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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 .

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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.

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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

Psychology, PhD (Social Psychology)

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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. 

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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

Assistant Professor

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

Associate 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

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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.

PhD Admissions

The PhD program in Psychology trains students for careers in research and teaching. In addition to a wide range of courses, the PhD program is characterized by close collaboration between students and their faculty advisors. 

General Information

The Department of Psychology holistically reviews each candidate's complete application to assess the promise of a career in teaching and research. Consideration is based on various factors, including courses taken, grade point average, letters of recommendation, and the statement of purpose. Additionally, the Department of Psychology places considerable emphasis on research training, and admitted students have often been involved in independent research as undergraduate students or post-baccalaureate settings. Although there are no course requirements for admission, all applicants should have sufficient foundational knowledge and research experience to engage in graduate-level coursework and research.

We accept students with undergraduate degrees and those with both undergraduate and master's degrees. An undergraduate psychology major is not required; the Department welcomes applicants from other academic backgrounds.

Our application portal is now closed for the AY24-25 admissions cycle.  Please consider applying during next year's AY25-26 admissions cycle, which opens on September 15, 2024.

How to Apply

Application and deadline.

Our 2025-26 Admissions application will open on September 15, 2024.

Applications will be due on November 30, 2024

The deadline for letters of recommendation will be  November 30, 2024 . 

Once an applicant submits the recommenders' information, the recommenders will receive an automated email with instructions for submitting the letter. Late letters should be sent directly to psych-admissions [at] stanford.edu (psych-admissions[at]stanford[dot]edu) . Staff will add them to the application file if the review process is still underway. Still, the faculty reviewers are not obligated to re-review files for materials submitted after the deadline.

The status of submitted applications can be viewed by logging in to the   application portal . 

The deadline to apply for the Stanford Psychology Ph.D. program is  November 30, 2024 . 

Applicants who are admitted to the program will matriculate in autumn 2025. 

In addition to the information below, please review the  Graduate Admissions  website prior to starting your application. The Department of Psychology does not have rolling admissions. We admit for the Autumn term only.

Requirements

• U.S. Bachelor's degree or its  foreign equivalent
• Statement of Purpose (submitted electronically as part of the graduate application). You will be able to specify three  Psychology Department faculty members , in order of preference, with whom you would like to work. 
• Three  Letters of Recommendation  (submitted electronically). A maximum of six letters will be accepted.
• Unofficial transcripts from all universities and colleges you have attended for at least one year must be uploaded to the graduate application. Applicants who reach the interview stage will be asked to provide official transcripts as well; Department staff will reach out to these applicants with instructions for submitting official transcripts. Please do  not  submit official transcripts with your initial application.
• Required for non-native English speakers: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) scores, submitted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) electronically to Stanford. 

Application Fee

The fee to apply for graduate study at Stanford is $125. Fee waivers are available for some applicants. Please visit Graduate Admissions for information on applying for an  Application Fee Waiver .

Application Review & Status Check

The Department of Psychology welcomes graduate applications from individuals with a broad range of life experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds who would contribute to our community of scholars. The review of applications is holistic and individualized, considering each applicant’s academic record and accomplishments, letters of recommendation, and admissions essays to understand how an applicant’s life experiences have shaped their past and potential contributions to their field.

To check the status or activity of your application, please log into your  application account . You can also send reminders to recommenders who have not yet submitted their letter of recommendation.

Due to limited bandwidth, the Department of Psychology staff will not answer any phone or email queries about application status, including requests to confirm the receipt of official transcripts.

Our faculty will interview prospective students before making final admission decisions. Candidates who progress to the interview round will be informed in January. Interviews are generally conducted in February.

The Department of Psychology recognizes that the Supreme Court issued a ruling in June 2023 about the consideration of certain types of demographic information as part of an admission review. All applications submitted during upcoming application cycles will be reviewed in conformance with that decision.

• Diversity and Engagement in Psychology PhD Programs 
• Vice Provost for Graduate Education
• Stanford IDEAL
• Graduate Application Fee Waiver Information

For More Information

Please see our  list of Frequently Asked Questions  and  psych-admissions [at] stanford.edu (contact us)  should you have additional questions.

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Source: Psychology News Center

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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?

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Why apply to Clark’s social psychology doctoral program?

Rooted in Clark University’s distinguished history in psychology, the department’s social psychology doctoral program at the nationally-renowned Frances L. Hiatt School of Psychology is dedicated to understanding the psychological processes that underlie today’s most pressing local, national, and global social and political issues.

Our program emphasizes contextualized, interdisciplinary learning and diversity in its research and pedagogy while encouraging novel theoretical work and methodological breadth. Our intimate size allows for close student-faculty relationships and collaboration while providing opportunities to work with and mentor fellow graduate students and undergraduates. Our approach prepares students for academic, research, and policy careers in social psychology.

All full-time graduate students are guaranteed tuition remission and stipends for four years through graduate assistantships. Along with Clark’s pedigree as a small urban research university where G. Stanley Hall, its first president, founded the American Psychological Association in 1892, our close-knit program fosters a collegial, supportive intellectual community.

Psychology Graduate Handbook

Our Community

The social psychology program encourages students, through initiative and intellectual curiosity, to develop and advance their research interests in urgent social issues among our dedicated, collaborative community. Many different methodological approaches are represented and valued. Our department intentionally structures classes to allow students to focus on the topics at hand, not competition among peers. The social psychology program is committed to the inclusion of diverse populations and to enhancing diversity within the field as a whole. As such, we create a respectful, supportive learning environment.

Meet our faculty           Meet our graduate students

Our Research in Social Psychology

From studying the psychology of activism to politically motivated intergroup conflict and violence, Clark’s social psychology graduate students analyze some of the day’s most pertinent issues using quantitative and qualitative research methods. Our graduate program ensures students receive extensive research training that builds cumulatively from foundational and more heavily mentored experiences to more independent activities, like building a research portfolio and dissertation research. Much of our faculty and student research takes place within community settings, locally or internationally.

Through lab work, graduate students collaborate among faculty, their cohorts, and undergraduates. Graduate students present their work at external conferences such as the Society for Personality and Social Psychology , the International Society of Political Psychology , or the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues and at Clark’s Graduate Student Multidisciplinary Conference , and publish in journals like Feminism and Psychology , the Journal of Social Issues , and Psychology of Men and Masculinity .  Graduate students’ scholarship, along with our faculty’s research, is diverse both in theory and method, which is a mark of distinction and strength across our department’s three programs.

Our faculty has guest-edited special issues in the Journal of Social Issues as well as the European Journal of Social Psychology and founded the Journal of Social and Political Psychology . Their research and expertise have been recognized with funding from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the American Psychological Association, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, among others.

At the heart of our research are the program and department’s research groups, forums, and lab meetings where faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students discuss common theoretical concerns and research interests. In fact, graduate students are encouraged to work closely with one another, with advanced undergraduate students, and with faculty colleagues in developing their program of research with the goal of growing as an independent researcher.

Faculty Expertise           Research groups, labs, and forums

Key Details

Clark’s social psychology doctoral program examines the interaction of individual differences and social structures in producing and reflecting social and political attitudes, behavior, and health.

Our expertise

Faculty interests include intergroup relations, collective and interpersonal violence, the aftermath of violent conflict, health disparities, and commitment to social change, including collective action and intervention, among others.

Our emphasis

We pay particular attention to how human experience — thought, behavior, feelings — is shaped by history and intersectionality of group memberships, and how social structure reinforces power relations.

Our training

Graduate students in our program take several rigorous research methods and statistics courses, and have the option of receiving training in advanced statistical methods and/or advanced qualitative methods. Additionally, we offer several graduate and capstone seminars in topics related to the social psychology of social issues (e.g, Prejudice; Stigma; Intersectionality; Collective Violence and its Aftermath), and students can take courses in other graduate programs at Clark as well. A core component of our training is the Social Forum in which all graduate students and faculty participate each semester.

Our connections

With our interdisciplinary emphasis and emphasis on diversity, our faculty members hold affiliations with the following centers, departments, and programs at Clark:

• The Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies
• The Gender and Women’s Studies Program
• The Peace Studies Concentration
• The Race and Ethnic Relations Concentration
• The Africana Studies Concentration
• Health Science in Community and Global Health

We view Worcester and neighboring communities as learning environments as well, and have partnerships with organizations like the YWCA and the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence. Much of our research takes place within community settings in the U.S. and various other parts of the world.

All graduate students receive full tuition remission and a 9-month graduate assistantship stipend for four years (except for students who have obtained external funding). This arrangement fosters a collegial, supportive intellectual community.

In the recent past, many students have received funding throughout their doctoral studies. In addition, through the generous support of the Hiatt fund, the department is able to provide other stipends for first-year summer and independent research and support for travel to conferences to present research.

How long will it take to complete the Ph.D. in social psychology at Clark University? Will I need to come to campus for an interview? What are the requirements? Applicants can find the answers to these questions in the links below.

Learn More about Application Requirements Learn More about General Requirements for the Psychology Ph.D. Program Timeline

Psychology Graduate Education Handbook

Explore courses in social psychology

Clark’s Psychology Department has more than 35,000 square feet dedicated to learning, research, and laboratory work. Graduate students have semi-private offices and access to dedicated lab clusters, which include the Bliss Child and Family Study Center and a psychotherapy research lab. The psychological services area contains two therapy suites that allow for observation and recording of clinical sessions.

Alumni Careers

Clark’s psychology Ph.D. programs train scholars to work in academic and professional fields, and produces distinguished Ph.D. alumni who become valuable members of their professions. Their extensive training and research experience prepares them for positions at universities and nonprofits around the world.

Frances L. Hiatt School of Psychology

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University of California, Santa Barbara / College of Letters & Science

UCSB PhD Program In Social Psychology Ranked #9 In Nation By U.S. News And World Report

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Graduate School

Social psychology (ph.d.), social psychology (ph.d.) | graduate.

We train social psychologists who produce and advance the scientific study of social psychological theories, including the affective, cognitive, sociocultural, motivational, neural, and physiological underpinnings of social behavior. Our students seek to understand how these processes are shaped by political, societal, organizational, and other factors.

The APA-accredited Ph.D. program in Psychology (specialization in Social Psychology) at Howard's Graduate School provides rigorous training in the scientific study of affective, cognitive, sociocultural, motivational, neural, and physiological underpinnings of social behavior. Our scholars seek to understand how these processes are shaped by political, societal, organizational, and other factors. Our program prepares graduates for careers as psychologists, social scientists, practitioners, and university and college faculty who advance the use of social psychological theories (i.e., attitudes, social cognition, judgment, and decision-making) and methods (i.e., quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research) to understand how individuals perceive themselves and others and how people relate to one another. Our Ph.D. program emphasizes a firm grounding in contemporary theoretical orientations and multi-method approaches that combine assessment, self-report and direct behavioral observation, experience, correlational, longitudinal, and dyadic sampling methods, survey and field research design, EEG/ERP, eye-tracking, and peripheral psychophysiology. As a doctoral student in the Social Psychology graduate program, you'll be part of an active research culture at Howard and collaborate with faculty in research labs on projects across various knowledge domains in the social psychology field. You'll have numerous opportunities to present your research findings at key meetings in Washington, DC, and benefit from the close mentorship of faculty with wide-ranging research interests, including social cognition, self-knowledge, social identification, judgment and decision-making, intergroup relations, and prejudice and stereotyping.

Program Snapshot

      ❱  72 credit hours        ❱  Full-time       ❱  On-campus format       ❱  Degree: Ph.D. 

Application Deadlines

Spring 2024 entry:         ❱  No spring entry

Fall 2024 entry:         ❱  Dec. 1, 2023  (early deadline)       ❱  Feb. 15, 2024  (priority deadline)       ❱  Apr. 15, 2024  (final deadline)

Applicants should submit their applications as early as possible for earlier consideration of departmental funding opportunities. Applicants have until the final deadline to apply. However, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle. 

Transfer credits accepted  (reviewed by committee)

Dr. Lloyd Sloan

Dr. debra roberts, oluwadamilola adeboyeku, program details.

• Degree Classification: Graduate
• Related Degrees: Ph.D.

Admission Requirements

Application for admission .

• Online PSYCAS application
• Statement of purpose/ Statement of academic interest ( 500-1,000 words )
• GRE scores required
• Official transcripts sent to PSYCAS
• 3 letters of recommendation
• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or the international equivalent  
• Resume or Curriculum Vitae
• Autobiographical statement ( 500-750 words )

GRE Required?

Gre preferred minimums.

• GRE Verbal Reasoning: N/A
• GRE Quantitative Reasoning: N/A
• GRE Analytical Writing: N/A

GPA Required Minimums

• Overall GPA minimum: 3.0
• Undergrad GPA minimum: 3.0

Reference Requirements

Evaluator type accepted:

• Professor (Required)
• Supervisor/Manager

Evaluator type not accepted:

• Family Member

Personal Statement Guidance

Statement of purpose/statement of academic interest should highlight why you wish to pursue a degree in social psychology and address the following:

• Describe your academic and research interests, identifying specific faculty member(s) with whom you want to work.
• Describe your personal, professional, and educational goals related to the Ph.D. in Social Psychology.
• How will obtaining your Ph.D. in Social Psychology enhance you in your current position and/or future career?

Letter of Recommendation Guidance

Provide three (3) letters of recommendation from individuals who are familiar with your ability and/or potential for rigorous graduate study, clinical work, and/or research. Whenever possible, Howard University recommends seeking recommendations from faculty members in psychology or practicing professionals in psychology or other mental health disciplines. Letters of recommendation should be submitted through the PSYCAS system.

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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Department of Psychological Sciences

Social psychology.

Ph.D. Concentration

The social psychology concentration at UConn emphasizes important social issues, like health, prejudice, and discrimination. Researchers in this area use multiple theoretical perspectives, methods, and levels of analysis, including individual, dyad, group, intergroup, culture, network, society, international, and ecology.

• Ph.D. in Psychological Sciences
• Social Psychology Ph.D. Concentration
• Alumni Placements
• Resources for Current Students

Read Our Admissions Requirements

Meet Our Faculty

Meet Our Graduate Students

Program Overview

UConn graduate students earning a Ph.D. in psychological sciences can choose a concentration in social psychology. The concentration uses theory to address important social issues facing our world today, such as stigma, prejudice, discrimination, intercultural relations, politics, gun violence, and public health.  

Learn more about courses and curriculum

Social psychology students begin doing research in their first semester and continue throughout their careers. UConn social psychologists use multiple theoretical perspectives, research methods, and levels of analysis in their work, including individual, dyad, group, intergroup, culture, network, society, international, and ecological methods.

Learn more about research specialties.

Our graduate program in social psychology has existed since the 1960s and has produced more than 100 Ph.D. alumni. After they graduate, our graduates land tenure-track, postdoctoral, teaching, and research positions at a wide array of academic institutions. They also pursue fulfilling careers in the public and private sectors.

Learn more about alumni placements

Financial Aid

Most students admitted into the Ph.D. program receive a graduate assistantship for research or teaching. The assistantship includes a tuition waiver, stipend, and a range of other benefits. Students can also apply for other scholarships, fellowships, and awards based on financial need and academic merit, as well as interdisciplinary graduate training programs .

Learn more about graduate funding and financial support.

All application materials must be received by December 15 for entry into the program the following August.

Full Ph.D. Admissions Requirements

  Please designate "social psychology” as your concentration in the online application.

We strongly encourage applicants to review our list of faculty members and reach out to inquire whether they are accepting new students.

For questions about the social psychology concentration, please contact the program head:

Nairán Ramírez-Esparza

Professor of Psychological Sciences [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

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

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UMass Boston

• Counseling Psychology PhD

Preparing counseling psychologists for advanced careers as scholars and practitioners.

Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of the American Psychological Association since 2015, UMass Boston's PhD in Counseling Psychology prepares doctoral-level professional counseling psychologists for careers as scholars, university faculty, and practitioners.

Our scientist-practitioner training model prepares students to:

• deliver high quality, evidence-based psychological services and interventions
• employ applied research skills to improve practice and explore social and psychological issues
• serve as effective instructors and teachers
• use innovative approaches to solve problems related to educational and mental health care disparities, improve services for underrepresented populations, and employ systems-level change strategies to advance local and global social justice

Why Apply to UMass Boston's Counseling Psychology PhD Program?

The UMass Boston Counseling Psychology program prepares the next generation of counseling psychology scholars, teachers, and social justice advocates. We believe in the benefits of working with a variety of research methods and theoretical approaches, receiving guidance from multiple mentors, and understanding how to think about human rights and social justice as they apply to local and transnational contexts.

Start Your Application

Plan Your Education

How to apply.

Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements:

• Test Scores: Effective 2021, GRE scores are no longer required for admission to the PhD program
• Letters of Recommendation: 3
• Writing Sample: Yes
• Applied master's degree required. We are accepting applications from candidates who will have completed an applied master's program with supervised clinical experience (e.g., Mental Health Counseling, School Psychology, School Counseling, Social Work, and other programs) prior to the Fall admission.
• Minimum of five social science classes (preferably psychology, human development, and statistics)
• Completed project or academic paper
• Statement of purpose: The Statement of Purpose is your opportunity to tell the faculty why you are interested in counseling psychology, to share the reasons why you are applying to UMass Boston in particular, and to describe your training and career goals, as well as how our program may support your progress toward those goals. Many people link their interest to specific faculty expertise as that helps us match applicants to specific faculty for interviews on the interview day.
• Transcripts
• Résumé/Curriculum Vitae

Deadlines & Cost

Deadline: December 1 for fall

Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

Program Cost Information: Bursar’s Website

Graduate training at the UMass Boston Counseling Psychology Program will prepare students for taking the EPPP (Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology); however, requirements for sitting for the EPPP vary by state licensing boards. The Counseling Psychology Program has reviewed the licensing requirements for all U.S. jurisdictions to determine eligibility (see below). Please note that not all graduates choose to take the EPPP.

U.S. Boards of Psychology in Which Graduates Would Be Eligible to Sit for the EPPP Upon Completion of the Doctoral Program

Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia (DC), Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, and Wyoming

U.S. Boards of Psychology in Which Graduates Would NOT Be Eligible to Sit for the EPPP Upon Completion of the Doctoral Program Without Additional Coursework

• California: additional coursework in human sexuality; alcohol/chemical dependency detection and treatment; child abuse assessment; spousal/partner abuse assessment, detection, and intervention strategies; aging and long-term care; and suicide risk assessment and intervention is needed.
• Maine: additional coursework in family or intimate partner violence screening and referral and intervention strategies, including knowledge of community resources, cultural factors, evidence-based risk assessment, and same-gender abuse dynamics is needed.
• New York: Unable to determine if a graduate is eligible. The doctoral program must be registered by the New York Licensing Department as licensure qualifying or determined by the department to be the substantial equivalent in accordance with the Regulations of the Commissioner. Please contact the New York Office of the Professions for specific details on the licensure requirements. Note: We have many alumni who are licensed in NY but historically this state has had additional requirements.

The program is designed to take five years of full-time study, including a full-time internship. Students who enter with a master’s degree in counseling or another applied field will have a reduction in required course credits to the extent their master’s level courses match our required courses, however, it is required that students complete a minimum of three years on campus plus internship. The majority of students have completed the program with four years on campus plus one additional year of internship.

Foundational Courses (18 Credits)

• COUNSL 608 - Psychopathology and Diagnosis 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 620 - Life Span Human Development 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 641 - Cognitive and Affective Foundations 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 660 - Physiological Bases of Behavior 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 680 - History & Systems in Counseling and School Psychology 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 705 - Social and Cultural Psychology 3 Credit(s)

Prevention, Assessment, and Intervention Courses (6 Credits)

• COUNSL 614 - Counseling Theory and Practice I 3 Credit(s)

Complete one of the following:

• COUNSL 613 - Vocational Development and Career Information 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 615 - Counseling Theory and Practice II 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 706 - Personality Assessment 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 713 - Advanced Career and Group Theory and Practice 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 717 - Advanced Theory and Practice in counseling and School Psychology 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 752 - Health Psychology: Current Theory, Research, and Interventions 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 780 - Supervision and Training in Psychology 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 783 - Practicum in Counseling Psychology I 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 784 - Practicum in Counseling Psychology II: Evidence-Based Practice 3 Credit(s)
• PSYCLN 727 - Emotion-Focused Psychotherapy 3 Credit(s)
• SPY G 602 - Standardized Assessment and Report Writing 3 Credit(s)

Research Courses (18 Credits)

• CSP 703 - Research in Counseling and School Psychology 1-6 Credit(s)
• CSP 704 - Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methods in Counseling and School Psychology 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 708 - Intermediate Statistics in CSP 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 770 - Advanced Statistics in Counseling and School Psychology 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 891 - Dissertation Seminar 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 899 - Dissertation Research 1-9 Credit(s)

Teaching Requirement Course (3 Credits)

• CSP 782 - Teaching in Counseling and School Psychology 3 Credit(s)

Social Justice & Systems Change Courses (12 Credits)

• CSP 701 - Social Justice in Counseling and School Psychology 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 702 - Foundations and Ethics in Counseling Psychology 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 787 - Advanced Practicum III in Counseling and School Psychology 3 Credit(s)
• CSP 801 - Transnational Social Justice in Counseling and School Psychology 3 Credit(s)

Graduation Criteria

Complete 73 credits from 19 courses including six foundational courses; two prevention, assessment, and intervention courses; six research courses; one teaching requirement course; and four social justice and systems change courses. Students who enter with a master’s degree in counseling or a related field will have a reduction in required course credits to the extent their master’s level courses match our required courses.

Capstone: Students starting with a Bachelor’s degree must complete a capstone project based on CSP 704 and 708 consisting of a literature review paper on a topic approved by the faculty advisor. Doctoral candidacy: Completion of a qualifying paper, a critical and synthetic review of a focused body of literature in the area in which the student plans to complete the dissertation. Dissertation: Compose and defend a research project (quantitative or qualitative) that makes a substantive contribution to the knowledge base in counseling psychology or school psychology. It is usually completed by the end of the fourth year, although students may choose to complete the dissertation during or following the internship year. Practicum: Participate in two semesters of practicum. Internship: Complete one full-year of Internship. During the fourth or fifth year after having met all course requirements. Teaching: Co-teach at least one semester. Research Team: Participate on at least one faculty-student research team for five semesters.

En Route Master’s Degree: Students may, with the approval of the program director, apply to receive an MA degree en route to the PhD. To qualify, students must complete 36 credits of course work and the capstone project.

Statute of limitations: Eight years.

Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data

Counseling Psychology PhD Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data

Contact & Faculty

Graduate Program Director / Director of Training Sharon Horne sharon.horne [at] umb.edu (617) 287-7495

Counseling & School Psychology Graduate Programs csp.admissions [at] umb.edu

Counseling Psychology PhD Faculty

• Gonzalo Bacigalupe
• Laura A. Hayden
• Sharon Horne
• Sharon Lamb
• Meredith Maroney
• Takuya Minami
• Kerrie Wilkins-Yel

Learn more about faculty, students, alumni, and the program with the Counseling & School Psychology newsletters .

About Our PhD Programs

Hear why our students chose UMass Boston's Counseling & School Psychology PhD programs.

Counseling & School Psychology

Learn more about UMass Boston's Counseling & School Psychology department, our research, and our faculty.

College of Education & Human Development

Learn more about the faculty, research, and programs that make up our College of Education & Human Development.

Accreditation

The Counseling Psychology Program has been continuously accredited since 2015 by the American Psychological Association Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation. Questions related to the program’s APA accreditation status should be directed to the Commission on Accreditation:

Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation American Psychological Association 750 1st Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002 Phone: (202) 336-5979 / E-mail: [email protected] / Web: www.apa.org/ed/accreditation

• QUICK LINKS

MA in Psychology

Program overview.

MA Program in General Psychology Students are exposed to the various aspects of psychology, but may focus their courses, independent study and thesis research in applied and evaluative, social, cognitive and developmental, biopsychology and comparative psychology.

Master of Arts (MA) in General Psychology

The Psychology program consists of 30 credits (12 credits of required coursework, 9 credits across the 3 breadth areas and 9 elective credits).

Students satisfy the breadth requirement by taking a 3-credit course in each of the three content areas listed below. Students can choose courses from any content area to fulfill the elective requirements. All courses listed carry three credits.

You must meet the following minimum requirements in order to be considered for admission. Meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance to the program.

• Bachelor’s degree
• Minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0
• Two letters of recommendation from appropriate academic or professional references
• At least 12 credits of undergraduate courses in psychology, including one course in statistics and one laboratory course in experimental psychology.
• A statement of purpose of approximately 500 words or fewer

Providing an exceptional academic value is what we do best. See how Hunter compares against other top MA in Psychology programs in NYC.

Career Paths

While specific career paths and salaries can vary based on factors such as experience, location, and industry demand, here are ten potential career paths for individuals with a Master's in Psychology in New York City (NYC), along with approximate average salaries:

Providing therapy and mental health services.

Salary Range: $90,000 - $120,000

Providing counseling services in various settings (private practice, hospitals, clinics).

Salary Range: $60,000 - $80,000

Applying psychological principles to legal and criminal justice settings.

Salary Range: $80,000 - $120,000

Focusing on the connection between psychology and health outcomes.

Using psychological insights to recruit, manage, and develop employees.

Salary Range: $60,000 - $90,000

Working in businesses to improve productivity, employee satisfaction, and organizational culture.

Salary Range: Varies, typically $90,000 - $110,000

Analyzing consumer behavior and market trends.

Assessing students' academic abilities and supporting their social-emotional development.

Salary Range: Varies, typically $80,000 - $100,000

Overseeing programs and services to help communities.

Assisting individuals struggling with addiction.

Salary Range: $40,000 - $60,000

Application Deadline

Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Hunter College may consider late applications on a rolling basis pending space is still available in the program.

Some programs may extend their application deadlines beyond those listed above. Please contact Graduate Admissions for specific information. For information on how to apply, click the link below.

Students Educated Outside the US

Applicants whose native language is not English and who have taken all or part of their undergraduate education in a country where English is not the native language are required to submit scores on the  Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL ) or the  International English Language Testing System (IELTS ). The following minimum scores must be obtained:

• TOEFL iBT: 80/ Paper Based Test: 550/ Computer Based Test: 213
• IELTS: 6.5 Overall Band Score

Ready to Apply?

Get started on your application now or visit the academic department's website to learn more about this graduate program.

Contact the Program

Breadcrumbs

Main page content, ut system institutions earn top accolades in u.s. news graduate school rankings, social sharing links.

AUSTIN, TEXAS – The University of Texas System institutions earned several top rankings in U.S. News and World Report ’s most recent partial rankings of “Best Graduate Schools” in the U.S. According to U.S. News , the rankings for engineering, medicine and psychology will be released at a later date.

UT Austin is home to five graduate schools listed in the top 20 and has 39 programs and specialties ranked in the top 25. UT Arlington claimed three top rankings including the Master of Science Nursing program (#31), the School of Social Work (#43) and the part-time MBA program (#60). UT Dallas also achieved notable rankings including audiology (#3), Part-time MBA (#13), Speech-Language Pathology (#21), Criminology (#26) and Business (#38), while its School of Public Affairs ranked #57.

Notable rankings of UT institution graduate schools and programs are listed below. U.S. News updates some of its specialty rankings each year and republishes the most recent rankings in other areas. 

(Programs and specialties ranked in the top 25 are listed below)

• Accounting – #1
• Project Management – #4
• Information Systems – #4
• Part-Time MBA – #7
• Business Analytics – #8
• Real Estate – #8
• Entrepreneurship – #10
• Management – #11
• Marketing – #11
• Finance – #13
• Executive MBA – #15
• Production/Operations – #15
• Supply Chain/Logistics – #16
• Educational Administration/Supervision – #5
• Educational Psychology – #6
• Special Education – #7
• Education Policy – #9
• Elementary Teacher Education – #10
• Secondary Teacher Education – #10
• Curriculum/Instruction – #12
• Higher Education Administration – #14
• Counseling – #15
• Pharmacy (College of Pharmacy) – #6
• Social Work (Steve Hicks School of Social Work) – #8
• Audiology – #12
• Speech-Language Pathology – #14
• Constitutional Law – #11
• Tax Law – #13
• Contracts/Commercial Law – #15
• Intellectual Property Law – #15
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About The University of Texas System

With 14 institutions that enroll over 256,000 students overall, the UT System is the largest university system in Texas and one of the largest public university systems in the United States. UT institutions produced over 63,000 graduates last year and awarded more than one-third of the undergraduate degrees in Texas, as well as 60% of the state's medical degrees. The combined efforts of UT-owned and affiliated hospitals and clinics resulted in over 10.6 million outpatient visits and more than 2 million hospital days in 2023. UT’s $4.3 billion research enterprise is one of the nation’s most innovative, ranking No. 1 in Texas and No. 2 in the U.S. for federal research expenditures. With an operating budget of $29.1 billion for fiscal year 2024, UT institutions collectively employ more than 122,000 faculty, health care professionals, support staff and students.

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Catherine Frazier: [email protected] • 512-499-4360 (direct)

Eric Garland, Ph.D., LCSW

Eric Garland, Ph.D., LCSW, is Distinguished Endowed Chair in Research, Distinguished Professor, and Associate Dean for Research in the University of Utah College of Social Work , Director of the Center on Mindfulness and Integrative Health Intervention Development (C-MIIND) , Associate Director of Integrative Medicine in Supportive Oncology and Survivorship at the Huntsman Cancer Institute , and Research Health Scientist in Whole Health at the Salt Lake Veterans Administration Medical Center. Dr. Garland is the developer of an innovative mindfulness-based intervention founded on insights derived from cognitive, affective, and neurobiological science, called Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement ( MORE ) . As Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator, he has received more than $80 million in research grants from a variety of prestigious entities including the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense (DOD), and the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to conduct bio-behavioral clinical trials to develop and test novel integrative health interventions, including trials of MORE as a treatment for addiction, emotion dysregulation, and chronic pain. In recognition of his expertise in mindfulness research, in 2012 Dr. Garland was named Fellow of the Mind and Life Institute , the world’s premier, multidisciplinary organization for the scientific study of contemplative practices, and in 2019 was inducted as a Fellow into the American Academy of Social Work and Social Welfare . He served as Chair of the Research Working Group of the National Academic Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health , and in 2019 was appointed by NIH Director Dr. Francis Collins to the NIH HEAL Multi-Disciplinary Working Group comprised of national experts on pain and addiction research to help guide the nation’s $2+ billion HEAL initiative to use science to halt the opioid crisis. Dr. Garland has briefed federal policymakers on MORE as a treatment to halt the opioid crisis: in 2023, Dr. Garland briefed the Director of the White House Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), and in 2024, he was invited to the House of Representatives on Capitol Hill to brief the Congressional Addiction Treatment and Recovery Caucus. Dr. Garland has had over 250 scientific articles and book chapters published in respected, peer-reviewed outlets. His work has been covered in multiple news outlets, including the New York Times, Time, National Public Radio (NPR), the LA Times, and U.S. News and World Report. In a recent bibliometric analysis of mindfulness research published over the past 55 years , Dr. Garland was found to be the most prolific author of mindfulness research in the world.

To complement his expertise in clinical research, Dr. Garland is a licensed psychotherapist (LCSW) with more than 20 years of clinical experience working with persons suffering from addictive behaviors, mood disorders, traumatic stress, chronic pain, and psychosomatic conditions. He has provided mindfulness-based therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and clinical hypnosis for these patients across a wide range of integrative medicine and mental health settings. In recognition of his expertise as a psychotherapist, in 2015 Dr. Garland was elected Distinguished Fellow of the National Academies of Practice.

“Dr. Garland is arguably the world’s leading expert on the use of mind-body therapies to address opioid misuse and addiction among people with chronic pain. In 2020, Dr. Garland completed the largest randomized controlled trial of MORE to date and found that this innovative treatment reduced opioid misuse by 45% nine months after the completion of the treatment—demonstrating the efficacy of the intervention. Few if any other interventions have shown such clinically significant decreases in opioid misuse among people with chronic pain. To meet this void, Dr. Garland has developed an effective treatment for two of the most prevalent and pernicious public health crises of the modern age. In view of these contributions, Dr. Garland’s impact on the field has been highly significant.” – University of Utah Distinguished Professor Award

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Master’s Study in Psychology

Develop the understanding, professional skills and empathetic approaches that are critical for success in psychology with a master’s degree in psychology from Adelphi University in New York.

Three Degree Options

Choose from MA programs in general psychology, mental health counseling, and school psychology. Each offers optional specializations and valuable field placements.

Making Your Degree Affordable

Adelphi and the Derner School of Psychology offer many ways to help you pay for master’s study, including graduate merit scholarships, scholarships for master’s psychology students, teaching assistantships and even employer tuition reimbursement.

A master’s degree in psychology opens doors to a wide variety of careers and can serve as a pathway to a doctorate.

Derner’s master’s in psychology programs give you the knowledge, training, critical reasoning skills and cultural competence you’ll need to excel in your career. Each includes optional specializations to help you focus on your interests:

• General Psychology: Human Resource Management, Substance Abuse Counseling
• Mental Health Counseling: Global Mental Health, Substance Abuse Counseling
• School Psychology: Bilingual School Psychology, Autism Specialization

Our rigorous master’s programs also offer part-time options and flexible schedules to meet our students’ work or family responsibilities.

Graduate Psychology Programs

Exceptional hands-on training.

As a master’s student at the Derner School of Psychology, you’ll gain clinical skills through practica and internships in local healthcare settings, schools, agencies and organizations, and community services offered by Adelphi. You can also gain valuable experience—and earn money to help cover tuition—in graduate assistantships.

Field Placements

Field experience is a vital part of our master’s degree programs, helping you develop the professional skills and the cultural competence to thrive in any working environment.

Graduate Assistantships

Working with faculty, staff and students helps cover the cost of your graduate education. Choose from research, testing or departmental assistantships.

“A number of professors in this program have made a profound impact on my development. The coursework, practica and internship experiences helped prepare me to obtain a job prior to graduation.

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Earn Your Master’s Degree at the Derner School of Psychology

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Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) - Counseling Psychology

Develop exceptional  mental health counseling skills with a psyd in counseling psychology.

Expert mental health counselors are essential for a healthy society, but there often aren’t enough counselors to meet demand. With a Doctor of Psychology degree in Counseling Psychology from University of the Pacific, you can develop the skills required to fill this vital need.

Our PsyD degree helps you advance a career as a mental health practitioner by providing a deep knowledge base in psychology, clinical skills and research skills. Over the course of the four-year Counseling Psychology program, you’ll study counseling, assessment, ethics, psychopharmacology and more to become a well-rounded, effective counselor.

A flexible approach to earning your Doctor of Psychology degree

This PsyD program is taught through a flexible hybrid model that helps you fit your coursework into your busy schedule. Online you will find lectures, discussions, quizzes and more, so you can study new material when it’s most convenient to you.

Meanwhile, you’ll spend your valuable in-person class time on interactive learning. In-person learning takes up just one to two days a week, minimizing the time you have to spend commuting.

Stockton Campus Location

Hybrid course format, in-person 1-2 days/week.

Our PsyD in Counseling Psychology is crafted to give you in-depth knowledge in all the topics needed to be an effective counseling psychologist. What sets this Counseling Psychology program apart, though, is our commitment to giving you hands-on experiences and a flexible learning model.

Get In-Person Experience in the Field

Every PsyD candidate completes an internship before graduating, so you’re guaranteed to enter the workforce with practical experience on your resume. You’ll also have opportunities to practice your skills in practicum placements in various types of counseling settings.

Fit Your Studies Around Your Busy Schedule

We understand that you have a lot going on, from existing jobs to family obligations and more. So we’ve designed a hybrid PsyD program that mixes synchronous and asynchronous online learning with one to two days of face-to-face classes. Enjoy the flexibility of hybrid learning without sacrificing valuable in-person interaction.

Connect with Practioners and Researchers

The faculty of our counseling psychology program includes expert practitioners engaged in impactful research. You’ll also gain networking opportunities through practicums and your internship, so you’ll be able to establish a professional network while completing your PsyD degree.

Learn Alongside a Cohort of Peers

Courses for this Doctor of Psychology follow a predetermined sequence, so you’ll have no confusion about what to take next. More importantly, you’ll get to progress through the program alongside a cohort of fellow students, learning from and supporting each other as you take classes together.

“At University of the Pacific, we value and teach students to be reflective practitioners, collaborative leaders and lifelong learners. Students benefit from close working relationships with dedicated and passionate professors. Our distinguished faculty members are firmly engaged in the local community and provide students with exceptional opportunities for experiential learning.”

-Justin Low, Program Lead, University of the Pacific

What Can You Do With Your Doctor of Psychology Degree?

Once you’ve graduated with your PsyD degree, you’ll be able to help fill San Joaquin County’s pressing need for mental health professionals. Counseling jobs are available in mental health clinics, hospitals, private practices and schools — essentially, almost any setting you may be interested in

Mental health counseling is a growing field in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that jobs for mental health counselors will grow by 22 percent by 2031, a rate that’s much higher than the national average. Earning a PsyD in Counseling Psychology positions you to take advantage of this growth.

Explore Courses for the Doctor of Psychology

We’re committed to providing a foundation in both theory and practical applications for every aspect of counseling psychology in our PsyD program. Topics you’ll study include:

• Development
• Ethical practice
• Psychopharmacology
• Neuropsychology
• Research methods

Specific courses for the PsyD degree include practicum-based classes dedicated to developing hands-on experience, a group counseling course that teaches the theories of group dynamics through participation in group learning, and more.

Take the Next Step to Your Doctor of Psychology Degree

We take a hands-on approach with our students. This means we want to get to know you throughout your discovery and application process. Help us connect with you by taking the next step toward earning your PsyD in Counseling Psychology

Graduate Degree Programs Related to Counseling Psychology

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