Does exploring how and why people’s behaviors change across different circumstances fascinate you? By earning an online master’s in social psychology, you can learn the ins and outs of how the human mind works, social factors that influence perception, and practical techniques to apply your insights to benefit businesses, communities, all while setting yourself up for a lucrative career.
With an average salary of $92,740 and a projected growth rate of 6% through 2032, psychology is certainly a solid career choice. As a master’s degree holder, you might leverage your knowledge in an organizational setting, work with government agencies, or conduct research to further the field.
Another benefit of studying social psychology is the wide variety of available online master’s programs; since it overlaps with sociology and social work, there are a plethora of online master’s programs to choose from. Of course, with so many programs, it’s natural to have questions about cost, admissions, program structures, and more. In this article, we’ll guide you through key information to help you find the online master’s in social psychology program that’s right for you.
College Spotlights: Best Social Psychology Master’s Programs Online
Trying to compare all the online master’s in social psychology and psychology programs out there can be a big stressor. Below, we’ve identified three of the best. Each offers a high-quality online master’s degree that you can complete on your timeline to expand your career options or shift your career altogether. If you’re looking for even more choices, check out these top psychology master’s programs online.
Walden University
Walden University is known for its impressive catalog of degree programs available entirely online, including its online master’s in social psychology. In Walden University’s program, you’ll have the opportunity to specialize in one of seven topics: applied behavioral analysis, educational psychology, health psychology, social psychology, general psychology, applied psychology, or a self-designed pathway.
As an online university, Walden provides full access to 1:1 career planning and development support, the career resource center, and online networking events. Student service specialists are available to answer all your program questions and guide you through enrollment, financial aid, and more. You’ll also have a personal student success advisor to ensure you’re getting the most out of your education and to set you up for success.
Completing the social psychology program at Walden University takes 15 months and costs about $22,535.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University (ASU) offers an online master’s in psychology with courses that allow you to focus your studies on social psychology. Plan to take Advanced Social Psychology, Advanced Positive Psychology, Cross-Cultural Psychology, Emotion, and Psychology of Mindfulness to equip you with a solid understanding of social interactions and their impacts.
The ASU online master’s in psychology requires 36 credits. Each class lasts 7 ½ weeks and is taught by highly regarded faculty members. To apply, you’ll need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited school, a minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 hours of your undergraduate degree, and credits in a statistics or research methods course. The program ends with a capstone course in which you’ll do a literature review and design a research study to address a gap in the data. Tuition is $765 per credit for both Arizona residents and nonresidents.
Southern New Hampshire University
Shape your studies with the options available in the online master’s in psychology at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU). Social Psychology is one of the eight required major courses, along with Research Methods, Theories of Personality, and Cognitive Processes. Your 12 credits of electives can include Leading Change, Women in Leadership, and Introduction to Organizational Conflict Management.
While this is a more general master’s in psychology instead of a targeted master’s in social psychology, through your classes and research you’ll deepen your understanding of human behavior and choices. With five starts per year, this 100% online master’s program features weekly live sessions and takes about two years to complete. The program is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Tuition is $637 per credit.
Top Reasons to Earn a Master’s in Social Psychology Online
There are many reasons to complete your master’s in social psychology online, including increased flexibility for working professionals, decreased cost versus on-campus programs, and an increase in your career opportunities. Below are three of the top benefits of earning your social psychology master’s degree online.
What You’ll Learn in Social Psychology Master’s Programs
While courses and specializations vary from program to program, the typical social psychology master’s program online includes classes on the fundamentals of human psychology. Depending on your interests, many programs also offer specialization options so you can further dive into aspects of health psychology, educational psychology, applied behavior analysis, and more.
You’ll gain an in-depth understanding of how the human mind develops over time, how we respond to social circumstances, and the factors that influence our perceptions and behaviors, such as culture, upbringing, genetics, and more. Many programs include hands-on field practice working with clients, a capstone project, or a thesis project as the culmination of your degree program.
Below are five classes you’re likely to find in your online master’s in social psychology program.
Lifespan Development
In lifespan development, you’ll learn about the unique stages of development humans go through during their lives. Explore the specific learning and development needs that accompany each of these stages and the dysregulation that can occur when these needs aren’t met. You may also explore the intersection of culture, social change, ethics, global perspectives, and therapeutic practices as they relate to different stages of life.
Human Behavior in a Social Environment
This is a core social psychology course that explores the unique function and nature of humans in social settings. You’ll explore how humans respond differently depending on the social setting, obedience and conformity, cognitive dissonance, social learning, and more. You’ll also gain a thorough understanding of different theories on social psychology and how identity develops in relation to family, social class, gender and sexual identity, race and ethnicity, and more.
Research Theory, Design, and Methods
The core focus of this course is to give students the skills to successfully read, analyze, and design psychological studies. You’ll be guided through different types of research design and data collection, including qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods. You’ll learn why research is essential to furthering our understanding of social psychology and how to assess and create studies if you pursue a career in research.
Culture and Psychology
This course covers a broad span of material relating to the impact of culture on psychology, identity, and more. You’ll learn how different cultural beliefs, perspectives, and histories influence the development and nature of human psychology and identity. You’ll also learn how to navigate cultural practices and perspectives in exploring their intersections with social behaviors, mental health, mental illness, and health in general.
Learning Theories
In this class, you’ll explore the foundational and current theories on human learning, as well as the significance of learning for human identity, behavior, and impact on the world. You’ll learn about behaviorism, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, social learning theory, cognitive theories of learning linked with different developmental stages, the neurobiological processes underlying learning, and more.
Accreditation for Master’s in Social Psychology Programs
When you’re looking for the social psychology master’s program online that’s right for you, be sure to check for accreditation. Universities are appraised by third-party certifying agencies that verify the school meets a set of standard criteria and achieves a certain level of quality.
There are six regional accreditation agencies across the United States, including:
What Can You Do with a Social Psychology Degree?
A social psychology master’s program online gives you the skills to pursue a wide variety of careers. For example, if a career as a licensed psychologist or social psychology researcher interests you, you can use your online master’s in social psychology as a steppingstone to a doctorate program to earn your PhD. After you complete your doctorate, you’ll then need to pass a certifying exam to earn your license.
Growth opportunities for a career as a social psychologist are projected to increase by five percent through 2031, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Other careers you can pursue with an online master’s in social psychology include:
- Business Consultant
- Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Consultant
- Government Consultant
- Human Resources Specialist
- Market Research Analyst
- Military Consultant
- Policy Consultant
- Political Strategist
- Public Relations Specialist
- Social Psychology Researcher
Most online master’s in social psychology programs do not prepare you for a career as a counselor or therapist. If that’s the direction you want to take, you’ll need to switch to an online counseling master’s degree, online clinical psychology master’s degree, or plan to go on to a doctoral program.
Costs and Financial Aid for Online Master’s in Social Psychology
While online psych master’s programs can be more affordable than in-person programs, it’s still important to consider your budget and plan out costs in advance. Many programs offer financial aid options and scholarships to help ensure you complete your online master’s in social psychology. For many online college programs, federal financial aid is available through grants, loans, and work-study programs.
Programs may also offer their own private loans or scholarships. For instance, Grand Canyon University offers scholarships and grants for online students to make their master’s program more affordable.Walden University is approved by the U.S. Department of Education to participate in numerous grant and loan programs. Additionally, students can apply for federal financial aid or to Walden’s Believe & Achieve scholarship.
What Your Online Master’s Program Could Cost
| School | No. of Credits | Cost/Credit | Est. Tuition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capella University | 48 | $510 | $24,480 |
| University of Phoenix | 36 | $698 | $25,128 |
| University of Oregon | 49 | $607 | $29,743 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Online Social Psychology Master’s Programs
What’s the Difference Between a Master’s Degree in Social Psychology and Sociology?
Both social psychology and sociology involve the study of people related to groups. However, there are key differences. A social psychology degree focuses on how different social groups impact the behavior, thoughts, and experiences of the individual. Sociology focuses more on the big picture, examining societal trends and interactions between different social groups.
Both differ from a master’s in psychology, which takes a broader approach to the study of the human experience and mind. However, some master’s in psychology programs offer multiple courses with a social psychology focus. Check out the course catalog for any program you’re interested in to learn about requirements and options.
What Are the Admissions Requirements for an Online Master’s in Social Psychology?
Admissions requirements vary from program to program, so make sure to check the specific program you’re interested in.
In general, requirements include:
- Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Minimum GPA of 2.8
- Transcripts
- Online application
- Career goals statement
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume
With a lower GPA, you may still be eligible for certain programs if you’ve attended graduate school and have passed the GMAT or GRE. If you don’t tend to do well on standardized tests, some schools offer no-GRE online psychology master’s programs.
How Long Will It Take to Finish My Social Psychology Master’s Program Online?
The time to finish a social psychology master’s program online varies depending on several factors. For instance, if you attend part-time, the program will take longer than if you attend full-time. Some universities offer accelerated programs if you’ve already earned a bachelor’s degree in social psychology.
Generally, programs take anywhere from 15 months to three years. For example, one of the few schools to offer a true online master’s in social psychology, Walden University, estimates that you’ll need 15 months to complete the program. Other schools, such as SNHU, offer broader online master’s in psychology programs that allow you to take social-psychology-focused electives. The SNHU program takes approximately two years to complete.
Can I Earn My Master’s in Social Psychology 100% Online, or Do I Need to Take Classes on Campus?
This depends on the program and your needs as a student. Many programs are available entirely online, such as those at the University of Phoenix and Capella University. If your program offers a practicum or requires direct fieldwork, in-person experience may be required. However, in many cases you can do your fieldwork in the area where you live and work. Reach out to administrators to confirm the program’s location requirements before you sign up to make sure it fits all your needs.