A social psychology degree may appeal to those who have a strong interest in social dynamics and human interactions.
Social psychologists work to understand the ways in which social interactions shape our personalities and influence our behaviors. They often conduct important research in areas like prejudice or bullying.
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A social psychology bachelor degree program can help you build a foundation in the study of interpersonal relationships and develop versatile skills like data analysis and communication.
Online Social Psychology Degrees
Social psychology is the scientific study of human interaction. This branch of psychology is concerned with how human behavior and thought can be affected by other people. In a social psychology degree program, you’ll likely cover subjects such as:
- Group behavior
- Conformity
- Prejudice
- Aggression
- Social identity
- Attitudes
These subject areas are intended to encompass the many facets of the human social experience. Exact courses and curriculum requirements will not be the same between schools, but as a social psychology major, you’ll likely take course topics such as:
- Statistical methods in social psychology
- Psychological testing
- Social development
- Psychology of childhood
- Attitudes and persuasion
- Adolescence
- Organizational psychology
- Interpersonal relations
- Sociocultural psychology
Depending on your career goals and program requirements, you may be required to complete an internship, pass a certification exam, or pursue additional schooling.
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Some professionals with a bachelors in social psychology pursue the following careers:
- Social service manager
- Human resources specialist
- Research assistant
- Probation officer
- Public relations specialist
- Marketing specialist
- Career or academic advisor
An understanding of individual and group social dynamics can prove useful in a wide variety of fields and industries. Companies and organizations, for example, are often in need of employees who can lead teams with structure and kindness.
If you are interested in a career in sociology or psychology, earning a bachelors degree in social psychology studies could be a strategic place to start.
Social Psychology Careers & Salaries
Many of the careers available to graduates with a degree in social psychology involve working directly with teams or communities of people.
Social psychology majors can develop strong interpersonal skills and an understanding of how our actions and beliefs can be shaped by social interactions. Professionals with these skill sets are essential to a number of organizations.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, here are the median salaries of some of the careers that social psychology graduates may pursue.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $74,000 |
| Market Research Analysts | $63,920 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $62,800 |
| Human Resources Specialists | $62,290 |
| School and Career Counselors and Advisors | $60,510 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $60,250 |
| Social Workers | $50,390 |
| Social Science Research Assistants | $49,720 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $48,520 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $37,610 |
Pursuing a career in social psychology can look different for everyone. Although a degree in social psychology can help you develop skill sets for a variety of professional positions, it does not guarantee a specific salary or role. Your potential job title and salary can both be impacted by where you live, your professional history, and your individual strengths.
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For those who want to become practicing psychologists, a bachelor’s in social psychology can act as a foundation for graduate studies.
Social Psychology Bachelors Curriculum & Courses
Courses in social psychology are intended to provide insight into different aspects of social structure and behavior in humans.
Course examples include:
- Statistical Methods in Social Psychology: In this course, you’ll learn methods of inferential and descriptive statistics used in social psychology, covering topics like hypothesis testing, data organization, and regression.
- Psychological Testing: This course is an examination of different psychological testing theories and practices, studying the development and administering process as well as past and potential ethical dilemmas.
- Social Development: This course explores prominent theories and research in social development, including developmental psychopathology and self-determination theory.
- Psychology of Gender: You’ll learn about and analyze existing research regarding gender, exploring topics like gender stereotypes, sexuality, and mental health.
- Attitudes and Persuasion: In this course, you’ll explore how the beliefs and opinions of individuals are shaped and changed.
- Adolescence: This class provides an opportunity to study the psychological and biological changes that take place during the adolescent years.
- Organizational Psychology: In this course, you’ll look at professional organizations through the lens of behavioral science, studying topics such as job analysis, leadership, and work stress.
- Interpersonal Relations: This course is an exploration of verbal and nonverbal communication in interpersonal relationships, so you may explore topics like conflict management and cross-cultural communication.
- Biological Foundations of Behavior: By covering subjects such as brain organization and function, sensory systems, and cognitive neuroscience, this course explores the behaviors that occur due to biological principles and mechanisms.
- Stereotyping and Prejudice: This class attempts to build an understanding of why stereotyping and prejudice occurs by studying scientific research in these areas.
While the specific course titles and subject matter will vary between schools, you can expect a comprehensive list of classes that cover everything from individual to group social dynamics.
How to Become a Social Psychologist
Earning a bachelor’s degree can help you build a solid foundation if you are interested in pursuing jobs in social psychology. In order to become a licensed psychologist, though, it’s necessary to complete additional schooling and training.
Here are some common steps to becoming a licensed social psychologist:
- Earn a bachelors or masters degree related to psychology or sociology
- Complete a PhD or PsyD with a focus in social psychology
- Complete clinical hours under the supervision of a licensed professional
- Apply for licensure from your state board
- Pass your state’s license exam
Specific requirements, such as the amount of clinical hours required, can vary between states. Many licensed psychologists will also pursue industry certification, depending on their area of specialty and career goals. It’s beneficial to make sure that your college or university of choice offers a curriculum that aligns with your academic and professional goals post graduation.
Admissions Requirements
Social psychology programs can have different admissions requirements, but here are some common criteria among schools:
- SAT or ACT scores (only when required)
- Official transcripts
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statement
Although academic records are important, there are other ways to try and stand out from the crowd as an applicant. Putting time and effort into your personal statement and letters of recommendation could help you display your interests and character to an admissions board.
Social Psychology Programs Accreditation
If a college or university is regionally accredited, that means it has passed a series of quality checks by a team of assessors. They conduct a review of the different components of an educational program and measure them against national guidelines.
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Attending a social psychology program from an accredited school ensures that you can receive a high-quality education from qualified professionals. Having a degree from an accredited institution can also benefit your job search, as most employers prefer candidates who graduated from credible institutions.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
The cost of attending college can be intimidating for many individuals and families. Knowing your financial aid options may help alleviate some of those monetary worries.
To get a breakdown of how much federal financial aid you are eligible for, you can complete the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid. This form will ask for personal information, such as your household income level, and use it to calculate the amount of aid you can receive.
Federal financial aid may come in the form of student loans, grants, or work-study opportunities. You can also pursue scholarship opportunities that are offered by your school or outside organizations.
What Is Social Psychology?
Social psychology is the study of social interactions between humans. Social psychologists aim to understand why people behave in certain ways in specific social situations, studying how different groups can impact individual behavior and personality.
Social psychology is also important in understanding and tackling issues like bullying and hate crimes. Research into these areas can help organizations and communities develop resources to prevent harm and encourage positive social dynamics between groups.
In a world that is continuously being shaped by new forms of social media and communication, social psychologists can also research the impact that these platforms have on individuals and groups.
What Can You Do with a Social Psychology Degree?
The skills sets you can develop during a social psychology degree program are applicable in a range of fields. For instance, this major could help prepare you for roles supporting and leading teams within organizations or companies.
Graduates with a bachelors in social psychology often go on to pursue roles in social services, human resources, public relations, marketing, or education. Social psychology majors may also continue their education to pursue a master’s or doctorate in the field. Those with doctoral degrees might qualify to work as social psychologists, researchers, or professors.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Psychology?
If you follow a traditional 16 week semester and attend full-time, it will generally take 4 years to earn a bachelor’s degree in social psychology.
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Many programs also offer accelerated psychology degree online options for individuals who are on a tight timeline. Following an 8 week semester and staying continuously enrolled year-round could help you finish in less time. Different schools may offer unique program timelines and requirements. If you are unsure of your options, it is helpful to research the time commitment required for your specific schools of interest before you apply.
What Does a Social Psychologist Study?
Social psychologists study interpersonal relationships and their impact on self-perception and behavior. Programs in social psychology often help develop skills such as:
- Research skills
- Communication skills
- Interpersonal skills
- Presentation skills
- Empathy skills
Topics covered may vary between schools. Typically, social psychologist majors study subject areas like:
- Criminal activity
- Bullying
- Lifespan development
- Prejudice
- Analysis and statistics
An undergraduate social psychology degree program generally consists of coursework from several different areas, including anthropology, general psychology, and sociology. This can help you develop an understanding of human behavior and social dynamics through a variety of lenses.
Can You Be a Social Worker with a Psychology Degree?
To become licensed, prospective social workers typically need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in social work. While a psychology degree does not qualify you to become licensed as a social worker, there a number of avenues you can explore to pursue social work.
There are many similarities and overlapping coursework between psychology and social work bachelor programs. So, you could potentially transfer your psychology degree credits in order to finish a social work bachelor degree in less time. You can talk to an advisor about your options.
With a psychology degree, you can also pursue a masters in social work. Since masters programs in social work typically require some experience in the field, psychology graduates might first work as case managers or direct care workers in a related setting.
What’s the Difference Between a Social Worker vs. Psychologist?
Social workers and psychologists both work to help their clients tackle important personal issues, but there is a difference in the scope of their work.
| Social Worker | Psychologist |
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A masters-level education is acceptable for psychological assistants and for certain types of psychologists, such as industrial organizational psychologists.
Is a Bachelor’s in Social Psychology Worth It?
Yes, a bachelor’s in social psychology is worth it for many students. Many of the career paths that social psychology majors pursue are experiencing employment growth at a rate that’s on par with or faster than the national average.
For instance, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 12% job growth for community and social service occupations over the next ten years. Additionally, the skills learned in a social psychology program are applicable in many different fields and industries.
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Interpersonal and communication skills, for example, can be useful in areas like education, human resources, public relations, and marketing. A bachelors in psychology can also prepare you for graduate studies in the field.
Universities Offering Online Bachelors in Social Psychology Degree Program
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
Maryville University offers a Bachelor’s in Psychology. It is designed for students interested in launching new careers in psychology or furthering existing careers in healthcare, business, counseling, or education with a psychology education. Students can attend 100% online and may choose one of three yearly start dates.
Maryville University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The Bachelor of Science in Psychology program at Ohio University aims to prepare students for careers in health services, business, education, and human services.
This fully online program introduces students to fundamental concepts like research methods and statistics, as well as sub-categories of psychology. Topics covered include child and adolescent psychology, clinical counseling, psychological disorders, and sports psychology.
Ohio University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
At Southern New Hampshire University, the Bachelor of Arts in Psychology program utilizes experiential learning and contemporary psychological theories. Students can complete their degree with the flexibility of an online program with around the clock access to their coursework. They may also transfer in up to 90 qualifying credits toward the 120 credits required to graduate.
Southern New Hampshire University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The University of Florida offers a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Students pursuing careers in fields such as education, personnel management, business, healthcare, and counseling often find this program to be a good fit. With coursework that is housed entirely online, the program aims to ensure the necessary flexibility to succeed regardless of existing commitments or busy schedules.
The University of Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The Bachelor of Science at the University of Maryland Global Campus blends theory, research, and practice to prepare students for a variety of psychological careers. Graduates often work in sectors like business, healthcare, social services, and education. The program covers key concepts in perception, behavior, research methods, and development. Classes are available in a fully online format.
The University of Maryland Global Campus is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Getting Your Social Psychology Degree Online
If you’re interested in studying the psychology behind social interaction, then you might consider majoring in social psychology.
Much like with an online developmental psychology degree, earning a social psychology degree online can lead to a variety of career opportunities in education, research, social service, and business. Equipped with communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills, social psychology majors could be an asset to a diverse range of organizations and companies. As with an online bachelors in child development, an online bachelors in psychology can also be a solid foundation for masters and doctoral studies.
Comparing various social psychology programs from accredited schools can help you find the degree option that’s right for you. The sooner you start exploring degree programs, the sooner you can get started on your academic journey.
