Best PhD in Social Psychology Programs

Some admissions standards are fairly common across PhD in Social Psychology programs, while others are more school-specific. Depending on the school, students may need to apply to both the graduate school and the psychology department through separate applications. It is common for these degree programs to require students to submit their GRE scores, but programs typically do not require students to meet specific scores on the exam. Most programs also require applicants to include their transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and a resume or CV. There are some programs that also require applicants to include a writing sample.

Many PhD in Social Psychology programs do not have additional educational and professional prerequisites. It is common for these degree programs to accept applicants with only a bachelor's degree, as many of the programs provide students the opportunity to earn their master's degree in route to a PhD. However, those with a master's degree can usually still apply. Most programs do not require applicants to hold a degree in a specific field, but those with a background in psychology may be at an advantage. Typically, these PhD programs also do not require applicants to have prior work experience, but a resume or CV should still be included with the application.

PhD programs in social psychology are commonly offered by schools that hold regional accreditation. Although this accreditation is more general in nature, it still means that all programs across subject areas and degree levels have met standards for quality. Employers often prefer graduates who have earned a degree from an accredited institution. However, there are some programs in different fields that may carry an additional accreditation at the program level. Most PhD programs in social psychology do not carry this program-level accreditation, but other related psychology programs do. For example, many PhD programs in clinical psychology are accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).

The time that it takes students to earn their PhD in Social Psychology is highly dependent on how quickly students conduct their research and finish their dissertation. In general, these programs are designed to be completed in 4 to 6 years. Typically, coursework for these programs is completed within the first 2 to 3 years, and the last portion of the program is dedicated to the student's dissertation. The time to graduation may also depend on how many courses students end up taking and the course load.

Doctoral coursework for programs in social psychology is unique to the institution but generally consists of core courses and electives. Students may be required to take around 84 credits for some programs, and many programs provide a degree pathway that tells students when to take what courses. Core courses are often divided into social psychology courses and general psychology courses, as well as advanced research courses. Courses in social psychology explore advanced theories and methods used in the field, while more general psychology courses examine overarching themes in the field. Students may take courses such as advanced social psychology, current literature in social psychology, or current topics in social psychology. Research-based courses explore topics in research design and methods that students will later apply to writing their dissertation. Students may take courses in statistics, analysis of multivariate data, research methods in social psychology, qualitative methods, and more. Students finish up their coursework with elective courses that are usually geared towards students' area of research interest and could potentially apply to a future job or the student's dissertation.

Preparing Your Social Psychology Dissertation

Most, if not all, PhD programs in social psychology require a dissertation. Many programs also include a master's thesis for students who enter the program with only a bachelor's degree. Students will work on their thesis for the first couple of years of the program while they complete their coursework. After coursework is completed, students generally take a comprehensive exam for candidacy status. This demonstrates that students understand the material and field enough to continue on to their dissertation. Depending on the program, students may also be required to complete a portfolio project or other demonstration of dissertation readiness. Once students have selected a dissertation topic and done some preliminary research, they typically have to submit and defend a dissertation proposal or prospectus to their dissertation committee. This gives a chance for the student's advisors to offer input into the research methods and topic of the dissertation. After it is approved, students may spend 1 to 2 years researching and writing their dissertation, which they then defend before their committee prior to graduation.

Students cannot usually specialize in the field of social psychology until the graduate level. However, at the undergraduate level, there is still a wide range of psychology degree programs available. In the field of psychology, most degree programs are designed to help prepare students for the next level of education, as most psychologists need an advanced degree. Graduates of these programs can still find a range of careers available to them, though. Below, we discuss some of the different psychology degree programs available at each degree level.

Social Psychology Associate Degrees

At the associate degree level students can usually only find degree programs in general psychology, although there may be some rare programs available in social psychology. These general psychology degrees are often offered as Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degrees. Several are available in online formats, and these programs are designed to prepare students for entry-level psychology-related positions or a 4-year bachelor's degree. Some of these programs are even designed as transfer degrees and have transfer agreements with other institutions, so students can easily pursue further education in the field.

Social Psychology Bachelor's Degrees

Again, most bachelor's degree programs are offered in general psychology or other specialized areas of psychology. However, there is at least one Bachelor of Science (BS) degree available in social psychology. This degree program is available in an online format and concludes with a capstone project. Students may also choose from a general psychology degree, which is also commonly available in online formats. Many of these programs allow students to choose from various electives, so students may be able to pursue personal areas of interest.

Social Psychology Master's Degrees

At the master's level students can choose from a range of degree programs, such as a Master of Arts (MA) in Social Psychology or a Master of Science (MS) in Psychology with a concentration in social psychology. These programs commonly require around 30 credit hours and may offer a thesis and/or internship option to give students hands-on learning experience in research or the field. Depending on the program, students who know they want to earn a doctorate in the field may be able to take a specialized track that allows students to count credits from the master's towards their doctorate.

Social Psychology Graduate Certificates

Graduate certificates are also not usually available specifically in social psychology. However, students can choose from general psychology certificate programs or ones in related areas, such as social and behavioral statistics, family studies, and more. Generally, graduate certificate programs are designed to be short, allowing students to finish in 1 year or less. Credits from these programs can often count towards a master's degree in the field or a related area. Many certificate programs are offered in an online format and may target a specific population, such as teachers.

Students may wonder what you can do with a PhD in Social Psychology. While most graduates go on to become social psychologists, there is still a range of careers available in related fields. For example, these graduates could pursue careers in social anthropology, applied anthropology, and non-academic careers in anthropology. Other students may want to enter more general fields of research or become consultants and educators in social psychology. Here are only a few examples of possible career options for social psychology graduates.

Become a Social Psychologist

In general, psychologists commonly need to hold a doctoral degree to use the title 'psychologist' and/or conduct research. Most of these professionals specialize in a particular area of the field, such as social psychology. Some psychology programs include an internship for hands-on learning experience and to prepare students for licensure. Licensure or certification is typically required for clinical psychologists.

Social psychologists typically study the behavior of humans in group and social settings. These professionals often conduct research through surveys, interviews, observations, and more to study behavioral patterns and influences. Their findings may be presented in reports or presentations. While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not list a salary specifically for social psychologists, psychologists, in general, made a median annual salary of $82,180 as of 2020.

Become a Survey Researcher

Survey researchers typically need to have a master's degree or doctoral degree, but some positions may only require a bachelor's degree. Usually, this degree can be from a range of backgrounds, including the social sciences. It is helpful for these professionals to have some prior experience with surveys and/or research, possibly through internships or other hands-on experiences. Professional certification in the field is available but is not usually required.

Survey researchers design and oversee the implementation of various surveys that are used to help research a particular topic. They may need to conduct interviews, analyze data, factor in any problems or issues with the survey process, and then report their findings. As of 2020, the BLS reported that the median annual salary for survey researchers was $59,870.

Become a Postsecondary Teacher

A doctoral degree in a specific field of study is typically needed to teach postsecondary courses in that field. However, there are some positions that may only require a master's. Any additional experience that a professional has in their given field can be beneficial, as well as any industry-specific certifications or licenses.

Postsecondary teachers are responsible for teaching courses at the undergraduate and/or graduate level in their field of expertise, as well as participate in institutional research efforts. Depending on the size of the institution and the setup, these educators will likely have additional responsibilities, such as advising students and serving on different department or university committees. According to the BLS, psychology teachers at the postsecondary level made a median annual salary of $78,180 as of 2020.

Professional organizations are available in various areas of psychology, including general psychology and social psychology. These groups can be organized at the national and even international levels. Typically, professionals can become members of these groups and access a variety of resources pertaining to professional development and research in the field. These organizations are also a great source for networking events. Some examples of possible groups for social psychologists include:

• Society for Personality and Social Psychology- The SPSP provides professionals with a range of news and research updates for the fields of personality and social psychology. Professionals can participate in conferences and other events, as well as access resources for data analysis, teaching, and more. The group also provides access to a range of publications and has grants and other awards available.
• American Psychological Association- The APA is one of the largest psychology groups and is open to professionals in any area of the field. The group is a great source for databases and research pertaining to psychology, as well as career information. Professionals can participate in continuing education opportunities and conferences.

Doctoral degree programs in social psychology can be expensive. Most schools charge both tuition and fees for their programs and these rates may vary based on a student's residential status or other factors. For example, most in-state students pay less for tuition than out-of-state students. Although it varies by institution, some programs may charge thousands of dollars per unit of coursework. Additional fees may come with applications, student services, and other student benefits. Students may also want to compare the price of living on-campus vs. off-campus and consider costs such as parking and transportation.

To help offset these costs, students can pursue various types of financial aid, including loans from the federal government using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). While loans have to be repaid with interest, students may want to first look for funding opportunities provided by their institution of choice. For example, several PhD programs in social psychology offer full funding for their doctoral students. This means that through assistantships, usually graduate teaching or graduate research assistantships, students typically receive a tuition waiver and a generous stipend for living expenses, books, and materials. Students may even have access to funding for summer courses, independent research, and conferences. For students who cannot secure this funding or attend schools that do not offer funding, scholarships are also widely available in the field of psychology. For instance, the APA provides a range of scholarships for graduate students in psychology through its American Psychological Foundation (APF).