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Organizational Psychology Concentration

  • Credits:
    18

Concentration Description

Organizational Psychology combines psychology and management. It focuses on organizational and institutional behavior, the psychology of work and working systems, leadership and management styles, and the shifting relationships between individuals and groups. Topics include communication styles and skills, enhancing work environments, mediation and conflict resolution, and valuing human diversity in the workplace.

A Key Element in Your Bachelor’s Degree.   The Organizational Psychology concentration is accepted in any Cambridge College bachelor’s degree, as open electives. It is often of interest to students doing a bachelor’s degree in management or psychology. It also provides valuable understandings to students heading for careers working with people, businesses, and organizations.

Program Outcomes

  • Fundamental understanding of the historical development and methodologies of organizational psychology
  • Understanding of institutional behavior, the psychology of work and working systems, leadership and management styles

Careers and Further Study

Our students go on to graduate study in psychology, counseling, social work, management, leadership studies, and related fields. Career pathways include clinical, educational, human service and management and research. Graduates work in a myriad of institutional and private programs and agencies.

Curriculum

Prequisite Course
3
Credits
Formative Ideas in Psychology
PSY 120 • 3 credit(s)
The CLEP exam in Introductory Psychology is accepted as equivalent. The field of psychology is introduced and the historical development of psychology as an academic discipline and as a professional career are surveyed. The major fields of psychology are explored and applied to understanding human beings as individuals, and as members of groups, and communities. The major methods of psychological research are introduced, including data collection and analysis.
Concentration Courses
18
Credits
Theories of Personality
PSY 325 • 3 credit(s)
This course is an introduction to the study of personality and examines a broad range of theoretical explanations for understanding personality development. Students will learn both historical and contemporary approaches to understanding personality including: psychoanalytic, humanistic-existential, social-cognitive, behavioral, biological and feminist perspectives and will also examine the impact of culture on personality development. The course will examine similarities and differences between various theories through case studies and students will be encouraged to explore the relevance of the material to their professional and personal understanding.
Systems Thinking in Psychology
PSY 110 • 3 credit(s)
Systems thinking in psychology is introduced as a theoretical approach to understanding the relationships and interactions of individuals, families, groups, and organizations. Attention is paid to application of the systemic model and how it differs from the linear model, when studying human interactions, analyzing social problems, and developing interventions. Students apply systems theory to problems they select from their daily lives or jobs.
Organizational Theory & Behavior
BSM 445 • 3 credit(s)
This course examines the factors which influence individual, group and firm behavior in the work place. Topics include communication, motivation, group dynamics, leadership, power, and organizational design and development. Theories and frameworks, case discussions and skill-building exercises are used to understand and apply each topic. Class sessions and assignments help participants acquire the skills that managers need to improve organizational relationships and performance.
Diversity in the Workplace
BSM 315 • 3 credit(s)
This course looks at the significance of diversity in management and the implications of diversity for how organizations are organized and how they function. The changing demographics of the workplace are examined and the significance of diversity for domestic and international business are discussed. Organizational approaches to diversity are examined and analyzed. The course attempts to engage differences within the class and help students develop leadership skills for managing diversity, including consensus building, conflict resolution and talking through differences.
Negotiation & Conflict Management
BSM 465 • 3 credit(s)
Networked organizations present different challenges for the negotia­tion and conflict resolution skills of managers. The fact that today's networked organizations are less hierarchical and more global makes negotiation at every level a necessity and increases the potential for conflict, while the lack of face-to-face communication and long-standing relationships make the resolution of conflict more difficult. This course examines the basic theories of integrative bargaining and problem solving and helps extend these models to the current reali­ties of distributed work and collaboration. Through case studies and experiential exercises students analyze the processes of diagnosing conflict, planning for negotiation, and implementing solutions within networked organizations; and develop conflict resolution skills.
Psychology and Work Today: Introduction to Industrial and Organization
PSY 421 • 3 credit(s)
The DANTES exam in Organizational Behavior is accepted as equivalent. This course provides an overview of organizational psychology and examines how general psychological principles operate among individuals in social and organizational settings. The course provides in-depth application of theories and concepts in Organizational Psychology to public and private work settings, and profit and non-profit organizations. Learners acquire competencies based on practical applications of behavioral science research findings in motivation, decision-making, problem-solving, employee development, working conditions, and employee safety and health in the workplace.
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