The Best Industrial Organizational Psychology Bachelor's Degrees is our research guide designed for prospective students to be informed of college and degree options.
Industrial Organizational Psychology, is also known as IO Psychology, Business Psychology, and Organizational Psychology. It is the intersection of Psychology and how businesses and organizations function and develop best practices.
According to the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP), Industrial and Organizational Psychology is defined as:
"Science for a smarter workplace."
SIOP
Industrial Organizational Psychologists work with companies and organizations, either in-house or as consultants. Their duties are, for example, to improve the satisfaction of the employees, improve hiring practices, and ultimately to improve the profitability and/or efficiency of the business or organization. Often IO Psychologists work closely with HR departments to review hiring practices and develop ways to keep employees satisfied with their work and compensation, decreasing turnover, and so on.
The programs mentioned are all in the U.S., and include a mix of online and on-campus programs. Many times an IO Psychology bachelor's program can be taken on-campus or online from the same school, depending on the student's preference. An example of this is the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Industrial Organizational Psychology at Southern New Hampshire University.
There usually are no fundamental differences between the two modes of instruction. Students who are self-motivated and can manage their time well, can often excel in online college. Some students may want to ask questions one-on-one with a professor in-person. In those instances on-campus degrees may be the best option.
A bachelor's degree traditionally consists of 120 credit hours, and takes four years to complete. Most classes consist of 3 credit hours per class. 60 hours are in taking basic general courses, and the second 60 credit hours are spent on the major level courses and electives.
There are, however, fast bachelor's programs that can be completed in as quickly as two years for on-campus and online degrees. For example, Southern New Hampshire University offers fast bachelor's degrees that can be completed in two years.
The Best Industrial Organizational Psychology Bachelor's Degrees
| Rank | School | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Southern New Hampshire University | Manchester, New Hampshire |
| 2 | CUNY Bernard M Baruch College | New York, New York |
| 3 | University of Central Florida | Orlando, Florida |
| 4 | Liberty University | Lynchburg, Virginia |
| 5 | Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott | Prescott, Arizona |
| 6 | Purdue University Global | West Lafayette, Indiana |
| 7 | University of Massachusetts Global | Irvine, California |
| 8 | Brigham Young University-Idaho | Rexburg, Idaho |
| 9 | Florida International University | Miami, Florida |
| 10 | DePaul University | Chicago, Illinois |
| 11 | Wright State University-Main Campus | Dayton, Ohio |
| 12 | Louisiana State University-Alexandria | Alexandria, Louisiana |
Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, New Hampshire
Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) is a private, nonprofit university, with one of the largest student bodies, and consequently one of the largest alumni networks, in the U.S.
SNHU also has one of the lowest tuition rates in the country - the same since 2012.
SNHU offers two bachelor's in Industrial and Organizational Psychology:
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology - Industrial Organizational Psychology degree
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration - Industrial Organizational Psychology specialization
Both programs can be taken online or on-campus.
The BA in Psychology program teaches a psychology foundation, whereas the BS in Business Administration teaches a foundation in business. Both programs teach the best practices of IO Psychologists, such as applied psychological tenets and research methods to organizations.
One major advantage of SNHU is that they offer fast bachelor's degrees that can be completed in 2 years (24 months), which includes online bachelor's degrees.
SNHU works with Sophia Learning, which offers students three options for quickly completing the basic and general education courses of a bachelor's degree.
For a flat fee, students can take and complete as many classes as possible within certain timeframes:
- $99 - one month to finish one class or more
- $299 - four months to finish classes
- $599 - one year to finish classes
Motivated students can greatly reduce the general education requirements by using Sophia Learning for basic classes.
CUNY Bernard M Baruch College
Zicklin School of Business
New York, New York
The City University of New York (CUNY) Baruch College offers the Bachelor of Business Administration in Industrial Organizational Psychology degree that is taken on-campus.
Credits: 124
Courses include:
- Research Methods in Psychology
- Psychology of Career Development and Planning
- Social Psychology
- Mind, Brain, and Behavior
- Occupational Health Psychology
This BBA program teaches industrial organizational and psychological principles within a business fundamentals framework.
University of Central Florida
College of Sciences, Psychology Department
Orlando, Florida
University of Central Florida offers the Bachelor of Science in Psychology - Industrial Organizational Psychology Track.
Students learn concepts and terminology used in psychology history and systems, research methods and statistics, and physiological psychology - taught from experts and leaders in Industrial Organization Psychology.
Graduates should be able to improve quality of life for employees and better understand how to achieve productivity and assess management styles.
Credits: 120 hours
This program can be taken on-campus or online.
Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
Liberty University is a private, non-profit Christian university, with one of the largest student bodies in the U.S., with over 100 thousand students. Most of these students are attending online.
Liberty University offers the Bachelor of Science in Psychology – Industrial Organizational Psychology as an on-campus, residential degree.
Credits: 120 hours
Courses include:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Psychology and Christianity
- Abnormal Psychology
- Organizational Behavior and Management
- Group Dynamics
Students potentially have the opportunity to intern in Washington, D.C.
Traveling to New York, Ecuador, and Poland are available as academic-oriented trips. And there's the possibility of publishing the research conducted by students.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Prescott
Prescott, Arizona
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University has a campus in Florida and one in Arizona, and also has a Global Campus that offers online degrees.
Their Bachelor of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology program is offered on-campus at their location in Prescott, Arizona.
The degree emphasizes three main areas of instruction:
- student opportunities
- intersection of science and practice
- faculty expertise
Courses include:
- Statistics for Organizational Analysis and Research
- Psychology of Leadership
- Tests and Measurements Theory
- Human Factors III: Performance Processes
This is a very hands-on degree. Students can present their research findings at conferences, participate in the Psi Chi honors society and the Psych Club, and work at internships. Students can also potentially consult with real companies, and/or work with professors and faculty on experiments.
Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical University has an employment or continued education placement rate of 96 percent within a year of graduating.
Purdue University Global
West Lafayette, Indiana
Purdue University Global offers the online Bachelor of Science in Psychology in Industrial Organizational Psychology degree.
There are 34 courses total, with approximately 15 to 18 hours of time commitment required each week.
Core courses include:
- Introduction to Cognitive Psychology
- History of Psychology
- Strategic Communication
- Public Relations Strategies
- Employment and Staffing
Credits: 180 quarter credit hours
This program teaches online students how to apply psychological principles and research methods to businesses, nonprofits, and governmental organizations in order to bring insights and positive improvements within an ethical framework.
Students can work towards earning an accelerated master's degree while still in the bachelor's program.
University of Massachusetts Global
Irvine, California
University of Massachusetts Global (UMass Global) is a private nonprofit university. UMass Global offers the online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with an Industrial/Organizational concentration.
Credits: 120
This program is designed to teach students the following competencies:
- statistical techniques and behavioral science research methodologies
- research methods for performance feedback, training, and diversity of employees
- APA formatting for scientific writing
- theories related to business lifespans
Courses include:
- Human Development across the Lifespan
- History and Systems of Psychology
- Introduction to Career Development
- Cross-cultural Psychology
- Psychology Capstone
Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission.
Brigham Young University-Idaho
Department of Psychology
Rexburg, Idaho
Brigham Young University Idaho offers the Bachelor of Science in Psychology with an emphasis on Industrial Organizational Psychology.
This program is designed to teach students how to improve and optimize organizations, through learning skills such as research, professional writing, and completing projects and internships.
This program is faith-based and based on High Impact Practices given by the Association of American Colleges and Universities.
The interdisciplinary program teach students:
- statistics
- management
- theatre
- communication
- health services
Credits: 120
Courses include:
- Career Development in Psychology
- Social Science Statistics
- Human Resource Management
- Design Thinking: Inquiry and Innovation
Students may gain the Six Sigma certification.
Florida International University
Miami, Florida
Florida International University offers the online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology: Industrial Organizational Psychology.
Credits: 120 credit hours
Students take courses in 5 Psychology sub disciplines:
- Developmental
- Applied
- Experimental
- Personality/Abnormal
- Social
The program also teaches research methods (with lab courses) and statistics.
Students who wish to attend on-campus can at the Biscayne Bay campus or the Modesto Maidique campus.
DePaul University
College of Science and Health
Chicago, Illinois
DePaul University offers the combined Bachelor of Arts in Psychology in Industrial and Organizational Concentration + Master of Science in Psychology in Industrial and Organizational Psychology.
Students can complete 12 credits towards the master's while still taking the undergraduate bachelor's degree, which counts towards both degrees.
Courses include:
- Introduction to Psychology
- Research Mathods
- Introduction to Psychological Measurement
- Social Psychology
- Theories of Learning and Cognition
If students continue into the master's in IO Psychology, it's a terminal degree.
Wright State University-Main Campus
College of Science and Mathematics
Dayton, Ohio
Wright State University offers the Bachelor of Science in Psychology - Industrial/Organizational concentration program.
This program teaches from the behavioral, social, and cognitive areas of psychology. This psychological approach equips graduates in creating optimized workplaces, which includes the wellbeing of the employees and profitability of organizations.
Courses include:
- Research Methods in Psychology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Abnormal Psychology
- Social Psychology
Credits: 120 hours
This program has six learning goals for graduates:
- understanding human behavior
- research methods
- ethical principles
- communication (oral and written)
- teamwork
- self-management
Louisiana State University-Alexandria
Alexandria, Louisiana
Louisiana State University at Alexandrian (LSUA) offers the online Bachelor of Science in Psychology concentration in Industrial and Organizational Psychology degree.
Credits: 120 credit hours
This program teaches students how to apply psychological principles to individuals working in businesses. This can include learning how to motivate employees, how to optimize departments, and teach management leadership skills.
Online students interact in real time with their professors through video conferencing.
Core courses include:
- Statistics for Behavioral and Social Sciences
- Cultural Diversity
- Introduction to Abnormal Psychology
- Ethical, Legal, and Professional Issues in Psychology
- Research Methodology
Qualifying students can receive financial aid.
In most instances, a master's in Industrial Organizational Psychology is the degree required to work in the field. Master's degrees require a bachelor's degree for admission. These bachelor's programs are well suited to qualify graduates for further graduate study in IO Psychology.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Industrial Organizational Psychologists earn an average median salary of $139,280 per year.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that a master's degree is sufficient to work as an IO Psychologist:
Although psychologists typically need a doctoral degree in psychology, a master’s degree may be sufficient for school and industrial organizational positions. Psychologists in clinical practice need a license.
BLS
Licenses are not required to work as an Industrial Organizational Psychologist.
More resources:
- Top Master's in Industrial Organizational Psychology Online
- The Best PhDs in Industrial Organizational Psychology Degrees
- Top Industrial Organizational Psychology Graduate Degrees Online
- Online Industrial and Organizational Psychology Master's Degree Guide
- The Best Online Degrees for Careers
Can you be an IO Psychologist with a bachelor's degree?
No. IO Psychologist positions require a master's degree for employment.
What is bachelor of Industrial Psychology?
A bachelor of Industrial Psychology is the subject of how to use psychology and business tenets for improving workplace productivity and satisfaction for employees and also increasing profitability and efficiency of businesses and organizations.
Usually 120 credit hours are required, and involve 2 to four years of classes. Students learn how to apply psychological principles and research methods to businesses and organizations.
What can you do with Industrial Organizational Psychology?
With a master's degree in Industrial Organizational Psychology, graduates can work for companies on staff, or as outside consultants, and improve the efficiency and create a safe and harmonious work environment for employees. IO Psychologists can also improve the profitability and efficiency of organizations.