Social Psychology Degrees and Careers
(found programs from 239 schools)

Introduction to Social Psychology

Why do people feel pressure to conform? How do mobs form and spiral out of control? Why does religious discrimination seem to recur throughout history? How can non-profit organizations increase donations from the general public? Social psychologists seek to answer these questions, and the answers often have extensive practical effects.

Advice from an Expert: Dr. Sam Gosling

Below, we interview Sam Gosling, PhD, a personality and social psychologist at the University of Texas, Austin who specializes in research on how people's physical environments reveal their personalities. In the interview, he discusses his research as well as his book, Snoop: What Your Stuff Says about You.

Useful Resources

• Society for Personality and Social Psychology
• Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues

Social Psychologist Job Description

Social psychologists study the psychology of human interaction. Unlike the clinical psychologist who investigates a particular patient's problems, social psychologists scientifically analyze general features and trends characterizing the way humans relate to one another (regardless of those individuals' unique idiosyncrasies). Social psychology encompasses the entire spectrum of human interaction from the relationship between two individuals to the communication between multiple large groups. In addition to understanding these phenomena, social psychologists often seek to apply this knowledge to manipulate and structure socio-psychological processes to achieve desired results.

Social Psychology Requirements

As undergraduates, many future social psychologists major in psychology or sociology, though graduate programs vary in the degree to which they require these courses of study. Most graduate programs require that candidates for admission take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). As social psychologists tend to focus on non-clinical, research-oriented issues, and do not treat individual patients, there is no government licensure required or offered in the field. The absence of such a requirement also provides some flexibility with regard to the degree one may pursue. While a master's degree - which takes approximately two years to complete - may suffice for some employers, for others, especially in competitive industries, the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.) in psychology - a four to six year program - is a necessity.

Social Psychology Career Outlook

Social psychologists are employed in a variety of settings in both the public and private sector. Advertising agencies seek them out to assist in devising emotionally appealing marketing strategies. Corporations look for their counsel in training effective managers and fostering teamwork. Government agencies pursue their expertise in developing programs likely to reduce negative social phenomena such as discrimination and bullying, and increase positive behaviors like community involvement and healthy eating. Social psychologists are well-equipped to approach these issues because of the generalized trends and patterns they are able to uncover.

Social psychologists earn an average of $70,000 per year. Of course, given the variety of settings in which social psychologists are employed, this figure can vary significantly. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of social psychologists will grow some 14 percent by 2018. As the economy recovers, prospects are likely to improve.

Social Psychology Trends

A recent and exciting trend within the field is an exploration of social psychology in the internet age. A new generation of tech-savvy social psychologists are examining the processes of interaction that characterize everything from chat rooms and social networking sites to cyber-bullying.

Online Degrees in Social Psychology

As is true with so many other degrees in the behavioral health sciences, students interested in pursuing online education in social psychology may have difficulty finding programs. This is true because the social psychology degree focuses heavily on conducting research in social settings. Students whose schedules are not flexible enough to allow them to attend regular classes would probably have an equally difficult time getting away for field observations and experiments.

There are programs, however, that focus on social issues that can be taken online.

Online Programs in Social Psychology to Consider

Walden University: According to its website, Walden was the first, and is still one of the only, online universities to offer an online Master of Science in social psychology. The program can be completed in as little as 18 months, and it can serve as a terminal degree for those interested in fields such as healthcare, media, law and academia. This social psychology program is not considered a clinical program, and students who graduate from it are not eligible to sit for any mental health licensing exams as a result.

Capella University: Capella has an online doctorate program in social and community services. The online catalogue describes it as a marriage between social work issues and social science research. People who graduate with this degree can find jobs in education, research and business administration. As with the other two programs described, this program does not offer a clinical component, and those wishing to work as mental health practitioners must look elsewhere for their schooling.

Social Psychology Degree Programs

Welcome to the most complete directory on the Web of Social Psychology programs. It contains all the nationally accredited programs, from 239 schools across the country.

Show me all the Social Psychology programs in: