Doctoral Training in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
The Ph.D. in Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology at the University
of Missouri-St. Louis is a joint effort of faculty in the Department
of Psychology and the College of Business Administration. As a result,
we have developed an integrated curriculum in which students take courses,
participate in research, and interact with faculty and other students
in both areas.
Broadly speaking, the field of (I/O) Psychology focuses on factors that
influence individual and organizational effectiveness. This emphasis
can take many forms. Industrial (or Personnel) Psychology is an area
of study that deals with selecting and maintaining human resources in
organizations. It includes issues such as: job analysis, employment testing,
personnel selection, performance appraisal, and training. By taking courses
in this area, students will learn both theoretical and practical considerations
important to doing research on these topics and/or working in an organization.
Organizational Psychology, on the other hand, deals with more general theoretical approaches to understanding both individual behavior in organizations and organizations themselves. Important issues include: leadership, motivation, job attitudes, decision-making, group dynamics, job design, and organization development. While the general emphases of Industrial and Organizational Psychology are somewhat different, they are closely intertwined.
Through the coordinated efforts of the Psychology Department and the College of Business Administration, the I/O Psychology Program at UM-St. Louis provides a unique opportunity for studying these issues. By completing formal coursework and seminars with faculty members from both departments, assisting faculty in research and consulting projects, doing internships in local organizations, as well as developing one's own research interests, students in the I/O program are prepared equally well for a career in industry or academia.
Research Facilities
The Department of Psychology is housed in Stadler Hall, which is part
of a large research complex that features personal computer labs, social
psychological research suites, state-of-the-art instructional technology,
and a wide range of other research laboratories. The personal computer
labs are linked to a campus network that provides access to numerous
advanced software applications, scientific data-bases, electronic mail,
and the World Wide Web.