by our College Data Analytics TeamIn 2020-2021, social psychology was the 438th most popular major nationwide with 982 degrees awarded. This represents a 16.6% reduction in social psychology degrees awarded over the prior year's total of 1,145.
This year's Best Social Psychology Schools ranking compares 26 of them to identify the best overall programs in the country. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of social psychology programs later in this article.
One of the most important skills you will need for a career in social psychology is understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents. Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times and using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems are all required skills for careers related to this major.
social psychology degree applicants generally need have finished high school or their GED. Many schools may also have GPA and SAT/ACT score minimums that must be met. In addition to these basic social psychology program qualifications, to serve in some social psychology careers, special certification may be required outside of your degree.
There are many different social psychology degree levels. You can get anything from a in social psychology to the highest social psychology degree, a . Different social psychology degrees vary in how long they take.
| Degree | Credit Requirements | Typical Program Length |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 60-70 credits | 2 years |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 120 credits | 4 years |
| Master’s Degree | 50-70 credits | 1-3 years |
| Doctorate | Program required coursework including thesis or dissertation | At least 4 years |
A bachelor's degree is the most common level of education achieved by those in careers related to social psychology, with approximately 34.2% of workers getting one. People currently working in careers related to social psychology tend obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 33.1% |
| Post-Doctoral Training | 25.0% |
| Master’s Degree | 20.7% |
| Doctoral Degree | 14.1% |
| Associate’s Degree (or other 2-year degree) | 1.7% |
About 60.6% of workers in careers related to social psychology obtain at least master's degrees. See the chart below for the most common degree level workers in social psychology have received.
The education level required is different depending on the social psychology career you are seeking.
Want a job when you graduate with your social psychology degree? Social Psychology careers are expected to grow 8.4% between 2016 and 2026.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to social psychology.
| Occupation Name | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Managers | 1,071,700 | 8.0% |
| Psychology Professors | 54,000 | 15.1% |
| Psychologists | 19,200 | 10.3% |
As you might expect, salaries for social psychology graduates vary depending on the level of education that was acquired.
Salaries for social psychology graduates can vary widely by the occupation you choose as well. The following table shows the top highest paying careers social psychology grads often go into.
| Occupation Name | Median Average Salary |
|---|---|
| Managers | $115,590 |
| Psychologists | $95,610 |
| Psychology Professors | $88,490 |
With over 52 different social psychology degree programs to choose from, finding the best fit for you can be a challenge. Fortunately you have come to the right place. We have analyzed all of these schools to come up with hundreds of unbiased social psychology school rankings to help you with this.
One of 9 majors within the Child Development & Psychology area of study, Social Psychology has other similar majors worth exploring.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Other Research & Experimental Psychology | 10,153 |
| Experimental Psychology | 3,211 |
| Developmental & Child Psychology | 1,419 |
| Behavioral Neuroscience | 1,383 |
| Cognitive Psychology & Psycholinguistics | 245 |
