Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
A Concentration In
Industrial & Organizational Psychology
An emphasis within the B.S. in Psychology — apply the science of behavior to the workplace, teams, and organizations.
Psychology Meets Business
Psychology of work plus real business coursework
People at Work
Leadership, organizational behavior, and HR
24 Focused Credits
The largest of the psychology concentrations
Industrial and Organizational psychology is psychology applied to the world of work — how people perform, how teams function, how organizations hire, motivate, and lead. It’s one of the most directly employable corners of the field, and ACU’s concentration pairs psychology with real business coursework to prepare you for it.
On top of the full psychology core, you’ll add twenty-four credits that bridge two disciplines: Industrial and Organizational Psychology and Group Dynamics from psychology, plus Introduction to Business, Principles of Leadership, Principles of Management, Organizational Behavior, Human Resource Management, and Communication Strategy in Business. You’ll graduate able to think like a psychologist and speak the language of business — a combination employers value in HR, talent, and organizational roles.
Apply Psychology to Work
Study how psychological principles shape hiring, performance, and the workplace.
Understand Group Dynamics
Learn how teams form, function, and sometimes fail — and how to help them work.
Lead and Manage
Build leadership and management skills grounded in real business coursework.
Shape Organizational Behavior
Study how organizations behave and how to build healthier cultures.
Master the People Function
Learn human resource management — hiring, developing, and supporting employees.
Communicate in Business
Develop the communication skills organizations expect from their people.
I/O psychology is about people at work — and a Biblical Worldview gives a deeper account of work, leadership, and the people who do it.
Work Has Dignity
Scripture treats work as good and meaningful, part of how people are made to contribute. That reframes the workplace from a machine for output to a community of people doing worthwhile work.
Grounds your approach to performance and motivation in the dignity of work.
People Are Not Resources
The phrase 'human resources' can flatten people into assets. Seeing employees as image-bearers reshapes how you think about hiring, evaluation, and the way organizations treat their people.
Forms an HR and management posture centered on people, not just productivity.
Leadership as Service
Scripture's model of leadership is service — working for the good of those you lead. That conviction shapes how you study and practice organizational leadership.
Anchors your leadership in serving the people and the mission.
The psychology-plus-business combination opens directly employable roles — and a strong path to graduate study in I/O psychology or business.
Human Resources & Talent
Work in recruiting, employee development, and HR, where understanding people is the job.
Organizational Development & Training
Help organizations build culture, train teams, and improve how they work.
Management & Operations
Lead teams and operations with both psychological insight and business skill.
Graduate Study in I/O Psychology or Business
Continue into a master's in I/O psychology, organizational leadership, or an MBA.
The I/O Psychology concentration is the most directly career-oriented psychology track — psychology with a business edge.
Two Disciplines in One
Real psychology and real business coursework — you graduate fluent in both.
Highly Employable
I/O psychology connects directly to HR, talent, and organizational roles in demand across industries.
The Largest Concentration
Twenty-four focused credits give this track the most depth of any psychology concentration.
People-Centered Leadership
Learn to lead and manage framed by a Biblical Worldview that values people and their work.
Already drawn to the Psychology degree? Adding the I/O Psychology concentration is simple.
Apply to ACU
Submit your application for admission to Arizona Christian University.
Start Your ApplicationChoose I/O Psychology as Your Concentration
Tell your psychology advisor you want the I/O track, and they'll map the psychology and business courses into your plan.
Sequence the Business Courses
Build in Introduction to Business and Principles of Management early, since later management courses build on them.
The I/O Psychology concentration combines psychology and business to prepare you for the most directly employable corner of the field. Apply or reach out today.