What is Social Psychology? Social psychology, or social-personality psychology, is the study of how individuals and groups interact. It’s an interdisciplinary field that integrates psychology and sociology, but most social psychologists are trained within psychology. Thus they tend to use individuals as the unit of analysis and attempt to explain how individual psychology is influenced by others or by the idea of others. Those who are trained in sociology focus more on group behavior and social structures such as class, gender, and race. Some representative topics of interest in social psychology include:

• aggression
• altruism
• attitudes
• conformity
• group dynamics
• influence
• social identity
• socialization

What jobs are available in social psychology? Graduate programs prepare students to engage in research, consultation, and teaching in business, community organizations, educational institutions, government agencies, and research and policy institutes. Most social psychologists work as professors and/or researchers, and most graduate programs are heavily research-oriented. What degree is needed to work in social psychology? A social psychologist may find work with a master’s degree, but they’ll have many more opportunities with a doctorate. The Ph.D. is the only doctoral degree available in social psychology; the Psy.D., which in other fields involves less of a research emphasis, is not an option. Ph.D. programs require four or five years of study and are research-intensive. Which schools offer training in social psychology? A sampling of graduate programs in the United States is provided below. A list of links to schools in the US and other English-speaking countries is maintained by socialpsychology.org.

• Columbia University’s Teachers College trains doctoral students through its Social-Organizational Psychology program. The interdisciplinary program can be tailored to a student’s particular interests.

• Miami University in Oxford, Ohio offers a doctoral program in social psychology. The faculty have a wide range of research interests including topics such as psychology of women, sports fan psychology, and stereotyping.

• Michigan State University prepares doctoral students in social psychology. The small department maintains a small student/professor ratio.

• New York University offers doctoral training in social psychology. Faculty members are known for their research in the areas of: social cognition and attitudes; motivation, emotion, and self-regulation; relationships, personality, and social development; and groups, organizations, and societies.

• The University of Houston’s doctoral program in social psychology is currently centered on health behavior and close relationships.

• The University of Iowa awards both terminal masters and Ph.D.s in personality and social psychology.

• The University of Vermont offers a graduate program that’s designed for people interested in research, teaching, or applied careers in developmental psychology and/or social psychology. The M.A. and Ph.D. are offered.

Best Online Psychology Programs

B.S. in Psychology	Kaplan University - Bachelor’s Degrees. Kaplan University offers students a chance to go back to school and earn their Bachelor's degree in Psychology. With convenient and affordable classes, students have never had an easier chance to go back to school.
B.S. in Psychology	Ashford University - Bachelor's Degrees. Ashford University offers degrees online in the fast growing field of Psychology. Students going to school on a budget will be able to afford the classes offered Ashford.
B.S. in Psychology M.S. in Psychology Ph.D. in Org. Psychology	University of Phoenix - Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, & Doctoral Degrees. With the largest variety of Psychology degree levels, the University of Phoenix has the degrees every Psychology studet is seeking. Students can jump start their career at the University of Phoenix entirely online, or at select campus locations.
A.A. in Psychology B.S. in Psychology	Liberty University - Associate’s & Bachelor’s Degrees. Liberty University offers a variety of undergraduate level degrees in Psychology to students online. Liberty University is more than just an online college, it's a place where immerging minds can come together and get an exciting education.
B.A. in Psychology M.B.A in Org. Psychology	American InterContinental University - Bachelor's & Master's Degrees. American InterContinental University is an accredited online university that has been educating students for over 35 years. Students interested in obtaining a degree in Psychology will find the offerings at AIU right up their alley.
B.S. in Psychology M.S. in Psychology Ph.D. in School Psychology	Walden University - Bachelor's, Master's & Doctoral Degrees. Using a dynamic and innovative curriculum, students graduating from Walden University are among the most prepared in the country when they enter the work force. Walden University uses a student-centric approach to learning to make sure that each student receives the tools necessary to be successful.
M.S. in Psychology Ph.D. in Psychology	Capella University - Master’s & Doctoral Degrees. Offering only high quality upper level Psychology degrees, students interested in continuing their education will want to attend Capella University. Capella University is home to some of the best faculty in the country and it shows with the number of graduates leaving to go on to great careers.
B.A. in Psychology M.A. in Organizational Psychology D. Ed. in Counsel Psychology	Argosy University Online - Bachelor’s, Master’s & Doctoral Degrees. With multiple program offerings to accommodate any individual's schedule, Argosy University is one of the top choices for students with busy agendas or those who want to attain their degree quickly. Their curriculum provides students with the current and relevant skills needed to become successful practitioners.