List of Online PhD in Social Psychology Programs
Social psychologists are charged with studying social interactions of every kind and at every level. They seek to understand everything from the need for individuals to conform on the schoolyard and in the workplace, to the mechanisms behind mob behavior in large groups, all the way up to macro-level patterns in behavior observed in everything from social trends to the stock market.
They are different from clinical psychologists, who work with individual patients. A social psychologist looks at trends and general features, trying to identify how different human beings relate to one another, without necessarily taking the unique idiosyncrasies of each individual into consideration. They look at everything involved in human interactions and use the knowledge they gather through research to understand socio-psychological processes in an attempt to improve them.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), psychologists earn an average salary of $101,170 per year, although this varies tremendously depending on where they work, how long they have been employed and what their level of education is. The BLS has also reported that the field itself should experience 7% growth between 2023 and 2033, which is nearly double the 4% national average growth rate for all jobs. However, the economy is still revving and this means there is a good chance this percentage will grow as well.
The projected growth is particularly true because of the strong demand for professionals who understand social psychology in the internet age. This pertains to a new generation of social media savvy social psychologists looking into how people interact online, exploring everything from macro-level behavior patterns observed in TikTok trends to how anonymity contributes to antisocial behavior and cyber bullying.
Studying social psychology at the doctoral level will involve research projects that often culminate in an original dissertation. Even with online programs, you can expect some residency requirements.
1. Walden University
Walden University offers a PhD in Social Psychology – Fast Track (BS Entry) option. This program encourages students to conduct research on various important social issues, including group dynamics, interpersonal processes, attitudes and social cognition. Graduates will get a Ph.D. in Psychology with a specialization in Social Psychology. This encourages them to become more knowledgeable on the various influence of social factors. Students are provided with sophisticated research methods and can become educators or researchers in higher education. Many graduates become consultants serving for-profit and not-for-profit organizations.
Additional Options
- Social Psychology – Related MS Entry (PhD)
- Social Psychology – BS Entry (PhD)
- Social Psychology – Fast Track (MS Entry) (PhD)
- Social Psychology – Related MS Entry (PhD)
The program takes a total of 106 quarter credits to complete, which are made up of:
- 71 credits in core courses
- 15 credits in elective courses
- 20 credits for a dissertation
- 4 four day Ph.D. residency sessions
Some of the core courses include topics such as:
- Social cognition
- Culture and psychology
- Ethics and standards of psychology
The elective courses cover issues in Educational Psychology, Forensic Psychology, General Psychology, Health Psychology, or Organizational Psychology.
The program costs $67,610 to complete without any transfer credits.
To be admitted to the program, students must:
- Provide their academic records.
- Write a goal statement.
- Have relevant work experience.
- Hold a master’s degree at least.
- Have at least three years of relevant academic or professional experience.
2. The New School for Social Research
The program offered by the New School for Social Research in New York is not a traditional online degree, but it is one that includes a lot of independent learning, much of which can be completed online. This degree program is most suitable for those who currently hold a bachelor’s degree, as the program starts by completing a master’s in general psychology, after which graduates concentrate in social psychology.
Students are expected to research broad socio-psychological areas including culture and cognition, political psychology, existential psychology, and close relationships. They investigate specific questions in these areas, such as conflict resolution in political disputes, dehumanization, essentialism and entitativity, sacred values, culture and norms of reciprocity, self-objectification, the origins of racial categories, interpersonal motivation, and immigration.
The program is made up of 60 total credits, 30 of which are for the master’s degree. Students must complete these credits within a ten year time period and they must hold a GPA of 3.7 in order to graduate.
To be admitted to the program, students must hold a bachelor’s degree (those with a relevant master’s may be accepted straight onto the Ph.D. pathway).
3. Liberty University
Students interested in a Ph.D. in Social Psychology can earn their degree online at Liberty University. This Ph.D. in Psychology – Social Psychology is a highly specialized degree that can help the student to envision large scale challenges of society and be a key part of devising practical solutions. (Liberty.edu)
Liberty University’s online Ph.D. in Social Psychology offers strong research training that will ready you for a career in academia and social psychology research. An online Ph.D. in this program is ideal for students who want to bring new human behavior knowledge to the field of social psychology and find ways to address pressing social issues.
Learning objectives in this four-year program are:
- Learn how to apply psychological principles to large scale social thought and group psychology.
- Master psychological writing and research techniques that will establish your work in human behavior studies.
- Complete your Ph.D. dissertation research during the program with mentorship from your psychology professors.
Required courses for graduation are:
- Theories and Research in Social Psychology
- Biological Bases of Behavior
- Social Cognitive Development
- Contemporary Topics in Social Psychology
- Attitudes, Measurement and Change
- Social Relationships
- Social Cognitive Neuroscience
- Social Psychology of the Digital Age
- Quantitative Research and Analysis
*Indicates school is a Featured Partner. Click here for disclosure on Featured Partners.
May 2023 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and labor market information for Psychologists is based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed March 2025.