We are thrilled that you are interested in our doctoral program in Social-Organizational Psychology. As one of the first programs in the field, founded by Morton Deutsch in the early 1960s, we have a proud tradition of scholarly research and practice in such areas as diversity and inclusion, conflict resolution, organization development and change, group dynamics, leadership, and organization analysis. Hundreds of our alumni hold important positions in universities, organizations, and as private practitioners around the world. In selecting any doctoral program, we believe it is important that you study with faculty who are actively contributing to the development of the field in which you wish to study. The bios of our faculty are available here and we encourage you to familiarize yourself with them and their work before you apply.
The strengths of our program are our focus on both scholarship and practice and the vibrant community which provides students with the support they need to do their best work, during and after the program. While we expect students to carry out rigorous research that prepares them for an academic career, we also ask our students to take part in applied work that demonstrates how theories can be applied to make a difference in the world. Students may choose from a wide array of methodologies to complete their dissertation research, from laboratory studies to action research in organizations. We encourage students to experiment with both qualitative and quantitative research so that they learn what methods are best-suited to the questions they wish to explore. Although students normally select a dissertation sponsor based upon shared interests, students are supported in exploring topics which are new to the field if they so choose. During the first several years of the program, students will join work groups with at least two faculty and have experiences as graduate assistants in courses and serving on program committees to further their development and broaden their relationships with faculty and peers.
In addition to our world-class faculty, a wide array of courses that allow students to specialize in a variety of interests, and a warm and welcoming community, our location in Manhattan allows easy access to one the greatest cities in the world, with many research, teaching and professional employment opportunities nearby. Life beyond the classroom is an important ingredient in our students’ learning and development.
While the majority of our students join the program with a masters degree in psychology or a closely related field, there are exceptions. If you are interested in our program but wonder if you would qualify, we would be happy to advise you before you apply.
If you would like to learn more about our program, we encourage you to reach out to us directly. If you have questions about the program as a whole, the faculty member serving as the current Doctoral Program Director can answer them. If you wish to hear more about the experience of being a student in the program, the Doctoral program student liaison can provide a personal perspective. It’s to your benefit and ours that you are a good match for the program.
Thanks again for your interest and we look forward to hearing from you!