New College of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences

While there are a number of forensic science programs in the U.S., this is the first program with a concentration in death investigations. Throughout your courses, you’ll become skilled in report writing, critical synthesis, anatomy, statistics and surveying, data analysis and modeling. You’ll also become familiar with topics including:

• Advanced scene mapping.
• Excavation and recovery.
• Forensic anthropology.
• Forensic entomology.
• Human and comparative osteology.
• Photography.
• Taphonomy and wildlife forensics.
• The history and psychology of death investigation.

This program will prepare you to become a competitive job candidate and applicant for graduate and medical school in areas such as medicolegal death investigation, biology, pre-dental forensic odontology, wildlife forensics, forensic nursing and more. If you’re interested in becoming a crime scene investigator, law enforcement agent or crime lab personnel, ASU's online Bachelor of Science in forensic science is another option you can consider.

What does a medicolegal death investigator do?

A medicolegal death investigator’s role is similar to that of a crime scene investigator. However, medicolegal death investigators focus on human remains. Their duties include responding to scenes of suspicious deaths, photographing and documenting the human remains and transporting them to the medical examiner’s office. They also work alongside medical examiners to identify how individuals passed away and the details surrounding their deaths. The medicolegal field is multidisciplinary, blending the fields of medicine, science and the judicial system.

Who’s a good candidate for this bachelor’s program?

The ideal candidate is interested in working within the medicolegal system to find answers to suspicious or unexplained deaths. This program is a good fit if you’re looking to take the first step toward a career in forensic death investigations or further your education in medical or graduate school.

Please note: This degree doesn’t prepare you to immediately become a forensic pathologist, anthropologist, odontologist or psychologist upon graduation. While this program does provide an excellent foundation, additional schooling is required to work in these fields.

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.

In this social and behavioral sciences degree, you’ll explore the intricacies of human behavior and societal dynamics, gaining a comprehensive understanding of the factors shaping individuals and communities. You'll study subjects including psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science and human communication. Courses blend theoretical frameworks with practical applications, enabling you to analyze complex social issues, such as women's rights, homelessness, inequality and more, and develop innovative solutions.

The skills you’ll develop in this degree program

Throughout this program, you'll develop a diverse set of skills essential for a variety of career paths. Through interactive lectures, group discussions, case studies, research projects and simulations, you'll graduate with skills including:

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

These skills are highly transferable and will support your career in various industries and graduate studies, ensuring your success in lifelong learning endeavors.

The demand for statisticians has significantly increased because statistical and analytical skills have become critical to so many fields. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for mathematicians and statisticians is projected to grow 11% from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than the average for all occupations.

Beyond the number of jobs available, a career in statistics is lucrative as well. The median average pay for statisticians was $103,300 as of May 2024. Earning this bachelor’s in statistics can set you apart and prepare you to pursue statistics- and data-driven careers immediately after graduating.

The skills you’ll develop in this online statistics program

In this program, you’ll learn how to gather, organize, analyze and interpret data. You’ll gain experience with probability, big data and machine learning, and understand how to apply this knowledge in real scenarios. You’ll also become proficient in communicating the results of your analyses, an ability highly valued by employers. Additional transferable skills you’ll graduate with include:

• Data visualization
• Experiment design
• Methods of inference
• Programming languages, such as Python, R and SAS
• Statistical modeling

What fields do statisticians work in?

Due to advances in computing technology, data is more valuable than ever in driving decisions and influencing new research areas. Statistics has applications in fields ranging from business and science to policy and government. You’ll also find statistician roles in banking and finance, journalism, sports and fashion.

This program stands out because of its holistic approach. As you progress in your career, you can use your statistical modeling and communication abilities to solve data-driven problems and streamline processes in any industry. This can include building innovative software, developing safer drugs, communicating data with the public and more.

Planning to pursue graduate studies? Pair this bachelor’s degree with an Accelerated Master’s and finish in as little as one additional year. This path can reduce your time and costs while deepening your expertise. Eligible programs include:

• Master of Science in biological data science