Because social science research involves a heavy statistical basis, I-O psychology students must have a strong understanding of research methodology and statistical analysis. According to the Society of Industrial and Organizational Psychology, while students at all levels are expected to demonstrate basic proficiency in research methods and statistics, as students advance, they are expected to master increasingly advanced topics. Because doctoral students will be able to perform research, their training includes a stronger focus on research methodology and statistics than master's degree students' training because I-O psychologists with master's degrees generally conduct research only under supervision. According to the SIOP, "Master's-level students will typically be consumers of I-O knowledge rather than producers of new knowledge."
The SIOP specifies that I-O psychology programs provide students with instruction in core psychology topics, such as personality, learning and social psychology. These topics underlie the more specialized disciplines within I-O psychology, such as employee training. In many cases, students with undergraduate degrees in psychology will have met these requirements as part of their undergraduate coursework.
I-O psychology is a specialized field that finds application in the business world. As such, I-O coursework applies psychological theories to issues and institutions found within the workplace. For example, students study task analysis, hiring, performance appraisal, training, work motivation and organizational theory.
Studies in areas such as business, management and economics often overlap significantly with the study of I-O psychology. Because of this, many I-O programs offer coursework in these areas or count classes taken in related disciplines toward elective requirements. Furthermore, some programs offer interdisciplinary degrees or double degrees, such as combined master's degree in I-O psychology and an MBA. SIOP identifies proficiency in these related disciplines as desirable but not necessary to success in I-O psychology.
Success in I-O psychology requires students to demonstrate good work habits and a strong work ethic, to conduct quality library research and to remain sensitive to issues of culture and diversity. While I-O psychology students tend not to take coursework in these areas, they should be built in throughout graduate study, assuring that graduates possess these essential skills.
Because I-O psychology is an applied discipline, I-O programs frequently require or at least offer students the opportunity to apply their skills as part of an internship or other field experience. Of the eight top I-O programs ranked by U.S. News & World Report in 2009, six of them either required or encouraged students to pursue applied field experience.
Other programs have a research focus and require students to conduct and present original research as part of a thesis or dissertation. Because I-O psychologists with doctoral degrees are able to conduct research, SIOP requires that doctoral programs include more research training, and a dissertation is required for the degree. Master's degree programs vary in whether they require a thesis, and some schools allow the student to substitute field experience for a thesis. Some schools also require students to pass a comprehensive exam before being awarded a degree.