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Applied Social Psychology

MA in Psychology

The MA in Psychology with a concentration in Applied Social Psychology gives you knowledge of social psychology with a specific focus on its application to intervention and policy in the real world of health behavior and social issues.

The Applied Social Psychology curriculum explores contemporary research in the core areas of social psychology—influence and persuasion, attitudes and behavior, social and behavioral change, and group and intergroup processes. It integrates this research with applied research methods and evaluation science, focusing on the translational relevance of social psychology to health and social issues. Health behavior and other social issues are significant global social problems that are not only exploding foci of behavioral science research, but also an area where social psychological knowledge is applied to inform policy and intervention—for example, by institutions such as the National Science Foundation and the National Institutes of Health.

Program Highlights
  • Our terminal MA program trains you to apply social psychology theory and research methods to an understanding of health behavior and societal issues, preparing you to inform policy aimed at prosocial interventions and behavioral change.
  • Research is a core activity of our faculty and students; organized around 4 faculty labs and institutes (Health Psychology and Prevention Science Institute, Institute for Research on Social Issues, Social Identity Lab, Depression Lab), and faculty-led or -mentored research groups.
  • Our projects include health and adolescent substance abuse, leadership and social change, societal extremism, social conflict and discrimination, LGBT issues, and volunteerism.
  • This program is STEM designated, allowing international students who hold F-1 visas to apply for OPT work authorizations for a total of 36 months (an initial 1-year period and a 24-month OPT STEM extension) of paid work experience in the U.S. after graduation.
Colloquia and Conference Series

The social psychology program hosts several colloquia and conference series, including:

Program At-a-glance

  • 48 units

    required units

  • MA in Psychology

    degree awarded

  • In Person

    modality

  • Spring, Summer, Fall

    program start

  • 2 years | full time*

    estimated completion time

Faculty

  • Eusebio Alvaro

    Eusebio Alvaro

    Full Research Professor

    Research Interests

    Social Influence Processes, Health Promotion, Disease Prevention & Medicine

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  • William Crano Portrait

    William Crano

    Stuart Oskamp Chair of Psychology

    Research Interests

    Social Influence, Effects of persuasive information on drug addiction and HIV/AIDS, Minority and majority relationships to health information

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  • Portrait of Michael Hogg

    Michael Hogg

    Professor of Social Psychology

    Research Interests

    Self and Social Identity; Intergroup Relations and Group Processes; Influence and Leadership; Uncertainty, Radicalization and Extremism; Intergroup Communication

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  • Wesley Schultz Portrait

    P. Wesley Schultz

    Full Research Professor

    Research Interests

    Environmental psychology, social psychology, conservation, sustainability, social influence, quantitative methods, big data

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  • Jason Siegel

    Jason T. Siegel

    Professor of Psychology

    Research Interests

    Social Psychology, Health Psychology, Persuasion, Survey Research

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  • Anna Woodcock

    Anna Woodcock

    Senior Research Fellow

    Research Interests

    Identity, Identity balance, Stereotypes, Diversity, STEM, Prejudice, Longitudinal Research, Quasi-Experimental Research, Intervention Evaluation, Theory-driven Interventions, Implicit Bias, Implicit identities

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Extended Faculty

  • Mark Costanzo

    Claremont McKenna College

    Research Interests

    Death penalty, expert testimony, non-verbal communication, social psychology

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  • Jennifer Feitosa

    Claremont McKenna College

    Research Interests

    Culture, Diversity, Organizational Psychology, Statistics, Teams, Teamwork, Workplace Issues and Trends

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  • Steffanie Guillermo

    Pitzer College

    Research Interests

    Racial/ethnic stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination, Threat perceptions, Bias against immigrants, Racial/ethnic health disparities

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  • Shana Levin

    Claremont McKenna College

    Research Interests

    Social psychology

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  • Allen Omoto

    Pitzer College

    Research Interests

    Social psychology; volunteerism and prosocial action; environmental concerns; lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender issues; sense of community; civic engagement and civil society

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  • Adam Pearson

    Pomona College

    Research Interests

    Social psychology of sustainability and climate change, social cognition, intergroup relations, disparities, stereotyping and prejudice

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  • Piercarlo Valdesolo

    Claremont McKenna College

    Research Interests

    Social psychology, moral judgment and behavior

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  • Robin Vallacher

    Florida Atlantic University

    Research Interests

    Dynamical social psychology, action identification, social judgment, self-concept, interpersonal dynamics, conflict and social justice

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Curriculum

16 units in Social Psychology: Health and Social Issues

Year 1: Foundations & Principles of Change

  • Overview of social psychology (4 units)
  • Applying principles of social and behavioral change (4 units)

Year 2: Group behavior & Intervention development

  • Applying principles of group influences (4 units)
  • Intervention development (4 units)

22 units in Applied Research Methods (12 units) and Evaluation (10 units)
All students take these existing courses which are also taken by other MA students:

  • Intermediate statistics (2 units)
  • Analysis of variance (2 units)
  • Applied multiple regression (2 units)
  • Categorical data analysis (2 units)
  • Research methods (4 units)
  • Foundations of evaluation (2 units)
  • Comparative evaluation theory (4 units)
  • Evaluation procedures (4 units)

10 units of electives
Students chose 10 units of electives from across the department’s offerings. Those focused on health might consider offerings from the School of Community & Global Health, and students more broadly interested in social change might consider offerings from the social sciences or religion. Since this is an applied MA the department may consider providing oversight for internship opportunities. Students who are considering subsequently applying for a PhD program, at Claremont Graduate University or elsewhere, will be encouraged to attend a relevant lab or enroll in a research practicum as an elective.

Application Guidelines

University Requirements
Application Fee

$80 (fee is non-refundable)
Official Transcripts

Undergraduate/graduate

Applicants must submit a sealed, official transcript from every undergraduate and graduate institution that has granted the applicant a degree. Electronic transcripts sent to admissions@cgu.edu are also accepted. For undergraduate coursework, applicants are required to submit proof of a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Unofficial copies of transcripts are accepted for review purposes, but official copies will be required upon admission.

Applicants currently earning a degree that will be completed prior to attending CGU are required to submit a transcript showing work in progress for evaluation purposes. Once the degree has been granted, a final official transcript documenting the degree conferred must be submitted to CGU.

International applicants are advised to review the International Transcript Guidelines for additional information on submitting international transcripts.
English Proficiency Exam

Required (international applicants only)

A valid score on one of the following examinations TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE, Duolingo English Test is required of all non-native English-speaking applicants. The examination is not required for the following applicants:

  • Citizens or permanent residents of countries where English is the sole official language of instruction, e.g., Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada (except Quebec), England, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Uganda, and Wales (see the CGU Bulletin for a complete list of accepted countries).
  • Applicants who hold an undergraduate or advanced degree, or will have earned such a degree prior to enrolling at CGU, from an institution in the US or in countries where English is the sole official language of instruction (see above).
  • Applicants who have successfully completed an academic English pre-master’s or intensive graduate bridge program from a nationally recognized, regionally accredited four-year college or university in the United States in the last two years, with submitted evidence of successful completion, and subject to curriculum approval.
  • CGU allows for an English proficiency waiver if the applicant has received, or will receive prior to enrollment at CGU, an undergraduate or advanced degree from an institution where English is one of the primary languages of instruction for the majority of courses in the student’s program. To receive the waiver, documentation must be provided by the applicant to show that English is the language of instruction at their university/college.

CGU’s school code for the TOEFL exam is 4053.

International applicants are encouraged to visit our International Applicants page for more information, including score requirements.
Resume

Applicants must submit an up-to-date copy of their resume.
Program Requirements
Statement of Purpose

Please submit a 2-3 page statement of purpose that details your academic and/or professional achievements, your specific areas of research interest within your desired field of study, why you are a strong candidate for graduate studies at CGU, and your career goals.
Letter of Recommendation

2 letters required

When filling out the online application, please enter references acquainted with your potential for success who will submit a written recommendation on your behalf. In most academic departments, references from faculty members who can speak to your academic ability are preferred; applicants with substantial work experience may request professional references. Please do not enter family members as references.

You will be required to input information for your recommenders (whether they are submitting online or not) in the “Recommendations” section of the online application. Please follow the directions in this section carefully before clicking on “Recommendation Provider List” to input the names and contact information for each recommender. You will have an opportunity to indicate if the reference writer will be submitting online. These reference writers will receive an email from CGU with instructions on submitting an online recommendation.

Recommenders who are indicated as offline will not receive an email from CGU with instructions to submit. These reference writers can submit via traditional mail and should use the supplemental New Student Recommendation Form. Recommenders can also email their letter of recommendation to the Office of Admissions at admissions@cgu.edu.

Download the Recommendation Form
Standardized Test Scores

GRE (optional)

Standardized test scores are not required in order to apply for this program. Applicants who have taken the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test are invited to submit scores, but are not required to do so.

Applicants who feel that their Grade Point Averages do not adequately represent their ability to succeed in a graduate program may find it helpful to submit GRE scores for consideration.

CGU’s school code:
ETS (GRE and TOEFL) 4053

Key Dates & Deadlines

CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.

Once the priority deadlines have passed, the University will continue to review applications for qualified candidates on a competitive, space-available basis. The final deadlines listed are the last date the University can accept an application in order to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment processes.

Spring 2025
Priority Deadline – November 1, 2024
Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2024
Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2024
Classes begin – January 21, 2025

Summer 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – March 1, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – April 1, 2025
Classes begin – May 19, 2025

Fall 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2025
Classes begin – August 25, 2025

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Cost & Aid

ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)
Program 48 units
Tuition per unit* $2,020

*Based on 2024-2025 tuition rates.

 

STUDENT FEES (PER SEMESTER)
$245 Student Fee
$150 Technology Fee
International Student Services Fee*: $661 fall semester, $776 spring semester
**Applies to all international students (F-1 visa only) who are registered in coursework, doctoral study, or continuous registration. The fee is assessed each fall and spring semester for annual ISO accident and sickness plans and administrative fees. Subject to change.

For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s Cost of Attendance 2024-2025.

review financial aid

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