Program Information: Degree Requirements: Ph.D. Program
Doctor of Philosophy
Students are required to take as many as 86 points for the Ph.D. (Occasionally, students may transfer credits– up to a maximum of 30 points from previous graduate training at other institutions. Transferring the maximum is unusual since courses transferred must be equivalent to courses that are required in the Ph.D. program.)
Students are encouraged to design an individually meaningful course of study within the larger offerings of the program. Opportunities for doing this are available through coursework, work with faculty members, independent research and study, and teaching activities. Students take a series of required courses that build a strong foundation in social-organizational psychology and can also select a series of more specialized courses depending on their specific areas of interest. Additional focus and expertise are developed through collaboration on major research projects with faculty members and practice-based or consulting activities under faculty supervision.
Research Training
The research training for doctoral students involves acquiring an understanding of underlying concepts and theories in social and organizational psychology and gaining experience in conducting research in both field and laboratory settings. The formal coursework provides a strong foundation in both social psychology and organizational psychology theories and their applications. A series of research methods courses provide the foundation necessary for understanding and conducting scholarly research. Similarly, a series of courses in measurement and statistics provides students with the strong statistical and analytical background necessary for the research process.
Research experience is gained through “workgroups.” Workgroups are research teams led by a faculty member and consist of four to ten doctoral students. In workgroups, students participate in the design, execution, data analysis, and writing phases of research projects. All students are required to participate in workgroups each semester for the first four years. The commitment to research training is an important part of the program and consumes a significant amount of students’ time.
Applied Aspects of the Program
The applied aspects of the program for doctoral students involve the development of skills and knowledge in the application of theory and research to practice and consulting activities. As such, students acquire an understanding of the systems approach, in particular, the dynamic interaction among individuals, groups, organizations, and their environments as well as an understanding of organization development and the process of organization change. A variety of opportunities are available for students to develop skills in conducting applied and action research and in providing consultation to groups and organizations. All of these activities are grounded in theory and research in social-organizational psychology. A series of courses are available which provide students with basic skills in interpersonal relationships, interviewing and information gathering techniques, and process consultation. In addition, supervised field experiences are available whereby students engage in an applied project with a local organization under faculty direction. Internships and other work-related experiences are also examples of field experiences.The Ph.D. Program in Social-Organizational Psychology is a scientist-practitioner program and as such focuses on both research and practice. The curriculum represents the dual emphasis of the program.
The following are six areas from which students select courses:
1. Research and Statistics
2. Theory and Practice in Social-Organizational Psychology
3. Integrative Experiences
4. Breadth Requirement
5. Dissertation-related courses
6. Dissertation Advisement
Students take 30-32 required courses for a total of 86 points. Variable point courses should be taken for the minimum rather than the maximum number of points in order to have both the required number of points and the desired distribution of courses.
For a more comprehensive description of the Ph.D. program requirements, please see the Ph.D. program handbook, located on the Social-Organizational Psychology webpage: http://www.tc.edu/o&l/orgpsych/. The handbook should be considered the primary document with regard to degree requirements for the Ph.D. program, including information on requirements for the three Qualifying Papers.
Research and Statistics (7 courses required)
• ORLJ 5040 Research methods in social psychology
• HUDM 4122 Probability and statistical inference
• HUDM 5122 Applied regression analysis
• HUDM 5123 Linear models and experimental design
• HUDM 6122 Multivariate analysis I
Plus two of the following:
• ORL 6500 Qualitative research methods in organizations: Design and data collection
• ORL 6501 Qualitative research methods in organizations: Data analysis and reporting
• ORLJ 5041 Research methods in social psychology
• HUDM 5059 Psychological measurement
• HUDM 5124 Multidimensional scaling and clustering
• HUDM 6030 Multilevel and longitudinal data analysis
• HUDM 6055 Latent structure analysis
• HUDM 6123 Multivariate analysis II
• ITSF 5000 Methods of inquiry: Ethnography and participant observation
Theory and Practice in Social-Organizational Psychology (13 courses required)
Courses in this section are sub-divided into lecture, seminar, and practice courses. Of the thirteen required courses, there are seven courses that are set (four lecture courses, two seminars, and one practicum). The six remaining courses may be selected from among the optional courses as long as three of the six courses selected are seminars.
LECTURE
Required:
• ORL 5362 Group dynamics: A systems perspective
• ORLJ 4002 Functions of organizations
• ORLJ 5045 Organizational dynamics and theory
• ORLJ 6040 Fundamentals of cooperation, conflict resolution, and mediation in different institutional contexts Optional:
• ORLJ 5005 Leadership and supervision
• ORLJ 5018 Using survey research in organizational consulting
• ORLJ 5019 Data-based consulting in organizations
• ORLJ 5046 Intercultural communications in organizational contexts: Theory, issues, and practices
• HUDK 5198 Psychology of instructional systems designs
SEMINARS
Two required seminars:
• ORLJ 5540 Pro-seminar in social psychology
• ORLJ 5541 Pro-seminar in organizational psychology
Plus at least 3 of the following:
• ORL 6010 Work/family issues: A multi-disciplinary approach
• ORLJ 5017 Small group intervention: Theory and method
• ORLJ 5020 Special topics in social-organizational psychology*
• ORLJ 5047 Development of the multicultural self
• ORLJ 6045 Demography in organizations
*Doctoral seminars may be offered as special topics courses, pending permanent course approval. Such special topics seminars include: Organization change: Theory and practice, Stereotypes and stereotypic processes in organizational contexts, and Writing Seminar: Theoretical, applied, and empirical papers
PRACTICE
Required:
• ORLJ 6343 Practicum in change and consultation in organizations
Plus one of the following:
• ORLD 5055 Staff development and training
• ORLD 5061 The learning organization
• ORLJ 5310 Preparation for coaching
• ORLJ 5340 Basic practicum in conflict resolution
• ORLJ 6244 Fieldwork in organizational consultation
• ORLJ 6349 Research workgroup in social-organizational psychology: Group/organizational dynamics and diversity issues in organizations
• ORLJ 6350 Advanced practicum in conflict resolution
Additional Course Requirements (Three courses required)
Suggested courses include:
• ORL 6010 Work/family issues: A multi-disciplinary approach
• ORLD 4051 How adults learn
• CCPJ 5020 Racism and racial identity in psychology and education
• CCPX 5034 Child developmental psychopathology
• CCPX 6352 Cognition, emotion, and health
• G 4230 Sensation and perception (Columbia University)
• G 4630 Theories of personality (Columbia University)
• HUDK 5125 Cross-cultural developmental psychology
• HUDK 5023 Cognitive development
• HUDK 5029 Personality development across the lifespan
• HUDM 5059 Psychological measurement
• ITSF 5013 Psychological anthropology
Dissertation-related courses:
• ORLJ 7501 Dissertation seminar (1-3)
• ORLJ 8900 Dissertation advisement in social-organizational psychology (0)
Research Workgroups
Although the curriculum is designed to facilitate students’ completion of all three qualifying papers and the preparation of a dissertation proposal while enrolled in workgroups for the first four years of the program, students may need to register for dissertation, related classes beyond their fourth year in the program. If so, there is a sequence of courses that vary in regard to course credit and fee. When actively working on the dissertation and meeting with one’s Sponsor and/or committee, students are expected to register for ORLJ 7501 two semesters. This course is only offered for 1-3 points and students can register for the minimum number of credits; it is offered for variable credit to accommodate the different needs of various students. Once the student has registered for two terms of ORLJ 7501, Ph.D. students are required to register for ORLJ 8900 for 0 points for every semester until completion of the final oral defense.
Workgroups (See notes below)
• ORLJ 6340 Workgroup (2)
• ORLJ 6341 Workgroup (2)
• ORLJ 6342 Workgroup (2)
• ORLJ 6344 Workgroup (2)
• ORLJ 6345 Workgroup (2)
• ORLJ 6346 Workgroup (2)
• ORLJ 6347 Workgroup (2)
• ORLJ 6348 Workgroup (2)
• ORLJ 6349 Workgroup (2)
Notes:
1. One workgroup per semester for a minimum of eight semesters is required from the time a student enters the Ph.D. program.
2. Students must take six of the eight workgroups for credit points. An exception may be made for students who participated in a workgroup as a master’s student in our program, in which case, the student must take a minimum of four of the eight workgroups for credit.
3. Workgroup points may not be substituted for required courses.
4. Students are required to actively engage in at least 2 different workgroups over the 8 semesters that workgroup is required.
5. Students are required to actively engage in workgroups. Active engagement means regular participation in the design and conduct of research until it reaches a conclusion. Solely being present at meetings does not satisfy the requirement.
Integrative Experiences
• ORLJ 6640 Social-organizational psychology colloquium (0) (Attendance required for years 1-4)
Certification Examination in Psychology:
The Research Methods Examination (RME) in Psychology is part of the certification process for doctoral students in all of the psychology programs at Teachers College. The examination measures student’s knowledge in statistics, measurement, and research design and is developed by the Research Methods Examination Committee.
The Dissertation
The doctoral dissertation is a report of independently conducted research. In formulating and conducting this research, the student has available as consultants and advisors two or three members of the faculty.
Non-Credit Program– Certificate of Attendance in Conflict Resolution
In addition to the degree programs previously described, the Social-Organizational Psychology Program, through the International Center for Cooperation and Conflict Resolution (ICCCR), offers professional development opportunities in the field of Conflict Resolution to people interested in continuing their graduate education.
Conflict Resolution is a concentration of courses aimed at developing core competencies for reflective scholars and/or practitioners. It is offered both as a track in the Master of Arts and Doctoral Programs in Social Organizational Psychology and, in whole or in part, as a complement to the studies of students throughout the College, i.e. students may take conflict resolution courses as valid electives in their respective programs. By completing a sequence of five courses and one semester of internship and formally applying to the Conflict Resolution Center certificate program, students may receive a non-credit Certificate of Attendance in Conflict Resolution. The courses are offered in conjunction with the ICCCR whose mission is to help individuals, schools, communities, businesses and governments better understand the nature of conflict and how to achieve its construc-tive resolution. The institute is currently applying for New York State approval to offer a certificate in Advanced Standing in Conflict Resolution. Contact: Professor Peter Coleman at (212) 678-3402.
