Deciding between BBA in industrial/organizational psychology vs. BA in psychology?
I’m deciding between those 2 degrees. Do you think it’s really worth the extra semester and more difficult classes in general to do the BBA? Do employers put any value on BA degree anymore (esp. in a field like psychology?) I appreciate your input!
CoachT said,
Wrote on October 17, 2010 @ 6:53 pm
In any field of psych, a master’s degree is required as the minimum professional qualification. In many fields of psych a PhD/PsyD is required but I/O Psych is one area that the master’s is sufficient – especially if you also have a business background.
With the BA or BBA in the field, you can expect job ops to be limited to lower-level positions in marketing (market research), sales, and HR. Those positions will be attracting applicants with no related degree but with experience and those “with experience” applicants will be ahead of you in most selection processes.
If you’re planning on getting a master’s in either then it doesn’t matter which you get. If you’re planning a master’s in I/O then the BBA will be better. If you’ve thought of an MBA then the BBA will be better. If you’re thinking of counseling or an MA in Psych then the BA will be better.
The real thing you need to do is consider what career you’re interested in and get the education required for that career path. The difficult way is to get the degree and then try to decide on a career. Pick the career field first – then see what’s required.