Social Area

Social Psychology

The social psychology graduate program at UCSC has a unique mission and focus. We use Kurt Lewin's model of "full-cycle" (theory-application-action) social psychology to study a broad range of topics related to social justice. Our students learn to apply psychological theories and data to the analysis and solution of a wide range of social problems. Knowledge gained in action-oriented research leads, in turn, to the development of new theory. We examine justice-related issues in different cultural, political, and policy contexts, through a variety of research methods. Our students are trained in laboratory, field, and survey methods, encouraged to attend to issues of race, class, sexuality, ethnicity, gender, and physical ableness, and steeped in critical theoretical perspectives such as feminist theory. Our graduates go on to successful careers in academia as well as in community, government, and non-profit settings. Our approach to research and training, combined with the quality and competencies of our faculty, make our program among the nation's best for the psychological study of social justice issues. Current faculty research interests include: educational access, sexual and gender diversity, poverty and economic justice, psychology and law, aggression and trauma, ethnic identity and acculturation, racial stereotyping and environmental inequality, intergroup relations, social identity, social policy analysis, structural inequality, intersectionality, political psychology, cultural psychology, and feminisms.

Colloquium Series (PSYC 231)

To aid in the development of their research programs, all graduate students must enroll and participate in the colloquium series associated with their respective research area each quarter (PSYC 231 for social). In these courses, graduate students and faculty present research plans, research-in-progress and completed research for constructive criticism. Outside speakers are also invited to present formal colloquia on their research. If there are extenuating circumstances, students may petition for an exception to this requirement. The petition must be signed/approved by their advisor and area head before forwarding to the Graduate Affairs Committee for final approval.

COURSE WORK

All first-year students must take two courses in statistics during their first year: PSYC 204: Quantitative Data Analysis (Fall quarter) and PSYC 214A: Multivariate Techniques (Winter quarter). Students must also in their first year take the two to three quarter proseminar sequence for their particular research area in the fall and winter and spring quarters: PSYC 211A, 211B, and 211C (social psychology). 

Beyond these basic courses, students in each research area are required to take several advanced courses and seminars. Some of these courses should be taken during their first year, while others should be taken in the second and third years of graduate study. The required courses in the three areas beyond those stated above are as follows: 

* Required psychology courses outside of one’s area can be satisfied by one of the proseminars or an advanced seminar in the area. They may not include research methods courses. 

The above courses must be completed before you take your Qualifying Exam in the third year. (Students are encouraged to continue to take occasional advanced seminars through their later years in the program.) Students may fulfill one or both of their psychology course requirements by taking any of the proseminar courses in one of the other research areas. For example, developmental students may take PSYC 211A or PSYC 211B to meet their requirement for a social course or PSYC 224A or 224B to meet their requirement for a cognitive course. 

Note: PSYC 225 does not fulfill the developmental graduate course requirement for cognitive and social students; 225C is limited to only developmental students. PSYC 254 does not fulfill the developmental graduate course requirement for cognitive and social students. In addition, the 290 series of psychology courses does not satisfy the graduate requirements for a course outside your area. 

Petitions for Alternative Courses

Students transferring into the Ph.D. program from another institution should consult with their advisors and the faculty head of the student’s research area, to see if any courses previously completed might satisfy our course requirements. Any petition for alternative courses to satisfy course requirements should be signed by the student, advisor and area head before it is forwarded to the Graduate Affairs Committee for final approval. 

Social Planning Template.xlsx

Course Planning Template

This outline is available to assist you in planning your course schedule throughout the program. To use, please download a copy.

Note: You must be logged into your UCSC email account to view

OUTLINE OF A TYPICAL YEAR

The following provides a brief overview of the general requirements for each academic year. The exact course of study any student will pursue will depend on their research area in the department (Developmental, Cognitive and Social), as well as their own individual interests and sources of funding (e.g., TAships). In general, students are expected to spend at least 20 hours per week on research (and coursework in support of their research preparation) in most quarters.

FIRST YEAR

The following provides a brief overview of the general requirements for a graduate student in their first academic year.

SECOND YEAR

The following provides a brief overview of the general requirements for a graduate student in their second year in the program.

THIRD YEAR

The following provides a brief overview of the general requirements for a graduate student in their third year in the program.

FOURTH YEAR

The following provides a brief overview of the general requirements for a graduate student in their fourth year in the program.

FIFTH YEAR - SIXTH YEAR

The following provides a brief overview of the general requirements for a graduate student in their fifth year (and possibly sixth year; a sixth year is sometimes necessary, but more than that may result in a student not being considered in good academic standing.) in the program.

Requesting a Normative Time Extension

Students who think they will not be able to complete the milestones within the normative timeframe (4th year for QE, 6th year for PhD) will have to request an Extension to Normative Time. Students should fill out the Normative Time Extension form, have their advisor sign it, and submit it to Graduate Advising. Graduate Advising will review it and then submit it to Graduate Division for Approval by the dean. 

Students are encouraged to speak with their faculty advisor and the Graduate Advising Team as soon as they think they may need an extension so that we can ensure students are being fully supported.

NOTE COVID EXCEPTION: Graduate Division has provided a one-year blanket extension of the time to degree for students enrolled between Spring 2020 and Spring 2021. Please note, the blanket extension of normative time is not a guarantee of extended funding or employment. Students beyond normative time (4th year for QE and 6th year for PhD) are still encouraged to speak with Graduate Advising if they think they will need to use the extra time so that they can ensure all requirements are being met.