In an age of instant communication, diverse workplaces and increasing distances between office workers and remote employees, the need for a happy and healthy workplace has created the demand for business professionals with expertise in psychology. Fortunately, a number of degree programs are available to meet this demand.
Obtaining the Degree
Students interested in getting a Psychology-MBA degree can find programs at all levels of post-secondary education. For some students, the dual degree begins during the undergraduate years while others wait for their graduate studies. While requirements vary from university to university, students interested in dual psychology/MBA programs may be required to show practical experience in human resources, supervision or management. Contact any schools you are interested in to learn about available dual degree programs and the requirements for graduation.
Five-Year Psychology MBA Programs
A five year program is ideal for the student who wishes to complete his program in the shortest possible amount of time can do so with full-time attendance in a five-year program.
- St. John's University in New York offers a five-year combined program for getting a bachelor's degree in psychology and business administration and an MBA. Students are able to enroll in four graduate level courses while still working on their undergraduate degrees. These classes count toward both their psychology B.A. and MBA degrees. Ranked as the 145th best university in the country by U.S. News, graduates can leave knowing they attended a top-tier institution. Forbes also adds that 98 percent of students receive financial aid.
- Oswego State University of New York offers a five-year combined program which allows students to graduate with a B.A. in psychology, a minor in business administration and an MBA. Students are eligible to begin their MBA courses during their senior year. The university is ranked as the 56th best university in the Northern United States by U.S. News and boasts lower tuition costs for out-of-state students. By taking an interdisciplinary approach, Oswego prepares graduates for the business world by teaching them how to use human cognition in leadership and management roles.
MBA Programs With a Master's in Psychology
When completing a psychology master's degree in conjunction with an MBA, students should expect to be enrolled for at least two years full-time. Students must meet the graduation requirements for both programs.
- Roosevelt University offers a dual degree program for getting an MBA and a Master of Arts in Industrial and Organizational Psychology. Students are required to complete three foundation courses in psychology before being admitted to the dual degree program. Once admitted, students concurrently take courses in psychology and business. Roosevelt is located in Chicago, Illinois and is ranked by U.S. News as one of the top 100 universities to attend in the Midwest. Roosevelt is also accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
- John F. Kennedy University offers a sports psychology M.A. and MBA dual degree that can be taken either in-person or online. Students who attend full-time will need three years to complete the program. Two MBA courses are taken during the first year as well as one sports psychology internship. Altogether, students will complete four sports psychology internships while concurrently taking courses to complete the M.A. and MBA programs. The university is a member of the National University System.
PsyD and MBA Dual Degree Programs
Professionals who wish to call themselves psychologists will need to obtain a doctoral degree and pursue licensure with their state. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), industrial and organizational psychologists are listed as the fastest growing occupation with a 53 percent projected increase in job growth from 2012 to 2022. To complete both a dual doctoral and MBA program, students should expect to dedicate at least five or six years to graduate school.
- Widener University offers a PsyD and MBA program that includes clinical experience, business practices, and organizational psychology. The MBA program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and the school is ranked as the 189th best in the nation by U.S. News. To complete both degrees, students will be expected to enroll in summer and evening courses beginning their first year in the program. When attending full-time, students can complete the program in five years.
- Nova Southeastern University also offers a joint PsyD and MBA degree program that allows students to begin business coursework during their third year. Nova Southeastern allows three psychology courses to be used as part of the MBA requirements, allowing students to complete fewer courses to graduate with both degrees. To meet the needs of the students, some courses are offered online and during the weekends. The MBA program is accredited by the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE) and the school itself is ranked as the 149th best in the South by Forbes.
Putting Your Degree to Work
Studying business provides students with knowledge about the functions of various team members and business entities in the workplace. By completing a combination psychology/MBA program, graduates will be able to apply the fundamental theories on organizational behavior, development and systems to business models in light of an increasingly diverse workplace. An educational background in both business and psychology can be beneficial for a career in fields like human resources and leadership. The Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology is a great resource for updates about this field and other resources for people interested in pursuing higher education and/or careers in this area.
