Which is easier to get into - PhD in Industrial/Organizational or PhD in Social Psychology?

[rhapsody24]

Obviously this isn't an easy question to answer but based on your experiences or of others that you have known, which is easier to get into - PhD in Industrial/Organizational or PhD in Social Psychology? My choices are between the two programs.

Any input would be appreciated.

If I did get a PhD in either of these fields, I would not be looking for a job in academia - I want something outside of a university.

Edited August 19, 2011 by rhapsody24

[PsychGrad2011]

This is a complicated question, but I will tell you what I have learned (and other people may say I am dead wrong!)

I would say that PhD programs in I/O psychology are easier to get into. For one thing, I think there are fewer applicants and therefore less competition, but I have also seen schools where they take a proportionally higher number of students into the I/O program. However, these programs weed out a lot of students with comps/quals. At my undergrad university, about half of the I/O grad students did not pass their comps and ended up leaving with a masters. With a masters in I/O psychology you can still get an awesome job, especially if you are looking for something outside of academia.

I haven't seen any social psychology programs where many students leave with just a masters, most of them tend to take fewer students but see them all through to getting their PhDs.

If you are dead set on getting a PhD, you can probably succeed in either area. If your interests are between social and I/O, it's probably a good idea to apply to programs on both sides.

[repatriate]

I think PsychGrad2011 has it about right. After clinical, social programs are the most competitive. I believe that the APA book Graduate Study in Psychology has these stats, but I am not sure. It definitely has stats for individual schools broken down by program.

[lewin]

If you want a job outside academia you probably don't need a PhD, a masters is probably sufficient. Check with people in your desired field to be sure.

Few people get MA's in social psychology, it's more common in I/O. I know some I/O programs that have a really great applied focus too, which is helpful for non-academic jobs.

[repatriate]

The requirements for a job outside academia vary with the job. At the research company I used to work for (government and private social science research contracting), a master's degree greatly limited career options. In other fields and settings, a PhD might be a drawback.

[honkycat1]

social psych phd is very competitive for sure.

I would agree with some of what psychgrad 2011 said about i/o BUT its program dependent. some program will accept more and only graduate a small percent, some programs will admit few and have a higher graduation rate