Ryan McCreedy earned a Master of Liberal Arts (ALM) in the field of Management and a Graduate Certificate in Organizational Behavior from Harvard Extension School (HES), followed by a Doctorate in Psychology (PsyD) from William James College. He is an instructor of leadership, teaming, and industrial-organizational psychology courses at HES, as well as faculty at William James College, teaching doctoral-level courses on team dynamics and neuroscience.
Dr. McCreedy is currently Director, Workforce Modernization and HR Transformation at Slalom, where he leads talent and culture specialties and solutions in the Americas and collaborates across teams to embed research and accelerated practices into Slalom’s services. He serves as Vice President of Strategic Partnership for BayState IO.
This post was written in May 2026.
Dr. McCreedy’s advice for those considering applying to a PsyD program
Think like a scholar-practitioner.
A PsyD can be a powerful path if you are energized by the intersection of research and real-world application. For me, the appeal was not only studying psychology but learning how to translate evidence into practice with leaders, teams, and organizations. If you are drawn primarily to a traditional academic research career, a PhD may be the better fit. But if you want to balance rigorous scholarship with applied practice, especially as a working adult or mid-career professional, a PsyD may offer a compelling path.
Choose a program that sits at the intersection of passion and practical value.
When evaluating programs, look beyond the degree title. Ask whether the curriculum includes areas that genuinely excite you and will add value to the work you want to do. In my case, a neuroscience concentration and program focus on adult development helped deepen my consulting practice while keeping me intellectually engaged. The best fit is often found in the overlap between what you love, what you want to learn, and how you hope to serve others.
Pay close attention to the people: peers and faculty.
In an applied doctoral program, your classmates and faculty matter enormously. Look for programs where your peers are also applying psychology in meaningful professional contexts, and where faculty have experience in the kinds of settings you care about. If you want to apply psychology in organizations, for example, seek out faculty who have real experience with consulting, leadership development, or organizational transformation at scale.
Build discipline before you begin.
A doctoral program is more demanding than most people expect. The routines I built during my master’s program at HES helped me succeed later: dedicated study blocks, writing habits, mentor relationships, and intentional planning. Schedule your work, but also schedule your relationships, exercise, rest, and fun. Otherwise, the program can consume all available space in your life.
Be prepared to grow personally, not just professionally.
My PsyD experience in leadership psychology was deeply experiential. We often practiced tools and interventions on ourselves before using them with others. That process taught me a great deal about myself and transformed how I approach executive coaching, leadership development, and team interventions. The deeper work helped me move beyond surface-level “pop psychology” techniques and better understand what real development requires.
Do not pursue a doctorate just for the letters.
A doctorate is not for the faint of heart. It is socially, emotionally, intellectually, and even physically demanding. If your primary motivation is the title, the journey may feel frustrating or hollow. The degree should be a byproduct of diving deeply into questions that matter to you, building your craft, and contributing something meaningful to the field. Those that pursue a doctorate in a topic they wake up passionate about have such a better experience! But also remember, your dissertation and doc work is not your ‘swan song’—it’ll push you further than you’ve ever been before BUT it’ll also open the door for you to keep building on your ideas.
Take care of yourself for the long haul.
My advice to my younger self would be: enjoy the ride, be kind to yourself, and schedule more free time. A doctorate is not simply something to “get done.” It is an intense developmental journey. Have a plan for staying healthy, resilient, and connected while continuing to move forward one step at a time.
Additional Resources
- Alumni Career Path Spotlight: Industrial-Organizational Psychology—Ryan McCreedy
- Building a Career in Industrial-Organizational Psychology
- How to Choose a Graduate Program
- O*Net Professional Associations Search
- Applying to Graduate School Guide
- Read Career Paths with a Non-Clinical Psychology Degree for more.
