The Doctoral Thesis is the capstone of graduate training in the School of Psychology. In this highly individualized, multi-year research sequence, doctoral candidates transition from students to independent scientific investigators. Working under the guidance of a faculty chair and a multi-disciplinary committee, students will conceptualize, design, and execute a major empirical study that significantly advances the field of Industrial-Organizational Psychology. This rigorous process culminates in a public oral defense and a publication-quality manuscript, equipping graduates with the high-level methodological expertise, project management skills, and scientific autonomy required for impactful leadership careers in academia, industry, and government.