psychology

Organizational psychologists need both technical and people skills. Technical skills are learned in school and training. On the other hand, people skills, also called “soft” skills, come naturally. They get better with experience.

Here are the important skills for an organizational psychologist:

  • Analytical Abilities: They must understand complex behaviors and how workplaces function. They need to be good at looking at data and using it to find ways to make positive changes at work.
  • Data Analysis Skills: Good decisions in organizations depend on good data analysis. Psychologists need to know how to handle different kinds of data, such as survey answers and information about people. They should know how to use statistics, make clear charts, and pick the right tools to support their ideas and recommendations.
  • Conflict Resolution Skills: Psychologists solve disagreements at work. Being able to deal with conflicts, understand different sides, and suggest fair solutions is important.
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Top Institutes for a Degree in Organizational Psychology

  1. #1

    University of Central Florida

    Orlando , FL
    #3 Top 20 Best Military Friendly Online Colleges Ranked for 2024 #5 Top 15 Best Online Colleges for Transfer Students in 2024 #19 Most Affordable Graduate Schools Ranked for 2025 #3 Best Public Colleges in Florida 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $6K

    Acceptance

    41%

    Graduation

    76%

    Student body

    82K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1280/27

    Career Outlook for Organizational Psychology degree at University of Central Florida

    Cost of Degree: $6,368
    Expenses: $17,668
    Starting Salary: $31,965
    Salary after 4 years: $43,478
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    • It is located in Orlando, Florida, and offers a special program in psychology.
    • Students can finish this program in about two years and can choose to do a big project at the end.
    • The university has a high retention rate of 91% and an acceptance rate of 44%.
    • In-state tuition is $6,916, and Out-of-state tuition is $25,759.

    The University of Central Florida is great because it fuses regular class learning with practical activities. The combination helps students learn better. The school also allows students to pay for their classes with assistantships and fellowships.

    University of Central Florida’s Online Degrees

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    • Required Credits: 120
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    • Required Credits: 120
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    • Required Credits: 120
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    • Required Credits: 120
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    • Required Credits: 120
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  2. #2

    Baruch College

    New York , NY
    #21 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #6 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in New York 2024 #8 Most Affordable Colleges in New York 2025 #9 Best Public Colleges in New York 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $7K

    Acceptance

    50%

    Graduation

    74%

    Student body

    24K

    Career Outlook for Organizational Psychology degree at Baruch College

    Cost of Degree: $7,464
    Expenses: $25,620
    Starting Salary: $39,707
    Salary after 4 years: $54,008
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    • The College is a part of the City University of New York and offers a psychology program.
    • The program teaches students about research, solving problems, and using stats, ending with a big project.
    • The college boasts a retention rate of 90.4%.
    • In-state tuition is $11,090, and Out-of-state tuition is $20,520.

    CUNY Bernard M Baruch College combines regular classes with online learning. The combo is perfect for students living in a busy city like New York. The psychology program helps students learn about theories and how to use them in real jobs. It is great for students who want to use what they learn through practical experiences.

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  3. #3

    University of Georgia

    Athens , GA
    #14 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #2 Most Affordable Colleges in Georgia Ranked for Students in 2024 #2 Best Grad Schools in Georgia 2024 #2 Best Public Colleges in Georgia 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $11K

    Acceptance

    43%

    Graduation

    88%

    Student body

    44K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1320/29

    Career Outlook for Organizational Psychology degree at University of Georgia

    Cost of Degree: $11,180
    Expenses: $16,362
    Starting Salary: $36,898
    Salary after 4 years: $50,186
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    • The UGA offers a psychology program that requires 36 credits to complete. Classes are taught by field experts and working psychologists from Atlanta.
    • Students learn important skills, such as how to hire the right people, keep workers happy, and design job roles.
    • There’s also a part of the program where students practice what they’ve learned to improve their consulting skills.
    • In-state tuition is $8,878, and Out-of-state tuition is $25,186.
    • UGA keeps 96% of its students returning every year, and 45% of those who apply get in. There are 38,920 students, and 14% of them take classes online.

    The University of Georgia teaches students to apply their knowledge to real jobs. The part of the program where students practice with real companies is very helpful for learning how to be good consultants.

    Students also learn from experts who work in big businesses in Atlanta, which helps them make resourceful connections. The school also has a program that allows students to meet and learn from alumni who are well-established in the field.

    University of Georgia’s Online Degrees

    BS in Education
    Degree Concentrations
    • Special Education
    • Required Credits: 120
    • Completion Time: None Reported
    • Format: Online
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    4. Woman reading a book in a public library
  5. #4

    Michigan State University

    East Lansing , MI
    #21 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2025 #23 50 Best Public Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2025 #24 50 Best Public Grad Schools 2025 #2 Best Grad Schools in Michigan 2024
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $17K

    Acceptance

    88%

    Graduation

    82%

    Student body

    54K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1260/28

    Career Outlook for Organizational Psychology degree at Michigan State University

    Cost of Degree: $16,617
    Expenses: $15,618
    Starting Salary: $39,457
    Salary after 4 years: $53,668
    Cost Recoup Time: 12 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    • The Organizational Psychology program at Michigan State University requires completion of 36 credit hours.
    • Students in the program develop needed skills in areas such as talent acquisition, employee satisfaction, and job role design, preparing them for impactful careers in organizational psychology.
    • A key component of the program involves practical application, allowing students to enhance their consulting abilities.
    • Tuition for the program is $16,522 per year for in-state students and $44,726 per year for out-of-state students, with a high retention rate of 92% and an acceptance rate of 66%.

    Michigan State University is renowned for its strong academic reputation and commitment to excellence in research and education. The Organizational Psychology program at MSU is designed to provide students with a rigorous and comprehensive understanding of the field.

    Graduates of the program emerge as highly skilled professionals ready to address the complex challenges of the modern workplace.

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  6. #5

    San Jose State University

    San Jose , CA
    #22 50 Best Liberal Arts Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students #3 Best Liberal Arts Colleges in California 2025 #4 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Communications Degrees 2025 #15 Best Liberal Arts Colleges for Earning Business Degrees in 2025
    Other Rankings

    Tuition + fees

    $8K

    Acceptance

    77%

    Graduation

    68%

    Student body

    41K

    Career Outlook for Organizational Psychology degree at San Jose State University

    Cost of Degree: $7,899
    Expenses: $22,951
    Starting Salary: $39,832
    Salary after 4 years: $54,178
    Cost Recoup Time: 11 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary
    • SJSU offers a master’s program in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
    • Classes are small, with 10-12 students each.
    • The program includes courses on personnel psychology, psychometrics, and data analysis.
    • Students can also choose electives in training and development.
    • Located in Silicon Valley, SJSU provides access to top company internships.
    • Students complete a 6-12 month internship and a master’s thesis.
    • In-state tuition is $7,176, and Out-of-state tuition is $16,680.
    • SJSU has a retention rate of 87% and an acceptance rate of 64%.
    • The university has 36,085 students, with 35% enrolled in online classes.

    San Jose State University is an ideal location in Silicon Valley. The small class sizes assure personalized attention and encourage collaboration.

    The curriculum is well-rounded, combining theoretical knowledge with practical applications. It offers flexibility to explore different disciplines, such as Business Administration. This approach prepares students to handle various workplace challenges effectively.

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  7. #6

    Georgia Tech

    Atlanta , GA
    #10 Best Value Colleges and Universities Ranked for Students in 2024 #13 America's 15 Most Technologically Advanced Colleges #25 Most Affordable Colleges and Universities in the U.S. 2025 #1 Most Affordable Colleges in Georgia Ranked for Students in 2024
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    Tuition + fees

    $12K

    Acceptance

    17%

    Graduation

    93%

    Student body

    52K

    Median SAT/ACT

    1460/33

    Career Outlook for Organizational Psychology degree at Georgia Tech

    Cost of Degree: $11,764
    Expenses: $16,342
    Starting Salary: $53,630
    Salary after 4 years: $72,944
    Cost Recoup Time: 9 years
    Paid back at 15% of annual salary

    Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)

    • The Organizational Psychology program at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) offers a comprehensive curriculum that requires completion of 36 credit hours.
    • Students in the program gain important skills in areas such as talent management, organizational behavior, and data-driven decision-making, preparing them for successful careers in industrial-organizational psychology.
    • Tuition for the program is $11,764 per year for in-state students and $32,876 per year for out-of-state students, with a high retention rate of 94% and an acceptance rate of 37%.

    The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is renowned for its cutting-edge research and commitment to innovation, offering a dynamic and intellectually stimulating environment for students. The Organizational Psychology program at Georgia Tech is designed to provide students with a robust foundation in the field.

    With a focus on practical application and experiential learning, the program assures that graduates are well-prepared to address complex challenges in the workplace and drive meaningful change within organizations.

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Popular Organizational Psychology Certifications To Progress In Your Career

While a degree in organizational psychology opens doors to senior-level positions, pursuing relevant certifications can demonstrate your specialized knowledge and commitment to the field. These credentials enhance your profile as an organizational psychologist, increase your earning potential, and position you as a subject matter expert.

Here are a few popular I-O psychology certifications:

SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)

This certification is offered by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM). It validates your expertise in HR practices as an organizational psychologist, like recruitment, performance management, and employee relations.

Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR)

This advanced certification, also offered by SHRM, builds upon the SHRM-CP and is ideal for experienced HR professionals. Acquiring this certification demonstrates that you possess a high level of competency in strategic HR functions, making you a valuable asset for senior leadership roles.

Certified Employee Relations Specialist

This certification is administered by the International Foundation of Employee Relations Associations (IFERA). This certification equips you with the skills to manage conflict resolution, conduct workplace investigations, and navigate legal issues, making you a go-to person for employee well-being and organizational harmony.

Professional in Human Resources (PHR)

This entry-level HR Certification Institute (HRCI) certification provides a solid foundation in core HR practices. It’s ideal for organizational psychology graduates looking to enter the HR field. With this certification, you can leverage your understanding of human behavior in an organizational context.

Related Questions

Is IO Psychology a good career?

Yes! IO Psychology is a promising career. Experts call it a natural marriage between psychology and business. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment growth of 6% for professionals between 2022 and 2032.

What is the future of organizational psychology?

In the future of organizational psychology, advancements in data collection and deep learning systems are important. They will provide unprecedented insights into human behavior. As metrics and data volumes grow, the understanding will improve significantly.

Is IO Psychology just HR?

No, IO psychology goes beyond human resource management. They are involved in important decision-making, from hiring to management, marketing, and growth operations. IO psychologists study human behavior and can be utilized in many areas of work.

Conclusion

A degree in Organizational Psychology offers a wealth of diverse career paths and opportunities. As organizations continue to evolve and prioritize the well-being and development of their workforce, the demand for skilled organizational psychologists is set to grow, making it a dynamic and rewarding field to enter.

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