Study Organizational Behavior: Degrees at a Glance
Organizational behavior is an interdisciplinary field of study that analyzes how individuals and groups affect the mechanics of an organization or company. Because the knowledge and skills involved in this discipline are broad, you may qualify for a diverse range of careers.
In 2010, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated that employment for human resources managers could grow by an average 13% between 2010 and 2020. Management analyst positions were projected to grow a rapid 22% during this decade, and training and development managers may see a 15% growth rate. As for postsecondary professors and researchers, job growth was estimated to be at 17%.
| Master's | Doctorate | |
|---|---|---|
| Who is this degree for? | People interested in working various human resources, consultant and management positions in a variety of industries | Aspiring researchers and professors |
| Common Career Paths (with approximate mean salary) | - Training and development manager ($99,000)* - Community college professor ($78,000)* - Human resources manager ($109,000)* - Management analyst ($88,000)* | - Postsecondary professor or researcher ($74,000)* |
| Time to Completion | 1-2 years full-time | 3-5 years full-time |
| Common Graduation Requirements | - About 36-50 credit hours - Master's thesis/research paper - Master's exams - Seminar requirements (in certain cases) | Most (or all) of the master's degree requirements, plus: - PhD qualifier exams - Dissertation proposal -Teaching practicum - Research papers |
| Prerequisites | -Bachelor's degree -Graduate test scores -Resume | Bachelor's or master's degree -Graduate test scores |
| Online Availability | Yes | No |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2011 figures).
Master's in Organizational Behavior
A master's degree in organizational management may qualify you for a plethora of careers in various industries, although many positions also require years of experience in the field. Many of these degree programs explain how to use managerial and administrative psychology methods in public policy, government, human resources, corporations, nonprofit organizations and education. You may learn about leadership in the workplace as well as working cooperatively with other employees.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- You may out-qualify bachelor's degree-holding job candidates by earning a master's
- Some programs offer concentrations so you can customize your education to your career goals
- Online options are available for this field
Cons
- In addition to a master's degree, many employers look for candidates with several years of work experience
- Certain organizational behavior positions only require a bachelor's degree, while others may require a doctorate
- Earning your master's degree in organizational behavior can be expensive and take a lot of time
Courses and Requirements
Some programs allow you to choose from a selection of concentrations so you can focus your studies on a specific area, such as human resources. You typically start out taking core classes and then move on to electives or concentration courses. Some of your classes may cover topics such as:
- Behavioral assessment
- Organizational structure
- Financial accounting
- Conflict management
- Labor relations
- Interviewing techniques
- Behavioral coaching and consulting
In addition to coursework, exams and essays, you may also conduct research and write a master's thesis or complete a project on a relevant topic of your choosing.
Online Degree Options
Some schools offer organizational behavior master's programs online in order to accommodate working professionals. In schools where the program isn't offered fully online, hybrid options that allow you to complete certain courses online may be offered. The online program's curriculum is generally comparable to an on-campus program. It's important when seeking an online program to make sure your chosen university or college is accredited.
Stand Out with This Degree
There are several steps that you can take while earning your master's degree to get ahead in the job market. You can earn a number of certifications to help validate your education and expertise, such as the Certified Management Consultant (CMC) qualification. To earn this, you must meet specific professional and educational requirements, complete exams and assignments and become a member of the International Council of Management Consulting Institutes (ICMCI). Additionally, memberships in professional associations, such as ICMCI and the Society for Human Resource Management, can keep you updated on industry developments and provide you with various resources.
Alternative Degrees
If you prefer a more narrowly-focused program than the organizational behavior field, consider earning a master's degree in human resources management. In this program, you learn to find and train qualified employees for companies. One of the important duties of a human resources manager is to recommend ways that employees can keep their skills current, especially as technology continues to advance. For this reason, finding programs with a strong technology aspect that teach topics such as web design and the latest software programs can prove beneficial.
Ph.D in Organizational Behavior
Doctoral programs in organizational behavior are appropriate if you're looking to work in research or university-level teaching. These programs are research intensive and typically combine sociological and psychological concepts. Class sizes are typically very small, and you can expect significant one-on-one time with professors and advisors. If a professor is involved in a similar field of research as you, you could potentially gain experience as a research assistant. Typical research topics may include the group dynamics of board directors, tension-management in organizations and relations between dissimilar groups and individuals.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- A Ph.D in this field can open up job opportunities in research and academia
- May be able to earn tenure as a professor
- Small class sizes mean more personal attention from faculty
Cons
- It can be very competitive and stressful to get into a doctoral program in organizational behavior
- Job searches in academia and research tend to be nationwide or international, so you may have to move
- Not all university teachers earn tenure and it can be a very trying process
Courses and Requirements
You can expect to have a set of core classes you must complete in addition to writing research papers. Some of the topics you may study in your classes include:
- Econometric techniques
- Research methods
- Microeconomic analysis
- Statistics
Around the end of the first year, a qualifying exam and/or paper is required to determine whether you may continue on in the program. You must propose a research topic for your dissertation, conduct independent research for the dissertation and defend it at the program's end. Some programs may also require you to participate in a teaching practicum where you spend a portion of time teaching an undergraduate organizational behavior class.
Online Degree Options
You may be hard-pressed to find online Ph.D programs in this field. Because you're often required to work closely with advisors and professors, an online format may not be conducive to this degree program.
Stand Out with This Degree
You can take a number of paths in order to stand out from fellow doctorate degree-holders in this field. The following are a handful of possibilities:
- Conduct your research in the latest issues affecting organizational behavior
- Submit your dissertation to peer-reviewed academic journals
- Acquire employment where you can gain first-hand experience with your research topic
Alternative Degrees
Since organizational behavior relies on psychological and sociological concepts, you may also be interested in solely studying one of these fields. You can prepare for careers in research and academia in the sociology field, which focuses on people, groups and their behaviors within society. Ph.D programs often have concentrations within the program so you can focus your studies on a specific aspect. With technology playing such as dynamic role in modern society, you may be able to focus your research studies on a technology-related topic.
Many psychology departments offer doctoral programs with a concentration in industrial/organizational psychology. You can use statistical and research methodologies to study work-related problems that are common to people. This program typically doesn't prepare you for clinical positions; rather, you can obtain university-level teaching positions or work in consulting or research. According to the BLS, industrial/organizational psychologists may see a 35% increase in employment as many organizations take advantage of these professionals in order to maximize efficiency, employee retention and overall workplace contentment.
