Charting Your Course: MA in Organizational Psychology vs. MBA

Are you considering continuing your academic journey? Are you looking at master's degrees that will help you create more effective organizations? If this sounds like you, you might be contemplating whether a Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology or a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is the best fit for you. 

Choosing between these two academic paths means considering your individual interests, values, and career goals. Each option offers a unique perspective on navigating your professional journey, giving you different ways to approach the adventures, opportunities, and challenges that come your way. It's like having multiple pairs of glasses for your career vision! Continue reading to explore the differences between an MA in Organizational Psychology and an MBA degree.

Facts About Organizational Psychology

The field of organizational psychology emphasizes understanding human behavior, change dynamics, and creating positive workplace environments. With a background in organizational psychology, you will become an effective leader and change agent with the ability to work with individuals, teams, groups, and businesses.

The key component of organizational psychology is the people. A master's degree in this field will equip you with comprehensive knowledge and skills to address human behavior and psychological factors that influence organizations. The curriculum covers a broad spectrum of subjects including organizational structure, change management, culture, team dynamics, and employee motivation and performance.

Organizational psychology programs go beyond theoretical concepts and focus on developing practical skills related to understanding and managing human behavior in professional settings. With this degree, you will emerge with enhanced self-awareness and the interpersonal and communication skills crucial for building trust and creating effective workplace relationships across all industries. 

Facts About Business Administration

A degree in business administration will offer you a broad education in business and operations management, preparing you for leadership roles within organizations. You will become familiar with many aspects of a business, inclduing finance, marketing, operations, strategy, economics, analytics, management, ethics, and more.

An MBA program will help you develop skills such as thinking strategically, analyzing finances, and managing mulitple facets of a business. If you are interested in exploring a broad range of corporate topics and management skills, an MBA might be the best path. With both theory and practice, you will have the education needed to lead in many fields.

Course Options in MBA and Master’s in Organizational Psychology Programs

While there are connections between topics covered, MA in Organizational Psychology and MBA courses have a different focus. Below are some typical course topics for each program.

Master of Arts in Organizational Psychology Program Courses

• Organizational Behavior
• Leadership and Motivation
• Workplace Diversity and Inclusion
• Training and Development
• Organizational Change and Development (including resistance to change)
• Talent Management
• Competency Models, Job Design, and Performance Appraisal and Feedback
• Work-Life Balance, Well-Being, and Job Satisfaction
• Conflict Resolution
• Group Dynamics and Team Building
• Cross-Cultural Organizational Psychology
• Employee Engagement

MBA Program Courses

• Financial Accounting
• Marketing Management
• Operations Management
• Corporate Finance
• Strategic Management
• Business Ethics
• Managerial Economics
• Entrepreneurship and Innovation
• Data Analysis for Business
• Business Law and Ethics
• Global Business Strategy
• Management Information Systems

A Guide to Choosing Your Career Path

An MA in Organizational Psychology degree opens doors to a variety of fulfilling career opportunities, empowering individuals to make substantial contributions across diverse industries by applying their expertise in comprehending human behavior and promoting sustainable change. 

Organizational Psychology graduates can work in healthcare, education, government, non-profits, and many other industries to benefit leaders and help their teams thrive. If you like the human side of business and want to understand how people work in organizations, an MA in Organizational Psychology might be right for you.

MBA graduates have diverse career options. They often go into corporate management, start their own businesses, or become consultants or executives. These jobs cover topics such as managing money, promoting products, and starting new ventures. If you like managing business operations and helping organizations run smoothly and efficiently, earning your MBA might be the right step for you.

Interested in Learning More?

Are you eager to explore and make a positive impact in workplaces? Embark on your journey with the MA in Organizational Psychology program at William James College. If you would like to learn more about William James, or speak directly with an admissions counselor about your educational and career goals, sign up for a 1/1 phone conversation through our online calendar.

• Tags:
• Around Campus
• Admissions Blog