phd in social psychology programs

• Skip to Main

Ph.D. in Social Psychology

• News and Awards
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Department History
• Administration
• Faculty List
• Faculty Directory
• Doctoral Students
• Current Students
• M.A. in Psychology
• M.A. in Industrial & Organizational Psychology
• Ph.D. in Cognition & Perception
• Global Ph.D.
• Program Requirements
• Honors in Psychology
• Study Abroad
• Research Opportunities
• Transfer Students
• Areas of Study
• Participate in Research
• Research Labs, Centers & Facilities
• Published Books by Faculty
• Social Psychology Events
• Cognition and Perception Events
• Psychology Faculty Meetings
• Developmental Psychology Events
• Open Lab Meetings
• Faculty Search

The doctoral program in Social Psychology at New York University offers training in the scientific study of social psychology and social behavior. To this end, it offers training in the psychological theories, principles, and research methods relevant to understanding human behavior among individuals, groups, and organizations .

Program Vision

Social behavior is best understood from a multi-level perspective. The focal level of analysis often concerns the individual and the situation, with an emphasis on the cognitive, emotional, and motivational processes that drive behavior in social contexts. Our multi-level approach may examined how these processes are shaped by political, societal, and organizational factors, at a higher level, and supported by neural and physiological systems, at a lower level.

Our multi-level perspective is reflected in our methodologies. Students receive training in advanced quantitative methods and in a broad range of approaches such as behavioral experimentation, psychophysiology and cognitive neuroscience, big data (e.g., from social media), experience sampling, online data collection, dyadic measurement, computational modeling, and field studies, to name a few. Members of the program have access to fMRI, EEG/ERP, eye-tracking, and peripheral psychophysiology facilities housed within the Psychology Department.

Finally, we are committed to connecting our research to the real world. Although our questions often focus on basic processes that drive social cognition and motivation, our broader goals are to understand real-life human behaviors and pressing societal issues and to contribute solid scientific knowledge to policy makers and human service providers.

Program Culture and Activities

The NYU social program has a history of a special communal, cooperative spirit, with very high morale among the students and faculty. Moreover, the program culture is constantly evolving, influenced by interactions among current students, postdocs, and faculty, by changes in the broader scientific field, and by events in the world. We hold weekly program meetings (our “brownbag” meeting) that emphasize new findings and lively discussions, and we feature multiple talk series featuring prominent outside speakers (e.g., Social Colloquium, Social Neuroscience Series, Distinguished Lecture Series). Members of the program also enjoy interactions with colleagues in Cognition & Perception, Development, Neuroscience, Applied Psychology, Linguistics, Politics, Philosophy, and the Stern School of Business. Our location in an exciting and central neighborhood in New York City makes it easy for students and faculty to come in early and/or stay late to meet with each other and distinguished visitors.

Graduate study in the Social Psychology program at NYU means being part of an unusually active research culture. We share well-equipped laboratories, and we promote 'open door' relationships between professors and students. Although students typically have a primary home in one professor's laboratory, we require that students work in at least one other laboratory to promote breadth of training in a variety of methodological approaches and research issues. Our goal is to prepare students to be highly competitive in the job market for the type of career they seek, and we are proud of the steady success of our students in obtaining academic positions at top research universities and teaching colleges.

All students accepted into our graduate program are fully funded through the Henry M. MacCracken Program or the NYUAD Global PhD Fellowship.

MacCracken funding is provided through a combination of teaching assistantship, research assistantship, and fellowship, in proportions to be determined. The award package typically includes a full tuition scholarship, comprehensive health insurance and a stipend. Funding is typically guaranteed for five years, although students with substantial graduate credits or a Master's degree may only be guaranteed four years of support.

NYUAD Global PhD Fellowships include full tuition scholarship, health insurance, travel benefits, and a stipend. Funding is for five years, which typically includes two years or less of course work in New York and the remaining at least three years or more of dissertation research in Abu Dhabi. Campus housing in Abu Dhabi is provided free of cost and is available to all Global Fellows.

There is a very limited supply of subsidized housing available for graduate students which is generally used for a subset of each entering class to provide them the opportunity to get settled in New York City during their first year of residence.

NYU Abu Dhabi PhD Program

The Program in Social Psychology maintains a relationship with the Social Psychology faculty at NYU Abu Dhabi. This relationship supports opportunities for collaboration between students and faculty across the New York and Abu Dhabi campuses. Students accepted for the NYU Abu Dhabi Ph.D. program will typically spend two years primarily in New York with multiple visits to Abu Dhabi. During those two years, students complete all or most of their coursework as well as carrying out research in collaboration with an NYU Abu Dhabi advisor and a co-mentor in New York. The subsequent three years are spent in Abu Dhabi completing the dissertation research and any remaining course requirements. For further information on the Global Ph.D. program, click here .

Share this page

• START HERE: Applying to Social Psychology
• Application and Instructions
• Ph.D. Program Application Deadlines, Requirements, and Guidelines
• GSAS Application Resource Center
• Application FAQ's
• FAQ's for International Applicants
• Social Psychology Faculty
• Developmental Concentration
• MacCracken Program
• Ph.D. Program FAQ's
• Stuart Cook Award Winners

Other Useful Links

• Graduate Fairs and Open House
• Academic Calendar

INFO FOR CURRENT STUDENTS

• Psych Central (NYU login required)

Psychology, PhD (Social Psychology)

On this page:.

The doctoral program in Psychology with an emphasis on social psychology is designed to train researchers to use rigorous scientific methods to uncover the fundamental principles underlying social behavior and to address practical questions about everyday relations among people.

Program Description

Degree Awarded: Psychology, PhD

The doctoral program in Psychology with an emphasis on social psychology is a component of the  Robert B. Cialdini Social Psychology Laboratories  designed to train researchers to use rigorous scientific methods to uncover the fundamental principles underlying social behavior and to address practical questions about everyday relations among people. Our students combine continuous involvement in research with a series of courses designed to provide broad substantive knowledge, as well as methodological and quantitative expertise.

Since its implementation in 1973, the psychology Ph.D. program with an emphasis in social psychology at ASU has greatly grown and is now widely recognized as among the best such programs in the country. How do we account for this success?  Probably the best answer is that the faculty and students of the ASU social psychology program have been a highly productive group over the years in conducting research at the national and international level and in teaching at the university level. The unique collaboration between faculty mentors and graduate students provides a commitment to solutions for real-world problems, such as cultural biases and how we can all work towards universal goals. 

 The goals of our program are to:

• provide a setting in which students can grow toward mature roles as researchers, marketing professionals, social workers, counselors, teachers, and consultants in basic and applied areas of social psychology.
• advance basic knowledge in psychology and apply that knowledge to society; and
• make continuing contributions to our discipline through the achievements of the program’s graduates.

IMPORTANT: To be considered for PhD program, you must complete the application through ASU's online portal AND submit your material through  Slideroom .

The Robert B. Cialdini Social Psychology Research Laboratories

CARMA Lab  (Cohen)

Cooperation and Conflict Lab  (Aktipis)

Cultural Ecology Lab  (Varnum)

Culture and Decision Science Network Lab  (Kwan)

Evolutionary Social Psychology Co-Laboratory  (Kenrick-Neuberg-Becker-Varnum)

Evolution, Ecology, and Social Behavior Lab  (Neuberg)

SPLAT Lab  (Shiota)

Fellowships   Faculty Research Labs

Student Handbook

Concentrations

Areas of Interest

The productivity of the doctoral program in Psychology has been facilitated by two main factors:

1. Our faculty value one another's work and enjoy collaborating on research projects. It is common for faculty to publish jointly, and it is almost invariably the case that, when a faculty member produces an article or book chapter, at least one student from the program is a co-author;

2. The dialogue between traditional theoretical/academic perspectives on social psychology and the view that social psychology can be profitably applied to social problems, business, health, and family.

Several of the faculty combine social psychological theory with direct application to societal issues. Accordingly, the Program has developed an international reputation for providing a dual emphasis in these complementary arenas of theoretical and applied work. 

A minimum of 84 hours is required across five years. Students are expected to conduct a first-year project under the direct supervision of the student’s advisor. Following the first-year project, students will undertake a Master's Thesis. Additionally, all students will be required to complete a 12-credit dissertation and defense at the end of their PhD.  Please see accordion below for year breakdown:

Courses and electives

Students in the Social Psychology training area ordinarily receive coursework training in four distinguishable areas: 1. Social Psychology, 2. Quantitative Methods, 3. Psychological Foundations, 4. Research Activites.

The coursework for each student is individualized and based on the student's year, previous training, and faculty mentor. Each student will participate in research with faculty while completing their doctoral program. 

Students will take three core courses covering Social Psychology, four core courses covering Quantitative Methods, and three Social Psychology electives to expand their breadth of study, and one graduate level elective. Students will also be expected to participate in research courses and a doctoral dissertation. 

See the accordion below to see the breakdown of electives and requirements. 

At a Glance

• Location:   Tempe campus
• Second Language Requirement:  No

Degree Requirements

The 84-hour program of study includes a first-year project, a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive, a prospectus and a dissertation. Prospective doctoral candidates should have a passion and interest in social science, have demonstrated research skills in a senior thesis and have a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative GPA. 

Admission Requirements

The Department of Psychology application process is completed online through  ASU Graduate Admissions . Prospective students must submit the admission application form along with the fee and official transcripts.

For the department’s doctoral programs, students must submit supplemental application materials through  SlideRoom , which requires an additional fee. For complete instructions for applying to the PhD program, visit our  Doctoral Admission requirements  page.

In the initial year of residence , students take the first course of the social psychology proseminar series; a seminar for current topics in social psychology; and quantitative and methodology courses. Immediately upon entering the program students also become involved in one or more research programs where they directly work with faculty members. These research affiliations are flexible and it is expected that students will participate in research with several faculty members while completing the doctoral program. 

Fall Semester:

• PSY 551 Advanced Social Psychology
• PSY 530 ANOVA Statistics
• PSY 591a Current Topics in Social
• PSY 592 Research

Spring Semester:

• PSY 531 Mult. Corr & Regr. Statistics
• PSY 600 Experimental Design Research
• Social Psychology Recommended Elective

In the second year , students take the second course in the social psychology proseminar series; continue to develop their statistical knowledge and skills; and complete and defend an independent research project to be reported as a master's thesis in passing for the M.A. degree. In the second and third year of a student's residence, he/she is also expected to enroll in the advanced courses available in the social psychology program. In addition, students are required during their time in the program to take two courses in other areas of psychology and are encouraged to begin enrolling in other relevant courses within the department and across the university.

• PSY 550 Advanced Social Psychology
• PSY 532 Multivariate Statistics
• PSY 599 Thesis Research (3–6 hrs)
• Psychology Core Required Elective
• Q & M Required Elective
• PSY 599 Thesis Research (3–6 hours)
• Master’s Degree awarded

 In the third year, students concentrate much of their effort on the development of a major area paper.

There are currently three options for this project:

• Option 1  is to review and integrate a substantive topic in social psychology. This paper follows the model of articles in Psychological Bulletin, Psychological Review, or Personality and Social Psychology Review.
• Option 2  is to prepare a grant proposal—often a pre-doctoral fellowship application—for submission to a major federal agency or private foundation. Such proposals may be for a program of basic or applied research.
• Option 3  is to perform and report a meta–analysis, a quantitative technique for distilling major findings from existing literature.

When the project has been completed and accepted by the faculty, it becomes the basis for an oral exam that focuses in part on the content defined by the project and in part, on the student's level of preparation within other topics in social psychology and related topics across the entire discipline ("comprehensives”). Upon defending this examination, the student is advanced to Ph.D. candidacy.

• Social Psychology Required Elective
• Q&M Required Elective
• PSY 792 Research (3–6 hrs)
• PSY 792 Research (3–9 hours)

Comprehensive Examination

+ Year 4 & 5

Year 4 (& 5)

The fourth and, typically, fifth years of enrollment  are devoted to continuing research projects and the doctoral dissertation. The student may also acquire teaching experience and undertake additional coursework. The program offers a graduate teaching seminar that includes supervised teaching experience that students may take after earning their master's degree. In addition, the formal curriculum is supplemented by a bi–weekly informal research meeting in which all members of the program participate. The whole social psychology group meets in the evening at a faculty member’s home to share ideas about research projects in the formative stages of development. The seminar is highly interactive and lively, providing useful feedback while offering a training ground for young critics.

• Elective PSY 792 Research (9 hours)
• Dissertation Prospectus
• Elective PSY 799 Dissertation (9 hrs)
• PhD awarded. 

+ Projects, Thesis, Dissertation (12 credit hours)

First Year Project . The first year project involves designing, conducting, and reporting research under the direct supervision of the student’s advisor.  By the end of the student’s first semester, two additional faculty members, called "readers," are selected to assist in the development of the project. The student must meet with the readers (either separately or as a committee) at least once. Also by the end of the first semester, the student will give a presentation of the plans for the first year project. No later than two weeks before the end of the second semester, the student provides to all faculty a written draft describing the project. The readers provide feedback to the student. The student gives an oral presentation to the Seminar by the end of the student's second semester.

Master’s Thesis.  The master's thesis is typically undertaken in the second year and defended during the third year. It is an original piece of research, closely supervised by the research advisor and an advisory committee. The thesis leads to the MA degree, which is considered to be a "masters in passing."  After forming a master’s thesis committee, the student must complete a three-step process:  (1) defend a written prospectus; (2) after data collection, conduct a “data meeting” at which the analyses are reviewed by the committee; and (3) pass a defense of the thesis.

During the third or fourth year of doctoral studies, the student concentrates much of his or her effort on a scholarly review of the areas of Social Psychology. The student works with four committee members to put together a reading list upon which the Comprehensive Exams — written and oral — are based. The student has the choice of completing a "closed-book," two-day written exam or an "open-book," two-week written exam. The oral exam is conducted one week after the conclusion of the written exam and serves to clarify the student's answers to the written questions. Often, the literature review that the student conducts during this time period becomes the basis of the doctoral dissertation.

Doctoral Dissertation (12 hours)

The doctoral dissertation is an extensive piece of original research that demonstrates the capability of the student to act as an independent scholar and use experimental methods. The dissertation is closely supervised by the research advisor and three additional faculty members who constitute the dissertation committee. As with the master’s thesis, there are three components. First, the student writes a formal dissertation proposal and defends it to the committee. After the defense, the student is admitted to PhD candidacy by the Graduate College. Second, following data collection, there is a "data meeting" at which the analyses are reviewed by the committee. The process culminates with the student's defense of the dissertation before the committee and the academic community.

Ideally, the typical student’s program of study will take five years for completion. In recognition that the program enrolls students who have basic and applied interests that may require specialized training experiences involving additional coursework or will engage in time-consuming community-based research, the program allows for some flexibility in milestone timing for students who demonstrate excellence in other areas of performance.

This flexibility reflects negotiations with the student’s faculty advisor/mentor. The program faculty shall monitor student progress towards training goals. The student's annual evaluation will include specific feedback about what the student is expected to do to stay on track with regard to milestone timing. Students who do not meet timing expectations will be put on probation. After a year of probationary status, progress will be considered unsatisfactory if expectations continue to be unmet.

To be considered as making satisfactory progress, students who enter the psychology PhD program with a bachelor’s degree must:

Successfully defend their master's within three years,

Complete and defend the comprehensive examination within two years following completion of the Masters, oral defense, and

Complete and defend the dissertation within two years following completion of the comprehensive examination.

To be considered as making satisfactory progress, students who enter the psychology PhD program with a master’s degree must:

Complete and defend the comprehensive examination within four years, and

+ Core Courses (24 credit hours)

1. Social Psychology REQUIRED COURSES:

• PSY 550 Advanced Social Psychology
• PSY 591 Current Topics in Social Psychology

2. Quantitative / Methods   REQUIRED COURSES:

• PSY 530  Intermediate Statistics
• PSY 531  Multiple Regression in Psychological Research
• PSY 532  Analysis of Multivariate Data
• PSY 600  Design of Experiments in Social Psychology

+ Electives (6 credit hours)

1. Social Psychology REQUIRED ELECTIVES: Students will take at least three additional content courses in social psychology from among those courses and seminars offered by the social psychology faculty. 

2. Quantitative / Methods   REQUIRED ELECTIVES: Students will  take at least one additional graduate level course in quantitative and Methodological areas related to social psychological research to improve their technical skills. These courses may be taught by department faculty, or, with the approval of the program, be offered by related departments on campus. RECOMMENDED:

• PSY 555 Quasi–Experimental Designs for Research

3. Psychological Foundations   REQUIRED ELECTIVES: Students will take at least two courses in the development, biological, cognitive, or clinical bases of human behavior that will enable the student to bring a broader perspective to creative scholarship. These courses, from at least two of the bases of behavior mentioned above, are taught by psychology department faculty and must be approved by the program.

+ Research Activities (42 credit hours)

4. Research Activities Students are required to develop competence in one or more substantive areas of research and theory, in which the student attempts to make a unique scholarly contribution.

This is typically achieved by: 

1) involvement in the ongoing research program of one or more mentors, for which the student receives academic credit through the Supervised Research courses, such as:

2) Master's Thesis (PSY 599) and Dissertation (PSY 799) courses, and

3) passing the comprehensive examination requirement. The three sets of required electives stated above should be regarded as default assumptions, and are viewed as appropriate for the typical social psychology student in the program. Individual needs and goals may vary from this typical pattern, and exceptions and substitutions may be proposed to the program. Only under unusual circumstances will petitions be approved that attempt to make substitutions for the eight required courses listed above. Advisors should be consulted before enrolling in courses that are intended to meet breadth requirements.

PROGRESS REPORTS : All students submit progress reports and self–evaluations to the program each year. This document describes progress towards meeting the student's curricular goals as well as updating his/her research agenda. It proposes any modifications to the earlier curricular plan, together with justification for these changes. It identifies short–term plans for the next year that fit with the student's longer term training goals. This document is used by the program faculty as its basis for providing evaluative and, if needed, corrective feedback each year. 

Next Steps to Attend ASU

Learn about our programs.

Request information

Apply to a program

Visit our campus.

Schedule a visit

Global Opportunities

With over 250 programs in more than 65 countries (ranging from one week to one year), study abroad is possible for all ASU students wishing to gain global skills and knowledge in preparation for a 21st-century career. Students earn ASU credit for completed courses, while staying on track for graduation, and may apply financial aid and scholarships toward program costs.

Request Information

If you have questions related to admission, please  click here  to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly.

Best Social Psychology Programs

Ranked in 2022, part of Best Social Sciences and Humanities Schools

Social psychologists are often

Social psychologists are often niche practitioners who examine how environment affects a person's behaviors. This branch of psychology focuses on thoughts, feelings and behavior. These are the top schools for social psychology. Read the methodology »

• Clear Filters

Ph.D. in Social Psychology

Graduate students trained in Cognitive, Developmental, Social, or Quantitative Psychology follow a single curriculum with a uniform set of requirements, but their research programs and seminar courses focus on their unique areas of interest.

Our philosophy can be summed up as cooperative, and the small size of our program ensures individualized attention for all students. Although students work directly with a faculty advisor, following a mentor-apprentice model, they also have considerable freedom to collaborate with other faculty and students within and beyond the Department. Indeed, we encourage students to publish with several faculty members before they graduate. Greensboro’s central location in NC has resulted in close ties to other top departments, creating opportunities for our students to take courses, collaborate, and network.

We are no longer accepting GRE scores from applicants to the MA-PhD program in Social Psychology, for entry starting in Fall 2024.

Application Deadline:

Program highlights.

• Individual attention and mentoring from faculty
• Students have a primary faculty advisor but are also supported to conduct research projects with other faculty if it fits with their goals
• Students typically receive 5 years of funding, including tuition remission
• We’re a collegial and collaborative group
• Methods training in experimental design, experience sampling, eye-tracking and pupillometry, psychometrics, meta-analysis, fMRI, mouse-tracking, longitudinal designs, behavioral observation, and advanced statistical methods
• Recent graduate seminars in Self and Identity, Social Comparison, Social Neuroscience, Creative Thought

Recent graduates have secured academic and industry positions:

• Alexander Christensen, Vanderbilt University
• Emily Nusbaum, Amazon.com
• Roger Beaty, Penn State University
• Katherine Cotter, Positive Psychology Center, UPenn
• Jason Strickhouser, California Dept of Health Care Services
• Ashlyn Brady, Sweet Briar College

Faculty in Social Psychology

Levi r. baker.

Associate Professor

Close Relationships Lab

Close relationships, including relationship maintenance and problem solving; self beliefs, including self-esteem, shyness, and social anxiety

Accepting students

Brittany Cassidy

Social Cognition Lab

Face perception, trait and emotional inferences, effects of stereotyping and prejudice on impressions, and social cognition in healthy aging

Ashleigh Gallagher

Senior Lecturer

Not accepting students

Adena Rottenstein

Paul silvia.

Research Website

Interest; aesthetics, creativity, and the arts; self-regulation and effort; experience sampling methods

Professor and Graduate Program Director

Self and Social Perception Lab

Self-evaluation, social comparison, accuracy of social perception, and meta-analysis

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS BY CURRENT/RECENT STUDENTS

Brady, A. , Baker, L. R., Agnew, C. R., & Hadden, B. W. (2022). Playing the field or locking down a partner?: Perceptions of available romantic partners and commitment readiness. Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, 101 , 104334.

Brady, A. , Baker, L. R., Muise, A., & Impett, E. A. (2021). Gratitude increases the motivation to fulfill a partner’s sexual needs. Social Psychology and Personality Science, 12 , 273-281.

Lesick, T. L. , & Zell, E. (2021). Is affirmation the cure? Self-affirmation and European Americans’ perception of systemic racism. Basic and Applied Social Psychology , 43 , 1–13 .

Liebenow, H. A. , Boucher, K. L., Cassidy, B. S. (in press). Understanding evaluations of Kamala Harris in 2020: Political ideology qualifies perceived communality effects when communal cues are present. Psychology of Women Quarterly.

Ojeda, J. T. , Silvia, P. J., Cassidy, B. S. (2022). Mental representations of sickness positively relate to adaptive health behaviors. Evolutionary Psychology, 20 (3), 1-12 .

Rodriguez, R. M. , Fekete, A., Silvia, P. J., & Cotter, K. N. (2021). The art of feeling different: Exploring the diversity of emotions experienced during an art museum visit. Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1037/aca0000443

Rodriguez-Boerwinkle, R. M. , Boerwinkle, M. J. & Silvia, P. J. (2022). The Open Gallery for Arts Research (OGAR): An open-source tool for studying the psychology of virtual art museum visits. Behavior Research Methods. https://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-022-01857-w

Stockus, C. A. , & Zell, E. (2023). The regional big-fish-little-pond effect: Evidence from national and subnational comparisons. British Journal of Social Psychology , 62 , 1158–1176.

Request more information

Please address all Graduate Application questions to:

Malcolm Mohan

Administrative Assistant

[email protected] 336-334-5014

Please address all additional Graduate questions to:

[email protected] Eberhart 271

• Program Areas
• Computational Cognitive Neuroscience
• Developmental
• Integrative Neuroscience

Social Psychology

About the Program Social psychology is the scientific study of how social environments shape our thinking, feeling, and behavior on one hand, and how our thinking, feeling, and behavior shape our social environments on the other hand. It is the scientific study of how the social world and psyche make each other up.

At the University of Chicago, the faculty and students are committed to making scientific and practical contributions to society. The primary goal of the UChicago social psychology program is to address pressing societal issues using social psychological theorizing and methods. This makes the UChicago social psychology program distinct. Our inquiry is inspired by the real world. Our findings will inspire the solutions to real-world problems and enhance the well-being of the individual and society. The faculty and students will investigate a variety of topics including racism, police violence, mass incarceration, income inequality, achievement gaps, interpersonal and intergroup conflicts, self-regulation, social support, happiness, meaning in life, prosocial behavior, politics, morality, religion, globalization, immigration, climate changes, natural disasters, culture, and evolution. We are diverse in terms of personal and cultural backgrounds, theoretical orientations, and preferred methodologies, but united in our commitment to and belief in the benefits of social psychological research for the individual and society. The Chicago School of Social Psychology is the social psychology that matters!

Meet our New Faculty

Xeuchunzi Bai Research Interests:  Stereotypes, Diversity, Computational Social Psychology Read more about Xuechunzi Bai's research .

Lydia Emery Research Interests: Close Relationships, Social Class, the Self Read more about Lydia Emery's research .

Kyshia Henderson Research Interests: Racism, Social Stigma, History Read more about Kyshia Henderson's research .

Shigehiro Oishi Research Interests: Culture, Social Ecology, Well-Being Read more about Shigehiro Oishi's research .

A note for applicants interested in Social Psychology: X. Bai, J. Decety, L. Emery, K. Henderson, and S. Oishi are taking graduate students primarily through the social psychology program.

Lin Bian Read more about Lin Bian's research .

Jean Decety Read more about Jean Decety's research .

Boaz Keysar Read more about Boaz Keysar's research .

Katherine D. Kinzler Read more about Katherine Kinzler's research .

Yuan Chang Leong Read more about YC Leong's research .

Greg Norman Read more about Greg Norman's research .

Alex Shaw Read more about Alex Shaw's research .

The Program's Legacy The Social Psychology Program at The University of Chicago has a rich history that has always emphasized innovative conceptual analyses of complex social issues. The first course in Social Psychology (entitled "Contemporary Social Psychology") was taught at the University of Chicago by George Herbert Mead in 1900. The lead article in Volume 1, Number 1, of the Psychological Bulletin, which appeared in January 15, 1914, was entitled "The Chicago School" by William James, in which he reviewed the work of John Dewey, George Herbert Mead, James Rowland Angell, and A. W. Moore. In 1965, the first meeting of the Society of Experimental Social Psychology (SESP) was held at the University of Chicago, and SESP was hosted again by the Social Psychology Program at the University of Chicago in 2007. Over the years, the program has grown from a small university committee to an interdivisional graduate training program administered in the Department of Psychology.

This Website Uses Cookies.

This website uses cookies to improve user experience. By using our website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.

Social Psychology Graduate Programs in America

1-18 of 18 results

Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Cambridge, MA •

Harvard University •

Graduate School

• • Rating 4.56 out of 5   9 reviews

Other: I am Harvard Extension School student pursuing a master degree, ALM, in sustainability. I have achieved a 3.89 in this program so far and have qualified, applied, and accepted as a 'Special Student' in the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Through this School, I will be focusing my time at the John A. Paulson school of Engineering & Applied Sciences. Looking forward to wrapping up my final year on campus! ... Read 9 reviews

Harvard University ,

Graduate School ,

CAMBRIDGE, MA ,

9 Niche users give it an average review of 4.6 stars.

Featured Review: Other says I am Harvard Extension School student pursuing a master degree, ALM, in sustainability. I have achieved a 3.89 in this program so far and have qualified, applied, and accepted as a 'Special Student'... .

Read 9 reviews.

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences - New York University

New York, NY •

New York University •

• • Rating 4.8 out of 5   10 reviews

Master's Student: I am enrolled specifically in the Magazine concentration. My professors have all been helpful with helping me succeed and are willing to stay back to go over something I don't understand. There are multiple points of resources at this program. A director is your main academic advisor. Aside from that, there is a pitch specialist to assist with freelancing and two wonderful career advisors. They help with setting up mingle sessions, job fairs, and internship talks. As of now, I haven't had bad experiences, however, I will say that the program is expensive and is an awkward three semesters. Those two things aren't ideal, however, its not too much of a dealbreaker. ... Read 10 reviews

New York University ,

NEW YORK, NY ,

10 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I am enrolled specifically in the Magazine concentration. My professors have all been helpful with helping me succeed and are willing to stay back to go over something I don't understand. There are... .

Read 10 reviews.

Boston College School of Social Work

Chestnut Hill, MA •

Boston College •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   2 reviews

Master's Student: The School of Social Work fosters a welcoming place where students can further develop their academic interests as well as actively prepare us for the workforce as culturally humble social workers. ... Read 2 reviews

Boston College ,

CHESTNUT HILL, MA ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The School of Social Work fosters a welcoming place where students can further develop their academic interests as well as actively prepare us for the workforce as culturally humble social workers. .

Read 2 reviews.

• Sponsored Find Student Loan Options
• Forensic Psychology Graduate Programs
• Applied Behavior Analysis Graduate Programs

College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering - University of Rochester

Rochester, NY •

University of Rochester •

Alum: The Optics program is the toughest offered at the school. Optics grads do twice as much (60 credit hours instead of 30) class work as other degrees. You learn a ton! The field is so diverse you can pick and choose what subfields to focus on, and all fields are offered. Amazing professors. In all my classes, I felt one professor was bad at teaching. All the others were very competent, and the best were extremely passionate about their class/field of research. ... Read 2 reviews

Blue checkmark.

University of Rochester ,

ROCHESTER, NY ,

Featured Review: Alum says The Optics program is the toughest offered at the school. Optics grads do twice as much (60 credit hours instead of 30) class work as other degrees. You learn a ton! The field is so diverse you can... .

UCI Social Sciences

Irvine, CA •

University of California - Irvine •

University of California - Irvine ,

IRVINE, CA ,

College of Arts and Sciences - Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY •

Syracuse University •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   2 reviews

Master's Student: The speech-language pathology program at Syracuse university is ranked very high among graduate programs in New York State. It is clear that the professors are very knowledgeable and provide students with the quality education needed to become excellent clinicians. The clinical faculty does an amazing job at supporting their students and allowing them to develop clinical skills for all types of speech and language disorders. This program does so much more than just providing students with education on the field of speech-language pathology. Students are constantly challenged to use complex skills like analytical thinking, collaborating with peers, and so much more. This program can be very demanding at times and requires students to put in a lot of work in the clinical and classroom settings. The main campus at Syracuse is very nice, however, the building for the speech program is nothing special. Almost all masters classes are in the same, small classroom with no windows. ... Read 2 reviews

Syracuse University ,

SYRACUSE, NY ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The speech-language pathology program at Syracuse university is ranked very high among graduate programs in New York State. It is clear that the professors are very knowledgeable and provide... This program can be very demanding at times and requires students to put in a lot of work in the clinical and classroom settings. The main campus at Syracuse is very nice, however, the building for... .

• Find college scholarships

University of Connecticut School of Social Work

Hartford, CT •

University of Connecticut •

• • Rating 4.4 out of 5   5 reviews

Alum: I loved my experience at UConn. I learned so much and was able to use my academic skills into the working environment. Helping others in need is something that I value very much and I would love to continue doing it by furthering my education in this field. ... Read 5 reviews

University of Connecticut ,

HARTFORD, CT ,

5 Niche users give it an average review of 4.4 stars.

Featured Review: Alum says I loved my experience at UConn. I learned so much and was able to use my academic skills into the working environment. Helping others in need is something that I value very much and I would love to... .

Read 5 reviews.

College of Arts and Sciences - University at Buffalo, SUNY

Buffalo, NY •

University at Buffalo, SUNY •

• • Rating 3 out of 5   2 reviews

Doctoral Student: All of the professors are very accommodating and want to help you succeed. They help you in any way they can and make sure you understand different topics before moving on to something different! ... Read 2 reviews

University at Buffalo, SUNY ,

BUFFALO, NY ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 3 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says All of the professors are very accommodating and want to help you succeed. They help you in any way they can and make sure you understand different topics before moving on to something different! .

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences - University of Houston

Houston, TX •

University of Houston •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   3 reviews

Current Master's student: The academic program is rather good at the University of Houston. I have three social work classes and they are robust and full of great information. The choices of classes at UH is very good and allows students to follow their academic path and find classes that fit their program. The advisors at UH are on top of things and are always able and willing to help. I would honestly say that UH is a great place for academics! ... Read 3 reviews

University of Houston ,

HOUSTON, TX ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Current Master's student says The academic program is rather good at the University of Houston. I have three social work classes and they are robust and full of great information. The choices of classes at UH is very good and... .

Read 3 reviews.

Loyola University Chicago College of Arts and Sciences

Chicago, IL •

Loyola University Chicago •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   1 review

Graduate Student: Loyola was such a great place to earn my M.Ed Higher Education degree. The faculty were so dedicated to our development and success. The two campuses were my homes away from home, and the staff were always a pleasure to work with. I miss my Loyola days for sure!!! ... Read 1 review

Loyola University Chicago ,

CHICAGO, IL ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says Loyola was such a great place to earn my M.Ed Higher Education degree. The faculty were so dedicated to our development and success. The two campuses were my homes away from home, and the staff... .

Read 1 reviews.

College of Arts and Sciences - Stony Brook University, SUNY

Stony Brook, NY •

Stony Brook University, SUNY •

• • Rating 3 out of 5   3 reviews

Doctoral Student: In the Physics Department, the classes are wide-ranging and generally well taught. They are challenging and require the amount of effort expected of a very good graduate education. However, the department is also somewhat behind the times in the assessment that is required for a PhD. You will spend two years jumping through hoops before beginning any real work for very little money. Many students wish to do research in String Theory, but there is little funding available and many students are admitted. Funding in most other areas of the department are adequate enough that most students are in the research area they wish to pursue. ... Read 3 reviews

Stony Brook University, SUNY ,

STONY BROOK, NY ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 3 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says In the Physics Department, the classes are wide-ranging and generally well taught. They are challenging and require the amount of effort expected of a very good graduate education. However, the... Many students wish to do research in String Theory, but there is little funding available and many students are admitted. Funding in most other areas of the department are adequate enough that most... .

College of Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences - University of Massachusetts Lowell

Lowell, MA •

University of Massachusetts Lowell •

University of Massachusetts Lowell ,

LOWELL, MA ,

• Law Schools
• Public Administration Graduate Programs

College of Liberal Arts - University of Nevada, Reno

University of Nevada, Reno •

• • Rating 4.38 out of 5   8 reviews

Master's Student: The other students and most of the faculty were very kind and supportive. My only issue with the program is due to a lack of funding there were very few course options offered. I wish that humanities programs were offered more funding because it is unfair to students who pay the same as STEM students to attend the institution but are not offered the same chances to deeply enrich and develop their education. Luckily the professors were very open to allowing students to explore their own personal interests to the fullest and allow them to focus more on their specializations than on the core course curriculum. ... Read 8 reviews

University of Nevada, Reno ,

8 Niche users give it an average review of 4.4 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The other students and most of the faculty were very kind and supportive. My only issue with the program is due to a lack of funding there were very few course options offered. I wish that humanities... .

Read 8 reviews.

College of Arts and Sciences - University at Albany, SUNY

Albany, NY •

University at Albany, SUNY •

Doctoral Student: At University at Albany, I've received excellent support from my mentors and the freedom to explore my own interests within the scope of my lab's overall goals. In areas where I'm weakest, I've been pushed to reach new limits. My advisors recognize my strengths and interests and guide me to use them as the "ore" to "smith fine weapon." There's not much I can say about the graduate community (COVID-19). I am delighted to be a grad student at UAlbany. ... Read 2 reviews

University at Albany, SUNY ,

ALBANY, NY ,

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says At University at Albany, I've received excellent support from my mentors and the freedom to explore my own interests within the scope of my lab's overall goals. In areas where I'm weakest, I've been... There's not much I can say about the graduate community (COVID-19). I am delighted to be a grad student at UAlbany. .

Ball State University College of Sciences and Humanities

Muncie, IN •

Ball State University •

• • Rating 4 out of 5   1 review

Current Master's student: The classes are of the same rigor and academic quality as on-campus instruction. I have learned quite a great deal from my program so far. The professors have been of high quality up to this point. ... Read 1 review

Ball State University ,

MUNCIE, IN ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Current Master's student says The classes are of the same rigor and academic quality as on-campus instruction. I have learned quite a great deal from my program so far. The professors have been of high quality up to this point. .

Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Columbia University •

• • Rating 5 out of 5   3 reviews

Master's Student: It was a really great and flexible program that allowed me to explore my own interests without the restricting requirements getting in my way too much. Honestly a great major ... Read 3 reviews

Columbia University ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says It was a really great and flexible program that allowed me to explore my own interests without the restricting requirements getting in my way too much. Honestly a great major .

Teachers College at Columbia University

• • Rating 4.48 out of 5   102 reviews

Master's Student: Regarding my academic experience, I have been deeply engaged in my field, exploring various facets of education, both through rigorous coursework and hands-on research projects. Throughout my academic journey, I've had the opportunity to collaborate with esteemed professors, delve into thought-provoking discussions with peers, and immerse myself in cutting-edge research that pushes the boundaries of knowledge in my field. As for my program, it offers a comprehensive curriculum that combines theoretical foundations with practical applications, preparing students like me to tackle real-world challenges with confidence and expertise. The program fosters a dynamic learning environment where intellectual curiosity is encouraged, and innovative thinking is celebrated. Additionally, the program provides ample opportunities for professional development, networking, and experiential learning, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped for success in their careers. ... Read 102 reviews

102 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says Regarding my academic experience, I have been deeply engaged in my field, exploring various facets of education, both through rigorous coursework and hands-on research projects. Throughout my... As for my program, it offers a comprehensive curriculum that combines theoretical foundations with practical applications, preparing students like me to tackle real-world challenges with confidence... .

Read 102 reviews.

The CUNY School of Professional Studies

CUNY Graduate School & University Center •

• • Rating 4.5 out of 5   18 reviews

Master's Student: This program is notable for its rigorous curriculum and practical application of data science. It combines theoretical knowledge with real-world application, preparing students to face complex data challenges. Participating in hands-on projects with a tangible impact has been one of my most memorable experiences (machine learning to predict urban traffic patterns, demonstrating the power of data science to influence public policy). The faculty's commitment has provided me with invaluable mentorship, guiding me through the program's rigorous demands. However, the journey has not been without challenges. The coursework's intensity necessitated a steep learning curve, as well as changes in my study habits and time management strategies. While the program provides a solid foundation in data science, expanding its industry connections could provide students with more opportunities to participate in real-world projects and internships, enriching their academic experience. ... Read 18 reviews

CUNY Graduate School & University Center ,

18 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says This program is notable for its rigorous curriculum and practical application of data science. It combines theoretical knowledge with real-world application, preparing students to face complex data... .

Read 18 reviews.

Showing results 1 through 18 of 18

Social Psychology

Information about the Social Psychology Graduate Major

The graduate program in Social Psychology features a distinguished faculty and numerous research opportunities in laboratory and field settings within a culturally diverse and multifaceted metropolitan area. Our faculty areas of expertise are broad and center on basic research on close relationships, intergroup relations, and social cognitive neuroscience. In addition, faculty interests include political psychology, positive psychology, sport psychology, stress and coping, and issues pertaining to culture, ethnicity, gender, and evolutionary psychology. A long tradition of interest in social problems and the applicability of rigorous, theory-driven research to addressing such issues is a distinctive feature of our program.

Familiarity with social psychology is gained through a two-quarter course sequence during the first year of graduate work, and followed by seminars in close relationships, intergroup relations, and social cognition. Students concentrate on a single research project in the first and second years (Psych 251) culminating with the receipt of the Master’s degree. As training progresses thereafter, social psychology students typically work with several faculty members to develop an increasing focus on their own particular topics in research, and expertise in the associated methods.

Methodological and statistical training covers experimental design and procedures, survey and field research methods, and univariate and multivariate techniques including use of structural equation modeling and hierarchical linear modeling. Social psychology students typically minor in measurement, health psychology, or political psychology, but may select from a variety of departmental minors.

Most social psychology faculty members run weekly small lab meetings with graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and visiting professors in which important training experience is gained above and beyond individual research supervision and coursework. Seminars and biweekly colloquia presentations by distinguished visiting speakers, students, and faculty are also offered and round out the course of studies.

UCLA’s Psychology Department has also developed leading programs in health and political psychology that are well integrated with the social psychology program. Along with the regular social faculty in the Psychology Department, the social program has a number of social psychology faculty affiliates who are faculty members in other departments and schools.  The social program also maintains close connections with the Institute for Social Science Research, the International Center for Talent Development, and UCLA’s Schools of Education, Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, and Management, and the UCLA Center for Behavior, Evolution and Culture. These connections foster interaction with faculty and students in other disciplines (e.g. Anthropology, Communications, Political Science, Psychiatry, and Sociology), and enable students to incorporate interdisciplinary study in a wide range of social and health sciences into their graduate education in social psychology.

More Social Psychology info

• For a list of Required Courses please see the  Psychology Handbook

Social Psychology Doctoral Program

The Interdisciplinary Social Psychology Ph.D. program applies rigorous psychological and sociological scholarship to better understand the processes, structures and contexts that impact social interactions.

Program overview

The program emphasizes training in theoretical foundations, as well as qualitative and quantitative methods in basic and applied research. Though not all students choose one of these specializations, areas of emphasis include psychology and law, personal and social relationships, social psychology and health and organizational behavior. Gender, culture and development issues are integrated into the curriculum in each area of emphasis.

• Collective behavior
• Emotion expression and regulation
• Health and health policy
• Interpersonal communication and relationships
• Intergroup relations
• Law and juvenile studies
• Life span and aging research
• Political psychology
• Social inequality
• Social networks
• Socialization

Incoming students develop a mentoring relationship with a faculty member of the program. Students are encouraged to engage in scholarly research, often in collaboration with faculty, to present findings at professional meetings and to publish in reviewed journals and volumes. In addition to the support offered by the University's Graduate Student Association , the social psychology Ph.D. program offers financial assistance for student travel and research.

The program's interdisciplinary focus allows students to experience a wide range of perspectives within the field of social psychology. This holistic approach prepares students for engaging and rewarding work in both academic and applied settings upon completion of the program.

Graduates of the program are today employed in a variety of capacities. Roughly one-third teach and conduct research at universities, typically in tenure-track positions. One-third have full-time research positions in the public sector (county, state or federal level positions, including nonprofit organizations). The final third of graduates work in the private sector, either for commercial organizations -- for example, Adobe or Hotwire -- or operate their own consulting business. In short, advanced graduate training in social psychology can lead to a wide range of career paths.

Program resources

The handbook provides the necessary information for students to understand the requirements, expectations and opportunities associated with this graduate program.

Requirements

The curriculum of the program extends over a minimum of four years and includes multiple requirements. Learn more  on general and credit requirements, deficit coursework and more.

View a semester-by-semester timeline of the degree program both with or without the optional master degree track. 

Funding opportunities

General award resources.

• American Psychological Association (APA):   The APA provides access to information about a large number of funding sources, ranging from federal grants to student award by different APA divisions.
• American Psychological Foundation (APF) : APF offers a number of scholarships for students. They range from $2,000 to $5,000. Students at any stage of graduate study are encouraged to apply. The purpose of the scholarship program is to assist graduate students of psychology with research costs associated with the master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation.
• American Psychology-Law Association (AP-LS) : AP-LS as an organization has funding opportunities for social psychologists interested in the law.
• Association for Psychological Science (APS) . APS collects links to a number of different national and international funding programs.
• American Sociological Association (ASA) : ASA offers a number of grants and fellowships.
• National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program :  A variety of NSF fellowships exist.
• Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI):  This organization offers grants and awards to social psychologists for a range of different purposes
• Western Social Science Association : This organization also offers awards for best paper/poster and other things. 

Comprehensive lists of funding sources available to graduate students across the U.S.

• The Graduate School, University of Nevada, Reno funding list
• University of Tennessee, Knoxville Collection : UTK makes available a collection of links to websites & organizations that offer various grants types of graduate funding.

Dissertation funding

• American Council of Learned Societies :  The American Council of Learned Societies offers a variety of different dissertation grants/fellowships.
• APA Dissertation Research Award : The APA offers a dissertation research award. They have a number of grants (about 30-40) for $1,000 each; there are also several larger grants up to $5,000 each. 
• American Educational Research Association:  Proposal are encouraged from a variety of education fields or fields doing education-related research. It is a one-year fellowship and is worth $25,000. See website for criteria/eligibility.
• Bilinski Fellowship: This fellowship is offered every year to help fund the final year of the doctoral students within a Ph.D. program associated with the College of Liberal Arts. Students can ask the director of the program for more information about the fellowship. The deadline to apply is usually in early March.
• Council of Graduate Departments of Psychology (COGDOP) . In conjunction with the American Psychological Foundation (APF), COGDOP offers over 20 graduate research scholarships to support dissertation research
• Ford Foundation : This fellowship is offered every year. The stipend is $21,000. 
• Horowitz Foundation : The Horowitz Foundation offers grants for graduate students to work on their dissertations. They offer $7,500 ($5,000 is awarded initially and $2,500 is awarded upon completion of the project). 
• Decision, Risk and Management Sciences : It supports research “directed at increasing the understanding and effectiveness of decision making by individuals, groups, organizations, and society.” 
• Law & Social Sciences : The website says that the program considers proposals that address social scientific studies of law and law-like systems/rules.
• Political Science Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants : Areas include, but are not limited to: American government and politics; comparative government and politics; international relations; political behavior; political economy; and political institutions. 
• Science, Technology, and Society : This focuses on a variety of different science, technology, and society (STS) topics. For instance, it includes interdisciplinary studies of ethics, equality, governance, and policy issues. 
• Sociology Program – Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Awards : This is for dissertation projects. It focuses on a variety of different topics, so it is not limited to just one type of research. 
• P.E.O. Scholar Award : One-time, competitive, merit-based awards intended to recognize and encourage academic excellence and achievement by women in doctoral-level programs. These awards provide partial support for study and research. P.E.O. Scholars have demonstrated their ability to make significant contributions in their chosen field of study, having assumed leadership positions in university academics, scientific research, medicine, law, performing arts, international economics, history, literature, government and other demanding fields. The award is $20,000.
• SPSP Heritage Dissertation Research Award : Each year, the Foundation for Personality and Social Psychology awards six grants of $2,000 each. At least two grants are in personality psychology and at least two grants are in social psychology.
• Woodrow Wilson Dissertation Fellowship in Women’s Studies :  “The WW Women’s Studies Fellowships support the final year of dissertation writing for Ph.D. candidates in the humanities and social sciences whose work addresses topics of women and gender in interdisciplinary and original ways.” Winners receive $5,000 to be used for expenses connected with completing their dissertations (e.g., research-related travel, data work/collection, and supplies).

Graduate student research grants

• American Council of Learned Societies : The American Council of Learned Societies offers a variety of different grants for research.
• American Educational Research Association : Research grants are available for various education research fields, as well as fields and disciplines engaged in education-related research. Minorities are strongly encouraged to apply. “Awards for research grants are up to $25,000 for a 1-year project or up to $35,000 for 2-year projects.” See the website for additional eligibility criteria.
• Wayne F. Placek Grants : This grant is designed to “support empirical research from all fields of the behavioral and social sciences on any topic related to lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender issues.” Grant is up to $10,000.
• Violet and Cyril Franks Scholarship : This is designed to “support graduate-level scholarly projects that use a psychological perspective to help understand and reduce the stigma associated with mental illness.” The scholarship amount is up to $5,000.
• American Psychology-Law Society (AP-LS) : AP-LS offers various grants/awards, and includes a Grant-in-Aid and the Diversity in Psychology and Law Research Award.
• American Sociological Association (ASA) : ASA offers various grants/awards (e.g., a Community Action Research Initiative Grant and Fund for the Advancement of the Discipline [FAD]).
• Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP) : SPSP offers small research grants up to $1,500.
• Clara Mayo grant in support of Masters’ theses and pre-dissertation research on sexism, racism, or prejudice
• This organization also offers funding for travel.
• Society for the Scientific Study of Religion : Offers research grants to graduate students. Applicants must have been a member of the society at least one year prior to their application.

Pre-doctoral fellowships

• American Sociological Association : The American Sociological Association offers a minority fellowship program designed specifically for doctoral students of color. The annual stipend is $18,000. 
• Ford Foundation pre-doctoral fellowships :  Just as the Ford Foundation offers dissertation fellowships, it also offers pre-doctoral fellowships. 
• National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program . The GRFP provides funding for three years in addition to research expenses.

Student travel/participation grants

• American Psychology-Law Society:  Offers a travel award to fund travel to AP-LS every year. Students have won up to $500.
• American Sociological Association:  The American Sociological Association offers a few travel awards/grants.
• Society for Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP):  SPSP offers a number of different grants to graduate students, undergraduate students and scholars to attend its annual conference.
• Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues (SPSSI) : Offers funds to travel to and attend SPSSI meetings.
• Western Psychological Association : T here is a Psi Chi WPA regional travel grant. This grant will help cover travel costs to the conference. Recent awards have been $225.
• Western Social Science Association :  This organization offers a travel grant to attend its annual meeting. There is also a grant available to waive the conference registration fees for local students.

This program is part of the  Western Regional Graduate Program  (WRGP), a tuition-savings program that makes out-of-state graduate studies more affordable for students. Through WRGP, you will receive a reduced tuition rate, giving you more educational options for your money.

Questions? Contact the graduate program director

Monica Miller, Graduate Program Director and Foundation Professor

• [email protected]
• (775) 784-1287

Students are also encouraged to contact any faculty that they might be interested in working with as their graduate advisor. Feel free to contact more than one faculty member. View our filtered faculty listing to see who is currently accepting students.

Ph.D. Social Psychology

Our PhD program in Social Psychology is research-intensive, and designed as a five-year PhD program to prepare students for scholarly careers in academic and other research settings. We train graduate students to become productive social psychologists who will contribute to the field through the advancement of theoretical understanding and empirical research in social psychology, and by effectively teaching courses within the domain of social psychology. Formal course requirements are minimized and collaborative research with one or more faculty is emphasized.

Preparing You For Success

We offer a robust, dedicated, and active program that leads to successful students.   With four core faculty and a group of around 10 graduate students, the Social/Personality Program is relatively small by national standards, however, this allows for faculty and graduate students to develop deeply collaborative and productive working relationships.

Seminars are also small and highly productive. We are selective with graduate student admissions, and our students develop strong bonds with their mentors and cohort. By graduation, our students are well-prepared for the academic job market, as shown by the fact that most currently have a permanent or visiting faculty position. 

Recent Alumni Job Placements & Awards

• Hannah Buie, Ph.D. (2023), Assistant Professor of Psychology, Western Carolina University
• Dylan Horner, Ph.D. (2023), Assistant Professor of Psychology, Minot State University
• Harrison Schmidt, Ph.D. (2023), Assistant Professor of Psychology, Skidmore College
• Jake Taylor, Ph.D. (2023), Research Administration Coordinator, Memorial Hermann - Rockets Sports Medicine Institute
• Ciara Atkinson, Ph.D. (2022), Evaluation Specialist, University of Arizona Department of Campus Recreation
• Eva-Maria Stelzer, Ph.D. (2020), Research Analyst Health, Hubert Burda Media
• Isaac Young, Ph.D. (2020) visiting assistant professor, Beloit College, Wisconsin
• Peter Helm, Ph.D. (2019) postdoc, University of Missouri
• Uri Lifhsin, Ph.D. (2017) postdoc, IDC, Herzylia, Israel
• Advanced User Experience Researcher, State Farm
• Peter Leavitt, Ph.D., (2016) Assistant Professor at Indiana State University
• Elizabeth Focella, Ph.D., (2012) Senior Consultant at Opinion Dynamics
• Rebecca Covarrubias, Ph.D., (2012) Associate Professor at U.C. Santa Cruz
• Melissa Soenke, Ph.D., (2012) Associate Professor at Cal State Channel Islands
• Megan Robbins, Ph.D., (2011) Associate Professor at U.C. Riverside
• Dave Weise, Ph.D., (2011) Senior Lecturer and Psych Advisor at Texas Christian University
• Shannon Holleran, Ph.D., (2010) Lecturer, Owens Community College, Ohio
• Daniel "Spee" Kosloff, Ph.D., (2009) Associate Professor at Cal State Fresno
• Chad Forbes, Ph.D., (2009) Associate Professor, and Social Psychology Program Director at the University of Delaware
• Mark Landau, Ph.D., (2007) Full Professor at the University of Kansas

Although our program is relatively young, we also take great pride in the accomplishments of the alumni of our program, three of whom have garnered early career awards: APA (Mark Landau, PhD. in 2007), International Society for Self and Identity (Jamie Arndt, Ph.D. in 1999; Mark Landau), the Society of Experimental Social Psychology (Eddie Harmon-Jones, Ph.D. in 1995) and the Society for Psychophysiological Research (Eddie Harmon-Jones).

Updated: 05/25/23

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

The University of Arizona is a highly interdisciplinary environment, and the social psychology students have a history of successful collaboration with students and faculty in the clinical and cognitive neuroscience psychology programs and in other departments on campus (e.g., Family Studies and Human Development, Communications, Management, Marketing, Public Health).

Our program is especially enhanced by clinical students who are mentored by our social faculty and by clinical faculty who mentor our social students. Whenever a social student is interested in psychophysiology, perception, clinical, or other topics in psychology, there is usually a great opportunity for collaboration with faculty from our other departmental programs.

Updated: 09/29/22

• Program Finder
• Admissions Services
• Course Directory
• Academic Calendar
• Hybrid Campus
• Lecture Series
• Convocation
• Strategy and Development
• Implementation and Impact
• Integrity and Oversight
• In the School
• In the Field
• In Baltimore
• Resources for Practitioners
• Articles & News Releases
• In The News
• Statements & Announcements
• At a Glance
• Student Life
• Strategic Priorities
• Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-Racism, and Equity (IDARE)
• What is Public Health?

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Offered By: Department of Health, Behavior and Society

Onsite | Full-Time | 3 – 5 years

• MAS Application Fee Waiver Requirements
• Master of Arts (MA) in Geography and Environmental Engineering
• Master of Arts and Master of Science in Public Health (MA/MSPH)
• Master of Arts in Public Health Biology (MAPHB)
• Master of Bioethics (MBE)
• Mission, Vision, and Values
• Student Experience
• Program Outcomes
• For Hopkins Undergraduate Students
• Master of Health Science (MHS) - Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Master of Health Science (MHS) - Department of Epidemiology
• Alumni Update
• MHS Combined with a Certificate Program
• Master of Health Science (MHS) - Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
• Alumni Highlights
• Post-Baccalaureate Program in Environmental Health for Pre-Medicine Students
• Bachelor's/MHS in Health Economics and Outcomes Research
• MHS HEOR Careers
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Master of Health Science (MHS)
• Concurrent School-Wide Master of Health Science Program in Biostatistics
• Master of Health Science - Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health
• Master of Health Science Online (MHS) - Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health
• Careers in Health Economics
• Core Competencies
• Meet the Director
• What is Health Economics
• MPH Capstone Schedule
• Concentrations
• Online/Part-Time Format
• Requirements

Tuition and Funding

• Executive Board Faculty
• Master of Science (MS) in Geography and Environmental Engineering
• Independent Professional Project and Final Essay 
• Program Objectives and Outcomes
• Internships
• Master of Science (ScM) - Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Master of Science (ScM) - Department of Biostatistics
• Master of Science (ScM) - Department of Epidemiology
• Master of Science (ScM) - Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
• ScM Faculty Advisers
• Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) in Geography and Environmental Engineering
• Bachelor's/MSPH in Health Policy
• FAQ for MSPH in Health Policy
• Field Placement Experience
• MSPH Capstone
• MSPH Practicum
• Required and Elective Courses
• Student Timeline
• Career Opportunities
• 38-Week Dietetics Practicum
• Completion Requirements
• MSPH/RD Program FAQ
• Program Goals
• Master's Essay Titles
• Application Fee Waiver Requirements
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Department of Biostatistics
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Department of Epidemiology
• Program Goals and Expectations
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Department of Population, Family and Reproductive Health
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Clinical Investigation
• Track in Environmental Sustainability, Resilience, and Health
• Track in Exposure Sciences and Environmental Epidemiology
• Track in Health Security
• Track in Toxicology, Physiology and Molecular Mechanisms
• PhD in Geography and Environmental Engineering Faculty Advisers
• Recent Graduates and Dissertation Titles
• PhD Funding
• PhD TA Requirement
• Recent Dissertation Titles
• JHU-Tsinghua Doctor of Public Health
• Core Course Requirements
• Concentration in Women’s and Reproductive Health
• Custom Track
• Concentration in Environmental Health
• Concentration in Global Health: Policy and Evaluation
• Concentration in Health Equity and Social Justice
• Concentration in Health Policy and Management
• Concentration in Implementation Science
• Meet Current Students
• Combined Bachelor's / Master's Programs
• Concurrent MHS Option for BSPH Doctoral Students
• Concurrent MSPH Option for JHSPH Doctoral students
• Doctor of Medicine and Doctor of Philosophy (MD/PhD)
• Adolescent Health Certificate Program
• Bioethics Certificate Program
• Climate and Health Certificate Program
• Clinical Trials Certificate Program
• Community- Based Public Health Certificate Program
• Demographic Methods Certificate Program
• Environmental and Occupational Health Certificate Program
• Epidemiology for Public Health Professionals Certificate Program
• Evaluation: International Health Programs Certificate Program
• Food Systems, the Environment and Public Health Certificate Program
• Frequently Asked Questions for Certificate Programs
• Gender and Health Certificate Program
• Gerontology Certificate Program
• Global Digital Health Certificate Program
• Global Health Certificate Program
• Global Health Practice Certificate Program
• Health Communication Certificate Program
• Health Disparities and Health Inequality Certificate Program
• Health Education Certificate Program
• Health Finance and Management Certificate Program
• Health and Human Rights Certificate Program
• Healthcare Epidemiology and Infection Prevention and Control Certificate Program
• Humane Sciences and Toxicology Policy Certificate Program
• Humanitarian Health Certificate Program
• Implementation Science and Research Practice Certificate Program
• Injury and Violence Prevention Certificate Program
• International Healthcare Management and Leadership Certificate Program
• Leadership for Public Health and Healthcare Certificate Program
• Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Public Health Certificate Program
• Maternal and Child Health Certificate Program
• Mental Health Policy, Economics and Services Certificate Program
• Non-Degree Students General Admissions Info
• Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety Certificate Program
• Population Health Management Certificate Program
• Population and Health Certificate Program
• Product Stewardship for Sustainability Certificate Program
• Public Health Advocacy Certificate Program
• Public Health Economics Certificate Program
• Public Health Informatics Certificate Program
• Public Health Practice Certificate Program
• Declaration of Intent - Public Health Preparedness
• Public Health Training Certificate for American Indian Health Professionals
• Public Mental Health Research Certificate Program
• Quality, Patient Safety and Outcomes Research Certificate Program
• Quantitative Methods in Public Health Certificate Program
• Requirements for Successful Completion of a Certificate Program
• Rigor, Reproducibility, and Responsibility in Scientific Practice Certificate Program
• Risk Sciences and Public Policy Certificate Program
• Spatial Analysis for Public Health Certificate Program
• Training Certificate in Public Health
• Tropical Medicine Certificate Program
• Tuition for Certificate Programs
• Vaccine Science and Policy Certificate Program
• Online Student Experience
• Online Programs for Applied Learning
• Barcelona Information
• Fall Institute Housing Accommodations
• Participating Centers
• Registration, Tuition, and Fees
• Agency Scholarship Application
• General Scholarship Application
• UPF Scholarship Application
• Course Evaluations
• Online Courses
• Registration
• General Institute Tuition Information
• International Students
• Directions to the Bloomberg School
• All Courses
• Important Guidance for ONSITE Students
• D.C. Courses
• Registration and Fees
• Cancellation and Closure Policies
• Application Procedures
• Career Search
• Current Activities
• Current Trainees
• Related Links
• Process for Appointing Postdoctoral Fellows
• Message from the Director
• Program Details
• Admissions FAQ
• Current Residents
• Elective Opportunities for Visiting Trainees
• What is Occupational and Environmental Medicine?
• Admissions Info
• Graduates by Year
• Compensation and Benefits
• How to Apply
• Academic Committee
• Course Details and Registration
• Tuition and Fees
• ONLINE SOCI PROGRAM
• Principal Faculty
• Johns Hopkins RAPID Psychological First Aid
• General Application
• JHHS Application
• Areas of Study
• Important Dates
• Our Faculty
• Welcome Letter
• Descripción los Cursos
• Programa en Epidemiología para Gestores de Salud, Basado en Internet
• Consultants
• Britt Dahlberg, PhD
• Joke Bradt, PhD, MT-BC
• Mark R. Luborsky, PhD
• Marsha Wittink, PhD
• Rebekka Lee, ScD
• Su Yeon Lee-Tauler, PhD
• Theresa Hoeft, PhD
• Vicki L. Plano Clark, PhD
• Program Retreat
• Mixed Methods Applications: Illustrations
• Announcements
• 2023 Call for Applications
• Jennifer I Manuel, PhD, MSW
• Joke Bradt, PhD
• Josiemer Mattei, PhD, MPH
• Justin Sanders, MD, MSc
• Linda Charmaran, PhD
• Nao Hagiwara, PhD
• Nynikka R. A. Palmer, DrPH, MPH
• Olayinka O. Shiyanbola, BPharm, PhD
• Sarah Ronis, MD, MPH
• Susan D. Brown, PhD
• Tara Lagu, MD, MPH
• Theresa Hoft, PhD
• Wynne E. Norton, PhD
• Yvonne Mensa-Wilmot, PhD, MPH
• A. Susana Ramírez, PhD, MPH
• Animesh Sabnis, MD, MSHS
• Autumn Kieber-Emmons, MD, MPH
• Benjamin Han, MD, MPH
• Brooke A. Levandowski, PhD, MPA
• Camille R. Quinn, PhD, AM, LCSW
• Justine Wu, MD, MPH
• Kelly Aschbrenner, PhD
• Kim N. Danforth, ScD, MPH
• Loreto Leiva, PhD
• Marie Brault, PhD
• Mary E. Cooley, PhD, RN, FAAN
• Meganne K. Masko, PhD, MT-BC/L
• PhuongThao D. Le, PhD, MPH
• Rebecca Lobb, ScD, MPH
• Allegra R. Gordon, ScD MPH
• Anita Misra-Hebert, MD MPH FACP
• Arden M. Morris, MD, MPH
• Caroline Silva, PhD
• Danielle Davidov, PhD
• Hans Oh, PhD
• J. Nicholas Dionne-Odom, PhD RN ACHPN
• Jacqueline Mogle, PhD
• Jammie Hopkins, DrPH, MS
• Joe Glass, PhD MSW
• Karen Whiteman, PhD MSW
• Katie Schultz, PhD MSW
• Rose Molina, MD
• Uriyoán Colón-Ramos, ScD MPA
• Andrew Riley, PhD
• Byron J. Powell, PhD, LCSW
• Carrie Nieman MD, MPH
• Charles R. Rogers, PhD, MPH, MS, CHES®
• Emily E. Haroz, PhD
• Jennifer Tsui, Ph.D., M.P.H.
• Jessica Magidson, PhD
• Katherine Sanchez, PhD, LCSW
• Kelly Doran, MD, MHS
• Kiara Alvarez, PhD
• LaPrincess C. Brewer, MD, MPH
• Melissa Radey, PhD, MA, MSSW
• Sophia L. Johnson, PharmD, MPH, PhD
• Supriya Gupta Mohile, MD, MS
• Virginia McKay, PhD
• Andrew Cohen, MD, PhD
• Angela Chen, PhD, PMHNP-BC, RN
• Christopher Salas-Wright, PhD, MSW
• Eliza Park MD, MS
• Jaime M. Hughes, PhD, MPH, MSW
• Johanne Eliacin, PhD, HSPP
• Lingrui Liu ScD MS
• Meaghan Kennedy, MD
• Nicole Stadnick, PhD, MPH
• Paula Aristizabal, MD
• Radhika Sundararajan, MD
• Sara Mamo, AuD, PhD
• Tullika Garg, MD MPH FACS
• Allison Magnuson, DO
• Ariel Williamson PhD, DBSM
• Benita Bamgbade, PharmD, PhD
• Christopher Woodrell MD
• Hung-Jui (Ray) Tan, MD, MSHPM
• Jasmine Abrams, PhD
• Jose Alejandro Rauh-Hain, MD
• Karen Flórez, DrPH, MPH
• Lavanya Vasudevan, PhD, MPH, CPH
• Maria Garcia, MD, MPH
• Robert Brady, PhD
• Saria Hassan, MD
• Scherezade Mama, DrPH
• Yuan Lu, ScD
• 2021 Scholars
• Sign Up for Our Email List
• Workforce Training
• Cells-to-Society Courses
• Course/Section Numbers Explained
• Pathway Program with Goucher College
• The George G. Graham Lecture

About the PhD in Social and Behavioral Sciences Program

The PhD program in Social and Behavioral Sciences is designed for individuals seeking training for careers as social and behavioral scientists, health educators, and health promotion or communication specialists in the public health arena. The curriculum centers on the application of social and behavioral science perspectives to research on contemporary health problems, with a focus on understanding and influencing the social contexts and behaviors relevant to health. In addition to coursework, students complete a written exam at the end of the first year and gain experience in research skills and approaches. With faculty guidance, students develop and present a dissertation protocol in an oral exam. The final dissertation defense is conducted as an oral exam that includes a public seminar.

The program provides rigorous training in research methodology, theory, and program design and evaluation. Research is primarily focused in two areas—health education and communication, and social and psychological influences on health.

PhD in Social and Behavioral Sciences Program Highlights

Interdisciplinary theory.

with multi-level perspective

Rigorous methods

with practical application to contemporary health problems

Application of behavioral and social science perspectives

with attention to context

Community engagement

to understand and influence health behaviors that are risk factors in disease and illness

What Can You Do With a Graduate Degree In Social and Behavioral Sciences?

Visit the  Graduate Employment Outcomes Dashboard to learn about Bloomberg School graduates' employment status, sector, and salaries.

Sample Careers

• Postdoctoral Fellow
• Research Public Health Analyst
• Social Scientist, Food and Drug Administration Center for Tobacco Products
• Health Scientist-Alcohol Program
• Project Director
• Senior Communications Adviser
• Tenure Track Faculty
• Senior Program Officer
• Director of Clinical and Academic Research
• Senior Consultant
• Research and Evaluation Officer
• Program Director, Department of Public Health

Curriculum for the PhD in Social and Behavioral Sciences

Browse an overview of the requirements for this PhD program in the JHU  Academic Catalogue , explore all course offerings in the Bloomberg School  Course Directory , and find many more details in the program's Student Handbook . 

Research Areas

The emphasis of the curriculum is on the application of behavioral and social science perspectives to research on contemporary health problems. Understanding and influencing health behaviors that are risk factors in disease and illness, as well as behaviors that can be considered protective and health enhancing, are strengths of the program.

Rigorous training in research methods and program design and evaluation are also key elements of the curriculum. The program focuses its research in the following areas.

This area focuses on the application of principles from education, communication, behavioral, social science and psychological theories to encourage health behaviors conducive to optimal health in individuals, groups and communities. Students are exposed to current research on health education and communication, with particular focus on multilevel, ecological models of health and health behavior, design and evaluation of multifaceted intervention programs and patient-provider communication.

This area focuses on social and psychological factors and processes in the etiology and prevalence of disease in health-care-seeking behavior, disease prevention, long-term care and rehabilitation. Students are exposed to current research on health knowledge, attitudes and beliefs; social and psychological factors in disease etiology; risk reduction; and cultural influences in public health, including cross-cultural and multilevel studies.

Admissions Requirements

For general admissions requirements, please visit the How to Apply page.

Standardized Test Scores

Standardized test scores (GRE) are  optional  for this program. The admissions committee will make no assumptions if a standardized test score is omitted from an application, but will require evidence of quantitative/analytical ability through other application components such as academic transcripts and/or supplemental questions.  Applications will be reviewed holistically based on all application components.

Program Faculty Spotlight

Katherine Clegg Smith

Katherine Clegg Smith, PhD, MA, is a sociologist who examines health experiences and health communication, with a research focus on cancer and chronic disease.

Carl Latkin

Carl Latkin, PhD, conducts biobehavioral interventions for disadvantaged communities, with a focus on social networks, substance use, infectious diseases, and mental health.

Roland J. Thorpe, Jr.

Roland J. Thorpe, Jr., PhD, MS, is a gerontologist and social epidemiologist with nationally-recognized expertise in minority aging, men’s health, and place-based disparities.

Carol R. Underwood

Carol Underwood, PhD '93, MA, MA, studies the role of gender, social class, and marginalization in global health outcomes to contribute to the wellbeing of populations.

Get to Know Our Current Doctoral Students

Learn more about our doctoral students' research interests, publications, and more through our HBS doctoral student pages.

Full-time PhD students matriculating in or after 2022 will receive the following support for the first four years of the program: full tuition and matriculation fee, individual health insurance, University Health Services clinic fee, vision insurance, and dental insurance.

Need-Based Relocation Grants Students who  are admitted to PhD programs at JHU  starting in Fall 2023 or beyond can apply to receive a $1500 need-based grant to offset the costs of relocating to be able to attend JHU.   These grants provide funding to a portion of incoming students who, without this money, may otherwise not be able to afford to relocate to JHU for their PhD program. This is not a merit-based grant. Applications will be evaluated solely based on financial need.  View more information about the need-based relocation grants for PhD students .

Questions about the program? We're happy to help.

Application and Admissions Procedural Questions

Please direct questions about application and admissions procedures to the BSPH Admissions Office.

Email:   [email protected] Phone:   410-955-3543

General Academic Questions

For general academic questions about the PhD in Social and Behavioral Sciences program, please contact our Department's doctoral program coordinator, Krystal Lee, EdD, MPA.

Email:   [email protected]

Applied Social Psychology

Phd in psychology.

Request Info Visit Us Apply Now

• Social Identity Lab
• Institute for Research on Social Issues
• Depression Lab
• Health Psychology & Prevention Science Institute

The PhD in Applied Social Psychology trains you to conduct research that advances and applies scientific knowledge to address pressing societal issues that include social identity, group conflict, health behavior, and influence and social change.

Program Highlights

• The program emphasizes the development of methodological and statistical skills early on, which quickly positions students to excel as researchers.
• Research activity is diverse and includes attitudes, persuasion, and social change; self, social identity, culture, and community; group processes and intergroup relations; pro-social behavior; interpersonal and close relationships; and influence and persuasion.
• Our graduate students are encouraged to gain practical experience through projects, internships, or jobs, often at CGU’s research centers and affiliates, such as the Claremont Evaluation Center or the Health Psychology and Prevention Science Institute.
• All students who request financial aid receive fellowships. The Division of Behavioral & Organizational Sciences (DBOS) also regularly hires students for paid teaching assistantships.

Colloquia and Conference Series

The social psychology program hosts several colloquia and conference series, including:

• The Social Socials , a biweekly research colloquium
• The Stauffer Colloquium series, which hosts an annual speaker
• The Claremont Symposium on Applied Social Psychology series, an annual conference that is subsequently published as a book

Program at a Glance

UNITS 72 units

*Actual completion times will vary and may be higher, depending on full- or part-time course registration, units transferred, and time to complete other degree requirements.

COURSES BEGIN Fall | Spring

DIVISION Division of Behavioral & Organizational Sciences

DEGREE AWARDED PhD in Psychology

Featured Courses

Examines a broad range of topics in the social psychology of processes and phenomena that occur within and between social groups and categories.

Offers broad introduction to the major themes that characterize the vibrant, active, and well-researched field of social psychology.

Provides a broad introduction to the theories and experimental, correlational, and quasi-experimental research that constitutes the literature of social influence.

Explores the study of close relationships through exploring a variety of conceptual issues.

Explores classic and contemporary research on motivational systems and processes, the reciprocal influence of affect and cognition on motivation, and the role goals play in the motivational system.

Explores the nature of the self concept and its relationship to a person’s identity, as well as the associated social cognitive processes and the impact of self and identity on individual, group, and intergroup processes.

  Social Psychology Core Courses (20 units) Directed Research: Social Psychology (4 units across fall and spring) Overview of Social Psychology (4 units) At least three courses (12 units) from the following:

• Attitudes & Social Influence (4 units)
• Group Processes & Intergroup Relations (4 units)
• Interpersonal Processes (4 units)
• Motivation, Cognition & Affect (4 units)

Social Psychology & Related Electives (28 units) Students are encouraged to take elective courses in social psychology and across the Division of Behavioral and Organizational Sciences. They also can take relevant elective courses that are offered by Claremont Graduate University’s other schools and departments.

Statistics & Methodology (16 units) Research Methods (4 units) Intermediate Statistics (2 units) Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) (2 units) Applied Multiple Regression (2 units) Categorical Data Analysis (2 units) PSYCH 315 Sequence: 4 additional units of Advanced Methodology

Field/Teaching Experience (4 units) Supervised Teaching Seminar (4 units) or Field Placement (4 units)

Transdisciplinary Core Course (4 units) All PhD students are required to enroll in a transdisciplinary core course from Claremont Graduate University’s “TNDY” course sequence. Portfolio In addition to 72 units of coursework, all students must complete a portfolio that represents a cohesive set of experiences balancing training in their area of specialization.

PhD Completion

• PhD qualifying exam
• Dissertation proposal
• Dissertation and oral defense

In the Field Opportunities Under the supervision of professionals with expertise in your particular areas of interest, you can participate in fieldwork, research, and paid internships at a range of corporations and organizations, including:

• Southern California Edison Company
• Kaiser Permanente
• Orange County Rapid Transit District
• Riverside County Department of Mental Health
• Claremont Evaluation Center

Eusebio Alvaro

Full Research Professor

Research Interests

Social Influence Processes, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention & Medicine

William Crano

Stuart Oskamp Chair of Psychology

Social Influence, Effects of persuasive information on drug addiction and HIV/AIDS, Minority and majority relationships to health information

Michael Hogg

Professor of Social Psychology

Self and Social Identity; Intergroup Relations and Group Processes; Influence and Leadership; Uncertainty, Radicalization and Extremism

P. Wesley Schultz

Environmental psychology, social psychology, conservation, sustainability, social influence, quantitative methods, big data

Jason T. Siegel

Professor of Psychology

Social Psychology, Health Psychology, Persuasion, Survey Research

Anna Woodcock

Senior Research Fellow

Identity, Identity balance, Stereotypes, Diversity, STEM, Prejudice, Longitudinal Research, Quasi-Experimental Research, Intervention Evaluation, Theory-driven Interventions, Implicit Bias, Implicit identities

Mark Costanzo

Claremont McKenna College

Death penalty, expert testimony, non-verbal communication, social psychology

Jennifer Feitosa

Culture, Diversity, Organizational Psychology, Statistics, Teams, Teamwork, Workplace Issues and Trends

Steffanie Guillermo

Pitzer College

Racial/ethnic stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination, Threat perceptions, Bias against immigrants, Racial/ethnic health disparities

Shana Levin

Social psychology

Allen Omoto

Social psychology; volunteerism and prosocial action; environmental concerns; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues; sense of community; civic engagement and civil society

Adam Pearson

Pomona College

Social psychology of sustainability and climate change, social cognition, intergroup relations, disparities, stereotyping and prejudice

Piercarlo Valdesolo

Social psychology, moral judgment and behavior

Robin Vallacher

Florida Atlantic University

Dynamical social psychology, action identification, social judgment, self-concept, interpersonal dynamics, conflict and social justice

Where You Can Find Our Alumni

National Institute of Justice

Senior Social Science Analyst

The Advocacy and Learning Associates

CEO and Owner

Delaware Division of Alcohol and Drug Services

Deputy Director

University of Iowa College of Medicine

University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill

Distinguished Professor

Brigham Young University

U.S. Department of State

Foreign Affairs Officer

Center for Brain Neuroplasticity/Psychological Well Being

Chief Scientist

Department of Psychiatry, UCLA

Project Coordinator

Request information about the Applied Social Psychology program

• Name * First Name Last Name
• Phone (optional)
• Address Zip / Postal Code Country Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czechia Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Macedonia Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Sweden Switzerland Syria Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania, the United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Türkiye US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands
• Anticipated Start Date Choose Your Start Date Summer 2024 Fall 2024
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Regina Burch

Assistant Director of Admissions T: 909-607-9421 E: [email protected]

• Departments and Units
• Majors and Minors
• LSA Course Guide
• LSA Gateway

Search: {{$root.lsaSearchQuery.q}}, Page {{$root.page}}

• Program Areas
• Undergraduates
• Alumni & Friends
• Prospective Students

• Accelerated Master's Degree Program
• Career/Internship Exploration
• Major in Psychology or BCN
• Registration and Grades
• STAR Scholars Program
• Study Abroad
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Photos & Videos
• Student Organizations
• Subject Pool
• Honors Program
• Preparing for Graduate School
• Service Learning Opportunities
• Student Resources
• Transfer Credit
• Alumni Directory
• Stay Connected
• UM Resources
• Giving Opportunities
• Alumni Profile - Send Us Your News
• Donor Impact
• Department Newsletters
• Undergraduate
• Transfer (Undergraduate)
• Social Psychology
• Biopsychology
• Clinical Science
• Cognition and Cognitive Neuroscience (CCN)
• Developmental Psychology
• Combined Program in Education & Psychology (CPEP)
• Gender and Feminist Psychology (G&FP)
• Personality and Social Contexts (P&SC)
• Social Psychology Admissions
• Social Psychology Curriculum
• Social Psychology Tenured/Tenure-Track Faculty
• Social Psychology Affiliated Faculty
• Social Psychology Emeriti Faculty
• Social Psychology Research Fellows
• Social Psychology Students
• Social Psychology Research Laboratories
• Social Work and Psychology

Area Chair:   Ethan Kross , Professor of Psychology and Management/Organizations

2022 Social Psychology Area

Since the late 1940's, the Ph.D. Program in Social Psychology at the University of Michigan has consistently been ranked among the top programs in the world, and many of the leading contributors to the field graduated from Michigan. We strive to continue this tradition through cutting-edge research training that prepares students for a research career in academic or non-academic settings. Several features distinguish the Michigan program from many others:

With 18 core faculty in social psychology and more than 10 emeriti and affiliated faculty, the social psychology program spans a large and diverse range of research topics and methodologies.

An average of 30 graduate students, at different stages of their graduate careers, provides an equally rich and stimulating peer environment, while maintaining a student to core faculty ratio of less than 2:1.

The social psychology program is located in one of the top-ranked psychology departments. We encourage students to work with faculty across area boundaries and the flexible program requirements allow them to do so.

The University of Michigan is widely considered the leading center for social and behavioral science research in the world and its top-ranked departments and research centers provide an unusually rich interdisciplinary intellectual environment for social psychologists. We encourage students to take full advantage of these opportunities.

Building on this interdisciplinary strength, Michigan offers several interdisciplinary training programs in which social psychology students can participate. These include, among others, a Culture & Cognition Program in collaboration with the Department of Anthropology , a Decision Program that cuts across many departments and professional schools, an Evolution and Human Adaptation Program , a program in Organization Studies , a program in Social Work and Psychology , and a program in Women Studies and Psychology .

In addition, students have the opportunity to work with researchers at Michigan's numerous research centers, including the Institute for Social Research and its units, the Research Center for Group Dynamics, Survey Research Center, Center for Political Studies, and Population Studies Center; the Center for Human Growth and Development; the International Institute; the Institute for Policy Studies; the Mental Health Research Center; and many others [see research centers page].

Many research centers offer their own training opportunities, which enrich the departmental offerings. These opportunities include summer schools in survey research techniques , statistical analyses , and new developments in psychological methodology .

As befits such a rich environment, students have access to well- equipped laboratories, a departmental participant pool for experiments, computing facilities and data archives. In addition, there are many area, departmental, and university sources of funding for student research.

All students admitted to the program receive full financial support , as described by the department.

What Others Say About Us

The social psychology program at the University of Michigan is arguably one of the strongest, if not the very strongest, in the country, if not in the world. It has occupied this preeminent position for a very long time, and can be expected to maintain that stature going into the future. Any historical chronology of the great events of social psychology is destined to read like a chronicle of events at Michigan; any 'who’s who in social psychology' is bound to read like a listing of Michigan faculty and Michigan Ph.D.’s. -- From an outside review committee, appointed by the Dean of the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, 1998

The strength of the social psychology program at Michigan is, in many respects, strength through diversity. Historically, and today as well, the social psychology program has been a welcome home to many and diverse theoretical perspectives, substantive concerns, and methodological orientations. It has been, and continues to be, a program that operates at multiple levels of analysis, from the cognitive through the interpersonal through the group to the cultural levels of functioning, with research programs at each of these levels as well as ones that span and integrate these levels of analysis. -- From an outside review committee, appointed by the Dean of the College of Literature, Science and the Arts, 1998 .

Few, if any, training programs can offer either the quantity, diversity, or quality of training facilities or experiences that students in the Michigan program have the opportunity to experience. -- From the NIMH review of our training grant renewal, January 2004 .

The faculty are impressive in breadth, productivity, and level of extramural support. They have an outstanding record in mentoring and graduating first-rate students. -- From the NIMH review of our training grant renewal, January 2004 .

For Prospective Students

How to Apply to the Social Psychology Program?

• Information For
• Current Students
• Faculty and Staff
• Alumni and Friends
• More about LSA
• How Do I Apply?
• LSA Magazine
• Academic Advising
• Global Studies
• LSA Opportunity Hub
• Social Media
• Update Contact Info
• Privacy Statement
• Report Feedback

Doctoral Program

The doctoral program in Social-Organizational Psychology follows a scientist-practitioner model. It is designed for full-time graduate students who desire fundamental education and skill development in the science and application of psychology to social and organizational situations and activities. Our goal is to provide an environment that is conducive to the development of scientist-practitioners who are prepared to assume the diverse responsibilities of positions at research universities, leading businesses, and professional service firms. Through coursework, field projects with organizations, and close working relationships with faculty members and fellow graduate students, doctoral students are provided with advanced training in the theoretical concepts, research methods, and applications of social-organizational psychology. Students gain critical knowledge and skills that encompass both research and practice.    Some unique aspects of the program include:

• The integration of both social and organizational psychology;
• A theoretical, research, and applied focus on understanding multiple levels of organizational functioning from individuals to groups to organizations as a whole, and the dynamic interaction among these levels; 
• A breadth of coverage including human resource management, organizational behavior, organizational change, leadership, conflict and negotiation, coaching, diversity, organizational demography, motivation, power and authority, group processes, and organizational dynamics;
• An emphasis on both quantitative and qualitative research methods to address organizational issues;
• Opportunities to engage in basic research, applied research, and organizational consulting and application activities;
• Faculty members trained in a broad array of disciplines including social psychology, counseling psychology, industrial-organizational psychology, organizational behavior, and business management — all of whom apply their respective disciplines to social organizational psychology issues.

Read Program Director's Welcome

Teachers College, Columbia University Room 222 Zankel

Contact Person: Ometria Seebarran

Phone: (212) 678-8109

Email: oks2107@tc.columbia.edu

• Utility Menu

Psychology Graduate Program

• Psychology Department

Welcome to the Psychology PhD program at Harvard University!

Our work is united in the focus on the science of mental life, yet highly interdisciplinary.

The Psychology Department is organized into four research areas: 

• Clinical Science/ Experimental Psychopathology  
• Developmental Psychology  
• Social Psychology
• Cognition, Brain, and Behavior (CBB)

Students enrolled in the PhD program may follow one of two tracks: Clinical Science or the Common Curriculum, which includes Social Psychology, Developmental Psychology, and Cognition, Brain, and Behavior (CBB). Students may only be considered for Clinical Science during the graduate school application process, and may not transfer in at a later date.

Click here to view our current graduate student profiles. 

Psychology Headlines

From around the world.

• Biden Says U.S. Won't Supply Arms for Israel to Attack Rafah
• Liberals and Conservatives Are United on Taking Climate Action
• Miss USA Suddenly Resigns, Urges People to Prioritize Mental Health
• With Help From AI, Country Musician Randy Travis Gets His Voice Back
• Methodists End 50-Year Battle by Removing Anti-Gay Bans
• AI Evangelist Who Helped Trump Win in 2016 Using Facebook Is Back
• CRISPR Trial Provides Hope for Inherited Blindness
• After 2,000 Student Arrests, Some U.S. Schools Willing to Discuss Divestment

Source: Psychology News Center

Welcome to the Social Psychology Graduate Program at the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. Our faculty have diverse interests in the social and affective processes that contribute to health, wellness, relationships, morality, and intergroup relations.

The Ph.D. program in Psychology is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and judgment needed to become active contributors at the highest-level to research, teach, and provide public and professional service in the community.

The Social Psychology doctoral program maintains a flexible curriculum that allows students to develop their full potential as researchers and theorists. Students design a course of study that will best suit their unique trajectory. Learn more about our application process and curriculum .

• Support LUC
• Directories
• KRONOS Timecard
• Employee Self-Service
• Password Self-service
• Academic Affairs
• Advancement
• Admission: Adult B.A.
• Admission: Grad/Prof
• Admission: International
• Admission: Undergrad
• Alumni Email
• Alumni Relations
• Arrupe College
• Bursar's Office
• Campus Ministry
• Career Centers
• Center for Student Assistance and Advocacy
• Colleges and Schools
• Commencement
• Conference Services
• Continuing Education
• Course Evaluations IDEA
• Cuneo Mansion & Gardens
• Dining Services
• Diversity and Inclusion
• Emeriti Faculty Caucus
• Enterprise Learning Hub
• Executive and Professional Education
• Faculty Activity System
• Financial Aid
• Human Resources
• IBHE Institutional Complaint System
• Information Technology Services
• Institute of Environmental Sustainability
• Learning Portfolio
• Loyola Health App
• Loyola University Chicago Retiree Association (LUCRA)
• Madonna della Strada Chapel
• Media Relations
• Navigate Staff
• Office of First Year Experience
• Office of Institutional Effectiveness
• President's Office
• Rambler Buzz
• Registration and Records
• Residence Life
• Retreat & Ecology Campus
• Rome Center
• Security/Police
• Staff Council
• Student Achievement
• Student Consumer Information
• Student Development
• Study Abroad
• Summer Sessions
• University Policies
• Writing Center

Loyola University Chicago

Department of psychology, applied social psychology phd.

The Social Psychology PhD Track

• Coursework—(60 semester hours, 39 required + 21 electives)
• Master's thesis (including an oral presentation, if not already completed)
• Internship—teaching or field research (4 courses teaching or 1000 hours research)
• Doctoral Candidacy Exam (2 areas: Theory & Application, Methodology &, Statistics)
• Dissertation proposal defense
• Oral defense of the completed dissertation
• Core Courses: Research Methods (with a B or better), Social Psychology Theory, Applied Social, Statistics 482 and 491 (with a B or better), one General Experimental course (with a B or better grade), and one Developmental/Individual Differences course (with a B or better grade)
• Methodology Courses (at least six)
• Basic Social Psychology Courses (at least two)
• Applied Social Topics Courses (at least two)
• Electives (Seven or fewer, as needed to reach the minimum of 60 hours required for the degree)
• Independent Study: Readings or Research Course
• Seminars in Social Psychology

PhD Learning Outcomes:

• Explain how classic and contemporary social psychological theory and research applies to human behavior in social settings
• Learn to conduct a literature review
• Evaluate the scientific rigor of research presented in social psychological journals and books
• Synthesize principles of basic and advanced research methods to produce independent, scholarly work
• Understand how to derive novel, previously untested hypotheses.
• Design and conduct basic and applied social psychology research
• Understand how to statistically analyze and interpret data collected in social psychology research
• Understand how to write up an academic research article
• Understand how to give a high quality professional presentation
• Apply ethical standards to evaluate psychological science and practice
• Apply knowledge of social psychology to scholarly and/or professional activities to promote positive social change
• Apply psychological content and skills to career goals
• Gain experience teaching undergraduate psychology classes
• Acquisition of research and publication skills that will allow students to pursue either an academic job or an applied job after completing the program

Terminal Masters Program

• Core Courses: Research Methods (with a B or better), Social Psychology Theory, Applied Social, and Statistics 482 and 491 (with a B or better)
• Advanced Methods Courses (at least two)
• Applied Topics Courses (at least one)
• Basic Social Psychology (at least one)
• One Elective Course

MA Learning Outcomes:

• Acquisition of research and publication skills that will allow students to pursue an applied job after completing the program
• Undergraduate
• Graduate/ Professional
• Adult Education

PhD in Psychology Further Your Understanding of Psychology

Degree Options

View Degree Options

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Understand the Human Experience from a Biblical Worldview with an Online PhD in Psychology

Do you want to deepen your knowledge in psychology and use your research to contribute to the field of understanding human behavior? Liberty University’s PhD in Psychology can provide rigorous research training that can better prepare you for a career in academia and research. An online PhD in Psychology is ideal for students who want to bring new knowledge of human behavior to the field and find new ways to help people heal, grow, and thrive.

Liberty’s PhD in Psychology is designed to prepare you to evaluate research and to understand the truth about human behavior from a biblical worldview. Our mission is to  Train Champions for Christ , and we fulfill this mission by training professionals to use science and biblical values to understand the full breadth of the human experience. Our unique, biblically-based approach to this field can help prepare you to make a positive impact on those you work with.

With Liberty’s PhD in Psychology, you can take part in optional face-to-face on-campus intensives that will allow you to meet faculty and other students while you develop your professional and research skills.

What Will You Study in Our PhD in Psychology Degree?

Liberty’s online PhD in Psychology is designed to build on your previous study and experience in human psychology and develop you into a researcher and psychologist who demonstrates ethical and academic excellence while integrating biblical values into your practice.

Through this program, you will:

• Learn how an appreciation of biblical values enhances psychiatric practice by putting human value at the forefront of technique and theory.
• Develop a grounded critical approach to psychiatric research and theory while integrating a biblical worldview into approaches to current issues in psychology.
• Master psychiatric research and writing techniques that can establish your work in the study of human behavior.
• Complete dissertation research through your program with mentorship from your professors so that you have the option to present research at conferences.

Through this program, you will be encouraged to become a thought leader on a variety of topics related to the human experience. Our goal is to help you venture into the world of psychiatric research and practice and offer insights based on biblical foundations of truth that can help people heal and thrive.

Featured Courses

• PSYC 510 — Research Methods and Statistics in Psychology I
• PSYC 710 — Psychological Research and Biblical Worldview
• PSYC 716 — Theories and Research in Industrial/Organizational Psychology
• PSYC 775 — Teaching of Psychology

Degree Information

• This program falls under the  School of Behavioral Sciences .
• View the  Graduate Behavioral Sciences Course Guides   (login required).
• View the  PhD in Psychology Dissertation Handbook
• The online PhD in Psychology is a non-clinical, non-licensure program.

Why Choose Liberty’s Online Degree?

To help you meet your educational goals in a way that fits your life, our online PhD in Psychology provides scheduling flexibility and keeps affordability in mind. Our PhD in Psychology’s online format allows you to take your classes from home without traveling to campus. However, this program still provides a community of psychology professionals and the ability to take optional intensive courses to allow you to connect in person.

Throughout this program, Liberty incorporates a biblical worldview into your instruction. This perspective in your research and practical training in psychology can help you develop professional and academic excellence without compromising an ethical appreciation for human life. Additionally, our caring faculty are devoted to helping you grow personally and academically.

With our online PhD in Psychology, you can learn effective clinical techniques, essential behavioral theory, and develop your research and writing expertise. You can be equipped with a thorough understanding of human thought and behavior while developing your own research to further the field.

Earning a PhD in Psychology online with Liberty means that you will be trained to engage with research and psychiatric practice critically and biblically. If you are interested in becoming a thoughtful, articulate, and research-focused professional, then this is the program for you.

Ranked in the Top 10% of Niche.com’s Best Online Schools in America

• What Sets Us Apart?
• Private Nonprofit University
• 600+ Online Degrees
• No Standardized Testing for Admission
• Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
• Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Potential Career Opportunities for PhD in Psychology Graduates

• Corporate psychologist
• Program or department head
• Project manager

Degree Options for Our PhD in Psychology Program

Focus your studies in psychology with a specialization.

Behavioral Health Leadership

Through the  PhD in Psychology – Behavioral Health Leadership , you can hone your research and leadership skills as you prepare to pursue administrative and management positions in mental and behavioral health organizations.

View the Degree Completion Plan .

Developmental Psychology

Through the online  PhD in Psychology – Developmental Psychology , you can learn about research theory related to human development, including cognitive development, social development, and language development.

General Psychology

The online PhD in Psychology – General Psychology provides an in-depth study of advanced psychiatric research and practice while giving you room to customize your course content.

Industrial/Organizational Psychology

In the online  PhD in Psychology – Industrial/Organizational Psychology  track, you will study human behavior in organizations and the workplace. You will focus on deriving principles of individual, group, and organizational behavior and applying that knowledge to developing solutions for challenges in the workplace.

Social Psychology

In the online  PhD in Psychology – Social Psychology  track, you can learn about research and theory related to social processes and relationships, attitudes, and other constructs related to social psychology.

In the online  PhD in Psychology – Theology  track, you can learn how to study the Bible and integrate that study of the Bible with research in psychology to further your understanding of psychological concepts.

Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

Tuition & Aid

Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour ( learn more ) .

All Tuition & Fees

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Financial Aid Forms & Eligibility

Scholarship Opportunities

Admission Information for Our PhD in Psychology

Admission requirements.

• A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required) .
• Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
• Contact information  for 2 recommenders is required (approved recommenders are the student’s former college professors or supervisors).
• Statement of Purpose  is required (1,000-1,500 words, double spaced).
• Departmental approval is required.
• Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy .

Preliminary Acceptance

If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:

• Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
• Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
• Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
• Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.

Transcript Policies

Official college transcript policy.

An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to [email protected] .

Admissions Office Contact Information

(800) 424-9596

(888) 301-3577

Email for Questions

[email protected]

Email for Documents

[email protected]

Liberty University Online Admissions Verification

1971 University Blvd.

Lynchburg, VA 24515

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

• Active Duty
• Reserve/National Guard
• Veterans/Retirees
• Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees

Military Tuition Discount

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour . Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there opportunities to interact in-person with peers.

You can meet faculty and fellow students in person through optional on-campus intensives.

Can I have an impact through this degree?

Through your dissertation, you can contribute to the understanding of human experience and behavior.

Inner Navigation

• What Will You Study?
• Potential Careers
• Specializations
• Tuition & Aid
• Admission Information

Have questions?

Are you ready to change your future?

Apply FREE This Week*

Request Information

*Some restrictions may occur for this promotion to apply. This promotion also excludes active faculty and staff, military, non-degree-seeking, DGIA, Continuing Education, WSB, and certificate students.

Request Information About a Program

Request info about liberty university online, what program are you interested in, choose a program level.

Choose a program level

Bachelor’s

Master’s

Certificate

Select a Field of Study

Select a field of study

Select a Program

Select a program

Next: Contact Info

Legal full name.

Enter legal full name

Legal Last Name

Enter legal last name

Enter an email address

Enter a phone number

Full Address

Enter an address

Apt., P.O. Box, or can’t find your address? Enter it manually instead .

Select a Country

Street Address

Enter Street Address

Enter State

ZIP/Postal Code

Enter Zip Code

Back to automated address search

Start my application now for FREE

Search form

Top 10 tips for applying to clinical psychology Ph.D. programs

Participants of the second annual Diversifying Clinical Psychology Weekend gained skills for succeeding in graduate school.

Program offers pointers for prospective students

In an effort to help aspiring clinical psychology applicants from historically marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds feel better prepared to tackle the application process and succeed in graduate school, School of Social Ecology graduate students from the clinical psychology area hosted their second annual “Diversifying Clinical Psychology Weekend” event earlier this month. Co-sponsored by DECADE, the event included breaking down application requirements, discussing how to obtain relevant research experience, and sharing the experiences of current students to help aspiring applicants feel more confident in their own academic journeys. 

• Professionalism is key. Using professional email greetings, being punctual, demonstrating preparation, taking ownership and responsibility, and using critical thinking and problem solving skills goes a long way. 
• Get involved in research labs. Joining a research lab during undergraduate or post-bacc programs, or seeking full-time research assistant and research staff positions will help prepare you for graduate programs that place heavy emphasis on research. 
• Prepare an accurate and professionally-formatted CV. Keep formatting consistent, list things in reverse chronological order, use action words when describing your contributions to activities. 
• Personalize your Research Statements (also known as Statement of Purpose) for each program you apply to. Emphasize what draws you to each particular program, include faculty members you are interested in working with and why, and state how YOU can add value and contribute to the program.  
• Weave a narrative through your personal statement that goes beyond your CV. Avoid summarizing your CV. Tell a story that SHOWS the reader what lessons you have learned and your main takeaways from prior experiences that have led you to apply to their program. Relate your experiences through common themes, goals, and interests that may not be obvious to someone simply reading through your CV. 
• Incorporate your values, commitment to DEI, and who you are as a person in your Personal History Statement (also known as Diversity Statement). This is a great place to show parts of yourself, your background, and your experiences that don’t fit into other parts of the application. 
• Get feedback on your materials. Get feedback from friends, family, and colleagues on your essays. 
• Submit strong letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation are a critical component of a well-rounded application. Be sure to request letters from writers with whom you have good relationships and believe will be able to write you a thorough and positive letter of recommendation. Don’t hesitate to ask potential letter writers if they would be able to write you a STRONG letter of recommendation. 
• Research your programs ahead of time to make sure they are a good fit for you. Just as schools are evaluating whether you will be a good fit for their program, you should take the time to do your research on whether programs you are applying to seem to be a good fit for your research interests, professional goals, and personal needs.
• Check out additional resources and information sessions:  https://tinyurl.com/ClinicalPhDInfoSessions  and  https://tinyurl.com/ClinicalPsychResourceSheet .

Follow us on social media

• myPNW Login
• Brightspace Login
• PNW Calendar
• Scholarships
• Tuition and Fees

Master's Degree in Social Work

Master of Social Work

Request Information

Master of Social Work Degree Program Overview

Purdue University Northwest’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program prepares you to be a competent, professional and ethical advanced generalist social worker. Our program is structured to support social work leaders who are committed to anti-oppressive social work practice.

PNW’s MSW degree program is designed to meet the competencies identified by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The MSW program has two options, traditional or advanced standing for students with a bachelor’s degree in social work.

For questions about PNW’s MSW, please email [email protected] .

Department of Behavioral Sciences

Why Should You Get Your MSW at PNW?

PNW graduates have a high success rate and a robust regional network. Our faculty maintains strong relationships with the community, including 100 local agencies that host internships for Social Work majors.

PNW has offered an accredited BASW program since Fall 2016 and is very excited to offer an MSW program for students to complete their undergraduate and graduate education and begin their journey to becoming licensed social workers.

MSW Program Mission

The mission of the Master of Social Work (MSW) program at Purdue University Northwest (PNW)  is   to prepare competent, professional and ethical  advanced generalist social workers  who are committed to anti-oppressive social work practice by advocating for social, racial, economic and environmental justice for all vulnerable populations.

Master of Social Work Degree Program Curriculum

With an emphasis on an anti-oppressive social work lens, our MSW program is a perfect combination of theoretical and practical knowledge to prepare you to work with individuals, groups, families, organizations and communities in this interconnected global world.

Full Course of Study to Be Published Summer 2025.

Traditional MSW Admissions Requirements

• A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (based on a 4.0 system) with a Baccalaureate degree from accredited colleges and universities attended;
• at least one course in psychology, sociology or anthropology;
• at least one course in American history, American government or economics;
• at least one course in human biology;
• at least one course in statistics.

Fall Year I (15 hours)

• Ethics, Professionalism and Self-Care

Spring Year I (12 hours)

• Social Work Practice with Organizations and Communities

Fall Year II (15 hours)

• Psychopathology and SW Assessment I

Spring Year II (15 hours)

• Advances Social Policy Analysis and Advocacy

Advanced Standing Admissions Requirements

The Advanced Standing pathway is for students who received a Baccalaureate degree in Social Work (BSW) from a CSWE-accredited program with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (based on a 4.0 system).

Summer I (9 hours)

• Advanced Generalist Anti-Oppressive Social Work

Fall I (12 Hours)

• Clinical Interventions in Social Work

Spring I (15 Hours)

• Social Work Capstone

Master of Social Work Degree Program Highlights

Our MSW degree program is an applied, license-eligible, professional degree program. Faculty share real-world social work experience, model ethical behavior and engage in service alongside their students.

Master of Social Work Degree Program Outcomes

Graduates of our MSW program are eligible for state licensure (LSW).

Master of Social Work Degree Program Career Paths

An MSW from PNW prepares you for a social work career in industries including:

• Mental and deaddiction centers
• Advocacy agencies

Master of Social Work Degree Program Accreditation

The MSW program at PNW is currently in the process of gaining pre-candidacy for accreditation by the Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA). Students admitted into the MSW program in Fall 2025 and later will be retroactively recognized as graduates from a CSWE-BOA accredited program as long as the program attains initial accreditation.

Meet the Faculty

Shreya Bhandari, Ph.D., LISW

Professor and MSW Director

Shreya Bhandari is a social work educator, practitioner and researcher. In addition to serving as a faculty member, she also leads the MSW program.

Chun Liu, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Social Work

Chun Liu is an Assistant Professor of Social Work in the Department of Behavioral Sciences. He currently teaches Social Work Research and Institutional Social Welfare.

Earn a Master of Social Work at PNW

Whether you just completed your undergraduate studies or are looking to take the next step to advance your career, Purdue University Northwest’s master of social work degree program prepares you for a career in a wide range of social work industries.

Our graduate studies staff is ready to help you take the next step! Contact us at (219) 989-2257 or [email protected] to see how PNW can meet your needs.

Related Programs

Social Work

Psychology (MS)

Education: Human Services Counseling

Your version of Internet Explorer is either running in "Compatibility View" or is too outdated to display this site. If you believe your version of Internet Explorer is up to date, please remove this site from Compatibility View by opening Tools > Compatibility View settings (IE11) or clicking the broken page icon in your address bar (IE9, IE10)

Missouri S&T - Missouri University of Science and Technology

• Future Students
• Current Students
• Faculty and Staff
• All of Missouri S&T
• Just this site
• Announcements
• Accomplishments
• Student News
• Recent Email Reminders
• Coronavirus
• Faculty Training
• Information Technology (IT)
• New Employees
• Physical Facilities
• The S&T Store
• Staff Spotlight
• Volunteers Needed
• Add an Event to the Calendar
• Add a Story to the eConnection
• Add a Story to the Student eConnection
• Staff Spotlight Questionnaire
• Share an Accomplishment

eConnection

Updates for the S&T community

Psychology student receives honorable mention in NSF program

Posted by kimber crull on may 7, 2024.

Jessica Frame presents research at the American Psychological Association’s annual meeting last August in Washington, D.C.

Jessica Frame, a senior in psychology, received an honorable mention for the National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program. She will continue her training in the neuroscience Ph.D. program at the University of Iowa next fall.

View the l ist of NSF Graduate Research Fellowship awardees .

Share this page

Posted by Kimber Crull

On May 7, 2024. Posted in Accomplishments

Have something to share?

• + Share an accomplishment
• + Add a story to the eConnection
• + Add a story to the Student eConnection
• + Add an event to the calendar

Looking for something?

Recent Posts

• Toomey Hall HVAC work begins Monday
• Power outages planned May 15-16
• New name for S&T geosciences, geological and petroleum engineering department
• Miner ID office announces summer hours, closed Monday
• S&T announces new faculty fellows for ADVANCE program
• Academic Support & Success
• Campus Events
• General News & Announcements
• Missouri S&T in the News
• Parents and Family
• Student Academics
• Student Announcements
• Student Events
• Student Volunteer Opportunities
• Volunteer Opportunities
• About S&T
• Financial Aid
• Campus Life

Missouri S&T, Rolla, MO 65409 | 573-341-4111 | 800-522-0938 | Contact Us Accreditation | Consumer Information | Our Brand | Disability Support

News and Events

• Events Calendar
• Campus News
• Research News

Residential Life

• Residence Halls
• Dining Options
• Residence Hall Rates
• Apply for Housing

Involvement

• Organizations
• Fraternities / Sororities
• Volunteerism
• Find Your Fit

Student Resources

• Cashier's Office
• Career Opportunities
• Student Parking

Online Resources

• S&T Email

Human Resources

• Work at S&T
• Flexible Work Arrangements

Help and Safety

• Campus Police
• Health and Wellbeing
• IT Help Desk
• S&T Alert

Administration

• Press Releases
• Governing Policies

Social Media

© 2024 - Curators of the University of Missouri | UM System | Privacy Policy | WordPress Missouri S&T is an equal opportunity/access/affirmative action/pro-disabled and veteran employer and does not discriminate on the basis of sex in our education programs or activities, pursuant to Title IX and 34 CFR Part 106. For more information, see S&T's Nondiscrimination Policy or Equity and Title IX .