Graduate programs in developmental and social psychology can be the start of fruitful, exciting careers in the world of professional psychology. Earning a master’s or doctoral degree in the areas of developmental and social psychology puts graduates on the path to successful careers helping clients at any age from all walks of life. Although some positions can be obtained with a master’s degree, the highest salaries and best opportunities are typically granted to those with a doctorate. If you are considering this field and are attempting to narrow down your options, or if you are feeling overwhelmed and are confused by the difference between developmental psychology and social psychology programs, the following list of some of the top programs in this field may be of some assistance.
Methodology
The goal of this list is to outline the top 30 best graduate programs in developmental and social psychology based on a number of criteria. More schools are offering degrees in specialty areas within the field of psychology, so it is important to narrow down the available programs in order to find the best program that meets your needs and career goals. This ranking was compiled using data from the National Center for Education Statistics. We generated a list of schools from the College Navigator database using the term “graduate programs in developmental and social psychology degree.” We took the initial pool of 50 schools and narrowed down our list into the 30 most affordable programs based on in-state graduate tuition for the entire length of the program. It is important to note that schools that offer a tuition waiver had ties broken by the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Psychology School Ranking.
Top 15 Master’s in Developmental and Social Psychology Degrees
15. Rutgers University
Piscataway, New Jersey
Master of Applied Psychology
The Master of Applied Psychology requires 36 credit hours of coursework.
Tuition: $21,792
Founded as Queen’s College in 1766, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, or simply Rutgers University, is the largest institution of higher education in the state. The 42-credit Master of Applied Psychology (MAP) degree provides students instruction in the foundational knowledge of the scientific basis of education and psychology as well as training in applied areas of psychology. In addition to completing 36 credits of coursework, students must also participate in and complete a culminating academic experience, which consists of a six-credit practicum training course and either a research project or presentation. After completing 24 credits, students must submit their electronic portfolios for the initial review. Graduates are prepared for either entry into doctoral-level graduate programs in psychology or employment in entry-level jobs for autism, addictions, and other sectors such as government and industry organizations, human relations, healthcare, and marketing.
14. Liberty University
Lynchburg, Virginia
Master of Arts in Applied Psychology
The MA in Applied Psychology requires 36 credit hours of coursework.
Tuition: $20,340
Located in Lynchburg, Virginia, Liberty University is the largest nonprofit university in the country and one of the largest Christian universities in the world. Liberty confers a 36-credit-hour Master of Arts in Applied Psychology degree that can be completed within one and a half years. This program is available entirely online, and courses are taught from a Christian worldview. Students may choose from two concentration areas, developmental and industrial-organizational, the former of which trains students to use empirical research to evaluate developmental issues at all stages of life and offer practical solutions grounded in verifiable research. The developmental psychology concentration includes courses in areas such as developmental neuropsychology, adolescent psychology, intervention and behavioral support, and developmental psychology. Students also complete five essential psychology courses that train students in the areas of statistics, research methods, and research in the field of psychology in order to understand how different individual cultural and social factors influence behaviors, feelings, and thoughts. Graduates are prepared for careers as human resources analysts, rehabilitation counselors, and developmental specialists.
13. Ball State University
Muncie, Indiana
Master of Arts in Social Psychology
The MA in Social Psychology requires 30 credit hours of coursework.
Tuition: $19,252
Ball State University is a public coeducational research university located in Muncie, Indiana. The school also operates two satellite facilities in Indianapolis and Fishers. Ball State University offers a Master of Arts in Social Psychology degree that trains students in the areas of statistics and research methodology, interpersonal relationships, prejudice and discrimination, social cognition, and attitudes and persuasion. Students must complete 30 credits in courses in research methods, counseling applications, group dynamics, social cognition, statistics, and social psychology, and graduates may opt for electives that further customize their plans of study such as classes in education, health, sociology, or criminal justice. Electives may also be used to pursue a thesis or internship opportunity. Graduates are prepared to seek jobs in a range of applied settings such as human resources, market research, and nonprofit organizations.
12. Tiffin University
Tiffin, Ohio
Master of Science in Psychology
The MS in Psychology offers classes in two seven-week terms per semester.
Tuition: $18,500
Founded in 1888, Tiffin University is a private coeducational institution of higher learning in Tiffin, Ohio that offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs to online and on-campus students. The online Master of Science in Psychology offers students the opportunity to gain a graduate-level, broad education in psychological areas such as developmental psychology, social psychology, neuropsychology, and cognitive psychology. Students are required to complete 37 hours of coursework in areas such as research design and analysis, statistical procedures, psychopathology, advanced theories of personality, and developmental psychology. Classes are offered online in two seven-week terms per semester beginning in January, March, May, July, August, and October. The program is focused on experimental/scientific psychology rather than clinical/counseling psychology and does not lead to any type of licensure. Graduates are prepared to teach psychology courses or to pursue a doctoral degree if desired.
11. Touro University Worldwide
Los Alamitos, California
Master of Arts in Psychology – Media Psychology Concentration
The MA in Psychology is a 12-course program.
Tuition: $18,000
Touro University Worldwide is the online component of the Touro College and University System, a private university system with headquarters in New York, New York that serves a population of more than 18,000 students from four countries across 30 schools. Students may pursue an online Master of Arts in Psychology degree with a concentration in media psychology from TUW. This 12-course program can be completed in one year of full-time study and provides graduates with the necessary skills to pursue a career in a number of media outlets such as advertising and marketing firms as well as broadcasting companies like movie, radio, and television studios. Media psychologists may also work with universities, schools, and other private sector companies by creating educational materials such as interactive software and DVDs. The program is available entirely online, and graduates will have the theoretical knowledge they need to successfully implement media psychology skills in different types of applied psychology settings.
10. University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida
Master of Science in Child & Adolescent Behavioral Health (CABH)
The MS in Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health offers four degree concentrations.
Tuition: $16,826
Also known as USF, the University of South Florida is a metropolitan public research university located in Tampa, Florida. Founded in 1956, USF is a member of the State University System of Florida and is the fourth-largest public university in the state. The Master of Science in Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health is a fully online program that prepares graduates to serve in family, youth, and community organizations and agencies that work to promote the well-being of emerging adults, adolescents, and children. The program is unique in that it offers four concentration areas, and within those concentrations, the school offers two tracks: applied and thesis. Concentration areas include Youth and Behavioral Health, Research and Evaluation, Developmental Disabilities, and Leadership in Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health. Each concentration area consists of its own set of coursework and requirements. However, all students must complete 39 total semester credits, including six credits of thesis/applied field experience, 21 semester credits for the concentration, and 12 semester credits in core courses. Students must also pass a comprehensive examination in order to graduate.
9. Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, New York
Master of Arts in Psychology
The MA in Psychology is a one-year program.
Tuition: $16,644
The State University of New York at Stony Brook, or Stony Brook University, is a public space-grant and sea-grant research university in Stony Brook, New York. Students may pursue a one-year Master of Arts in Psychology degree that provides advanced education preparing for a career or doctoral study in psychology or related fields. The full-time program begins in the summer and continues through the fall and spring academic semesters, ending after the second summer session. Students may choose from a number of courses offered by the Psychology Department, including social and health psychology, developmental psychology, cognitive science, integrative neuroscience, and clinical psychology. Depending on a student’s qualifications and interests, he or she may engage in research and/or pursue an internship in order to further develop his or her experience. Students are required to complete 30 credits of study in order to graduate.
8. CUNY School of Professional Studies
New York, New York
Master of Arts in Psychology
The MA in Psychology requires 36 credit hours of coursework.
Tuition: $16,380
Located in midtown Manhattan, The CUNY School of Professional Studies is a school of the City University of New York (CUNY) that offers online and in-person bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as customized training programs. The school confers a 36-credit-hour Master of Arts in Psychology that is available entirely online, making it the first and only degree of its kind to be offered at CUNY. Students may specialize in either developmental psychology or industrial-organizational psychology. Through the coursework, students study psychopathology, theories of personality, social behavior, biological bases of behavior, cognition, and learning. The program culminates in a capstone project. Graduates are prepared for careers in research and data analysis, marketing and market research, human resources, personnel and training, and human and social services. Neither concentration leads to licensure.
7. Northcentral University
San Diego, California
Master of Science in Child and Adolescent Psychology
The MS in Child and Adolescent Psychology can be completed in 20 months of study.
Tuition: $13,260
Established in 1996, Northcentral University is an online, nonprofit, doctoral research university with headquarters in San Diego, California. Students may pursue a Master of Science in Child and Adolescent Development Psychology degree that consists of 10 courses for a total of 30 credit hours of coursework. The coursework takes an in-depth look at the various developmental stages and explores how the impacts of culture, society, peers, school, and family intertwine and affect the development of adolescents and children. At the culmination of the program, students may choose to complete a 100-hour internship to gain hands-on, real-world experience in the field. Classes begin every Monday, and graduates may earn their degrees within 20 months. The program does not prepare students to become licensed counseling or psychology professionals.
6. Clemson University
Clemson, South Carolina
M.S. in Applied Psychology
The MS in Applied Psychology is a two-year program.
Tuition: $12,068
Located in Clemson, South Carolina, Clemson University is a land-grant research university that was founded in 1889. Clemson is currently the second-largest university by student population in the state, enrolling nearly 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students. The school’s Master of Science degree in applied psychology is a two-year program designed for students looking to continue with graduate studies in the field or seeking immediate employment following graduation. Students can choose from a concentration in either industrial-organizational psychology or human factors psychology, both of which consist of 45 semester hours of coursework, including six semester hours of a field internship and six semester hours of thesis credit. The internship is typically completed during the summer between the first and second years.
5. University of Minnesota -Twin Cities
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Master of Arts in Applied Child and Adolescent Development
The MA in Applied Child and Adolescent Development offers three degree specializations.
Tuition: $11,376
Often referred to as UMN or the U, the University of Minnesota Twin Cities is a public research university in Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is the oldest and largest campus within the University of Minnesota System. The school’s College of Education and Human Development offers a Master of Arts in Applied Child and Adolescent Development. This 32-credit program is available entirely online, and students can choose one of three specialized tracks: Individualized Studies, Child Life, or Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health. The coursework will depend on the track chosen. However, in addition to core coursework, the Child Life specialization also requires a 600-hour clinical internship, and graduates of this particular program are eligible to sit for the Association of Child Life Professionals Eligibility Assessment and the Child Life Professional Certification Examination.
4. University of Wisconsin -Stout
Menomonie, Wisconsin
M.S. Applied Psychology
The MS in Applied Psychology requires 42 credit hours of coursework.
Tuition: $9,267.80
Founded in 1891, the University of Wisconsin Stout, located in Menomonie, Wisconsin, is a member of the University of Wisconsin System and enrolls more than 9,600 students per year. UW-Stout’s 42-semester-hour M.S. in Applied Psychology provides students with the data analysis and applied research skills they need for a variety of careers in nonprofits, education, business, and other sectors. Students may choose from three concentrations: Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Evaluation Research, or Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Students may complete the program in two years, and all students are required to complete capstone experiences such as an independent research project or thesis, an internship, and a consulting-focused practicum. Students may also choose additional experiences appropriate for their unique professional and personal development based on their goals and previous education.
3. Tarleton State University
Stephenville, Texas
M.S. in Applied Psychology
The MS in Applied Psychology can be completed in two years of study.
Tuition: $8,822
A member of the Texas A&M University System, Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas enrolls more than 10,000 students per year in teacher education, nursing, medical technology, and psychology programs, among others. The school offers a Master of Science in Applied Psychology degree, which is a 30-hour program designed to be completed in two years. As part of the curriculum, students must complete a teaching track, an applied project, or a thesis. Areas of study include advanced psycholinguistics, theories of learning, research methods, behavioral statistics, and advanced quantitative methods and experimental design. Graduates are prepared to pursue either doctoral-level studies or careers as research project managers, psychological researchers, teachers at the university or college levels, or human resources managers.
2. Angelo State University
San Angelo, Texas
Master of Science (M.S.) in Applied Psychology
The MS in Applied Psychology is available online.
Tuition: $7,474
Founded in 1928 as San Angelo College, Angelo State University now offers more than 30 graduate and more than 100 undergraduate programs. Located in San Angelo, Texas, it is the second-largest campus in the Texas Tech University System. The school offers a Master of Science in Applied Psychology degree that exposes students to a cross-section of coursework that covers both applied and basic areas of psychology. The program is available online, but students may choose to take in-person electives that count toward the degree. Students may choose from a thesis or non-thesis option and complete at least 36 semester hours of graduate-level work in psychology. Areas of study may include topics in research methods, social perceptions, theories of personality, social psychology, applied economic psychology, developmental psychology, and experimental research development.
1. University of Massachusetts – Amherst
Amherst, Massachusetts
Master’s in Social Psychology
The Master’s in Social Psychology can be completed as part of the Ph.D. training.
Tuition: Tuition Waived by University
The University of Massachusetts Amherst, or UMass, is a land-grant, public research university in Amherst, Massachusetts and the flagship campus of the University of Massachusetts System. The school offers graduate programs in several disciplines within the field of psychological and brain sciences, including behavioral neuroscience, clinical psychology, cognition and cognitive neuroscience, developmental science, and social psychology. All students are required to earn a master’s degree and complete a master’s thesis on route to a Ph.D. Although students are expected to earn a doctorate, in some cases, students may earn a master’s degree based on their graduate performance.
Top 15 Ph.Ds in Developmental and Social Psychology Degrees
15. Harvard University
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Doctor of Philosophy
The Ph.D. in Psychology offers four degree concentrations.
Tuition: $50,420
Founded in 1636 and located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university that enrolls more than 20,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is the oldest institution of higher learning in the country. Graduate study in Harvard’s Department of Psychology is organized into four areas: social psychology, developmental psychology, clinical science, and cognition, brain, and behavior. Students enrolled in the Ph.D. program can choose from one of two tracks: clinical science or the common curriculum. The clinical science pathway includes clinical practica, coursework, and research and can be completed in five years. The common curriculum path embraces perception, behavioral neuroscience, cognitive neuroscience, cognitive psychology, and social psychology.
14. University of California – Berkeley
Berkeley, California
Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology
The Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology can be completed in four to six years,
Tuition: $30,000
The University of California Berkeley was founded in 1868 and currently serves as the flagship institution of the 10-institution University of California System. The Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology at UC Berkeley involves the study of change over time in neural, emotional, social, linguistic, and cognitive processes. Throughout the program, students are immersed in fields such as developmental psychology, psycholinguistics, computational modeling, cognitive, psychology, social psychology, and developmental cognitive neuroscience as well as cultural and clinical psychology. Although students have four to six years to earn their degree, funding is guaranteed for five years. There is no unit requirement for degree completion. Instead, progress is monitored by milestones: examination, advancement to candidacy, dissertation proposal, dissertation filing, and graduation.
13. University of California – Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology
The Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology students gain graduate-level emotional, language, social, and cognitive development.
Tuition: $16,851
The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), established in 1919 as the Southern Branch of the University of California, offers more than 330 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to nearly 45,000 students. Students may pursue a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology in which they study the behavior and knowledge of groups and individuals. The program covers the breadth of the discipline, ranging from infancy to adolescence, and students receive training in graduate-level emotional, language, social, and cognitive development. Core coursework includes topics in statistics, developmental forum, developmental psychobiology, social and emotional development, and language and cognitive development.
12. University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology
The Ph.D in Developmental Psychology culminates with a dissertation development, proposal, and defense.
Tuition: $12,580
Located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, the University of North Carolina is the flagship of the 17 campuses that make up the University of North Carolina System. It is one of the three oldest schools in the country and enrolls more than 28,000 students each year in bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. The Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology program is designed to help students achieve excellence in teaching, scholarship, and research. Coursework includes studies in cognitive and social development, developmental research methods, and advanced statistics. Growing out of their pre-doctoral apprenticeship work, students also complete independent research projects by the end of their second year. Students are required to undertake additional research in the second and third years that leads to the development of a dissertation project. The program culminates with a dissertation development, proposal, and defense.
11. Ohio State University
Columbus, Ohio
Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology
The Ph.D in Developmental Psychology offers a variety of emphases for the program.
Tuition: $12,580
Located in Columbus, Ohio and founded in 1870 as the Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College, Ohio State University boasts the third-largest university campus in the U.S. It also operates regional campuses in Wooster, Newark, Marion, Mansfield, and Lima, providing undergraduate and graduate degrees to students worldwide. Students may pursue a doctoral degree in developmental psychology, the primary emphasis of which is cognitive development. During the first two years of the program, students take core courses in language acquisition, social development, and cognitive development. Students are expected to complete their master’s degree, including the thesis, by the end of the first two years. Students are then admitted to Ph.D. candidacy at the end of the third year. Students spend an additional one to two years completing the Ph.D. dissertation.
10. New York University
New York, New York
Ph.D. in Social Psychology
The Ph.D in Social Psychology offers training in the scientific study of social behavior and social psychology.
Tuition: Tuition Waived by University
New York University (NYU) is a private research university that was founded in 1831. Although its historical campus is located in New York, New York, NYU is a global university that serves more than 50,000 students worldwide. The doctoral program in social psychology at NYU offers training in the scientific study of social behavior and social psychology. To that end, students receive training in the psychological research methods, principles, and theories relevant to the understanding of human behavior among organizations, groups, and individuals. Areas of study include advanced quantitative methods and a broad range of approaches such as field studies, computational modeling, dyadic measurement, online data collection, experience sampling, big data, psychophysiology and cognitive neuroscience, and behavioral experimentation, to name a few.
9. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, Pennsylvania
Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology
The Ph.D in Developmental Psychology offers training in several thematic areas, including the ecology of development, gender, and biological bases.
Tuition: Tuition Waived by University
Founded in 1855 as the Farmers’ High School of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania State University, also known as Penn State or PSU, is a land-grant, state-related, doctoral university that enrolls nearly 50,000 students per year. PSU operates a main campus in University Park, Pennsylvania as well as facilities and campuses across the state. Graduate study in developmental psychology at PSU provides students with comprehensive training in empirical study, methods, and theory of the mechanisms and processes of developmental change from infancy to adolescence. Students also receive training in several thematic areas, including the ecology of development, gender, biological bases, perceptual and cognitive development, and emotion, temperament, and adjustment.
8. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia
Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology
The Ph.D in Developmental Psychology admits one to three new students in each cycle.
Tuition: Tuition Waived by University
Founded in 1819 by Thomas Jefferson, the University of Virginia is the flagship university of the state as well as a World Heritage site of the U.S. It is known for its secret societies, student-run honor code, and historical foundations. UVA offers a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology that features research strengths in cognitive and social development from infancy through adulthood. The school typically admits one to three new Ph.D. students each cycle, and students begin the program by working on a master’s degree to be completed by the end of the second year. During the first two to three years, students also take coursework that ensures basic statistical and developmental knowledge as well as specialized seminars. Students then work on the comprehensive examination during their third year, composed of a grant proposal or major paper, a journal article review, and a complete course syllabus. The fourth and following years are devoted to the doctoral dissertation. Most students complete the entire program within five or six years.
7. University of Wisconsin Madison
Madison, Wisconsin
Ph.D. in Psychology
The Ph.D in Psychology coursework consists of three different segments: workshops, methodology courses, and seminars.
Tuition: Tuition Waived by University
The University of Wisconsin Madison is a public research university in Madison, Wisconsin that was founded in 1848 when Wisconsin achieved statehood. It is the oldest and largest public university in the state and enrolls nearly 45,000 undergraduate and graduate students each year. Students pursuing a Ph.D. in Psychology are prepared for a range of professional careers in research, clinical, academic, and other settings. Coursework consists of three different segments: workshops, methodology courses, and seminars. All students must complete a first-year research project and present their results in the fall of the second year. Prior to official admission to doctoral candidacy, students must complete preliminary examinations in their areas of expertise. Admission to the program is highly competitive; out of an average of 425 applications received each year, only 25 students are accepted.
6. University of Minnesota
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Psychology Ph.D.
The Ph.D in Psychology requires 12 to 15 semester credits in a minor or supporting program.
Tuition: Tuition Waived by University
The University of Minnesota, located in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the largest and oldest campus within the University of Minnesota System. The school confers a Ph.D. in Psychology that is intended to produce high levels of expertise in interpreting existing theory and research in psychology, analyzing and interpreting data, and developing and conducting research. The curriculum consists of graduate-level foundation courses, high-level graduate seminars in students’ areas of interest, and hands-on research experiences. In addition to the specific curriculum required for a student’s particular area, he or she must also complete 12 to 15 semester credits in a minor or supporting program. The school does not offer a master’s as a terminal degree. Rather, students earn their master’s degree on the way to their doctorate.
5. Princeton University
Princeton, New Jersey
Ph.D. in Psychology
The Ph.D in Psychology can be completed in five years of study.
Tuition: Tuition Waived by University
Founded in Elizabeth in 1746 as the College of New Jersey, Princeton University is a private Ivy League research university and the fourth-oldest institution of higher learning in the country. The Ph.D. in Psychology program at Princeton offers specialization in diverse areas, including developmental psychology, social psychology, cognitive neuroscience, and social neuroscience, to name a few. In addition to coursework, students must take a research seminar in cognitive psychology and/or a course on design and interpretation of social psychological research every semester. The third, fourth, and fifth years of the program are devoted to continuing study in the student’s specialization through the completion of a general examination, thesis proposal, independent research, and advanced seminars. Students typically complete their doctoral dissertation by the end of the fifth year.
4. University of Illinois
Champaign, Illinois
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Psychology
The Ph.D in Psychology requires a two-semester teaching assistantship.
Tuition: Tuition Waived by University
Founded in 1867, the University of Illinois, located in Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, is the flagship institution of the University of Illinois System. The school enrolls nearly 50,000 students each year in its online and on-campus undergraduate and graduate degree programs. The Ph.D. in Psychology requires the completion of at least 96 hours of graduate work, a master’s thesis, coursework in the students’ areas of specialization, a doctoral qualifying examination, and an acceptable Ph.D. thesis. Students must also successfully defend their thesis through an oral examination. Ph.D. candidates are also required to gain teaching experience as part of their education through the form of a two-semester teaching assistantship.
3. Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut
Ph.D in Psychology
The Ph.D in Psychology offers five degree specializations.
Tuition: Tuition Waived by University
Located in New Haven, Connecticut, Yale University is a private Ivy League research university that was founded in 1701, making it the third-oldest institution of higher learning in the country. Yale’s Psychology Department organizes itself into five programs that represent the major substantive domains of psychology: social/personality psychology, neuroscience/ developmental psychology, cognitive psychology, and clinical psychology. Although students are required to complete a traditional curriculum of core coursework, both developmental and social psychology areas of study are heavily focused on research. Students also interested in specific areas of specialization such as social cognition, emotion, health psychology, or political psychology can attend weekly meetings of like-minded students and faculty.
2. University of Michigan
Ann Arbor, Michigan
Ph.D. in Psychology
The Ph.D in Psychology offers six areas of degree concentration.
Tuition: Tuition Waived by University
Often simply referred to as Michigan, the University of Michigan, located in Ann Arbor, is the oldest university in the state. The school offers 90 master’s programs, 100 doctoral degrees, and more than 200 undergraduate majors to its nearly 45,000 enrolled students. Students may choose from one of six areas of psychology in which to pursue a doctoral degree, including social psychology, personality and social contexts, developmental psychology, cognition and cognitive neuroscience, clinical science, and biopsychology. In addition to completing coursework, students have the opportunity to work with researchers at Michigan’s numerous research centers in order to further develop their education. Many of these research centers also offer their own training opportunities, including summer schools in statistical analyses and survey research techniques.
1. Stanford University
Stanford, California
Ph.D. in Psychology
The Ph.D in Psychology can be completed in five years of full-time study.
Tuition: Tuition Waived by University
Founded in 1885, Stanford University in Stanford, California is known for its proximity to Silicon Valley, its academic strength, wealth, and ranking as one of the top universities in the world. Stanford’s Ph.D. in Psychology program is designed to be completed in five years of full-time study. Students complete 135 units of coursework and research, which takes approximately four years; the fifth year is devoted to the dissertation. Students may choose from five subfields, including social, neuroscience, developmental, cognitive, and affective psychology. Ph.D. students are also required to complete five quarters of a teaching assistantship. There is no standalone master’s degree; doctoral students are awarded an M.A. in Psychology during the course of the Ph.D. program.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Career Options for a Graduate Degree in Developmental and Social Psychology?
Developmental psychology and social psychology are two similar yet separate fields. A developmental psychologist studies human development as it relates to social, cognitive, and psychological areas. They study both the environmental aspects such as parenting techniques and biological influences such as genetics that shape who we are. Due to the breadth of this career field, many developmental psychologists may choose to specialize in a specific stage of life. They may also focus on developmental disabilities and how they affect their clients. Some of the more common careers in the field of developmental psychology include:
- Professor
- Developmental Psychologist
- Residential Youth Treatment Specialist
- Early Childhood Education Specialist
- Laboratory Manager
- Applied Developmental Researcher
- Project Manager
Although some students may pursue a master’s degree in developmental psychology and seek employment in research or as an assistant to a certified psychologist, in order to become a certified developmental or clinical child psychologist, one must obtain a doctoral degree from an APA-accredited university or college.
A social psychologist studies how the presence of people can affect one individual’s feelings, thoughts, and behaviors. This field is often thought to be a combination of psychology and sociology since it utilizes analytical and research methods from both areas. Although social psychology is similar to sociology, the former focuses on how a group of people influences each person in that group, while the latter focuses on group behavior as a whole.
- Teacher or Professor
- Researcher
- Consultant
- Marketing Director
- Political Strategist
- Manager
- Technology Designer
While some schools offer degrees at the master’s level in the field of social psychology, most institutions offer doctoral programs. Students who are interested in social psychology would greatly benefit by earning a doctorate as it is considered the terminal degree, and doing so would open up a number of doors in terms of salaries and responsibilities. Also, depending on the position, some employers require prospective social psychologists to hold a Ph.D. in order to be considered for employment.
What is the Career Outlook for These Fields?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the field of psychology is expected to see a growth rate of 14 percent from 2016 to 2026. The highest rates of new positions will be available in social service agencies, mental health centers, hospitals, and schools. The BLS also notes that the greatest increase in positions will be psychologists who have earned a specialized degree in areas such as developmental and social psychology.
Developmental psychology is the study of the unfolding of human development over an individual’s life. Some developmental psychologists work with specific age groups such as adults, adolescents, and children, while others study the entire lifespan. These professionals most often seek employment in hospitals, research facilities, colleges and universities, and schools. According to ZipRecruiter, the average annual pay for a developmental psychologist is $71,055 per year.
Social psychology is the study of how human behaviors, feelings, and cognition are influenced by the implied, imagined, or actual presence of others. Those with a graduate degree in social psychology are typically employed by businesses, universities, and research facilities, among others. Although the BLS does not record salary data specifically for social psychologists, it does record information for similar professions. In May 2017, sociologists earned a median salary of $79,650, while psychologists reported a median salary of $77,030 in that same year.
What Coursework Can You Expect in Developmental and Social Psychology Graduate Programs?
Developmental psychology, also referred to as clinical child psychology, is a specialty that applies scientific knowledge and research to the care of infants, toddlers, children, and young adults. These professionals have specialized knowledge of how social contexts affect the emotional and mental well-being of children, the unique psychological needs of children, and of child development as a whole. As such, graduate programs typically focus on the psychobiology of development, neuroscience, social development, the development of language and learning, and cognitive development. A master’s program can be completed in two or three years, while a doctoral program can take anywhere from four to six years to complete. Graduate students also focus on both clinical practice and research. Coursework may include classes such as:
- Social and Emotional Assessment
- Psychotherapy with Families
- Adolescent and Young Adult Development
- Psychopathology in Children
- Child Development
- Psychology and the Legal System
- Analysis and Design for Developmental Research
- Professional Issues in Clinical Child Psychology
- Diversity and Multicultural Issues in Psychology
Social psychology, also referred to as personality psychology, is a specialty that involves the study of how individuals interact and are affected by their environments and each other. An advanced degree program in this field focuses on areas such as social cognition, personality, emotion, motivation, attitude and attitude change, social influence, social perception and justice, intergroup relations, and close relationships. A master’s program can be completed in about two years, while a doctoral program can take around four or five years to complete. Sample classes that social psychology graduate students can expect include:
- Stereotyping and Prejudice
- Conflict and Psychological Control
- Social Stigma
- Interpersonal Influence and Social Power
- Developmental Social Cognition
- Decision-Making and Social Judgement
- Psychology of Justice
- Political Psychology
- Self-Regulation
- Research Methods in Social Psychology
Are There Any Professional Organizations for Developmental and Social Psychologists?
Developmental and social psychologists often join professional organizations in order to stay informed about new techniques and studies in their fields and to benefit from the support and experience of other professionals. Many organizations offer lectures, presentations, and industry resources as well as job boards and opportunities for networking. Although many professional psychological associations are state-specific, meaning their recommendations and requirements vary, there are a number of national groups that one should consider joining as a professional developmental or social psychologist.
- Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI)
- American Psychological Association (APA)
- American Psychiatric Association (APA)
- American Educational Research Association (AERA)
- American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)
It is our hope that the above list of the best graduate programs in developmental and social psychology will help you as you work toward reaching your career goals in these challenging and complex yet rewarding and exciting fields.
This concludes our ranking of the top 30 Best Graduate Programs in Developmental and Social Psychology.
By OPD Staff
August 2019
