Graduate Industrial Organizational Psychology Certificate

The curriculum and core competencies for this IO psychology certificate program was developed to reflect objectives of the American Psychological Association (APA). You will develop a solid base of knowledge in psychological principles and scientific inquiry. There is an emphasis on ethical and social responsibility in the 21st century workforce. Graduates of this industrial organizational psychology certificate have been taught to communicate effectively, think critically and pursue professional excellence by exploring the following topic areas:

• Social and organizational methods and principles for the enhancement of industry and business
• Strategies for designing and implementing training programs
• Psychological principles as they relate to personnel and human resource management, including both virtual and physical work environments
• Techniques for designing interventions to address organizational problems
• Consulting and management strategies to achieve personal, group and organizational goals
• Theoretical foundations for organizational development, including the psychology behind how organizations function
• Ethical considerations related to confidentiality and informed consent

You are encouraged to apply the Christian worldview to your coursework. The IO psychology certificate at GCU emphasizes the role of ethical decision-making and servant leadership in the workplace.

IO psychology certificate graduates can build a personally fulfilling career that supports the success of organizations and the productivity of individual workers. Some of the typical job duties of an IO psychology specialist may include:

• Training and motivating the workforce
• Assessing job performance
• Improving organizational structure and business efficiency
• Implementing programs to enhance quality of life for employees
• Helping employees and executives cope with major transitions, such as mergers
• Designing and implementing performance appraisal and feedback systems to evaluate employee performance and identify areas for improvement
• Conducting research studies to assess the effectiveness of organizational policies and procedures

The skills and knowledge you have the opportunity to learn in this program can help prepare you to improve employee satisfaction, productivity and performance. The graduate industrial organizational psychology certificate online or evening prepares you to work in a variety of settings. These may include:

• Government agencies
• Private corporations
• Human resource firms
• Consulting firms
• Private practice

While many IO psychology certificate program professionals may decide to pursue a career as a manager or psychologist, others choose to focus their careers on research and academia. Some specific careers may require additional qualifications. IO psychology certificate graduates may be prepared to pursue advanced psychology degrees from GCU.

This industrial organizational psychology certificate program does not lead to clinical licensure. Clinical psychology focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders, whereas the graduate IO psychology certificate is focused on applying psychological principles and methods to improve organizational effectiveness. To practice clinical psychology, you must complete extensive clinical training and obtain a license to practice in your state, which is not required in this IO psychology certificate.

Whether you are a recent graduate, a working professional looking to enhance your skills or someone considering a career change, we’ve gathered a few frequently asked questions about the graduate industrial organizational psychology certificate. Review the questions below to help you gain a better understanding of what IO psychology certificate programs entail.