Online Graduate Industrial Organizational Psychology Certificate
female organizational psychologist sitting in office
Start your GCU
journey today.
Step 1: Educational Interests
This helps us connect you with the right enrollment counselor to help you through the process.
Find Your Purpose
Start your GCU journey today.
Request Info
Overview

Make an Impact in Workforce Psychology With an IO Psychology Certificate

Much of the average person’s life is devoted to the workplace. The study of human behavior within the workplace and other organizations is known as industrial and organizational (IO) psychology. IO psychology certificate programs are an ideal pathway for working professionals who want to expand their career qualifications. You can earn your Graduate Certificate of Completion in Industrial and Organizational Psychology at Grand Canyon University.

Study the complexities of human thought and behavior in the workplace and explore how organizations function. Acquire key management and consulting competencies necessary to support organizations as they work toward their long-term objectives. This graduate industrial-organizational psychology certificate, offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, challenges you to evaluate evidence-based research and explore practical applications of psychological principles in the workplace. 

IO psychologist sitting in circle with company employees
Why GCU

Earn Your I/O Psychology Certificate Online

As a modern university, GCU recognizes the need of adult learners for online IO psychology programs that provide flexibility and convenience. With our dynamic online learning platform, you can connect with an engaged community of peers and instructors, and study from anywhere at any time. 


This Certificate Is Offered Online

Coursework

Course Topics in Industrial Organizational Psychology

The curriculum and core competencies for this IO psychology certificate program were 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 modern 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. 

Careers

Career Opportunities for IO Psychology Certificate Program Graduates

The skills and knowledge you are taught in this program can equip you to enhance employee satisfaction, boost productivity and drive performance.

The graduate industrial organizational psychology certificate online prepares you to work in a variety of settings, including:

Government agencies

Private corporations

Human resource firms

Consulting firms

Private practice

Occupational Duties 

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

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 I/O psychology degrees from GCU. 

IO psychology certificate graduates can build a personally fulfilling career that supports the success of organizations and the productivity of individual workers. 

Clinical Licensure Information

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. 

FAQ

Industrial Organizational Psychology Certificate FAQs

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 to help you gain a better understanding of what IO psychology certificate programs entail.

male IO psychologist speaking with patient
Start Your Journey Today

Fill out the form on this page to learn more about earning an I/O psychology certificate at GCU. 

Apply Now
  1. COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as well. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2022, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Human Resources Managers, retrieved on April 17, 2023.
  2. The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Human Resources Managers as of May 2021, retrieved on April 17, 2023. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 and 2021 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may also impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the BLS. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers from across the country with varying levels of education and experience and does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as human resources managers. It does not reflect earnings of workers in one city or region of the country. It also does not reflect a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. You may also wish to compare median salaries if you are considering more than one career path. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, and accept employment from, determines salary not only based on education, but also individual characteristics and skills and fit to that organization (among other categories) against a pool of candidates.

We're here to help.

I'm Ready to ApplyI Need More Information