Social-Organizational Psychology

A minimum of 80 course credits for the Ph.D. is required. Students also must pass a research certification exam, typically toward the end of their second year. In addition, two qualifying papers must be submitted based on students? academic work and research. A dissertation is the capstone of the degree requirements.

Required classes cover four main areas: 1) research and statistics, 2) theory in social-organizational psychology, 3) practice in social- organizational psychology, and 4) integrative experiences (research workgroups). In addition, students must take three courses in related areas, such as in other psychology fields, business, or human development to ensure breadth of study. More detailed information about coursework and requirements can be found in our Ph.D. Handbook, which is available on-line.

It is possible to receive up to 32 credits for previous graduate work, if these credits meet social-organizational psychology program requirements. The number of credits that may be transferred is determined on a case-by-case basis by the student's academic advisor.

The program requires students to complete four practical courses, such as practica in change and consultations, conflict resolution, coaching, and group dynamics. In addition, many students complement their academic experience with internships in a variety or organizations in the New York metropolitan area. Organizations where social-organizational psychology Ph.D. students have recently worked or had an internship include Mercer/Oliver Wyman, Morgan Stanley, TIAA-CREF, Perkins Williamson Associates, Met Life, the United Nations, Pfizer, Campbell Soup Company, and PricewaterhouseCoopers (now IBM's Global Business Consulting Services).

Students get involved in research by participating in workgroups led by social-organizational psychology faculty. Students are required to participate in at least one workgroup per semester for a minimum of eight semesters overall. Participation in at least two different workgroups is required over the course of the program. 

In workgroups, students participate in all phases of the research process, including the design and conduct of research. Many times, this participation leads to presentations at professional conferences or publications in journals and books with faculty.

The number of students per workgroup varies but typically ranges from 3 to 6.

Only full-time students are accepted into our program.

The average amount of time is 5-6 years for dedicated students.

Yes, Ph.D. students can receive an M.A. provided that they meet the course and degree requirements for the M.A.  This requires completion of at least 45 credits and one qualifying paper.

Teachers College is an affiliate of Columbia University. The College has its own Board of Trustees, administration and budget, while having access to resources of Columbia University, such as the library, health services, recreational center, and so forth.

All degrees are granted by Columbia University.

Students desiring to teach are supported in gaining skills by progressing through a sequence of experiences including serving as a graduate teaching assistant (see below), a focused course related to teaching techniques, and practice with feedback from faculty. A number of students have taught courses within our program at Teachers College, in various programs across the Columbia campus, and at other universities in the local area such as Fordham and NYU.

Numerous opportunities exist for students to work on research projects with faculty in research workgroups as well as to develop and pursue their own research projects and interests.  Faculty encourage students to develop their own ideas and studies, leading to papers to meet program requirements or to publication opportunities.

Teachers College has been consistently ranked on U.S. News & World Report’s list of top graduate schools in education. Moreover, the social- organizational psychology program has been recognized as one of the best in the country due to its comprehensive approach to preparing graduates (Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice & Research, 1998, p. 215). According to a study in the July 2004 Industrial- Organizational Psychologist (2004, p. 28), the MA and Ph.D. programs in social- organizational psychology at Teachers College, Columbia University rank in the Top 10 nationally for overall performance. Specifically, the overall weighted index places the Ph.D. program at No. 7 and the MA program at No. 9. In addition, in a ranking based on graduate programs in organization development and change at the MA level, OD practitioners from around the nation ranked this program at No. 4 overall (OD Practitioner, 1998, p. 36)

Equally important, a number of the social-organizational psychology faculty have received national awards and recognition for their contributions to research and practice.

As of 2009-2010, the tuition rate was $1,127 per credit plus student fees. To receive additional information on tuition payments, see the Student Accounts’ website. You may also make arrangements for your firm’s tuition payment plan with the TC Office of Student Accounts.

• Teachers College Student Accounts

Graduate teaching assistantships are available on a regular basis. At this time, students are required to serve as a graduate teaching assistant for one term; however, most students take on several graduate teaching assistantships and eventually instructor positions during the course of their program. The remuneration is typically a small stipend, between $1,000 to $2,000, as well as graduate teaching scholarship points that are applied toward tuition.

Not during their first three years in the program.  However, some students work part-time in organizations to supplement their income after their third year in the program and most students do a full-time internship with a local business during the summer months.

Yes, in recent years, some students have received fellowships from various external agencies.  Faculty support students in their efforts to obtain external funding and students are encouraged to apply for scholarships, grants, and fellowships.

The number of students ranges from 20 to 30. At any given time, about 25 are ?active? meaning that they are still taking classes, participating in workgroups, and working on completing their formal requirements; the remainder of the students are working on their dissertations.

Approximately 60% of the students are female, approximately 50% are minority, and approximately 20% are international.  On average, students tend to be in their mid to late-twenties when starting the program. However the range of age is large, from early twenties to late forties.

Students commute from around the Tri-State area. Students who relocate to New York City usually live near the university on the Upper West Side of Manhattan or graduate housing on campus.

Social-organizational psychology students come from all over the United States, as well as from Canada, Korea, India, Israel, Scotland, Singapore, Thailand and other countries.

The MA program in social-organizational psychology hosts a number of events for students to promote learning outside the classroom and foster a sense of community within the program. Every semester, we offer networking opportunities, talks and panels to discuss current issues in the field. In addition, we encourage students to engage in committee work with faculty and staff to help with planning colloquia and speakers, social gatherings and parties, recruiting new students for the program, and so forth.

Our student-run club, The Organization and Human Development Consulting Club (OHDCC), is a rich and vibrant organization that sponsors numerous initiatives that help its members develop professionally as well as feel connected to the Social- Organizational Psychology community here at TC. OHDCC sponsors a student mentoring program where 1st year students are paired with more experienced ones for advice, friendship, and networking. It hosts professional development opportunities including talks and panels with leaders in the field, training opportunities including a “crack-the-case” workshop for help with case-based job interviews, social events both at TC and with other NYC universities, and social service projects within the larger Morningside Heights neighborhood. OHDCC also provides members with an opportunity to develop their own leadership skills via project management and governance within the organization.

In addition, students are encouraged to join student chapters of professional associations as well as enroll under national memberships for organizations, such as the METRO Applied Psychology, Society for Industrial-Organizational Psychology (SIOP), the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), and OD Network. In addition, students are encouraged to attend and participate in professional conferences as well as take advantage of opportunities within the Columbia University system and the New York City area.

The atmosphere within the social-organizational psychology program can be described as collaborative, friendly, and relatively informal. Oftentimes, students work in groups on assignments or get together socially. Program faculty are accessible to students, and are supportive and open to students? ideas, questions, and concerns.

There are about 25 student organizations at Teachers College, representing various aspects of the school?s diverse student body. In addition, Student Life organizes a range of activities on a regular basis, including workshops, social events, and networking opportunities. For more information, please visit the Student Activities website.

Our students are trained as both researchers and practitioners. Thus, jobs obtained after completion of the Ph.D. vary. Among the jobs our students obtain are: faculty members in university or business school settings, consulting positions in consulting firms, industry positions, and public sector positions. These positions include work in the areas of social psychology, organizational psychology, human resource management, organization change and development, negotiation and conflict resolution, leadership, work-family, coaching, and organizational dynamics.

Teachers College Career Services offers consultation and placement services, as well as workshops on job search strategies and skills. In addition, Career Services works with student interest groups, such as the Society of Human Resource Management, to organize job fairs in which corporate recruiters visit the campus and provide other career related networking opportunities. For more information, please visit the Career Services website.