About Industrial-Organizational Psychology

Below are some frequently asked questions about our program:

How large is the Industrial-Organizational (I-O) Psychology group?

We have five regular faculty members (Adair, Beck, Bobocel, Brown, and Michela). We typically have between sixteen and twenty graduate students at different stages of their graduate careers.

What are your research interests?

Currently, faculty and students engage in studies of negotiation, conflict management, motivation and self-regulatory processes, fairness, leadership, and the motivational and learning processes required for effective experiential learning for development of professional competencies.

What facilities do you have for research and consulting?

Facilities for both laboratory and field research are excellent at Waterloo. A suite of cubicle rooms and several larger rooms are dedicated to laboratory research in I-O Psychology. We also have a common computer lab and work area for applied projects.

What types of career options are available?

A degree in I-O psychology is highly marketable and provides considerable flexibility in terms of subsequent employment. Following graduation, our students have obtained employment in both academia and in industry. In terms of academia, our students have obtained employment in both departments of psychology as well as schools of business. In industry, our students have gone on to work as consultants, human resource professionals, and in training or organizational development roles.

See Grads - Where are they now for further details.

How is your program organized?

Our program is research focused and we expect that all students will be actively engaged in research during their time as graduate students.  Among students who obtain the PhD, either the MASc or MA degree may be obtained en route. In addition, we also have the option for a terminal MASc.

How long does it take to complete a PhD?

Our PhD program typically takes five or six years to complete.

How does your funding work?

See Funding and Awards for future students for details.