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Earn Your Degree in Organizational Psychology

Although working as part of a team is, generally speaking, a part of life, particularly at work, there will inevitably be challenges that arise when doing so. Differences in opinion and personalities can create tension and cause conflict, sometimes even escalating to the point of losing good employees.

To help with issues that can arise when individuals must work as a team, organizational psychologists are often employed or brought in to promote a work environment that will be positive for everyone involved, maintain productivity, and encourage colleagues – employers and employees – to develop good working relationships.

Many human resource departments, particularly those of larger businesses and organizations, employ organizational psychologists. To qualify as an HR generalist, you need to hold a bachelor’s degree in organizational psychology. As a part of the HR team, you will be responsible for interviewing and recruiting potential employees, helping to train them once hired, and answering questions employees may have about their benefits.

If you choose to continue your education and earn a master’s degree in this field, you will be qualified to become an HR specialist, employee relations manager, a senior research consultant, or to hold a position with a consulting firm. In these types of positions, you will likely have greater autonomy and be able to branch out into a specialized area.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median salary for organizational psychologists in 2007 was $80,820. Salaries, of course, vary widely with location, education level, experience, and company size. Those with master’s degrees have salaries significantly higher than those with bachelor’s.

Whatever level of degree you choose to earn, your studies will focus on improving your communications skills and will include courses in research and statistical methods, training and development, psychological measurement, social psychology, and group organizational dynamics.

Those who have work and family commitments that make it difficult to return to school to earn a degree will find that earning an online bachelor’s or master’s degree in organizational psychology will afford them the flexibility they need to “do it all.”