Top Social Psychology Programs

Social psychology, the study of how individuals' thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are influenced by the presence and actions of others, is one of the most dynamic and interdisciplinary fields within psychology. Graduate programs in social psychology provide students with rigorous training in research methods, theory, and practice, preparing them to tackle complex questions about human behavior in social contexts. Among the top institutions for studying social psychology, Ohio State University stands out as one of the best training grounds internationally. With its competitive standing tied for second place with Stanford University in the U.S. News Graduate School Rankings, Ohio State University’s social psychology program is recognized for its comprehensive and multifaceted approach to the discipline. Alongside Ohio State, other prestigious institutions such as Yale University, the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), and Princeton University also offer top-tier programs that are widely respected in the field. These institutions provide students with the knowledge, research skills, and professional training to advance the understanding of human behavior in social settings.

Ohio State University’s social psychology program is renowned for its broad exposure to both the foundational theories and advanced methodologies in social psychology. The program emphasizes conceptual analysis of social behavior and social problems, research design, data analysis, scholarly writing, teaching, editorial reviewing, and oral communication. As one of the top-ranked programs in the United States and internationally, Ohio State has built a reputation for excellence in training students who are equipped to contribute to the field’s academic literature and applied practices. Social psychology at Ohio State covers a wide array of topics, including affect, attitude change, social cognition, attribution, automaticity, interpersonal processes, and intergroup relations. The program's diversity in research areas provides students with the flexibility to specialize in areas of their choice, allowing them to develop deep expertise in one or more domains.

The program’s faculty is another major strength. Professors at Ohio State are recognized leaders in social psychology, and their research spans a wide range of topics related to human interaction, group dynamics, prejudice, discrimination, social influence, and more. Students benefit from close mentorship with faculty members, participating in groundbreaking research that advances the field’s theoretical and empirical understanding of social behavior. Furthermore, Ohio State’s commitment to integrating theory with practice ensures that students are prepared to apply social psychology in real-world settings, such as public policy, health promotion, and education. As students progress through the program, they are expected to develop the skills necessary to conduct independent research and to communicate their findings effectively both in writing and orally.

Yale University, which is consistently ranked among the top institutions for social psychology, is placed in the top four nationally for this specialty. Yale’s Social/Personality Psychology program focuses on both intrapersonal and interpersonal processes, advancing knowledge in areas like persuasion, attitude change, social perception, and self-regulation. This program is ideal for students interested in exploring how individuals are influenced by their social environments and how they, in turn, influence others. The interdisciplinary nature of Yale’s program is also notable, as students are encouraged to engage with other fields within psychology, including cognitive, developmental, and clinical psychology, in order to explore the intersections between different aspects of human behavior.

A key strength of the Yale program is its emphasis on foundational theories of social psychology, particularly in areas like persuasion and attitude change. Yale’s faculty are known for their work in these areas, having made significant contributions to understanding how attitudes form, change, and influence behavior. Students at Yale have the opportunity to explore these topics through both theoretical work and experimental research. The program also offers ample opportunities for students to collaborate with faculty on cutting-edge projects, participate in seminars, and engage with the broader social psychology community.

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), offers another highly regarded program in social psychology, which is particularly known for its integration with health psychology and political psychology. UCLA’s Department of Psychology has developed a leading program that incorporates research in the intersections between social psychology, health, and political behavior. The social psychology program at UCLA also has close ties with the Institute for Social Science Research, the International Center for Talent Development, and the university’s Schools of Education, Public Health, and Nursing. This integration with other disciplines allows UCLA students to examine social behavior through multiple lenses, including public health, education, policy-making, and political science.

Students in UCLA’s program benefit from the breadth of expertise within the department, with faculty members specializing in a variety of areas such as social cognition, social influence, intergroup relations, and health psychology. UCLA’s research is particularly well-known for its focus on the social factors that influence health outcomes, including how attitudes, behaviors, and social support systems can impact individual and group health. Students in the program are expected to develop both their research and practical skills, preparing them for careers in academia, research institutions, public health agencies, and other settings where social psychology plays a critical role.

Princeton University’s social psychology program, which ranks 7th nationally, also provides rigorous training in the field. Princeton’s program is known for offering students a broad range of courses and research opportunities in topics such as social influence, emotions, self-regulation, prejudice, and group dynamics. The program provides students with the flexibility to pursue a variety of research projects, and students are encouraged to engage in independent work from the start of their graduate training. At Princeton, students are involved in research projects that cover diverse areas of social psychology, from basic research to applied studies aimed at solving social problems.

Princeton’s program places a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, with opportunities for students to work with faculty across the university’s many departments and institutes. The faculty at Princeton are recognized for their research on topics such as the psychology of intergroup relations, decision-making, moral and political psychology, and the cognitive and emotional processes underlying social behavior. Princeton’s social psychology students receive excellent mentorship and are well-prepared for careers in academia, public policy, and applied social psychology.

Social psychology remains one of the most exciting and relevant fields in psychology, with significant applications in areas such as health, politics, education, and social justice. Institutions like Ohio State University, Yale University, UCLA, and Princeton University offer some of the best training programs available, providing students with access to world-class faculty, cutting-edge research, and interdisciplinary opportunities that prepare them to contribute to both the academic and applied aspects of the field. Each of these programs brings its own strengths, whether it be Ohio State’s broad approach to social cognition and intergroup relations, Yale’s focus on foundational theories of persuasion, UCLA’s integration with health and political psychology, or Princeton’s commitment to interdisciplinary research. Graduates of these programs are well-equipped to become leaders in the field of social psychology and to make meaningful contributions to our understanding of human behavior in social contexts.

 
Ranking of Top Social Psychology Programs (Graduate):
1 University of Michigan Ann Arbor-
2 The Ohio State University,Columbus
=Stanford University
4 Yale University
5 Harvard University
6 University of California Los Angeles
7 Princeton University
8 University of California Berkeley
9 New York University
10 University of Virginia

Source: US News & World Report (2010)