The study of psychology is widely popular because it supports a wide range of career paths, such as improving the workplace. As an industrial and organizational psychology major, you’ll learn how to use psychology to improve individual and organizational performance across various industries. This subfield is particularly beneficial among those with managerial or operational experience within businesses and organizations.
In this program, you’ll study characteristics of human behavior in the workplace and deepen your understanding of diverse experiences through cultural, sociohistorical and transnational viewpoints. Although this program does not lead to licensure in clinical psychology, you’ll be well prepared to pursue careers or additional education in the realm of organizational psychology.
The skills you’ll develop as an I-O psychology major
This concentration program will strengthen your abilities to understand and contextualize individuals’ thoughts, feelings and behaviors in a workplace environment. In your courses, you’ll become proficient in fundamental organizational psychology strategies such as career development, attitude theory, job evaluation and performance management. Other transferable skills you’ll gain include:
- Critical thinking.
- Leadership.
- Personal ethics.
- Problem-solving.
- Teamwork.
- Research methodology.
- Written communication.
The differences between our BA or BS in I-O psychology concentrations
When deciding between the BA and BS concentration in I-O psychology, you should consider your personal interests and career goals. The BA program is practice-oriented and best suited for a career centered around people or services, such as human resources.
Whereas, the BS program is research-oriented and will provide you with more quantitative skills, such as statistics and data analysis. If you’re interested in earning a PhD in the future, the BS program may be a better fit. Additionally, the BS requires a higher level of math and an additional lab course compared to the BA.

Arizona State University’s Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a concentration in industrial and organizational psychology equips you to apply psychology principles within workplace settings. In this program, you’ll cover the fundamentals of psychology alongside workplace strategies such as training, leadership and decision-making. Upon graduation, you’ll stand out as a candidate for roles in human resources and management.
This I-O psychology program includes general psychology core courses in addition to specialized courses, such as Psychology of Work, Industrial Psychology and Organizational Behavior. You’ll also have the option to take the course PSY 494: Professional Field Experience which includes structured internships and other experiential learning opportunities.
Prepare for the full New College experience curated by world-renowned faculty who are some of the brightest, most innovative academic minds in the world. Areas of expertise include psychology, anthropology, geography, political science, cybersecurity, forensic science and more. Our faculty strives to create an environment that prepares students to take their place in the world using the skills they’ve learned to pursue careers that benefit their communities.
ASU is a global university recognized for its commitment to innovation, research and high-quality academic programs. Our university has been recognized with peer-reviewed honors from U.S. News & World Report.
in the U.S. for innovation for 11 consecutive years, ahead of Stanford and MIT.
best online bachelor’s programs.
best global universities.
of graduates reported that their experiences at ASU inspired them to explore new career opportunities.
No, Arizona State University’s diplomas don’t specify whether you earn your degree online or in person. All diplomas and transcripts simply say “Arizona State University.”