masters in social work to phd in psychology

The Classroom | Empowering Students in Their College Journey

Getting a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. After an M.S.W.

What kind of degree is an abd.

If you already have an M.S.W., earning a Ph.D. in clinical psychology might provide you with a number of career-enhancing benefits. While clinical psychologists and social workers often offer similar services, like psychotherapy, psychologists are also qualified to provide psychological testing. In addition to being able to call yourself "doctor," clinical psychologists earn a higher yearly salary. On average, clinical psychologists earned $72,220 per year, while social workers earned $54,870, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The Competition Begins

Although you've already applied to graduate school once before, you'll need to go through a similar application process for Ph.D. programs in clinical psychology. But clinical psychology Ph.D. admission procedures can be even more stringent than those of M.S.W. programs. Clinical psychology doctoral programs tend to be more competitive than M.S.W. programs, and most only accept a handful of candidates each year. Doctoral programs in clinical psychology are some of the most competitive in the country, according to clinical psychologist Lynn Friedman in the "Washington Post."

Doing What It Takes

Although clinical psychology programs might look favorably on your previous graduate and work experience, you still need to meet certain admission requirements, whether you have an M.S.W. or not. While most M.S.W. programs don't require the GRE, you'll need to take it to apply to clinical psychology programs. Clinical psychology doctoral programs usually require students to have a GRE score of at least 1200, but some might even have higher standards. Students in certain programs, like Northwestern University's Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program, have averaged over 1400 on the GRE. You also need to show strong academic achievement in your undergraduate and M.S.W. work -- many programs require a GPA of at least 3.4.

The Long Haul

Earning a Ph.D. in clinical psychology usually requires an additional four to six years of study. Since M.S.W. programs have different course work and internship requirements, your credits probably won't be transferable -- you'll likely need to complete all of the courses required by the Ph.D. program. After all, it's not even guaranteed that credits from master's degrees in psychology programs will transfer to Ph.D. programs, says the Hunter College Department of Psychology. Clinical psychology doctoral programs require a combination of course work, internships, research and a dissertation.

Think About It

Considering your personal and professional reasons for wanting to earn a Ph.D. in clinical psychology can help you avoid incurring unnecessary student loan burdens and extra time spent in school. You should not obtain a Ph.D. just for prestige, concerns that you're not smart enough or due to external pressure, says Laura E. Buffardi in "Psychology Today." Examine your ultimate career goals. For example, perhaps you want to conduct research or teach clinical psychology. But with an M.S.W., you can open a private practice, work in a school, medical facility or community services agency, just as clinical psychologists can. And many social workers in private practice earn higher salaries than the average reported by the BLS. Although it's not common, they can earn up to $130,000 per year, according to the 2009 Salary and Compensation Study.

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What Do I Have to Take in College to Have a Career in Social Work?

What Do You Need to Get a Doctorate in Psychology After a Bachelor's?

How to Get a Psy.D. Degree

The Advantages of Good Grades in College

What Does It Take to Get an MSW After Getting an LPC?

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2012 :19-3031 Clinical, Counseling, and School Psychologists
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2012: 21-1029 Social Workers, All Other
Washington Post: Jobs: Getting Into Graduate School in Clinical Psychology
Northwestern University: Department of Psychology: What Does It Take to Get Into Graduate School in Clinical Psychology?
Hunter College Department of Psychology: Choosing the Right Degree: MA, PhD, PsyD and others
Psychology Today: Master's versus Ph.D.

Ashley Miller is a licensed social worker, psychotherapist, certified Reiki practitioner, yoga enthusiast and aromatherapist. She has also worked as an employee assistance program counselor and a substance-abuse professional. Miller holds a Master of Social Work and has extensive training in mental health diagnosis, as well as child and adolescent psychotherapy. She also has a bachelor's degree in music.

MSW to PSYD: Can a Social Worker Get a PhD in Psychology?

Can I become a psychologist with a social work degree?

Here, we’ll discover the differences between MSW and PsyD and how to transition from a social work degree to a PsyD.

If so, you’re on the right page. We will describe their differences and elaborate on their similarities.

Before doing so, let us speak briefly about these two professions.

Can I get a PsyD with a master’s in social work?

MSW to Ph.D. in Psychology

DSM and PsyD are both professionals that offer holistic services to the community. It could be in the context of economics, behaviors, and other health challenges encountered by populations.

While these professions are very similar, they each have distinct differences. You must understand their differences before choosing a career in any of them.

What’s MSW?

Please refer to the acronym above as “Master in Social Work.” This advanced social work certificate is awarded after completing a Master’s program in social work.

The study provides researchers with advanced knowledge and skills related to social work, which is intended to allow them to function effectively in a clinical context.

Furthermore, MSW is a vital credential required for a State license. Before granting a social work permit in the US, you must submit an MSW from an establishment approved by CSWE.

Depending on your study option, obtaining an MSW usually takes 2-4 years. Only those who enroll in full-time advanced standing studies may complete within the year.

Here are some of the courses you will propose as part of your MSW study:

Child, family, and school social work
Clinical social work
Community SW
Mental health and drug misuse
Introduction to Trauma and Resilience
Human development
Healthcare social work
Social work research practices
Social welfare and policy, etc.

What’s PsyD?

You can also call it “Doctor of Psychology.” It’s all the same. This advanced degree also endows researchers with a scientific understanding of psychology.

Researchers with such a discipline are trained to provide empirical services to individuals, organizations, and the wider community. This is entirely thanks to the study syllabus focusing on direct clinical intervention.

Here are the top Psyd Programs in the USA.

Nevada Psyd Programs
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Before becoming a PsyD, you must have an MSc in psychology or similar courses. The PsyD program in the US takes four to seven years to complete.

Some of the classes you may come across include:

Biological basis of behavior
Social-cultural basis of behavior
Psychology of counseling
lifespan development
cognitive-affective bases of behavior
assessment and diagnosis
human behavior, etc.

What do MSW and PsyD have in Common?

As previously mentioned, MSW and PsyD share some similarities.

This can be explained by their relationship with clients’ mental health. Whatever it is, now, go check out the things they share in common.

Both Careers Have A Human Focus

MSW and PsyD assess clients with attitudinal problems, coping mechanisms, etc. The traits of such skills can be traced back to academic training.

The syllabus for MSWs and PsyDs includes courses in human behavior.

The Two Professions Have A Mental Health Background.

We talked about this relationship from the beginning.

An MSc in Psychology has specialized fields that focus on psychology. Scholars who take such programs are trained to evaluate, diagnose, and support patients through counseling.

Similarly, MSW specialists are trained to understand mental illness and its impact on clients. They are also taught how to intervene and help patients with these issues through counseling services.

Thus, they can manage their mental problems.

Options For Focal Areas

Scholars can specialize in a particular field when getting an MSW. For instance, you may specialize in clinical social work, gerontology, military, social work, etc.

The same goes for PsyD. Furthermore, scholars are also allowed to base their careers on a particular field. It could be child psychology, counseling psychology, cognitive psychology, etc.

This is all we have concerning the similarities between MSW and PsyD. We now turn our attention to the distinctions between the two professions.

Variation Between MSW and PsyD

We will now examine the differences between these professions using some key elements.

These include educational attainment, the workplace, duties, licensing essentials, curriculum, years of study, and earnings. Let’s examine them.

Educational Attainment

As we mentioned before, MSW is an MSc in social work. Consequently, it requires an undergraduate certificate as a minimum entry credential.

Those who received an MSW can work at advanced levels in the community. If they go further to get licensed, they can work without oversight.

PsyD, on the other hand, is a doctoral certificate.

As a result, only researchers with an MSc are eligible to enroll in this program. Most of the qualified candidates are top researchers and university lecturers.

Having attended such an academic level, you can work in a public and private setting without supervision.

Study Syllabus

MSW and PsyD emphasize research methodology and ethics more. However, PsyD places a greater focus on educational research. In contrast, MSW addresses relevant research in the area of social work.

Work Contexts

The working parameters of the MSW and PsyD are pretty variable.

MSW grads can work in hospitals, foster homes, recovery homes, correctional facilities, schools, and military facilities. However, PsyD is often self-employed . Only in rare instances can you find them in the hospital or office, helping customers with difficulties.

Essentials for Licensures

MSW licensing standards differ from those of PsyD.

To be a licensed clinical worker, you must submit an MSW certificate. Additionally, the applicant must fulfill at least 4,000 hours of skill in the field and sit down for the ASWB mastery exams.

However, to be a registered psychologist, you must have a doctoral degree in social work or a related course, as mentioned earlier. Only then may you proceed with the authorization procedures.

Another factor that makes the difference between MSWs and PsyMSWs is that they are trained to assess clients, create and implement a treatment plan, assess and monitor improvement, act as client spokespersons, and more.

PsyD is trained to evaluate, diagnose, and treat people with mental health problems. They also play an essential role in promoting a healthy attitude and preventing illnesses affecting the brain.

How an MSW Can Become a PsyD

There are several reasons why you might want to become a psychology doctor as a social work master.

Either you want to engage in psychological testing or like the top-of-the-line name “doctor.” Of course, some MSWs wish to upgrade to PsyD for the high salary structure.

In any case, your reason for becoming PsyD is worth the effort. We will now describe the steps to change from MSW to PsyD.

Satisfy the basis of the entrance.

Specific admission standards exist for academics interested in becoming Ph.D. holders in psychology.

Whether you hold an MSW or not, you must meet them. In this regard, social work masters must submit GRE results to qualify for PsyD programs.

While some universities accept the minimum GRE score of 1200, others require higher scores. For example, Northwestern University demands a score of 1400 and above.

MSW Fellows must hold a minimum GPA of 3.5 to qualify for entry. Additionally, you may include your work experience to complement your credentials.

Remember, you must submit three reference letters from previous employers or academic institutions.

Develop math competencies

To become a psychological doctor, you will need to have math skills.

Your MSW studies did not offer mathematics courses; you must take additional courses. The objective is to improve your analytical skills before entering the doctoral program.

Offer Clinical Psychology Courses

Once you have secured entrance to study PsyD, you must offer all courses in your syllabus.

These courses include developmental psychology, data analysis and interpretation, psychological theories, history of psychology, evaluation, clinical practice, and more.

Toward the end of your studies, you’re expected to select one of these specialty courses to base your career. Please note that your MSW will not prevent you from choosing a field of specialization.

You can only transfer your master’s credits to your Ph.D. if the internship requirements are similar. Otherwise, you won’t be able to transfer credit.

Finish your PsyD thesis.

All PsyD researchers are required to finish a thesis before graduating. You are also expected to introduce new research in your area of expertise.

However, those who have completed a thesis during MSW studies can broaden and update their research to complete their PsyD.

Once you graduate from PsyD, you will become a certified psychological physician. With such a title, you can practice autonomously and with no supervision.

For those who dream of boosting their earnings. This is the time to make some money.

Psychology Ph.D. After MSW

Those are the critical differences between MSW and PsyD. Although the two occupations deal with the public, each has distinct functions and certifications.

We hope this will help you choose the best career for those two professions.

Psychology or Social Work: Which Graduate Program is Right for You?

Created by careersinpsychology

One of the reasons it is difficult to decide between a graduate degree in psychology or social work is because the fields have many of the same attributes. For example, they are both concerned with:

helping individuals and families improve their lives in a multitude of ways; as well as
recognizing and treating mental illness and
possibly working as part of a team with other private and government entities to achieve a common goal.

However, there are core differences with respect to:

Educational Requirements: what it takes to earn the degrees
Time & Cost: in terms of tuition, fees and opportunity costs
Marketability/Profitability of the degrees, once required licensing processes are complete.

Educational Requirements: Similarities & Differences

Careers in social work and psychology both require the attainment of a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Earning a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology can be achieved on almost any major campus in the United States in generally 4 years; it is one of the oldest disciplines within the university and college framework.

Although a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work has become increasingly available, it is a relatively new degree and many colleges do not offer the BSW (4 years). Be that as it may, for decades aspiring social workers have successfully achieved their goals by earning a BS or BA in their college's Psychology Department (4 years); then gone on to obtain a graduate degree in social work. While it might appear the psychology aspirant has an easier time getting a bachelor's degree in the chosen field, there is one caveat. Most all universities which offer a graduate degree in social work (MSW) will reward the Bachelor's Degree in Social Work by offering a "fast-track" MSW, alleviating up to a full year of study.

Time & Cost

Since time in school equals the cost of the required education; how much time it will take to get a marketable degree significantly separates the graduate degree in social work from the graduate degree in psychology. A Master's Degree in Social Work is sufficient to begin post-graduate and licensure requirements; but not so in the field of psychology. Traditionally speaking, the Master's in Psychology was earned for the purpose of entering a PhD program. Historically, the MA in Psychology (standing on its own) has never been a significant, income-bearing degree. The highest paid professionals in the field inevitably have earned the doctorate. Therefore, the 2 graduate degrees are substantially different in how much time it will take to earn, plus the costs; both inherent and opportunity.

According to the American Psychological Association (APA) however, that could be changing. With the emergence of new and highly-defined sub-specialties in the field of psychology; individuals are being afforded a marketable master's degree. For example, while the PhD is still the norm; those earning a Master's Degree in Industrial Organizational (I-O) psychology are increasingly marketable in private and government sectors. In fact, individuals with an MS or MA in Industrial Organizational Psychology are prime candidates for lucrative and or upwardly mobile positions within the human resource divisions of large business/corporate entities.

But at present the fact remains; the most common purpose of the Master's in Psychology is to advance to the doctoral program. The United States Labor Bureau (USLB) support the assertion statistically; their research shows the most sought after careers in psychology do in fact require a doctorate.

What an Expert Says About Educational Degrees, Time and Cost

Dr. Nemko boldly approaches the topic of college degrees and their time and cost:

"The quantitative data, the empirical evidence I have had over my lifetime, suggested many people—those who currently attend college and college graduates who are considering attending college graduate school; should think three times...Colleges have successfully marketed the myth that college graduates earn a million dollars or more over the years of their lifetime. However, that figure is retrospective. In decades past, a college degree was rare and commanded more in the marketplace. But now, approx. (65)-70% of high school graduates are going to college. Think about that. With so many students going to college, a college degree is not going to differentiate you so much in the marketplace. You want to get a degree edge over and above the 6 figures most students end up paying for a bachelor's degree; you will have to get a graduate degree which will cost you another fortune. Don't forget, when you are calculating the cost of graduate school, you can't forget to add what the amount of money you could be earning and what you could be learning if you weren't in academics but instead in the real world. "

Note: For a detailed account of what it takes to get an MSW see the career track article entitled " Choosing a Social Work School, College or Degree Program ;," or for the requirements of the psychology graduate degree, the article " Choosing a Psychology School, College or Degree Program ."

Marketability/Profitability

Marketability of the MSW : The Master's in Social Work is a highly marketable degree and can be used to secure a variety of career options. The following career positions are just a sample of what licensed individuals can secure with an MSW:

Government Social Worker: The specialties under this career path are countless. There are hundreds of positions available in the field; from working with children in schools to working with the incarcerated within the prison system setting. In fact, job possibilities can be found in nearly every aspect of mental health and social well-being.
Medical Field (both public and private sectors)
Administrator
Private Practice

Profitability of MSW : Bobby LeFebre is a social worker for the Denver Department of Human Services. Mr. Lefebre is highly unique because he is known not only as a Social Casework Supervisor; but also as an award-winning performance poet and actor. As to the profitability of a career in social work, one of LeFebre's performance poems reads;

"When I tell people what I do for a living, they often respond by saying things like, 'Bless your soul that must be difficult.' And my all time favorite: 'It's so nice to see someone not working for the money.'"

The median wage for a social worker in the United States is $50,390 .

For further exploration of career options see the article, " Social Work Careers: Starting a Career as a Social Worker ."

Marketability of the Graduate Degree in Psychology : Once again, the most marketable degree in the field of psychology will undoubtedly be the doctorate. This may be changing with a masters degree in such fields as Industrial Organizational Psychology; but at present the PhD is the most marketable.

The true marketability of the PhD in Psychology will depend heavily on the specialty. The most marketable degrees will correspond to the careers in demand. To illustrate, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says that demand for all psychologists is expected to grow by 6% through 2031, demand for clinical and counseling psychologists is expected to grow by 10% in the same period. While all PhD's in Psychology are marketable, it will be the demand for experts in the field which will ultimately drive the availability of positions in that specialty area.

Profitability of the Graduate Degree in Psychology : In May 2022, the BLS published median salaries for four broad groups of psychologists:

Industrial-organizational psychologists: $139,280
Clinical and counseling psychologists: $90,130
School psychologists: $81,500
Psychologists (all other): $106,420

What is important to keep in mind with regards to the profitability of a PhD in Psychology is experts in this field are able to generate income in a multitude of ways in a plethora of environments. Experts in psychology can do research, private practice counseling, consulting, media work, publish books, lecture, educate and work in administrative positions, to name a few. Basically, the degree can be as profitable as the degree holder decides to make it.

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics job market trends and salary figures for social workers , industrial-organizational psychologists , clinical psychologists , school psychologists , and psychologists (all other) are based on national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed July 2023.

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Social Psychology

Area Chair: Lorraine Gutiérrez , Arthur F Thurnau Professor of Psychology, Professor of Social Work

The Joint Doctoral Program in Social Work and Psychology is a PhD program for students interested in examining research topics and methodologies relevant to both areas. Founded in 1957, the Joint Doctoral Program in Social Work and Social Science is the only doctoral program in the nation that allows students to gain social work research training and experience that is rooted within multiple social science disciplines.

Within the Joint Program in Social Work and Psychology, students should plan to work with a faculty affiliate in one of four subfields (i.e. Developmental, Personality and Social Contexts, Clinical or Social) and these faculty affiliates should be identified in their application.

The Joint Doctoral Program admits students who are equally committed to research in Social Work and to disciplinary expertise in Psychology. The Joint Program provides an individualized plan of study in which students take varied paths in completing their requirements.

Each joint student will work with mentors/advisors in both Social Work and Psychology in determining their academic trajectory; while completing coursework and prelim examinations in both areas. Students also complete a research internship/Psychology 619, they obtain teaching and research experience, and they conduct a dissertation study that combines the two areas.

If students do not have an M.S.W. at admission, they fulfill additional coursework and field placement credits for this degree. For more information, please contact us at:

Joint PhD Program in Social Work and Social Science University of Michigan School of Social Work 3704 School of Social Work Building 1080 South University Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1106 Phone: 734-763.5768 Email: [email protected] School of Social Work Ph.D. Programs

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Graduate School

Clinical psychology (ph.d.), clinical psychology (ph.d.) | graduate.

We prepare students to pursue clinical science research and applied clinical work, and for careers as leading clinical practitioners, research scientists, administrators, and university and college faculty. Our doctoral students produce and advance clinical science in promoting mental health and well-being, particularly in historically underserved communities.

The APA-accredited Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at Howard’s Graduate School prepares students to pursue clinical work and research addressing social determinants of health in underserved communities. You may pursue the adult or child clinical track of the program. As a first-year student, you'll complete a clinical experience focused on clinical interviews and administration of cognitive/ achievement tests in a school setting. You'll apply psychotherapy skills in a second practicum experience in your second year. In the third and fourth years, externship placements will strengthen your psychophysiological and diagnostic assessments and the application of evidence-based treatments. You'll also benefit from Howard’s strong partnerships with top clinical training sites across the DC-Maryland-Virginia area, including the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, the National Institute of Health, and the National Children’s Medical Center, where you'll be exposed to behavioral, cognitive, familial, community, and mindfulness-based approaches to therapy. We also have international research programs in Africa and Asia. As a student in our Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology, you'll be part of an active research culture at Howard and collaborate with faculty in research labs on projects across a range of knowledge domains that extend to neuropsychology, stress and coping, aging and cognition, developmental psychopathology, childhood violence and trauma, illness and social stigma, and cross-cultural investigations of other clinical problems. You'll have numerous opportunities to present your research findings at key meetings in D.C. 100% of our students are successfully matched at APA-accredited internships in their final year.

Program Snapshot

❱ 72 credit hours ❱ Full-time ❱ On-campus format ❱ Degree: Ph.D.

Application Deadlines

Spring 2024 entry: ❱ No spring entry

Fall 2024 entry: ❱ Dec. 1, 2023 (final deadline)

Applicants should submit their applications as early as possible for earlier consideration of departmental funding opportunities. Applicants have until the final deadline to apply. However, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the admissions cycle.

Transfer credits accepted (reviewed by committee)

Dr. Alfonso Campbell Jr.

Dr. gishawn mance, dr. debra roberts, lorena daniels, program details.

Degree Classification: Graduate
Related Degrees: Ph.D.

Admission Requirements

Application for admission .

Online PSYCAS application
Statement of purpose/ Statement of academic interest ( 500-1,000 words )
Critical writing sample
GRE scores not required
Official transcripts sent to PSYCAS
3 letters of recommendation
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university or the international equivalent
Resume or Curriculum Vitae
Autobiographical statement ( 500-750 words )

GRE Required?

Gre preferred minimums.

GRE Verbal Reasoning: N/A
GRE Quantitative Reasoning: N/A
GRE Analytical Writing: N/A

GPA Required Minimums

Overall GPA minimum: 3.0
Undergrad GPA minimum: 3.0

Reference Requirements

Evaluator type accepted:

Professor (Required)
Supervisor/Manager

Evaluator type not accepted:

Family Member

Personal Statement Guidance

Statement of purpose/statement of academic interest should highlight why you wish to pursue a degree in clinical psychology and address the following:

Describe your academic and research interests, identifying specific faculty member(s) with whom you want to work.
Describe your personal, professional, and educational goals related to the Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology.
How will obtaining your Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology enhance you in your current position and/or future career?

Letter of Recommendation Guidance

Provide three (3) letters of recommendation from individuals who are familiar with your ability and/or potential for rigorous graduate study, clinical work, and/or research. Whenever possible, Howard University recommends seeking recommendations from faculty members in psychology or practicing professionals in psychology or other mental health disciplines. Letters of recommendation should be submitted through the PSYCAS system.

Critical Writing Sample Guidance

The writing sample can include (but is not limited to) a senior thesis, master's thesis, or publication. If the publication is submitted, you must specify your contribution to the publication in your research statement.

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The doctoral program in Social Psychology at New York University offers training in the scientific study of social psychology and social behavior. To this end, it offers training in the psychological theories, principles, and research methods relevant to understanding human behavior among individuals, groups, and organizations .

Program Vision

Social behavior is best understood from a multi-level perspective. The focal level of analysis often concerns the individual and the situation, with an emphasis on the cognitive, emotional, and motivational processes that drive behavior in social contexts. Our multi-level approach may examined how these processes are shaped by political, societal, and organizational factors, at a higher level, and supported by neural and physiological systems, at a lower level.

Our multi-level perspective is reflected in our methodologies. Students receive training in advanced quantitative methods and in a broad range of approaches such as behavioral experimentation, psychophysiology and cognitive neuroscience, big data (e.g., from social media), experience sampling, online data collection, dyadic measurement, computational modeling, and field studies, to name a few. Members of the program have access to fMRI, EEG/ERP, eye-tracking, and peripheral psychophysiology facilities housed within the Psychology Department.

Finally, we are committed to connecting our research to the real world. Although our questions often focus on basic processes that drive social cognition and motivation, our broader goals are to understand real-life human behaviors and pressing societal issues and to contribute solid scientific knowledge to policy makers and human service providers.

Program Culture and Activities

The NYU social program has a history of a special communal, cooperative spirit, with very high morale among the students and faculty. Moreover, the program culture is constantly evolving, influenced by interactions among current students, postdocs, and faculty, by changes in the broader scientific field, and by events in the world. We hold weekly program meetings (our “brownbag” meeting) that emphasize new findings and lively discussions, and we feature multiple talk series featuring prominent outside speakers (e.g., Social Colloquium, Social Neuroscience Series, Distinguished Lecture Series). Members of the program also enjoy interactions with colleagues in Cognition & Perception, Development, Neuroscience, Applied Psychology, Linguistics, Politics, Philosophy, and the Stern School of Business. Our location in an exciting and central neighborhood in New York City makes it easy for students and faculty to come in early and/or stay late to meet with each other and distinguished visitors.

Graduate study in the Social Psychology program at NYU means being part of an unusually active research culture. We share well-equipped laboratories, and we promote 'open door' relationships between professors and students. Although students typically have a primary home in one professor's laboratory, we require that students work in at least one other laboratory to promote breadth of training in a variety of methodological approaches and research issues. Our goal is to prepare students to be highly competitive in the job market for the type of career they seek, and we are proud of the steady success of our students in obtaining academic positions at top research universities and teaching colleges.

All students accepted into our graduate program are fully funded through the Henry M. MacCracken Program or the NYUAD Global PhD Fellowship.

MacCracken funding is provided through a combination of teaching assistantship, research assistantship, and fellowship, in proportions to be determined. The award package typically includes a full tuition scholarship, comprehensive health insurance and a stipend. Funding is typically guaranteed for five years, although students with substantial graduate credits or a Master's degree may only be guaranteed four years of support.

NYUAD Global PhD Fellowships include full tuition scholarship, health insurance, travel benefits, and a stipend. Funding is for five years, which typically includes two years or less of course work in New York and the remaining at least three years or more of dissertation research in Abu Dhabi. Campus housing in Abu Dhabi is provided free of cost and is available to all Global Fellows.

There is a very limited supply of subsidized housing available for graduate students which is generally used for a subset of each entering class to provide them the opportunity to get settled in New York City during their first year of residence.

NYU Abu Dhabi PhD Program

The Program in Social Psychology maintains a relationship with the Social Psychology faculty at NYU Abu Dhabi. This relationship supports opportunities for collaboration between students and faculty across the New York and Abu Dhabi campuses. Students accepted for the NYU Abu Dhabi Ph.D. program will typically spend two years primarily in New York with multiple visits to Abu Dhabi. During those two years, students complete all or most of their coursework as well as carrying out research in collaboration with an NYU Abu Dhabi advisor and a co-mentor in New York. The subsequent three years are spent in Abu Dhabi completing the dissertation research and any remaining course requirements. For further information on the Global Ph.D. program, click here .

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Social Psychology Graduate Programs in America

1-18 of 18 results

Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Cambridge, MA •

Harvard University •

Graduate School

• Rating 4.56 out of 5 9 reviews

Other: I am Harvard Extension School student pursuing a master degree, ALM, in sustainability. I have achieved a 3.89 in this program so far and have qualified, applied, and accepted as a 'Special Student' in the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Through this School, I will be focusing my time at the John A. Paulson school of Engineering & Applied Sciences. Looking forward to wrapping up my final year on campus! ... Read 9 reviews

Harvard University ,

Graduate School ,

CAMBRIDGE, MA ,

9 Niche users give it an average review of 4.6 stars.

Featured Review: Other says I am Harvard Extension School student pursuing a master degree, ALM, in sustainability. I have achieved a 3.89 in this program so far and have qualified, applied, and accepted as a 'Special Student'... .

Read 9 reviews.

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences - New York University

New York, NY •

New York University •

• Rating 4.8 out of 5 10 reviews

Master's Student: I am enrolled specifically in the Magazine concentration. My professors have all been helpful with helping me succeed and are willing to stay back to go over something I don't understand. There are multiple points of resources at this program. A director is your main academic advisor. Aside from that, there is a pitch specialist to assist with freelancing and two wonderful career advisors. They help with setting up mingle sessions, job fairs, and internship talks. As of now, I haven't had bad experiences, however, I will say that the program is expensive and is an awkward three semesters. Those two things aren't ideal, however, its not too much of a dealbreaker. ... Read 10 reviews

New York University ,

NEW YORK, NY ,

10 Niche users give it an average review of 4.8 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says I am enrolled specifically in the Magazine concentration. My professors have all been helpful with helping me succeed and are willing to stay back to go over something I don't understand. There are... .

Read 10 reviews.

Boston College School of Social Work

Chestnut Hill, MA •

Boston College •

• Rating 4 out of 5 2 reviews

Master's Student: The School of Social Work fosters a welcoming place where students can further develop their academic interests as well as actively prepare us for the workforce as culturally humble social workers. ... Read 2 reviews

Boston College ,

CHESTNUT HILL, MA ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The School of Social Work fosters a welcoming place where students can further develop their academic interests as well as actively prepare us for the workforce as culturally humble social workers. .

Read 2 reviews.

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College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering - University of Rochester

Rochester, NY •

University of Rochester •

Alum: The Optics program is the toughest offered at the school. Optics grads do twice as much (60 credit hours instead of 30) class work as other degrees. You learn a ton! The field is so diverse you can pick and choose what subfields to focus on, and all fields are offered. Amazing professors. In all my classes, I felt one professor was bad at teaching. All the others were very competent, and the best were extremely passionate about their class/field of research. ... Read 2 reviews

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University of Rochester ,

ROCHESTER, NY ,

Featured Review: Alum says The Optics program is the toughest offered at the school. Optics grads do twice as much (60 credit hours instead of 30) class work as other degrees. You learn a ton! The field is so diverse you can... .

UCI Social Sciences

Irvine, CA •

University of California - Irvine •

University of California - Irvine ,

IRVINE, CA ,

College of Arts and Sciences - Syracuse University

Syracuse, NY •

Syracuse University •

• Rating 5 out of 5 2 reviews

Master's Student: The speech-language pathology program at Syracuse university is ranked very high among graduate programs in New York State. It is clear that the professors are very knowledgeable and provide students with the quality education needed to become excellent clinicians. The clinical faculty does an amazing job at supporting their students and allowing them to develop clinical skills for all types of speech and language disorders. This program does so much more than just providing students with education on the field of speech-language pathology. Students are constantly challenged to use complex skills like analytical thinking, collaborating with peers, and so much more. This program can be very demanding at times and requires students to put in a lot of work in the clinical and classroom settings. The main campus at Syracuse is very nice, however, the building for the speech program is nothing special. Almost all masters classes are in the same, small classroom with no windows. ... Read 2 reviews

Syracuse University ,

SYRACUSE, NY ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The speech-language pathology program at Syracuse university is ranked very high among graduate programs in New York State. It is clear that the professors are very knowledgeable and provide... This program can be very demanding at times and requires students to put in a lot of work in the clinical and classroom settings. The main campus at Syracuse is very nice, however, the building for... .

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University of Connecticut School of Social Work

Hartford, CT •

University of Connecticut •

• Rating 4.25 out of 5 4 reviews

Other: Overall, my academic experience has been very beneficial for me. From my peers, professors, and classes I have gained something useful in every aspect. I came in with little to no knowledge of graduate school or even having an inters in graduate school. Until one of my professors/advisors at the time brought the idea to me to enhance my career path. Although have been some few grey areas, it has not outweighed the entire experience. ... Read 4 reviews

University of Connecticut ,

HARTFORD, CT ,

4 Niche users give it an average review of 4.3 stars.

Featured Review: Other says Overall, my academic experience has been very beneficial for me. From my peers, professors, and classes I have gained something useful in every aspect. I came in with little to no knowledge of... .

Read 4 reviews.

College of Arts and Sciences - University at Buffalo, SUNY

Buffalo, NY •

University at Buffalo, SUNY •

• Rating 3 out of 5 2 reviews

Doctoral Student: All of the professors are very accommodating and want to help you succeed. They help you in any way they can and make sure you understand different topics before moving on to something different! ... Read 2 reviews

University at Buffalo, SUNY ,

BUFFALO, NY ,

2 Niche users give it an average review of 3 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says All of the professors are very accommodating and want to help you succeed. They help you in any way they can and make sure you understand different topics before moving on to something different! .

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences - University of Houston

Houston, TX •

University of Houston •

• Rating 4 out of 5 3 reviews

Current Master's student: The academic program is rather good at the University of Houston. I have three social work classes and they are robust and full of great information. The choices of classes at UH is very good and allows students to follow their academic path and find classes that fit their program. The advisors at UH are on top of things and are always able and willing to help. I would honestly say that UH is a great place for academics! ... Read 3 reviews

University of Houston ,

HOUSTON, TX ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Current Master's student says The academic program is rather good at the University of Houston. I have three social work classes and they are robust and full of great information. The choices of classes at UH is very good and... .

Read 3 reviews.

Loyola University Chicago College of Arts and Sciences

Chicago, IL •

Loyola University Chicago •

• Rating 5 out of 5 1 review

Graduate Student: Loyola was such a great place to earn my M.Ed Higher Education degree. The faculty were so dedicated to our development and success. The two campuses were my homes away from home, and the staff were always a pleasure to work with. I miss my Loyola days for sure!!! ... Read 1 review

Loyola University Chicago ,

CHICAGO, IL ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Graduate Student says Loyola was such a great place to earn my M.Ed Higher Education degree. The faculty were so dedicated to our development and success. The two campuses were my homes away from home, and the staff... .

Read 1 reviews.

College of Arts and Sciences - Stony Brook University, SUNY

Stony Brook, NY •

Stony Brook University, SUNY •

• Rating 3 out of 5 3 reviews

Doctoral Student: In the Physics Department, the classes are wide-ranging and generally well taught. They are challenging and require the amount of effort expected of a very good graduate education. However, the department is also somewhat behind the times in the assessment that is required for a PhD. You will spend two years jumping through hoops before beginning any real work for very little money. Many students wish to do research in String Theory, but there is little funding available and many students are admitted. Funding in most other areas of the department are adequate enough that most students are in the research area they wish to pursue. ... Read 3 reviews

Stony Brook University, SUNY ,

STONY BROOK, NY ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 3 stars.

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says In the Physics Department, the classes are wide-ranging and generally well taught. They are challenging and require the amount of effort expected of a very good graduate education. However, the... Many students wish to do research in String Theory, but there is little funding available and many students are admitted. Funding in most other areas of the department are adequate enough that most... .

College of Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences - University of Massachusetts Lowell

Lowell, MA •

University of Massachusetts Lowell •

University of Massachusetts Lowell ,

LOWELL, MA ,

Law Schools
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College of Liberal Arts - University of Nevada, Reno

University of Nevada, Reno •

• Rating 4.38 out of 5 8 reviews

Master's Student: The other students and most of the faculty were very kind and supportive. My only issue with the program is due to a lack of funding there were very few course options offered. I wish that humanities programs were offered more funding because it is unfair to students who pay the same as STEM students to attend the institution but are not offered the same chances to deeply enrich and develop their education. Luckily the professors were very open to allowing students to explore their own personal interests to the fullest and allow them to focus more on their specializations than on the core course curriculum. ... Read 8 reviews

University of Nevada, Reno ,

8 Niche users give it an average review of 4.4 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says The other students and most of the faculty were very kind and supportive. My only issue with the program is due to a lack of funding there were very few course options offered. I wish that humanities... .

Read 8 reviews.

College of Arts and Sciences - University at Albany, SUNY

Albany, NY •

University at Albany, SUNY •

Doctoral Student: At University at Albany, I've received excellent support from my mentors and the freedom to explore my own interests within the scope of my lab's overall goals. In areas where I'm weakest, I've been pushed to reach new limits. My advisors recognize my strengths and interests and guide me to use them as the "ore" to "smith fine weapon." There's not much I can say about the graduate community (COVID-19). I am delighted to be a grad student at UAlbany. ... Read 2 reviews

University at Albany, SUNY ,

ALBANY, NY ,

Featured Review: Doctoral Student says At University at Albany, I've received excellent support from my mentors and the freedom to explore my own interests within the scope of my lab's overall goals. In areas where I'm weakest, I've been... There's not much I can say about the graduate community (COVID-19). I am delighted to be a grad student at UAlbany. .

Ball State University College of Sciences and Humanities

Muncie, IN •

Ball State University •

• Rating 4 out of 5 1 review

Current Master's student: The classes are of the same rigor and academic quality as on-campus instruction. I have learned quite a great deal from my program so far. The professors have been of high quality up to this point. ... Read 1 review

Ball State University ,

MUNCIE, IN ,

1 Niche users give it an average review of 4 stars.

Featured Review: Current Master's student says The classes are of the same rigor and academic quality as on-campus instruction. I have learned quite a great deal from my program so far. The professors have been of high quality up to this point. .

Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Columbia University •

• Rating 5 out of 5 3 reviews

Master's Student: It was a really great and flexible program that allowed me to explore my own interests without the restricting requirements getting in my way too much. Honestly a great major ... Read 3 reviews

Columbia University ,

3 Niche users give it an average review of 5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says It was a really great and flexible program that allowed me to explore my own interests without the restricting requirements getting in my way too much. Honestly a great major .

Teachers College at Columbia University

• Rating 4.46 out of 5 96 reviews

Master's Student: Some of my courses were genuinely so thought-provoking and inspiring. Many of the professors really care about this field, and it's evident when they talk about their clinical experiences. I've had to ask for some accommodations like deadline extensions due to personal circumstances and they were so understanding. ... Read 96 reviews

96 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says Some of my courses were genuinely so thought-provoking and inspiring. Many of the professors really care about this field, and it's evident when they talk about their clinical experiences. I've had... .

Read 96 reviews.

The CUNY School of Professional Studies

CUNY Graduate School & University Center •

• Rating 4.47 out of 5 17 reviews

Master's Student: My experience with CUNY SPS has been great. The online program is rigorous but the professors are professional and helpful. Online courses are convenient and conducive to my lifestyle. I felt like part of a class even though we did not meet in person. ... Read 17 reviews

CUNY Graduate School & University Center ,

17 Niche users give it an average review of 4.5 stars.

Featured Review: Master's Student says My experience with CUNY SPS has been great. The online program is rigorous but the professors are professional and helpful. Online courses are convenient and conducive to my lifestyle. I felt like... .

Read 17 reviews.

Showing results 1 through 18 of 18

Best Social Psychology Programs

Ranked in 2022, part of Best Social Sciences and Humanities Schools

Social psychologists are often

Social psychologists are often niche practitioners who examine how environment affects a person's behaviors. This branch of psychology focuses on thoughts, feelings and behavior. These are the top schools for social psychology. Read the methodology »

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Ph.D. Programs

Why apply to Clark’s social psychology doctoral program?

Rooted in Clark University’s distinguished history in psychology, the department’s social psychology doctoral program at the nationally-renowned Frances L. Hiatt School of Psychology is dedicated to understanding the psychological processes that underlie today’s most pressing local, national, and global social and political issues.

Our program emphasizes contextualized, interdisciplinary learning and diversity in its research and pedagogy while encouraging novel theoretical work and methodological breadth. Our intimate size allows for close student-faculty relationships and collaboration while providing opportunities to work with and mentor fellow graduate students and undergraduates. Our approach prepares students for academic, research, and policy careers in social psychology.

All full-time graduate students are guaranteed tuition remission and stipends for four years through graduate assistantships. Along with Clark’s pedigree as a small urban research university where G. Stanley Hall, its first president, founded the American Psychological Association in 1892, our close-knit program fosters a collegial, supportive intellectual community.

Psychology Graduate Handbook

Our Community

The social psychology program encourages students, through initiative and intellectual curiosity, to develop and advance their research interests in urgent social issues among our dedicated, collaborative community. Many different methodological approaches are represented and valued. Our department intentionally structures classes to allow students to focus on the topics at hand, not competition among peers. The social psychology program is committed to the inclusion of diverse populations and to enhancing diversity within the field as a whole. As such, we create a respectful, supportive learning environment.

Meet our faculty Meet our graduate students

Our Research in Social Psychology

From studying the psychology of activism to politically motivated intergroup conflict and violence, Clark’s social psychology graduate students analyze some of the day’s most pertinent issues using quantitative and qualitative research methods. Our graduate program ensures students receive extensive research training that builds cumulatively from foundational and more heavily mentored experiences to more independent activities, like building a research portfolio and dissertation research. Much of our faculty and student research takes place within community settings, locally or internationally.

Through lab work, graduate students collaborate among faculty, their cohorts, and undergraduates. Graduate students present their work at external conferences such as the Society for Personality and Social Psychology , the International Society of Political Psychology , or the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues and at Clark’s Graduate Student Multidisciplinary Conference , and publish in journals like Feminism and Psychology , the Journal of Social Issues , and Psychology of Men and Masculinity . Graduate students’ scholarship, along with our faculty’s research, is diverse both in theory and method, which is a mark of distinction and strength across our department’s three programs.

Our faculty has guest-edited special issues in the Journal of Social Issues as well as the European Journal of Social Psychology and founded the Journal of Social and Political Psychology . Their research and expertise have been recognized with funding from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , the American Psychological Association, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, among others.

At the heart of our research are the program and department’s research groups, forums, and lab meetings where faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students discuss common theoretical concerns and research interests. In fact, graduate students are encouraged to work closely with one another, with advanced undergraduate students, and with faculty colleagues in developing their program of research with the goal of growing as an independent researcher.

Faculty Expertise Research groups, labs, and forums

Key Details

Clark’s social psychology doctoral program examines the interaction of individual differences and social structures in producing and reflecting social and political attitudes, behavior, and health.

Our expertise

Faculty interests include intergroup relations, collective and interpersonal violence, the aftermath of violent conflict, health disparities, and commitment to social change, including collective action and intervention, among others.

Our emphasis

We pay particular attention to how human experience — thought, behavior, feelings — is shaped by history and intersectionality of group memberships, and how social structure reinforces power relations.

Our training

Graduate students in our program take several rigorous research methods and statistics courses, and have the option of receiving training in advanced statistical methods and/or advanced qualitative methods. Additionally, we offer several graduate and capstone seminars in topics related to the social psychology of social issues (e.g, Prejudice; Stigma; Intersectionality; Collective Violence and its Aftermath), and students can take courses in other graduate programs at Clark as well. A core component of our training is the Social Forum in which all graduate students and faculty participate each semester.

Our connections

With our interdisciplinary emphasis and emphasis on diversity, our faculty members hold affiliations with the following centers, departments, and programs at Clark:

The Strassler Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies
The Gender and Women’s Studies Program
The Peace Studies Concentration
The Race and Ethnic Relations Concentration
The Africana Studies Concentration
Health Science in Community and Global Health

We view Worcester and neighboring communities as learning environments as well, and have partnerships with organizations like the YWCA and the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence. Much of our research takes place within community settings in the U.S. and various other parts of the world.

All graduate students receive full tuition remission and a 9-month graduate assistantship stipend for four years (except for students who have obtained external funding). This arrangement fosters a collegial, supportive intellectual community.

In the recent past, many students have received funding throughout their doctoral studies. In addition, through the generous support of the Hiatt fund, the department is able to provide other stipends for first-year summer and independent research and support for travel to conferences to present research.

How long will it take to complete the Ph.D. in social psychology at Clark University? Will I need to come to campus for an interview? What are the requirements? Applicants can find the answers to these questions in the links below.

Learn More about Application Requirements Learn More about General Requirements for the Psychology Ph.D. Program Timeline

Psychology Graduate Education Handbook

Explore courses in social psychology

Clark’s Psychology Department has more than 35,000 square feet dedicated to learning, research, and laboratory work. Graduate students have semi-private offices and access to dedicated lab clusters, which include the Bliss Child and Family Study Center and a psychotherapy research lab. The psychological services area contains two therapy suites that allow for observation and recording of clinical sessions.

Student in front of white board with words Congratulations

Alumni Careers

Clark’s psychology Ph.D. programs train scholars to work in academic and professional fields, and produces distinguished Ph.D. alumni who become valuable members of their professions. Their extensive training and research experience prepares them for positions at universities and nonprofits around the world.

Frances L. Hiatt School of Psychology

Jonas Clark Hall, 3rd floor 950 Main Street Worcester MA 01610

1-508-793-7274
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Search NYU Steinhardt

Doctor of Philosophy Psychology and Social Intervention

The Psychology and Social Intervention (PSI) doctorate prepares action scientists for diverse roles in academia and social research. You will be prepared to understand, transform, and improve the contexts and systems in which humans develop across the lifespan.

Degree Details

Official degree title.

PhD in Psychology and Social Intervention

Mission Statement

Our mission is to train social scientists to (a) critically explore the experiences of people in the contexts and systems in which they develop across the lifespan and (b) use knowledge to address longstanding inequities in settings and systems. Our work is grounded in the belief that empirically based knowledge about “persons in settings” is a key mechanism for achieving racial justice, social justice, and equity and for changing systems and settings as well as individuals. Training in PSI is actively interdisciplinary, drawing on theories and approaches from multiple fields in psychology (including developmental, community, political, and social psychology) and other social and behavioral sciences. We conduct research and action in close partnership with key stakeholders while centering community voice and perspectives. Our training goals include fostering students’ abilities to:

(a) Conceptualize and measure (i) individual cognitive and psychosocial development and (ii) the social settings, systems, and policies in which individuals are embedded;

(b) Understand the psychological impact of various forms of diversity, conflict, and structural inequity among individuals, groups, institutions, communities, and societies; and

(c) Design, improve, implement and evaluate prevention, intervention and policy strategies toward positive social change; and

(d) Utilize state-of-the art quantitative and qualitative and mixed-methods approaches to addressing individual and system-level phenomena.

PSI faculty and students study a wide range of contexts and systems (e.g., families, schools, neighborhoods, programs, juvenile justice systems,social movements, intergroup contexts, policy contexts and macro-level economic and social structures) and interventions (e.g., psychological, social, educational and health programs and policies), locally, nationally and internationally. Our faculty also conduct research on how social psychological factors, cultural and racial identities, and marginalization influence and interact with people’s experiences of contexts, systems and interventions. New York University provides an ideal global network for studying many kinds of communities in the US and other regions of the world, including Latin American countries, South Asia, the Middle East, and Sub-Saharan Africa.

PSI faculty collaborate closely with one another, as well as with other social, behavioral, health and policy scientists at NYU and other universities, and with service, community and policy organizations. PSI faculty direct or co-direct a number of affiliated institutes and centers at NYU, including the Institute for Human Development and Social Change, Global TIES for Children, the Metropolitan Center for Research on Equity and the Transformation of Schools (METRO), and A Research Center for Interconnected Approachs for Suicide Prevention (Arcadia).

You should apply to PSI if you…

are committed to conducting applied research to promote justice and equity

want to develop conceptual and methodological skills to understand the interplay between people and settings/social systems

want to take an interdisciplinary approach to research

want to work in partnership with practitioners, policy makers, and community members

want to work in academia, industry, government, policy, program development and others!

Admissions Information

Degree components, degree goals and objectives, careers and outcomes, international students.

Please note that the GRE test is optional.
NYU Steinhardt offers a competitive funding package for PhD students who study full-time. Learn more about Steinhardt's funding opportunities .

Application Guidelines:

Please visit the How to Apply page for more information on application requirements.
Please review our FAQ page to find out more information about the PSI program and application process.
If you have any additional questions about our degree, please feel free to contact us at [email protected] .

PSI is a research-intensive degree with a strong quantitative training component that places a strong emphasis on:

understanding and assessing social settings, systems, and policies;
creating/improving, implementing and evaluating prevention and intervention programs; and
understanding various forms of diversity and structural inequality among individuals, institutions, communities, and societies.

Students work collaboratively with faculty mentors on a range of activities, including study design, data collection and analysis, manuscript preparation, conference presentations, policy briefs, and evaluation activities.

Program faculty study a wide range of ecologies (e.g., families, schools, neighborhoods, policy contexts, programs) and preventive and policy interventions (e.g., psychological, social, educational and health programs) locally, nationally and internationally. Our faculty also conduct research on how cultural factors and identities influence and interact with experiences of these ecologies and interventions. Our New York City location provides an ideal urban setting for studying many kinds of communities, combined with gateways to the world at large.

In the PSI program, we focus on providing the framework to help you:

develop methodological skills that enable analysis of change over time and within and across levels of human ecology

acquire abilities to apply psychological and social science principles to the understanding of social settings, social/cultural contexts, and social and policy interventions

develop abilities to conceptualize, interpret, evaluate and disseminate evidence-based social and policy interventions; and develop the ethical, interpersonal, organizational, and technical capacities to undertake high-quality professional work in psychology and social intervention

The PSI doctorate trains social scientists to work in a variety of settings so they understand the experiences of people in the contexts and systems in which they develop across the lifespan, and can transform and improve these contexts and systems.

Our degree prepares students for diverse roles in academia and applied research. In the academic arena, our students are well positioned for jobs in psychology, human development, education, public health, and public policy. In the area of applied research, you will be prepared to obtain positions in research organizations, policy institutes, social service agencies, community-based organizations, and advocacy.

Our rigorous theoretical and empirical training will position you extremely well to respond to the ever-increasing demand for evidence-based prevention and intervention strategies in health, education, and social services.

See what our Alumni are up to now!

If you’re an international student, you may be able to work in the United States after graduation for an extended period of time. Most students studying on F-1 visas will be eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) off-campus work authorization. F-1 students in our program may also be eligible for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) OPT extension, allowing you to extend your time in the United States to pursue degree-related work experience for a total of 36 months or 3 years. For more information on who can apply for this extension visit NYU’s Office of Global Services: STEM OPT .

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PsyD vs PhD

Social Work DSW vs PsyD Degree Differences

The MSW or Master of Social Work is typically considered a terminal degree in social work, but there are two major choices for social workers who want to obtain a doctoral degree: Doctor of Social Work (DSW) or Psy.D., which is a doctoral degree in psychology . Both degrees provide you with the skills to help people with a variety of personal and mental health problems. But there are some differences between the degrees that we should highlight here.

What Is a Doctor of Social Work?

At the top of the social work, the profession is the DSW. This degree allows students almost unlimited choices in the human services field, and especially in social work agencies. No other type of social work degree provides you the same prestige, versatility, and recognition of status, or the ability to make a large income. With a DSW, you generally have your choice of the agency to work in and in which leadership role. This is a professional doctorate that stresses social work practice, applied research and leadership. DSW graduates usually want social service leadership roles.

SEE ALSO: 5+ Online DSW with No GRE Requirement

If you are interested in studying social work in a clinical setting, having the DSW gives you the credibility that you need to build a staff of researchers and to develop your own research program. If you desire to teach in college, having your DSW will help you to train the next generation of up and coming social workers.

Some of the potential occupations you may work in with a DSW are:

Mental health social worker
Clinical social workers
Social and community service manager
Nonprofit director
Social work administrator
Human services administrator
Professor of social work
School or university social worker

With a DSW, you have the training of a clinical social worker, which gives you the skills to treat mental, health, behavioral and emotional disorders. They offer individual, group, family and couples therapy. A difference between a DSW holder and a Psy.D. holder is you will typically refer your clients to other resources in the community, including support groups and other mental health professionals.

Remember, social workers, focus on working with families and individuals to improve life quality. They need to have a complete understanding of human development and behavior to work with their patients, with the goal to build a stronger community. Social workers with a DSW help their clients to overcome their personal challenges to help them to hone skills they need to succeed in life.

Salary and Job Demand for Doctor of Social Work

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the median salary for social workers is $47,980, but note that the top 10% with a master’s or doctoral degree can earn more than $79,700 per year. ( BLS.gov ). Payscale.com states the average salary for a DWS holder is $100,000 per year. ( Payscale.com ). Some of the specific jobs and salaries that site lists with a DSW are:

CEO of Nonprofit Organization: $127,300
Executive Director, HR: $128,000
Program Director, Nonprofit: $99,500

SEE ALSO: Salary Outlook with Ph.D. in Social Work

The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reports strong job demand for people with advanced social work degrees. Overall employment in this field will rise by a strong 16% through 2026. Strong demand for healthcare and social services will increase demand for social workers. Plus, demand for healthcare social workers will rise by 20% through 2026, which is much faster than average. Healthcare social workers are needed to assist aging populations and their families to adjust to new medications, treatments and lifestyles. ( BLS.gov ).

What Is a Psy.D. of Psychology?

The Doctor of Psychology degree, known best as a Psy.D., is a professional practice doctoral degree that prepares you to practice psychology in a private setting so you can become a licensed counseling or clinical psychologist. After licensure, they are qualified to deliver psychological services to groups, individuals and organizations. The majority of Psy.D. programs require you to prepare a dissertation.

SEE ALSO: Best Accredited Online PsyD Degree Programs

The Psy.D. differs from the Ph.D. in that the former is an applied degree that is focused clinically and stresses counseling and therapy to help people in a counseling or clinical setting. The Ph.D. is largely focused on academic research and scholarly publications.

As with social workers, a psychologist works with people who are having problems in their lives, but they tend to work more with individual patients, rather than families and groups. When you see a psychologist, you may undergo extensive psychological testing and counseling. The major goal of the psychologist is to do diagnostic testing for mental illness and to offer psychotherapy services.

Salary and Job Demand for Psy.D.

The career path for Psy.D. holders is also excellent. The Bureau of Labor Statistics or BLS reports the median wage for all psychologists is $77,000. The top 10% with a postgraduate degree earn more than $124,000 per year. ( BLS.gov ). Payscale.com also reports the average psychologist’s salary is $74,566, with a range of $46,000 to $112,000. ( Payscale.com ).

The job outlook for all psychologists is also strong, with 14% growth expected through 2026, which is faster than other professions. Demand for clinical and counseling psychologists will rise as people are continuing to turn to psychologists for help with their mental health problems as they age. ( BLS.gov ).

Both the DSW and Psy.D. are excellent postgraduate degree programs. The DSW is focused on helping the individual, family and group on a larger social context, which the Psy.D. is centered on providing individual clinical or counseling therapy to help that individual to overcome their problems. Both are worthy goals and careers that pay well. The choice comes down to which type of psychological approach that you prefer in your career.

Social Workers. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm
Social Worker Salary. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/social-workers.htm#tab-6
Psychologists Salary. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/psychologists.htm#tab-5
17 Best Things You Can Do with an MSW Degree. (2019). Retrieved from https://psydprograms.org/best-things-to-do-with-an-msw-degree/

The Ohio State University

Master’s of Social Work

Choose this program to develop an integrated perspective in which practice and research inform each other, build connections with internationally recognized faculty, and engage in research., one admission – two degrees.

The combined MSW/PhD is a program that allows a single application and admission process. The PhD Program is for people who are interested in making a difference through practice informed research. We are preparing the next generation of social work scholars.

Eligibility

Applicants with a master’s degree in a related field or applicants with a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field are eligible to apply. Successful applicants among those whose highest degree is the bachelor’s must meet the following criteria.:

3.5 undergraduate GPA; and
Have a B- or better in a research and a statistics class.

masters in social work to phd in psychology

Estimated timeline to Degree Completion

MSW Degree: 1 to 2 years
PhD Coursework: 2 years
Candidacy: 6 months to 1 year
Dissertation: 1 to 2 years
Total: 4.5-7 years

MSW/PhD students are eligible for a 25% or Graduate Research Associate (GRA) position during the MSW portion of their degree. These positions cover 50% of tuition costs and provide a stipend for 10 hours of work per week for nine months. Once in the PhD portion, students are eligible for a 50% GRA with tuition coverage in exchange for 20 hours of work per week for nine months.

For general questions about the MSW, please contact the MSW Office at [email protected].

For questions about the PhD Curriculum, please contact Dr. Mo Yee Lee, PhD Program Director, [email protected] .

For questions about the MSW+PhD application or general questions about the PhD Program, please contact Jennifer Nakayama, PhD Coordinator, at [email protected] or 614-292-6188 .

Social Psychology

Information about the Social Psychology Graduate Major

The graduate program in Social Psychology features a distinguished faculty and numerous research opportunities in laboratory and field settings within a culturally diverse and multifaceted metropolitan area. Our faculty areas of expertise are broad and center on basic research on close relationships, intergroup relations, and social cognitive neuroscience. In addition, faculty interests include political psychology, positive psychology, sport psychology, stress and coping, and issues pertaining to culture, ethnicity, gender, and evolutionary psychology. A long tradition of interest in social problems and the applicability of rigorous, theory-driven research to addressing such issues is a distinctive feature of our program.

Familiarity with social psychology is gained through a two-quarter course sequence during the first year of graduate work, and followed by seminars in close relationships, intergroup relations, and social cognition. Students concentrate on a single research project in the first and second years (Psych 251) culminating with the receipt of the Master’s degree. As training progresses thereafter, social psychology students typically work with several faculty members to develop an increasing focus on their own particular topics in research, and expertise in the associated methods.

Methodological and statistical training covers experimental design and procedures, survey and field research methods, and univariate and multivariate techniques including use of structural equation modeling and hierarchical linear modeling. Social psychology students typically minor in measurement, health psychology, or political psychology, but may select from a variety of departmental minors.

Most social psychology faculty members run weekly small lab meetings with graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and visiting professors in which important training experience is gained above and beyond individual research supervision and coursework. Seminars and biweekly colloquia presentations by distinguished visiting speakers, students, and faculty are also offered and round out the course of studies.

UCLA’s Psychology Department has also developed leading programs in health and political psychology that are well integrated with the social psychology program. Along with the regular social faculty in the Psychology Department, the social program has a number of social psychology faculty affiliates who are faculty members in other departments and schools. The social program also maintains close connections with the Institute for Social Science Research, the International Center for Talent Development, and UCLA’s Schools of Education, Medicine, Public Health, Nursing, and Management, and the UCLA Center for Behavior, Evolution and Culture. These connections foster interaction with faculty and students in other disciplines (e.g. Anthropology, Communications, Political Science, Psychiatry, and Sociology), and enable students to incorporate interdisciplinary study in a wide range of social and health sciences into their graduate education in social psychology.

More Social Psychology info

For a list of Required Courses please see the Psychology Handbook

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Dual-Title PhD in Psychology and Social Behavioral Neuroscience

Beginning in fall of 2019 students will be able to pursue a new dual title in Social Behavioral Neuroscience. Social behavioral neuroscience reflects the study of how brain development and function influence, and are influenced by, social environments and human interaction. The dual-title Ph.D. program provides students with additional training in the neurobiological foundations of brain function in order to enable them to pursue innovative interdisciplinary research with intellectual sophistication. Social Behavioral Neuroscience (SBN) represents a sub-domain within the Neuroscience discipline focusing on the relation between brain and cognition and behavior. As such, SBN seeks to connect at least two levels of analysis. Research that is solely restricted to a single level of analysis is not considered to fit within the SBN framework regardless of whether the single level is behavioral (e.g. examining cognitive task performance among individuals with Alzheimer’s) or biological (e.g. examining the regenerative properties of neurons). Although each domain can have clear implications for the other, the SBN framework seeks to explicitly examine the associations between them.

The Social and Behavioral Neuroscience dual-title degree program is administered by the Social and Behavioral Neuroscience Steering Committee, which is responsible for the management of the program. The committee oversees the general direction of the program, identifies faculty and courses appropriate to the program, recommends policy and procedures for the program’s operation to the Dean of the Graduate School, and is an advisory body to the program Director. The program enables students from participating graduate programs to obtain foundational graduate-level training in neuroscience as well as expertise in social and behavioral neuroscience theory, research, and methods. This dual-title training will enable rigorous research at the intersection of neuroscience and the students’ partner discipline. To pursue a dual-title degree under this program the student must apply to the Graduate School and register through one of the approved graduate programs.

Admission to the Dual-Title

Before they can apply for admission to the dual-title degree program, students must apply and be admitted to a primary graduate program with a formal affiliation to the dual-title, as well as to the Graduate School. The following graduate programs offer a dual degree in Social and Behavioral Neuroscience: Biobehavioral Health , Human Development and Family Studies and Psychology .

Students may apply for enrollment in the dual-title degree program during their first year (second semester) or second year in their primary graduate program. Students must be admitted into the dual-title degree program prior to taking the qualifying exam. Students can be enrolled in are of the program areas within psychology: Clinical, cognitive, developmental, industrial/organizational, and social.

To apply, students should submit (1) a completed application form, (2) graduate and undergraduate transcripts, and (3) a letter of recommendation from their graduate adviser to the Psychology department member of the SBN Steering Committee.

Degree Requirements

All coursework requirements indicated below are in addition to the courses required in psychology. Students are encouraged to discuss their course planning with their advisor and the SBN coordinator in psychology in order to establish the most efficient path to fulfilling degree requirements. Students are permitted to take any of the required courses, including the SBN 590 seminar series, prior to declaring the dual-title, and may wish to do so as part of the process of deciding whether the dual-title is right for them.

The minimum course work requirements for the dual-title Ph.D. degree are as follows:

NEURO 520 (3 credits)
NEURO 511 (3 credits) or NEURO 512 (4 credits) or BIOL 478 (3 credits)
SBN 590 (1 credit, taken twice)
A minimum of 12 credits of approved SBN electives

Approved Electives

NEURO 521 (3 credits)
HDFS 502: Biological Systems in Developmental Context
HDFS 512: Cognitive Developmental Neuroscience of Adolescence
PSY 524: Biological Basis of Behavior
SBN 505 (3 credits, variable)
SBN 508 (3 credits, variable)
SBN 511 (3 credits, variable)

Courses offered under the 597 designation, or courses with a permanent course number but which may or may not fulfill the SBN objectives depending on the instructor offering the course in a given semester, can be approved on a case-by-case basis. Students requesting to have a course approved as counting toward the elective requirement should submit the syllabus to the psychology department coordinator. Requests will be reviewed by the Steering Committee or its designee.

Sample programs of coursework can be found at the bottom.

Qualifying Research

In addition to the coursework criteria, students pursuing the dual-title must conduct dissertation research that meets the expectations of the program. Because SBN seeks to understand the associations between brain and behavior, SBN research must include a measure that has been determined to validly index and/or impact brain function, and must be explicit in how this measure contributes to our understanding of brain function. Examples can include measurement of electrical potentials at the scalp surface (EEG/ERP), cerebral changes in blood oxygenation or glucose utilization (fMRI, PET), structural anatomy of the brain (MRI, DTI), function of peripheral organs innervated by cranial nerves (heart, facial muscles), peripheral indices of central nervous system function (skin conductance, neuroendocrine measures such as cortisol), exogenously administered psychoactive medications (e.g. therapeutic or non-therapeutic substances), and variations in the genome and/or epigenome with biologically mapped implications for brain function. Measures of peripheral organ activity that are not mapped to central nervous system function (e.g. venous plethysmography, peripheral muscular control, spinal reflexes) are not sufficient. Techniques that use behavior to assume biological functionality (e.g. neuropsychological testing, behavioral genetics) are also not sufficient.

Committee Composition and Exam Format

Qualifying examination committee composition.

The qualifying examination committee must conform to all requirements of the graduate program in psychology and the Graduate Council. In accordance with Graduate Council, the qualifying examination committee must include at least one member of the SBN Graduate Faculty.

Qualifying Exam

The dual-title degree will be guided by the Qualifying Exam procedure of the graduate program in psychology and the Graduate Council. The dual-title program defers to the primary program with regard to the format, structure and timing of the Qualifying Exam, as well as the discretion of the SBN representative to determine the appropriate exam content. Because students must first be admitted to a primary graduate program of study before they may apply to and be considered for admission into SBN, dual-title graduate degree students may require an additional semester to fulfill requirements for both areas of study and, therefore, the Graduate School permits the qualifying examination to be delayed up to one semester beyond the normal period allowable .

Ph.D. Committee Composition

The Ph.D. committee must conform to all requirements of the primary graduate program and the Graduate Council. In addition to the general Graduate Council requirements for Ph.D. committees , the Ph.D. committee of an SBN student must include at least one member of the SBN Graduate Faculty. If the chair of the Ph.D. committee is not also a member of the Graduate Faculty in Social and Behavioral Neuroscience, a member of the committee representing SBN must be appointed as co-chair.

Comprehensive Exam

The dual-title degree will be guided by the Comprehensive Exam procedure of the graduate program in psychology. After completion of required course work, SBN students must pass a comprehensive examination. In programs where this includes evaluation of a written exam, the SBN representative on the student’s Ph.D. committee will participate in the writing and evaluation of the exam, in accordance with procedures maintained by the primary graduate program. In programs where the comprehensive exam involves defense of a dissertation prospectus, the SBN representative on the student’s Ph.D. committee will participate in the evaluation of the prospectus, including ensuring the proposed dissertation has substantial SBN content.

Dissertation and Dissertation Defense

Upon completion of the doctoral dissertation, the candidate must pass a final oral examination (the dissertation defense) to earn the Ph.D. degree. Students enrolled in the dual-title program are required to write and orally defend a dissertation on a topic that reflects their original research and education in their primary graduate discipline and in SBN. The dissertation must be accepted by the Ph.D. committee, the heads of both graduate programs, and the Graduate School.

Since the Department of Psychology has multiple distinct areas of training, there is no one set of requirements in pursuit of the PhD in psychology or the SBN dual title degree. However, we note here an example of courses a student could take as part of their training plan.

Table 1 offers a side-by-side comparison of the requirements for a Psychology student who is not participating in a dual-title degree program (left column) and for a Psychology student who is participating in the SBN dual-title (right column). Table 2 illustrates a path through course work and other milestone requirements for a Psychology student completing the SBN dual-title Ph.D .

Table 1. Comparison of Course Work Requirements— PSY and PSY-SBN

Table 2. Illustrative Path Through the Dual-Title Ph.D.

Core = course required of all students to complete the degree
REQ = credit requirement toward degree, with flexibility in specific course
AREA=PSY, 15 credit requirement in program area
BREADTH=PSY, 12 credit breadth requirement

University of Pittsburgh

The dietrich school of arts & sciences department of psychology.

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Masters vs. PsyD vs. PhD in Clinical or Counseling Psychology

General resources:.

The Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies has a video that explains the differences between a PhD vs PsyD.
We recommend reading Chapter 2 “Choosing the PhD or PsyD program” in the Insider’s Guide to Graduate Programs in Clinical and Counseling Psychology . This book, written by Michael A. Sayette (a faculty member at Pitt!), and John C. Norcross (University of Scranton) provides much more details than we can go into here. You can buy this book online, and there is also a copy in Pitt’s Psych Dept. advising office, and if you aren’t a student at Pitt, your advising office may have a copy as well.
We also recommend watching the videos about psychology careers on drkit.org that explain many different psychology careers.
In this video Dr. Julie Quimby explains the differences between PsyD vs. PhDs.

Emphasis on Research

PhD programs tend to be fairly focused on research, whereas PsyD programs tend to be less focused on research and more centered on direct clinical service provision. (Masters level programs tend to involve no or minimal research.) However, there is variation and you should look at each program individually to see where it falls on the research spectrum - the book mentioned in the prior paragraph can help.

One exception is that a minority of accredited Psychology PhD programs offer a focus on qualitative rather than quantitative research, and may emphasize clinical skill development and intellectual scholarship grounded in psychological and philosophical literature over the production of original quantitative studies. Graduates of these programs who choose to stay in academia will be good fits for other programs that share a similar emphasis on humanistic psychology. You can learn more about humanistic psychology from APA’s division 32 , and you can learn more about psychoanalysis from APA’s division 39 . You can also learn where a PhD program falls in terms of their focus on research versus practice from the program’s online description. Programs that are heavily research-focused may describe themselves as “clinical science” programs, whereas those that balance research and practice training may describe themselves as espousing a “scientist-practitioner” model of training. On the practice end of the continuum, APA-accredited PsyD programs will often refer to themselves as espousing a “practitioner scholar” model of training, which will include some research training and independent dissertation research (often in the qualitative domain) along with a heavy focus on practice.

Our overall advice is that it is very helpful to try to clarify your level of interest in research before applying to and committing to a PhD program. Doing research as an undergrad, and potentially for a few years after college, will help with this. Surely there are many people who get a PhD in clinical psychology who eventually realize that they don’t want to go into a career in research. There are also some people who aren’t sure about how much they like research and find out in a PhD program that they like it more than they expected. However, it is helpful to try to learn about your level of interest in research before making a major life commitment to a graduate program.

If you know you are not interested in research, you should seriously consider whether a PhD program is right for you for the following reasons:

In the application process most schools will be screening applicants for their promise in doing research. So it will be hard to feign interest.
During graduate school the majority of your training will be to do research. If you do not like research, a doctoral degree is a long-term commitment to a challenging program, and so doing something you don't enjoy for much of that time will likely feel very taxing.
At many schools there will be implicit pressure if not explicit pressure to pursue a research-oriented career. (This is not something we condone, but will happen at many places.) If you do not want to go into research, this can feel ostracising and make you feel like you are making the ‘wrong’ choice for your career.

Comparisons of Masters, PsyD, and PhD

Orange Alert

Social psychology graduate program overview.

Sarah E. Burke Assistant Professor [email protected]

Intergroup Bias Lab

Accepting new applicants this year.

Jennifer Anne Clarke Assistant Teaching Professor [email protected]

Brett K. Jakubiak Assistant Professor [email protected]

Close Relations and Healthy Living Lab

Jessie B. Joyce Assitant Teaching Professor [email protected]

Laura V. Machia Associate Professor Area Director & Associate Chair [email protected]

Close Relationships Lab

Leonard Newman Professor [email protected]

Jeewon Oh Assistant Professor [email protected]

Zahra Vahedi Assistant Teaching Professor [email protected]

Our department has eliminated the GRE General Test for admission to the fall 2023 class. Applicants should NOT submit their GRE scores through ETS nor report their scores in the application portal or on their CVs or personal statements.

Please note that our interviews for Fall 2024 will be offered virtually.

The social psychology training program at Syracuse University was established in 1924 by Floyd Henry Allport (1890-1978) and is the oldest of its kind in the world. Consistent with the tradition begun by Dr. Allport, the training program embraces research as a central focus for the training of social psychologists.

The Syracuse University Social Psychology program was developed for students entering with a bachelor's degree in psychology or a graduate degree in related fields. Among the 90 credit hours that are required for the Ph.D. degree, course requirements include 15 credit hours of theoretical social psychology, 9 credit hours of social psychology methodology, 6 credit hours of statistics, 9 credit hours of other psychology courses, 6 hours of thesis and 18 hours of dissertation credits. In addition to course work, students are expected to participate in research with program faculty throughout their graduate training career.

A complete application is due December 1 and includes official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work, three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant's academic and/or professional work, and a personal statement. Your personal statement should briefly (2-3 pages) describe your educational background, relevant professional and/or research experiences, plans for graduate study, and career aspirations. The statement should include a discussion of factors that shaped your interest in applying to Syracuse University. For example, what inspired your decision to pursue doctoral training? What areas of research would you like to pursue as a doctoral student? Which professor(s) in the program are best aligned with your background and research interests?

Brownbag provides a platform for discussion of current topics in social psychology as well as professional development for our graduate students (writing skills, methodological and analytic skills, etc.). Often, we invite speakers from other departments and universities to present their work - all are welcome to attend these meetings! For more information email [email protected] .

The Department of Psychology makes a determined effort to provide at financial support for all graduate students in good standing. For decades, all Psychology graduate students in good standing have been funded. Financial support consists of tuition scholarship, assistantships that provide a competitive stipend, research funding, and the opportunity for summer assistantships.

Tuition Scholarship

Students receive 24 hours of remitted tuition per year (at $1,683 per credit hour), up to 90 credits in total across the span of the graduate career, which funds the full PhD program of study. The tuition scholarship does not cover the costs of student fees or student insurance.

Assistantships

Students receive a competitive stipend that meets or exceeds the cost of living in Syracuse from one of several different sources including teaching assistantships, clinical assistantships, internships or externships, research assistantships, or fellowships. In most cases these are 9-month appointments although some are 12-month positions. Teaching assistants support the education of undergraduate students by teaching lab or recitation sections, grading, providing reviews, proctoring exams, or other activities. Research assistantships support a specific research project, typically one funded by extramural funding agencies such as the NIH. Fellowships provide protected time to pursue independent research projects. Clinical assistantships provide mental health services to community and campus clients. Internships and externships are offered in conjunction with community partners.

Summer Funding

Summer funding opportunities are available in the form of independent teaching, clinical assistantships, research assistantships, or fellowships.

Research Support

The department offers a research fund to support the research and professional development of each student. These funds can be used for the collection or analysis of data, to attend a scientific conference or workshop, or other purposes that will enhance student training.

Cost of Living Comparison

Syracuse is a very affordable city. We encourage you to use a cost of living comparison (like the one at this site ) to compare Syracuse to other cities.

For more information about the program, visit the Frequently Asked Questions page. Please direct requests to: [email protected] .

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Researchers Find Enduring Effects of CBT Anxiety Therapy

Study shows promise for preventing anxiety during high-stress global events.

A man wearing a mask holds his head with one hand.

A new study found that people with anxiety who had been treated with therapy before the COVID-19 pandemic were less likely to experience increased anxiety during the pandemic than the general population.

The study, Response to Anxiety Treatment Before, During, and After the COVID-19 Pandemic, published March 13 in PlosOne , suggests that learning cognitive and behavioral skills to cope with anxiety may shield people against anxiety during high-stress global events.

Rates of anxiety rose sharply during the pandemic, with the World Health Organization estimating a 25% increase in 2020 alone. One large study with over two million adults found that 35% had significant anxiety during the pandemic. In addition, it is now well known that having a history of anxiety prior to the pandemic was associated with having anxiety during the pandemic.

Steven Pirutinsky, PhD , assistant professor, Graduate School of Social Work at Touro University and David Rosmarin, PhD, ABPP , a clinical psychologist at McLean Hospital, and associate professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School wanted to examine if cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was as effective during the pandemic, as it was before and after the pandemic. C BT focuses on helping people learn mental and behavioral skills and strategies to manage anxiety.

They evaluated CBT treatment in patients before, during, and after the pandemic, and found that responses to the therapy were equally effective during all the periods. According to the study, subjects in all groups experienced rapid improvement in anxiety symptoms lasting roughly 25 days, followed by a longer period of slower improvement that slowly trailed off over about 75 days.

“We were surprised. We thought that during the height of the pandemic and before vaccines were available, patients would show increased anxiety and that therapy would be less effective but that was not the case,” says Pirutinsky.

But what was even more surprising to the researchers was that those who had been in therapy before the pandemic did not experience an increase in anxiety during the pandemic (compared to the 25% increase in the general population).

“There is a widespread misperception that anxiety is a risk factor for people crumbling and not being able to function,” said Rosmarin. “However, when people receive evidence-based psychotherapy and learn skills to cope, they can become more resilient than those who have never had anxiety at all.”

According to the study coauthors, this period of time was marked by significant mental distress due to intense uncertainty, strain, and social isolation. They had hypothesized that anxiety would worsen for everyone during this initial acute phase of the pandemic. But it did not for those who had been taught ways of coping with anxiety.

“Our findings optimistically suggests that the acquisition of psychosocial skills--such as recognizing and understanding your feelings, learning how to relax your mind and body, challenging negative thought patterns, and confronting rather than avoiding the source of your anxiety-- is a key predictor of mental health, wellbeing, and resilience. Those who acquire such skills can benefit, even when facing significant life stressors,” said Pirutinsky.

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5 Research Careers With a Master’s in Psychology

Is a Master’s Degree in Psychology Worth It?

A master’s degree in psychology is an excellent investment for those looking to advance their education. While a bachelor’s degree in psychology can offer an adequate foundation of psychological methods and theories, many students need a master’s degree program to help identify what career is right for them.

“Students need more exposure to a graduate-level curriculum to really refine their goals in a certain area of psychology with the help of faculty advisors to help them shape that,” says Christie Rizzo, Associate Professor of Applied Psychology at Northeastern’s Bouvé College of Health Sciences.

Whether students plan to become psychologists , counselors , or pursue alternative careers in psychology, they need a strong foundation in behavioral theories. A master’s program provides evidence-based training that can be applied to real situations.

Some advantages students can expect from a psychology master’s degree program include:

Preparation for doctoral programs
Flexibility in career paths
Increased earning potential
Research opportunities
Skills development

Another key advantage is the access to expert mentorship. “It’s not just about the coursework,” Rizzo says. “It’s also the personalized advising that they get to help move them along.”

Experienced instructors can offer students broader knowledge of the professional options available, guide their interests, and provide opportunities to learn about developing research.

One possible job outcome these programs can highlight is careers in research. For example, a master’s degree program in applied psychology—the practical application of psychological principles and theories—can help students transfer skills from psychology to industries and job titles that are focused on research evaluation.

“Considering the different ways we’re taking psychology principles and applying them in the real world,” Rizzo says. “We need to know how to evaluate the effectiveness of implementation strategies. For that reason, the research component is incredibly important when studying applied psychology.”

If you’re interested in earning a master’s degree in applied psychology, here’s an overview of the industries hiring professionals with this educational background, as well as the top research careers in psychology that may be a good fit for you.

Top Industries in Psychology

Research careers in psychology can be rewarding for professionals who are passionate about the experimental and investigative aspects of studying behavior. Whether the goal is to work for nonprofits, public health agencies, or academic institutions, researchers are able to approach this discipline from many angles—ranging from observational studies to data analysis.

If you’re unsure of where your interests lie, here are some of the top industries hiring research-related psychology professionals.

Nonprofit Organizations

Nonprofits like prevention research centers are among the most common employers for people with psychology degrees. These nonprofit organizations study the risk factors for specific types of behavior or mental health challenges and develop strategies to address these issues on an individual and community level. Through proactive interventions, these organizations strive to reduce negative health outcomes as much as possible.

Local, State, and Federal Government

Government agencies also have research-related jobs in psychology at the local, state, and federal level. Similar to nonprofits, they serve public needs and evaluate communities that require the most support. Child welfare services, community organizations, housing assistance, and health advocacy programs are just a few examples of sectors in government that provide job opportunities for psychology graduates.

Public Health and Healthcare

Public health departments and private healthcare organizations employ psychology professionals to evaluate trends and demographic factors to understand how to create successful health policies. These research-focused careers also aid in the development of public outreach technology, using data and digital tools to determine the best ways to gather public health information and communicate important initiatives to the community.

Research professionals who leverage psychology principles frequently work in schools, colleges, and universities to explore emerging ideas in the field. They identify obstacles in the industry and challenges affecting specific populations, using evidence-based practices to design research studies. Academic environments also offer the opportunity to conduct individual research, instruct other professionals, and publish ground-breaking studies in their given field.

5 Research Careers in Psychology

These industries only provide a snapshot of the types of careers that are available to professionals with a master’s degree in psychology. Here’s an overview of the most common research careers that leverage psychology.

1. Data Analyst

Annual Average Salary: $78,516

Data analysts in psychology research fields oversee databases and assure the quality of data collection, management, and evaluation practices. They leverage psychology principles to interpret and predict user behavior by understanding cognitive biases and decision-making patterns. They also apply psychological frameworks to design effective data visualizations and user interfaces, optimizing data communication within an organization to promote better decision-making.

2. Director of Research

Annual Average Salary: $148,216

A director of research oversees the operations for an institution or psychology department. They coordinate research projects, secure funding, supervise staff, and decide how to allocate resources. They utilize psychology to design experiments and surveys that account for human behavior and cognitive biases, ensuring the validity and reliability of the collected data. In addition, it can guide the development of research methodologies, enhancing the understanding of human motivations and reactions in their studies.

3. Market Research Analyst

Annual Average Salary: $68,230

Market research analysts study consumer and community behavior to aid in the development of products and services. Whether they work in psychology or consumer industries, market research analysts investigate the choices, perspectives, barriers, and behavioral patterns of specific audiences. Using surveys, studies, trend assessments, and data reporting, analysts can identify strategies to improve community outreach and communication.

4. Prevention Specialist

Annual Average Salary: $59,748

Prevention specialists work in prevention centers conducting research on specific aspects of behavioral or psychological health. For example, they might study the most effective approaches to drug prevention or research the best interventions to support families in financial distress. Their research enables organizations to develop programs and policies that reduce risk factors and address emerging issues as early as possible.

5. Research Coordinator

Annual Average Salary: $68,567

Research coordinators oversee individual research projects, ensuring they comply with industry regulations and organizational objectives. Coordinators are project managers, and directly report to a research director. They are in charge of making sure a project runs smoothly by supervising the research team, budget, data, public outreach, and all other project activities.

Take the First Step Toward a Psychology Career in Research

For professionals who want options, earning a master’s degree in applied psychology is one of the most advantageous ways to build a flexible career. A graduate degree allows you to pursue a career focused on a variety of specialities research, counseling, or even clinical psychology. However, this program ensures you have the right skills to take on almost all these roles.

“When students come out of a counseling-focused master’s degree, they don’t have that level of skill,” Rizzo says. “This is because the focus of those programs is asking students ‘How can you be an effective counselor? And how much research knowledge do you need to understand the most effective treatments?’ But it does not touch on the broader set of research skills.”

Northeastern University’s MS in Applied Psychology is specifically designed to prepare graduates for research careers in psychology. Graduates learn to analyze trends and statistics to gain insights and communicate them to a wider industry.

If you’re interested in finding out more about this program, contact an admissions counselor to explore your options.

Ready to map your path? Navigate your psychology career here.

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Create Positive Change With a Degree in Social Work

Social workers are trained to empower people and communities and to create positive change – locally, nationally and globally. With a Master of Social Work degree from the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work (GSSW), you can advance social and racial justice, and work with individuals and populations who have experienced oppression.

Program Highlights:

Top-Ranked MSW Program: Ranked #1 in Colorado and #11 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report
A Specialized MSW: MSW Pathways include mental health, ecological justice, rural social work, aging services & policy and more
Location: Two MSW program options available in three Colorado locations — Denver, Durango and Glenwood Springs

No matter which program options you choose, you’ll be prepared for a meaningful career in a wide variety of settings, from public policy to private practice, health and mental health care, child welfare, nonprofit management and more.

Denver Campus MSW Program

Distance MSW Programs

The GSSW Difference
Faculty Research

The world needs more social workers. Find out how you can make a difference with a degree in social work.

Request information, msw program stats, $9m total student scholarships awarded each year, 22 average class size, 750+ field internship sites.

Denver Campus MSW

Located in one of the nation’s most scenic and vibrant cities, the Denver Campus MSW is GSSW’s most flexible degree program. We offer both full- and part-time options for the Denver Campus MSW Program (for students who have a bachelor’s degree in any field other than social work) and the Denver Campus Advanced-Standing MSW Program (for students who already have a bachelor’s degree in social work).

With a concentration in Advanced Social Work Practice, you can follow one of several specialization pathways or create your own customized MSW degree to meet your personal interests or career goals. You can also choose from several dual-degree programs and certificates in Global Social Work, Human–Animal–Environment Interactions, Latinx Social Work and School Social Work. With so many options, you can chart your own career path!

If you want to specialize, you can choose from eight sample pathways, or create your own.

Child Welfare : Work with children, youth and families across the continuum of care within the child welfare system, from entry to exit in both public and private child welfare agencies.
Children & Youth: Risks and Healthy Development : Work with adolescents and children in a wide variety of settings, including mental health, family services and community agencies, schools, treatment centers and correctional facilities.
Ecological Justice : Work in environmental social work, including assessment, community engagement, education, health promotion, mobilization, organizing, poverty reduction, environmental preservation and capacity building.
Family Systems Practice : Work with families and diverse clients in a variety of direct-service, private-practice and family-policy settings.
Health & Wellness : Practice in a variety of holistic health, integrated health and wellness settings, including hospitals, after-school programs and experiential treatment settings.
Mental Health : Work in a therapeutic social work setting as a counselor or behavioral health clinician who assists with trauma, mental illness and substance abuse issues.
Organizational Leadership & Policy Practice : Develop programs, administer organizations, build community coalitions, craft and analyze social policy, implement program and policy research, and advocate for policy and program change.

Request information to connect with an Admission Ambassador.

Western colorado msw program.

Located in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, our Western Colorado MSW Program and Western Colorado Advanced-Standing MSW Program in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, offer a concentration in Advanced Social Work Practice. The programs will prepare you to work in rural social work practice, integrated health, ecological health and sustainability, community mental health, child welfare and other settings.

Four Corners MSW Program

Our Four Corners MSW Program and Four Corners Advanced-Standing MSW Program are located in Durango, Colorado, near the state’s intersection with New Mexico, Arizona and Utah. Offering a concentration in Advanced Social Work Practice, these regional programs will prepare you to work in rural and tribal communities in mental health, integrated health, school, agency and other settings.

GSSW Differentiators

The GSSW faculty includes some of social work’s brightest minds. With diverse experience across many practice specialties, they will challenge you to come out of your comfort zone and fight for social and racial justice.

Student Experience & Support

We provide student and career services support to help you nurture self-care, make a career plan, connect with peers and the community, and have some fun along the way.

We have three on-campus locations — all in sunny Colorado where hiking, skiing and adventuring is at your doorstep. We also offer MSW@Denver, our online Master of Social Work program .

GSSW’s justice-oriented curriculum will teach you to recognize and address issues of power, privilege and oppression from the micro level to the macro.

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How to Become a Social Worker

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What Can You Do With a Master’s in Social Work?

A Customizable MSW

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2021+ Social Work Masters Programs (MSW)
Master's in Social Psychology & Graduate Degree Programs
Master of Social Work or Psychology: Which Degree to Choose? 2024 Guide
Social Work Master's Program, Masters Degree in Social Work Online
The Path to Psychology Graduate School
best social psychology phd programs

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the reality of transitioning from social work to psychology phd 📝
Advice from a Social Psychology (PhD) student from drkit.org
Social Psychology (PhD) degree, Faculty Advice Video from drkit.org
Psychology Should I get a PhD or a PsyD
Know everything about PhD in Psychology from a Professor|U.S.A| Study abroad| Scholarships| 2021|
PhD vs PsyD

COMMENTS

Get Your Psy.D. Degree After MSW Social Work
SEE ALSO: Salary PsyD Degree. On the other hand, social workers earn only around $48,000, but with an MSW degree, you can earn up to $79,000. ( BLS.gov) Because you already earned your master's degree, you do not have to spend any part of your Psy.D. in psychology earning master's. Combining these two degree can provide you with an ...
Getting a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. After an M.S.W
Clinical psychology doctoral programs usually require students to have a GRE score of at least 1200, but some might even have higher standards. Students in certain programs, like Northwestern University's Clinical Psychology Ph.D. program, have averaged over 1400 on the GRE. You also need to show strong academic achievement in your ...
MSW to PSYD: Can a Social Worker Get a PhD in Psychology?
In this regard, social work masters must submit GRE results to qualify for PsyD programs. While some universities accept the minimum GRE score of 1200, others require higher scores. For example, Northwestern University demands a score of 1400 and above. MSW Fellows must hold a minimum GPA of 3.5 to qualify for entry.
Psychology or Social Work: Which Graduate Program is Right for You?
A Master's Degree in Social Work is sufficient to begin post-graduate and licensure requirements; but not so in the field of psychology. Traditionally speaking, the Master's in Psychology was earned for the purpose of entering a PhD program. Historically, the MA in Psychology (standing on its own) has never been a significant, income-bearing ...
Social Work and Psychology
The Joint Doctoral Program in Social Work and Psychology is a PhD program for students interested in examining research topics and methodologies relevant to both areas. Founded in 1957, the Joint Doctoral Program in Social Work and Social Science is the only doctoral program in the nation that allows students to gain social work research training and experience that is rooted within multiple ...
Social Psychology
2 Master's degree in Psychology. Students with related master's degree (e.g. Counseling, Human Services, or Social Work) may transfer up to five courses as appropriate. Note on Licensure: The PhD in Psychology program is not a licensure-leading program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology professional.
Social Psychology Ph.D. Programs Guide
By writing a lengthy dissertation, social psychology Ph.D. program students prove they possess the knowledge and skills to make a significant contribution to the psychology field. Writing a dissertation can take 2-4 years, and before students earn their doctorate, they must first defend their dissertations in front of a committee.
Clinical Psychology (Ph.D.)
Our doctoral students produce and advance clinical science in promoting mental health and well-being, particularly in historically underserved communities. The APA-accredited Ph.D. program in Clinical Psychology at Howard's Graduate School prepares students to pursue clinical work and research addressing social determinants of health in ...
Ph.D. in Social Psychology
Ph.D. in Social Psychology. The doctoral program in Social Psychology at New York University offers training in the scientific study of social psychology and social behavior. To this end, it offers training in the psychological theories, principles, and research methods relevant to understanding human behavior among individuals, groups, and ...
2023-2024 Top Social Psychology Graduate Programs
Graduate School. •. 2 reviews. Master's Student: The speech-language pathology program at Syracuse university is ranked very high among graduate programs in New York State. It is clear that the professors are very knowledgeable and provide students with the quality education needed to become excellent clinicians.
Best Social Psychology Programs
University of Texas--Austin. Austin, TX. #9 in Social Psychology (tie) Social psychologists are often niche practitioners who examine how environment affects a person's behaviors. This branch of ...
Ph.D. in Social Psychology
Graduate students present their work at external conferences such as the Society for Personality and Social Psychology, the International Society of Political Psychology, or the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues and at Clark's Graduate Student Multidisciplinary Conference, and publish in journals like Feminism and ...
PhD, Psychology and Social Intervention
The Psychology and Social Intervention (PSI) doctorate prepares action scientists for diverse roles in academia and social research. ... Students with a Master's degree will take a minimum of 51 and a maximum of 66 credit hours, based on their primary mentor's advice, while students with a Bachelor's degree must complete a total of 66 ...
Social Work DSW vs PsyD vs PhD Psychology Degree + Clinical Social
The MSW or Master of Social Work is typically considered a terminal degree in social work, but there are two major choices for social workers who want to obtain a doctoral degree: Doctor of Social Work (DSW) or Psy.D., which is a doctoral degree in psychology.Both degrees provide you with the skills to help people with a variety of personal and mental health problems.
PhD in Applied Social Psychology
"The Applied Social Psychology program provided me with the skills and knowledge necessary to design and implement interventions for vulnerable populations in my current work: addressing tobacco-related health disparities among low-income populations." Natalie Alizaga PhD '17, Applied Social Psychology
MSW+PhD
MSW/PhD students are eligible for a 25% or Graduate Research Associate (GRA) position during the MSW portion of their degree. These positions cover 50% of tuition costs and provide a stipend for 10 hours of work per week for nine months. Once in the PhD portion, students are eligible for a 50% GRA with tuition coverage in exchange for 20 hours ...
Master's vs. Ph.D. in social work: What's the difference?
Graduate degrees in social work. Saybrook University's Ph.D. in Integrative Social Work program is designed to equip you with the knowledge to become an administrator, consultant, teacher, or practitioner in a variety of social work roles. Learn more about our Ph.D. in Social Work program today and be the catalyst for change in your community.
Master's in Social Psychology Program Guide
Social psychology master's programs prepare students to earn licensure and practice in the field. These programs emphasize research and scholarship, and learners gain clinical experience. This guide outlines the process of earning a social psychology degree and highlights the benefits of pursuing a graduate degree in the field.
Social Psychology • UCLA Department of Psychology
The graduate program in Social Psychology features a distinguished faculty and numerous research opportunities in laboratory and field settings within a culturally diverse and multifaceted metropolitan area. Our faculty areas of expertise are broad and center on basic research on close relationships, intergroup relations, and social cognitive ...
Dual-Title PhD in Psychology and Social Behavioral Neuroscience
Beginning in fall of 2019 students will be able to pursue a new dual title in Social Behavioral Neuroscience. Social behavioral neuroscience reflects the study of how brain development and function influence, and are influenced by, social environments and human interaction. The dual-title Ph.D. program provides students with additional training ...
Masters vs. PsyD vs. PhD in Clinical or Counseling Psychology
Degree. Masters programs in Social work Counseling (not Counseling Psychology) Marriage and Family Therapy School Psychology This does not include MA/MS in General or Experimental Psychology.. PsyD. PhD in Clinical or Counseling Psychology. Where. Some Masters and PsyD programs are housed in nonprofit universities.
What Degree Do You Need to Be a Therapist?
Yes, you need a degree to become a licensed therapist—typically a master's degree in social work, counseling, or psychology. A degree is just the beginning, though. You also need a license from the state where you work before you can begin treating patients, and each state creates its licensing criteria. Typically, these requirements include ...
Social Psychology Graduate Program Overview
The Training Program. The Syracuse University Social Psychology program was developed for students entering with a bachelor's degree in psychology or a graduate degree in related fields. Among the 90 credit hours that are required for the Ph.D. degree, course requirements include 15 credit hours of theoretical social psychology, 9 credit hours ...
School of Social Work, Psychology & Philosophy
Mission Statement. The mission of the School of Social Work, Psychology & Philosophy is to educate and graduate ethical, competent individuals who think critically and use evidence-based approaches in their professional practices. Our school is committed to teaching, research and service that empowers diverse individuals and their communities ...
Researchers Find Enduring Effects of CBT Anxiety Therapy
Steven Pirutinsky, PhD, assistant professor, Graduate School of Social Work at Touro University and David Rosmarin, PhD, ABPP, a clinical psychologist at McLean Hospital, and associate professor of psychology at Harvard Medical School wanted to examine if cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) was as effective during the pandemic, as it was before ...
5 Research Careers With a Master's in Psychology
1. Data Analyst. Data analysts in psychology research fields oversee databases and assure the quality of data collection, management, and evaluation practices. They leverage psychology principles to interpret and predict user behavior by understanding cognitive biases and decision-making patterns.
School Psychology PhD
The School Psychology PhD program utilizes a scientist-practitioner model that emphasizes practice to support students, school staff, families, and community members that is grounded in rigorous research and science. ... which covers tuition, for the duration of the program as they complete graduate assistant work in research, teaching, and ...
Bachelor's in social work looking to get a masters in Psychology
If therapy is the main drive, the masters route via a Masters of Social Work, Clinical Mental Health Counseling (also a masters) or Marriage and family therapy masters can get you there for cheaper and quicker than a PsyD program. ... I'm currently wrapping up my masters in psychology this May and jumping into a Clinical Psychology PhD ...
Master of Social Work
Top-Ranked MSW Program: Ranked #1 in Colorado and #11 in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. A Specialized MSW: MSW Pathways include mental health, ecological justice, rural social work, aging services & policy and more. Location: Two MSW program options available in three Colorado locations — Denver, Durango and Glenwood Springs.
School of Social Work
Email Address:[email protected]. Paola teaches at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. Her teaching and research are influenced by a human rights-based approach to social work education and practice. As an educator, Paola values pedagogies that promote consciousness-raising and are liberatory.

Getting a Clinical Psychology Ph.D. After an M.S.W.

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Area Chair: Lorraine Gutiérrez , Arthur F Thurnau Professor of Psychology, Professor of Social Work

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Social Psychology Graduate Programs in America

Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Graduate School of Arts & Sciences - New York University

Boston College School of Social Work

College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering - University of Rochester

UCI Social Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences - Syracuse University

University of Connecticut School of Social Work

College of Arts and Sciences - University at Buffalo, SUNY

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences - University of Houston

Loyola University Chicago College of Arts and Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences - Stony Brook University, SUNY

College of Fine Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences - University of Massachusetts Lowell

College of Liberal Arts - University of Nevada, Reno

College of Arts and Sciences - University at Albany, SUNY

Ball State University College of Sciences and Humanities

Columbia University Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

Teachers College at Columbia University

The CUNY School of Professional Studies

Best Social Psychology Programs

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