PhD in Social Personality Psychology in Rochester United States | University of Rochester

The social-personality psychology graduate program equips students with essential research skills, offering comprehensive training in theoretical frameworks and methodological approaches for academic pursuits.
First-year coursework covers foundational topics in social-personality psychology, research methodologies, and statistical analysis. As students progress, they engage with specialized seminars across psychological disciplines while developing expertise in advanced research techniques. By their third year, candidates complete a comprehensive examination before embarking on dissertation projects.
Beyond classroom learning, students actively participate in faculty-led research initiatives, gradually transitioning to independent investigations. This research culminates in a master's thesis, typically completed during the second year of study.
Our department offers three doctoral tracks—clinical, social-personality, and developmental psychology—alongside an undergraduate psychology major and multiple minor options. Course instruction reflects our interdisciplinary approach, with social science perspectives taught by our faculty and natural science components covered by specialists from the Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences.