Psychology, Industrial/Organizational (BA)

Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology has been among the fastest growing fields over the past decade. Trends such as gig employment, remote work and worker empowerment (a.k.a., “great resignation”) highlight the importance of understanding the psychology of the work experience. The field has made been around for more than one hundred years and made significant contributions to the quality of the work experience.

The twin aims of I/O Psychology are to improve employee work experiences and to enhance organizational effectiveness. Employees desire and deserve quality work experiences. Moreover, they need their organizations to be effective because organizations provide financial and cultural stability for individuals, communities and society. In applying the scientific method, I/O Psychology collaborates with other disciplines to enhance individual, group and organizational outcomes.

Some industries in which I/O Psychology has become well integrated include manufacturing and service organizations, the military and other government entities, health care delivery, high tech and research and development, to name a few. I/O psychologists often work in human resource-related departments, become centrally involved with the daily work by accepting managerial and executive roles, and also act as consultants.

I/O psychology majors can refer to themselves as I/O practitioners and seek work with the bachelor’s degree. Better paying, more high level jobs are within reach for those who choose to go on for graduate study at the master's and/or doctoral levels. At Detroit Mercy, a bachelor’s degree provides a strong foundation in areas such as staffing, workforce development and workplace climate with skillsets suited to work on projects that improve outcomes for employees and organizations alike, including:

• Enhancing job performance
• Improving motivation and job satisfaction
• Training and development
• Employee motivation, attitudes and satisfaction
• Recruiting, selection and promotion processes
• Managing organizational change
• Team formation, building, and management
• Enhancing cross-cultural equity, diversity, and inclusiveness
• Work-life balance and flexible work arrangements

In addition, undergraduates interested in an advanced degree in Industrial/Organizational Psychology may want to consider Detroit Mercy's accelerated 5-year degree program which saves tuition. Please visit the I/O Psychology Accelerated 5-year Program catalog page for more information.

Linda Slowik, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology
Department Chair
Department of Psychology
Reno Hall, Room 244
McNichols Campus

Email: slowiklh@udmercy.edu
Telephone: 313-993-1623
Fax: 313-578-0507