Social and behavioral sciences - Psychology and sociology

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.

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.

This program provides context for understanding human behavior and achieving peak performance in domains, such as sport, exercise and competition. You’ll develop practical skills for enhancing performance and well-being in yourself and others, whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent or simply interested in the intersection between psychology and sport.

In your courses, you’ll learn about a variety of topics in psychology from the lens of sport and counseling performance, including:

• Anxiety and stress management.
• Counseling theories and techniques.
• Foundations in sport psychology.
• Human development across the lifespan.
• Motivation and confidence in athletes.
• Multicultural research, theory and practice.
• Performance enhancement.
• Psychological factors of injury and rehabilitation.
• Team dynamics.

What fields can I go into after graduating from this program?

The knowledge you’ll gain in this sport and performance counseling degree concentration applies to fields in sport and beyond. The military, health and wellness, K-12 coaching, performance arts and emergency services are examples of industries that require mental preparation and resilience for success.

Additionally, the psychological dynamics at play in sport are also relevant to wellness within organizations and the workplace. From increasing motivation to perform at optimal levels to reducing stress in high-pressure situations, you can apply sport counseling techniques to roles in the public, private and nonprofit sectors.

Can I become a sport psychologist with this degree?

No. This degree doesn’t lead directly to a career as a sport psychologist or any profession that requires graduate education and professional licensure to practice. However, as a graduate, you’ll be equipped for advanced studies in a variety of areas, such as sport psychology, kinesiology, athletics and physical therapy.