The Social Psychology Graduate Program at San Francisco State University prepares students for professional careers in research, teaching, and practical applications of social psychology at the Master of Arts level, while at the same time offering a foundation of education and experience appropriate for students who intend to proceed to doctoral study. The program is committed to academic excellence, to research and professional service in the public interest, and to expanding the diversity of backgrounds and perspectives in our discipline – the study of how individual thoughts, feelings, and actions influence and are influenced by other individuals, groups and institutions, and social contexts.

The Program emphasizes familiarizing students with the literature and methods of social psychology, training in advanced written and oral communication, and professional experience in both research and applications. Program requirements include 33 semester units of coursework culminating with a thesis. Classes and non-class activities are coordinated to promote integration of learning through academic study, original research, and supervised experience in field and laboratory settings. Courses are sequenced for completion of the degree in two years, with individual study plans designed to accommodate employment and other individual commitments.

The Social Psychology Program faculty and their current research interests are:

Marina Abalakina, Ph.D. (Moscow State University, 1987), cross-cultural research in social cognition and stereotyping, cultural issues in providing and receiving health care, and intercultural relations.

Larry Kroeker, Ph.D. (Colorado State University, 1967), the origins and function of implicit memory, the impact of belief and world view on the human immune system, gender differences in perceptions related to sexual harassment and moral reasoning.

David Matsumoto, Ph.D. (University of California, Berkeley, 1986), theoretical and empirical research is focused on relationship between culture and all aspects of emotion and the role of emotion in intercultural adjustment.

James W. Newton, Ph.D. (Stanford University, 1977), conflict resolution and peace; psychology of nonviolence; power, influence and independence; intergroup relations, prejudice, and discrimination, and social movements and crowds.

Amy Smith, Ph.D. (University of California, Santa Cruz, 2004), J.D. (University of Michigan Law School, 1998), theoretical and empirical studies in legal psychology, specifically, juror comprehension of sentencing instructions in capital and other cases and differential death row conditions across the U. S.

Pauline Velez, Ph.D. (University of California, Berkeley, 2000), intra- and interorganizational relationships such as risky behaviors and trust in organizational settings, and exploration of survey artifacts related to survey research methodology.

Career opportunities: Graduates have been accepted by doctoral programs at respected institutions including, among others, Stanford, UC Berkeley, UC Irvine, UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, Arizona State University, Yale University, the University of British Columbia, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. At the Master's level, former students work in such diverse occupations as survey research, evaluation of social programs, environmental education, market research, conflict mediation, and community college teaching.

Admission criteria: The applicant should have a strong background in psychology, including social psychology, research methods, and statistics. The aptitude test of the Graduate Record Examination is required. Work experience is desirable, and people in mid-career are encouraged to apply. Applications are due by February 1 for the following fall semester. (Late applications may be accepted if space is available).