Social and behavioral sciences

This program builds skills employers value across industries, including critical thinking, communication and problem-solving. Coursework also strengthens your ability to analyze information, manage projects and make systems-driven decisions.

You’ll explore four topic areas to become career-ready:

• Global and natural science perspectives
  • Learn to think scientifically, interpret data and explore global challenges in science and technology.
• Humanities, identities and society
  • Study culture, identity and human behavior through history, philosophy and the arts.
• National and civil service and professional studies
  • Explore government, civic leadership and ethical practices in public and professional settings.
• Organizations, technology and ethics
  • Understand how organizations function, use digital tools and apply ethics in practical settings.

Build on your previously earned credits with this transfer-friendly program

ASU values your previously earned credits and has designed this program to minimize credit loss. With a broad range of courses, you can tailor how you complete your remaining degree requirements.

You’re an ideal candidate if earning a bachelor’s degree supports your goals, whether you want to shift careers, advance in your current role, prepare for graduate school or achieve personal milestones. Completing a widely recognized general studies degree can help you stand out as a well-rounded candidate with marketable skills.

How three of our most flexible programs compare

Our most flexible degrees — general studies, interdisciplinary studies and liberal studies — share a commonality of choice and transferability. Housed in a college with advisors who specialize in supporting students with diverse interests, these programs enable you to explore multiple areas of study. Each offers a different level of customization and structure. Discover the best option for your goals:

• General studies
  • Finish your degree efficiently by applying the credits you’ve already earned. By choosing the most flexible path, you’ll build career-relevant skills and graduate with the academic credentials needed for advancement.
• Interdisciplinary studies
  • Design a degree that combines two areas of study and builds transferable expertise from nearly 200 concentrations. This is a strong option for gaining focused knowledge aligned with your career goals or graduate study.
• Liberal studies
  • Pursue a humanities-based education and tailor your course plan to your interests. This degree combines structure and choice, offering a broad foundation to explore diverse academic paths.

In this program, you’ll study topics such as international law, conflict resolution, globalization and foreign policy analysis, to analyze the dynamics between nations and multinational companies. As an international relations major, you’ll apply theory and quantitative analysis to real-world problems that prepare you for positions in diplomacy, security, international relations, private enterprises and more. You’ll also be prepared to secure related roles within academia, journalism, government agencies and nonprofit organizations.

The knowledge and skills you’ll develop

This interdisciplinary program equips you with specialized knowledge in international relations and a range of transferable skills in research, team-based collaboration and problem-solving. In addition to your coursework, you’ll have opportunities to exercise your skills by completing internships, fellowships and other professional opportunities. Additional competencies you'll develop include:

• Applying statistical analysis and quantitative reasoning to real-world scenarios.
• Comprehending advanced elements of the political and legal systems.
• Practicing action-driven writing for decision-making.
• Understanding global trends within international institutions and regions.
• Utilizing critical reasoning and argumentation.

What are the differences between this BS and a BA in international relations?

The major differences between the international relations BS and BA programs fall within the required coursework. As a student in the BS program, you aren’t required to take a language course like in the BA program. Instead, you’ll be required to take four other courses not required for the BA program including Political Statistics, an extra upper division track elective, and two science and society courses.

As an international relations major, you’ll gain an understanding of the complexity of global affairs and build the necessary skills to overcome challenges. Upon graduation, you’ll be proficient in developing and conveying solutions to decision-makers in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to take Policy Design Studio and play the role of a U.S. embassy official addressing global events as they happen under the guidance of a former ambassador.

What you’ll learn in this program

In this program, you’ll learn from faculty experts and policy practitioners about various aspects of international relations ranging from security and intelligence to international trade and law. You’ll practice writing concise, action-driven writing for decision-makers, critical reasoning and argumentation and analyzing global trends. Alongside your courses, you’ll have opportunities to exercise these skills in internships, fellowships and other professional opportunities. Additionally, you’ll gain valuable transferable skills, including:

• Analysis.
• Communication.
• Problem-solving.
• Research.
• Team-based collaboration.

Upon graduation, you’ll be a competent professional with a comprehensive understanding of the political and legal systems as they relate to international relations.

What are the differences between this BA and a BS in international relations?

The major differences between the BA and BS international relations programs fall within their required coursework. As a student in the BA program, you won’t be required to take the additional four courses required for the BS program including Political Statistics, an extra upper division track elective, and two science and society courses. Instead, you’ll complete a language course requirement that isn’t required in the BS curriculum.

This program provides you with comprehensive preparation for a career in counseling military members and veterans. Upon graduation, you’ll be well-prepared for various jobs within the defense market, such as behavioral health specialist, psychological operations, family support specialist, special operatives and peer specialist, particularly within the VA System and armed services.

Additionally, with your specialized skills and knowledge in supporting military members and veterans, you'll be a competitive candidate for graduate programs in counseling, social work and applied areas of psychology. However, it's important to note that while this program provides a strong foundation, meeting specific admission requirements for graduate professional programs will depend on the individual school's criteria.

The knowledge and skills you’ll develop

As a counseling and applied psychological science program, you’ll first develop foundational skills in communication, analytical thinking, research, interpersonal relations, leadership, problem-solving and adaptability. These skills are essential for the broader fields of counseling and applied psychology.

In addition to these foundational skills, you’ll gain concentration-specific knowledge on counseling military members and veterans, including:

• Mental performance.
• Military psychology and counseling.
• Navigating combat trauma.
• Social issues in counseling.

These specialized courses will equip you with the insights and expertise needed to address the unique challenges faced by military members and veterans, empowering you to make a meaningful impact in their lives.

Who’s a good fit for this program?

Ideal candidates for this program include military service members seeking career advancement, students interested in working in military and veteran service organizations, those seeking specialization in military and veteran studies and recent retirees looking for personal growth. While there’s no specific occupational profile required, this program may be most suitable for those in public service or occupations that interact with military or veteran populations.

Please note: Graduates of this program can’t claim to be military psychologists or other professions requiring graduate education and licensure. This program introduces foundational ideas related to military psychology and counseling with an intentional focus on the interaction between military psychology and counseling.

Industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on human behavior in the workplace. It applies psychological principles and research methods to solve problems in organizations to improve the well-being of employees. This area of expertise can also drive the success of an organization by creating a productive and supportive work environment where employees feel empowered. Key areas within I-O psychology range from recruitment and training to culture and leadership development.

The skills you’ll develop in this I-O degree program

This I-O concentration will strengthen your abilities to understand and contextualize individuals’ thoughts, feelings and behaviors in the workplace. In your courses, you’ll become proficient in scientific writing and quantitative analytical skills including assessment and intervention strategies. You’ll also develop more advanced statistical and research skills in the BS compared to the BA program concentration in I-O. Other transferable skills you’ll gain include:

• Critical thinking.
• Leadership.
• Personal ethics.
• Problem-solving.
• Teamwork.
• Research methodology.
• Written communication.

Is a BA or BS in I-O psychology best for you?

When considering whether to pursue ASU’s online BA or BS concentration in I-O psychology, it's essential to align your decision with your personal interests and career aspirations. The BA program is practice-oriented and ideal for people-centric or service-oriented careers, such as human resources. Verses the BS program, which is research-oriented and emphasizes quantitative training in statistics and data analysis. If you're interested in pursuing a PhD after graduation, the BS program may be a more suitable choice for your long-term goals.

Additionally, you’ll be able to take advantage of ASU’s Statistics and Methods (SAM) Lab online. This program can help you build a strong understanding of the quantitative and qualitative methods used in your research methods or statistics courses.

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.

This social and behavioral sciences major empowers you to confront the complex challenges of contemporary society by examining human behavior and societal dynamics. You'll develop a holistic comprehension of the influences shaping individuals and communities, preparing you for impactful contributions.

This program also features a rich curriculum encompassing psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, human communication and more. By merging theoretical foundations with hands-on applications, you'll graduate equipped to provide solutions to social issues, such as:

• Inequality.
• Homelessness.
• Women's rights.

The skills you’ll develop as a social and behavioral sciences major

In this program, you'll cultivate a versatile skill set for a wide range of career paths. Engaging in interactive lectures, case studies, research projects, group discussions and simulations, you'll develop proficiencies in:

• Collaboration and teamwork.
• Competent communication.
• Critical thinking.
• Empathy and cultural competence.
• Ethical decision-making.
• Leadership.
• Problem-solving.
• Research and data analysis.

By honing these skills, you'll be equipped to navigate multifaceted societal problems, communicate effectively with diverse audiences and drive positive change in your community and beyond.