In this article, we profile the top 10 online master's in social psychology degree programs for 2017-2018 at some of the nation's top institutions.
Social psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on social interactions that lead to particular behavior among populations of people and individuals. Most careers in social psychology require a graduate degree. In fact, it is common for researchers, professors, and experts in the field to hold a doctoral degree in social psychology. An online master's degree in social psychology, or closely related field, can pave the way toward entry into a doctoral program.
We reviewed 33 accredited colleges and universities listed by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES College Navigator) that offer online master's in social psychology or applied and general psychology with classes in social psychology. From our list of institutions, we looked at the rankings each school received from major publications like U.S. News and World Report. We chose regionally and nationally ranked institutions, or those that had earned recognition from a major publication. We then listed the schools in order of affordability.
Below are the resulting selections for our top 10 online master's in social psychology or closely related program.
#10 – University of Southern California
Online Master's in Applied Psychology
Los Angeles, California
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $42,305
Some of the top social psychology master's online degree programs incorporate general and applied psychology with concentrations in organizational psychology and consumer psychology like the program offered by University of Southern California. While not an online social psychology degree program, the 16-month master's degree does incorporate courses is social psychology. Classes are delivered online and taught by university professors. These classes include decision analysis and behavioral decision theory, organizational psychology, principles of consumer psychology, research methods in applied social psychology, and strategic business relationships. A practicum is required, which includes an internship in the field. USC is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 23rd best national university and 56th best value school in the country.
#9 – California Southern University
Online Master's in Psychology
Costa Mesa, California
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $20,790
California Southern University offers a more generalized approach to the online master's in social psychology for those interested in social psychology in industries and organizations. By completing the 42 credits required for the MS in psychology, students earn a general master's degree with the option to focus studies on various areas of interest like industrial and organizational psychology. The program takes two years to complete when enrolled on a full-time basis, but allows up to four years to those who want to learn at their own pace. Admission requirements include the completed application, official transcripts of all undergraduate coursework, and a personal statement. There are no entrance examinations and courses begin monthly throughout the year.
#8 – Southern New Hampshire University
Online Master's in Psychology
Manchester, New Hampshire
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $18,810
Building off the foundation of their undergraduate degree in social psychology, Southern New Hampshire University offers an online master's in psychology with a concentration in industrial organizational psychology that can be completed entirely online. Courses are taught by university professors, and the program may be completed in just 15 months by taking two courses every ten-week term. No GRE or GMAT scores are required for admission. Some of the courses offered include cognitive processes, ethical practice in psychology, motivation in the workplace, organizational consulting, psychology of leadership and social psychology. Like many other online master's in social psychology degree programs on our list, the program is ranked and accredited. Southern New Hampshire University is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the #1 most innovative school and 101st best regional institution in the North.
#7 – University of Massachusetts
Online Master's in Applied Psychology
Amherst, Massachusetts
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $15,613
The University of Massachusetts offers an online applied psychology degree program that incorporates some of the same studies as found in social psychology master's online programs. The degree can be completed in a flexible online format with classes taught by the same professors who instruct on campus. The applied psychology degree is similar to other online social psychology degree programs in that course topics include cognitive behavior, social class inequality, and social psychology. To be eligible for admission, students must have completed undergraduate work in a general area of psychology. The institution is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as the 74th best national university.
#6 – Capella University
Online Master's in Psychology
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $15,003
An alternative to online social psychology degree programs is a degree in general psychology that explores topics in social psychology like the master's program at Capella University. Students interested in online master's in social psychology degree programs might find the general MS in psychology degree both flexible and affordable. Several specialization classes include topics in social psychology. In fact, the online courses include cognitive and affective psychology, ethics and multicultural issues in psychology, learning theories in psychology, lifespan development, and social psychology. Many of the classes offered are seen in graduate level social psychology programs. Capella is ranked and accredited. In fact, U.S. News and World Report recognizes the school as a best national university.
#5 – Walden University
Online Master's in Psychology – Social Psychology
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $13,555
Walden University's online master's in social psychology degree program is one of the most affordable online graduate programs on our list. Students earn a master's in psychology with a concentration in social psychology by taking online classes that run eleven weeks in length. Courses include culture and psychology, foundations for graduate study in psychology, intergroup relations, psychology of personality, quantitative reasoning and analysis, research theory design and methods, social cognition, and social psychology. The online social psychology degree programs from Walden are accredited, and the school is ranked by major publications like U.S. News and World Report. In fact, the most recent edition of Best Colleges ranks the school as a top national university.
#4 – Tiffin University
Online Master's in Psychology
Tiffin, Ohio
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $12,600
One of the top psychology degree programs on our list that explores topics and studies in social psychology is the online master's program from Tiffin University. The program is research-based and allows students to work independently on research design and analysis while studying advanced theories of personality. Courses are offered in two seven-week terms per semester beginning in January, March, May, July, August, and October. Convenient start dates make the program highly flexible for those working full-time jobs. Some of the online courses offered include advanced theories of personality, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, professional issues – cross cultural issues in psychology, and social psychology. Tiffin is ranked and accredited. In fact, major publications like U.S. News and World Report rank the school as a top regional university in the Midwest.
#3 – Touro University Worldwide
Online Master's in Psychology
Los Alamitos, California
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $9,000
While not a social psychology master's online, the online master's in psychology from Touro University does offer courses related to the study of social psychology. This 100% online psychology graduate degree is designed to prepare students with a variety of current topics and research methods used in all fields of psychology, including social psychology. Online courses include cognitive psychology, learning theory and ethical practice, research methods in psychology, and social psychology. Admission to the program requires an earned bachelor's from an accredited college or university with a minimum overall GPA of 2.5. Touro is an accredited institution that has received recognition from major publications like U.S. News and World Report in recent years as a top regional institution.
#2 – University of Louisiana
Online Master's in Psychology
Monroe, Louisiana
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $8,662
University of Louisiana offers a general psychology degree that includes courses found in most social psychology master's online programs. Admission requires competitive GRE test scores, a cumulative undergraduate degree of 2.75, and a complete application. All classes are delivered online and taught by the same university professors who instruct on campus. Some of the online courses include neuropsychology, quantitative methods in the behavioral sciences, research methods, and theories of learning. Personality and social psychology classes are also available. Completion of the thesis is only required for those interested in pursuing a PhD. The institution is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a top national university.
#1 – Angelo State University
Online Master's in Applied Psychology
San Angelo, Texas
Graduate Tuition/Fees: $6,395
Angelo State University offers an applied psychology graduate degree that offers some of the same courses found in an online master's in social psychology program. Courses are taught online, but students do have the option of taking electives in a traditional face-to-face format. Some of the courses include advanced learning, cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, core concepts on psychological science, research methods, social psychology, and theories of personality. Thesis and non-thesis pathways to degree completion are also offered. Angelo State University is ranked by U.S. News and World Report as a top regional university in the West and offers the most affordable type of online social psychology degree programs on our list.
BMD Staff
June 2017
This concludes our list of the 10 best online master's in social psychology or related degree programs for 2017-2018.