A PhD is a research degree. Students who are not particularly interested in research would likely be more satisfied in a MA program. MA programs are designed to produce practical skills in a reasonable amount of time.  MA graduates might apply IO principles to organizations internally or externally, and starting salaries are similar to the PhD. However, MA salaries plateau a bit earlier than PhD earnings. Thus, PhD graduates have higher lifetime earnings. They generally also have more responsibility, autonomy, and flexbility in their workplaces. However, both degrees are in high demand and students should not consider the MA to be a weaker version of the PhD. They are simply different.

For students who want to do research during and after their schooling, the PhD is a great option.  People who graduate with the PhD go on to solve organizational problems. 

PhD training emphasizes both personnel (e.g., selection, performance appraisal, training) and organizational (e.g., motivation, group processes, morale) content, but you may be suprised to learn how much these topics overlap. I generally consider my lab to be organizational and OHP (occupational health psychology) in focus. 

Additional training focuses on professional skills, including 1) conveying information via presentation, 2) clear and concise writing, 3) expertise through understanding of the research literature, 4) professional discussion, 5) research inquisitiveness and scientifically grounded curiosity. 

We look for applicants who are research minded and interested in expertise. We will look at your undergraduate grades, particularly in statistics. Graduates cannot select people or measure their performance if they do not understand statistical prediction and how to measure human qualities, so quantitative skills are a large part of IO psychology training at any program. That is no exception here. Aside from undergrad grades, the GRE or grad-level grades can provide evidence regarding your academic potential. Research experience can demonstrate that you are interested in a research degree and understand what the PhD program entails.  Finally, we look at the research statement. Statements that do not discuss research, have spelling errors, or are written informally do not reflect well on the writer. It does help to indicate why you want to apply to our program, but you do not need to call out a specific faculty member who you want to work with. At CMU, students can change advisors or work with multiple, so it's more important to us that you will be successful in classes, helpful in our labs, and collaborative with the other students.

I am currently taking on one graduate student for the upcoming school year, either as incoming students or from among our current students. I am looking primarily for students who are interested in research. Ideal applicants should have *"A"s or "A-"s in research methods and statistics at the undergraduate level and research experience. "A"s in graduate-level statistics classes and evidence of strong research skills (e.g., presentations, publications, awards) can compensate for suboptimal GRE scores if that is a concern. Students should submit a research statement that demonstrates writing abillity, desire to attend this program, and a plan for how they will hit the ground running regarding their research. I am looking for students who are confident, reliable, and able to work independently. 

*84% (B) is considered passing in graduate-level classes. Because grad classes are more difficult than undergrad classes, we expect that grad-level grades will be lower than in undergrad. Therefore, students who earn Bs in undergraduate-level statistics have not evidenced that they are likely to excel in graduate-level stats classes.