News Summary
San Diego State University is introducing a bachelor’s degree program in industrial and organizational psychology at Southwestern College, aimed at enhancing career opportunities in human resources and workforce analytics. This initiative reflects SDSU’s commitment to making higher education more accessible in South County, alongside other programs that cater to local educational demands. The new psychology program, slated to begin in fall 2026, marks a significant expansion of offerings designed to equip students with essential skills for today’s job market.
San Diego, CA – San Diego State University (SDSU) is set to launch a bachelor’s degree program in industrial and organizational psychology at Southwestern College (SWC) next year. This new program aims to equip students for careers in human resources and workforce analytics, fields that are increasingly sought after in Southern California.
The introduction of this program is part of a significant expansion of SDSU’s offerings at SWC, where a recently opened university center is designed to facilitate bachelor’s degree programs from multiple institutions. Adding to SDSU’s nursing program, which was previously announced for a new building in Chula Vista, the new psychology degree will bolster academic opportunities in the region.
Currently, South County is lacking a large, permanent, full-service university, making this development particularly noteworthy. SDSU President Adela de la Torre highlighted the initiative’s focus on making higher education more accessible directly to students in South County, supporting both degree completion and career readiness.
Impact on Local Students
Statistics indicate a strong connection between SWC and SDSU, with nearly half of SWC transfer students choosing to continue their education at SDSU. This fall, SDSU welcomed 609 transfer students from SWC. The new university center at SWC will also host bachelor’s programs from California State University San Marcos and UC San Diego starting in the same time frame.
Funding and Future Developments
Assemblymember David Alvarez played a role in securing state funding for SDSU, California State University San Marcos, and UC San Diego to enhance their educational offerings in South County. There is also potential for Southwestern College to develop into a larger campus that will support SDSU, CSUSM, and UCSD programs.
Focus of the New Program
The industrial and organizational psychology program is designed to equip students with essential skills in leadership, data-informed decision-making, and organizational behavior, preparing them for today’s job market demands.
Partnership and Academic Context
The degree programs at SWC are slated to commence in fall 2026 and will augment the existing partnership between SDSU and SWC, which currently offers programs in various fields including business administration, criminal justice, child development, communication, public health, and civil engineering.
Notably, the graduation rate for SWC transfers at SDSU stands at 85% within four years, with an average of 65% completing their degrees within two years, indicating a strong performance by students who transition from SWC to SDSU.
Facilities and Resources
SDSU will also establish designated instructional and advising spaces at the SWC University Center for its educational programs. This strategic collaboration aims to create a talent pipeline that links educational outcomes directly to employment opportunities in the region.
This initiative is reflective of a broader movement to improve higher education accessibility and career prospects within the community served by SDSU and SWC. By launching the new psychology program along with other offerings, these institutions are taking significant steps to meet local educational demands and enhance workforce readiness in Southern California.
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Additional Resources
- Times of San Diego: SDSU & SWC Collaborate for Psychology Degree
- San Diego Union-Tribune: SDSU Expands Presence in South County
- The Daily Aztec: SDSU Film Studio in Chula Vista
- Public CEO: Miranda Evans Promoted in Riverside
- Google Search: SDSU Psychology Degree
