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What is the diff between an Industrial Psych and organization psych?

Real diff between industrial and organization psychology? Is there a difference? I wanted to major in industrial organization psychology. But as I'm looking for schools that offer them the school that I wanted to go to only offers organization psychology. Does that differ from I/O psychology? pLease tell me from personal exp. thank you Ps would it be better if I also minored in business since I would be dealing with the whole company? What other classes can I take to better prepare myself for the job?

Public Comments

1. Industrial and Organizational from what I recall are basically the same thing. Look for a program in either that uses both titles main theorists, which any good program should. With that said if you are going to be an undergrad at an American school you are going to have to take a variety of psych courses even if you are focused in one discipline. I will admit I didn't go to school for I/O psych, I went for general psych, which is another option if you intend to go to grad school as it will help you be well rounded. As far as business is concerned it might help but if you have something else you would rather minor in don't let it hinder you, I dual majored with Religious Studies and had a minor of the Psychology of Religion.
2. There is no difference between I/O Psych and Org/Psych. Depending on the university it will have a different name. My MA program at Columbia University was called Social-Organizational Psychology & Leadership. My PhD program at Harvard is called Organizational Behavior, which is a joint degree offered by the Departments of Psychology and Sociology together with the Harvard Business School. Other similar terms used interchangeably are: Complexity Science, Change Management and Organizational Development (OD). There are subtle differences in some of these terms. For instance, Organizational Development (OD) is more focused on how you build effective organizational structures and develop leaders within an organization. Whereas Organizational Behavior is more focused on how leadership influences the workplace culture...and how that culture impacts organizational performance. Change Management is exactly what the name implies—how to lead an organization through both the procedural and cultural complexities of change. But, most of the rest are synonymous with one or more other terms. I always perform better if I have a broad knowledge of my subject area...so I would suggest you take some business courses. However, I would focus more on the functions of organizations...rather than on calculations...
3. You failed to mention what type of job you are looking forward to obtaining. If you want to be a psychologist then you have no need for a business education. If you are planning to go into business then you might as well major in Management and minor in psychology or double major in both. Management will encompass some psychology and sociology, but business stops short of telling you how to apply these ecumen. Management assumes you are going in on the people end of the business and not the financial end. However, the financial end has a steeper and more rapid ascent to the top of a company. You can rise to CFO and then CEO in much faster time than if you went through management channels. Of course, you could go consultant and try and work as an outside auditor of sorts,. The pay is good but you will be living out of a suitcase for years and wasting money on a house, car, or an apartment because you will seldom use them. Your time "on the beach", (between jobs), should be short if at all or you may find yourself unemployed. And again the ascent in this type of organization is steep, meaning you succeed or fail rapidly. Oh, and the simplest explanation of the difference between industrial and organizational psychology is that industrial is like macro and organizational is like micro. The first one you study companies within an industry. The second one you study people within a company and how they interellate. Of course here is the best advice anyone will give you. Figure out who you want to work for this minute and call up their human resource offices and ask them what qualifications they look for optimally in an entry level candidate. They will tell you specifically what classes to take and what majors to pursue. They may even give you a line on an internship program they may offer. People in your college placement offices will give you this same advice as well as show you their library of job catalogs from potential employers with contact numbers inside them. Call up the employers and see what specifics you can learn. Remember your ABCs - "Always Be Closing" And if you can get a mentor by all means do. They groom their replacements.