Online Class: Organizational Psychology 101

While jobs still remain in this field that requires only an undergraduate degree, most have moved to higher expectations. It is possible to find entry level positions that seek individuals at the undergraduate level, however, if you want to move into a specialized, higher earning area, then you will, at some point, have to seek an advanced degree. If you desire to be an I/O "psychologist" then you must earn a master's degree and, in some cases, even a PhD in the field. 

However, if you are not sure what specialty you desire or would like to learn more about the field while getting "hands-on" experience before making the huge commitment to graduate studies there are some options. It is possible to "scope out" the field by taking a position closely related to it and in this manner discover if I/O psychology is something you would like to pursue further. There are also many companies who will provide tuition reimbursement to those seeking to advance their studies. These are fantastic opportunities as they allow you to work within the area of interest while earning your degree part-time. After your degree is earned it is likely that you will be offered a position in I/O within the company you have been working for. 

Some possibilities for undergraduates include retail management, human resource management, organizational development, industrial relations, ergonomics, personnel analysis, and marketing research. Generally speaking a master's degree will provide more I/O opportunities upon graduation then will a bachelor's degree.

Just as you did for your bachelor's degree, you will want to research various universities and colleges to find the curriculum that best suits your current needs and future goals. As most spots in excellent I/O programs are limited you must be sure to keep your GPA as high as possible and prepare well for your Graduate Record Exam. To get into the best programs a GPA of 3.5 or higher for your junior and senior years is required. Graduate schools do not take freshman and sophomore GPA scores into consideration, so if you slacked in your first two years, there is still hope for you to reach your goals of attending a good to excellent I/O program! 

There are many fine courses available for GRE test preparation and you should begin looking into them by your junior year of college. Consult your student advisor to get the best information for you in regard to the best universities for your needs.

Conclusion

If you desire a high earning position in Industrial and Organizational Psychology then you must earn a master's degree in the field. Whether or not to pursue a PhD is a choice you will have to make as you advance in your educational or working career. PhDs on the whole earn more money; however, jobs for such highly educated individuals are fewer and more competitive. If you plan on entering the field of academic research then a PhD would be your best choice; for the private sector, however, a master's will serve you quite well. 

Be sure to prepare well for your graduate studies well before you take that step. Preparation should come in the form of keeping your GPA as high as possible and by earning a score of at least a 1030 on your GREs. It would also aid you considerably to take a course or read several books on organizing yourself and maintaining your schedule to increase your chances of making it through graduate school successfully.