克莱蒙研究大学

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.

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.