Program features
Interdisciplinary focus
The Interdisciplinary Social Psychology Ph.D. program at the University of Nevada, Reno is one of the oldest social psychology programs in the country.
The interdisciplinary focus allows students to experience a wide range of perspectives in the field of social psychology. This holistic approach equips students with knowledge and understanding that prepares them for engaging and rewarding work in both academic and applied settings upon completion of the program.
Financial commitment to students
We encourage doctoral students to benefit from an educational and research experience that allows them to devote their full-time efforts to scholarly development. Therefore, our goal is to provide full-time (20 hours/week) support and tuition assistance for all of the students in the program.
Through research assistantships, fellowships, teaching assistantships and participation in research grants, the program has been successful in funding first year students. In addition, students in their second year and beyond who are making adequate progress toward degree completion (and seeking support) have maintained funding throughout completion of the degree.
Although state and national economic conditions can impact the availability of funding for graduate education we will continue assisting students in their pursuit of assistantships, fellowships, grants, and other support for the pursuit of their doctoral education.
Mentoring program
Students enter the program with an initial faculty advisor in their area of interest who, together with the program director, guides the student through the first year. By the end of the first year (earlier when possible), students develop a mentoring relationship with a faculty member of the program (the initial advisor or another faculty member). The faculty mentor can be the student's research supervisor for the second year research project and later dissertation (but need not be), and mentors can be changed.
Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the program and student research interests, students may also work with more than one faculty member on research projects.
All students have a primary research supervisor who chairs the dissertation and provides guidance.
Encouragement of professional involvement and achievement
Students are encouraged to engage in scholarly research, often in collaboration with faculty, to present research at professional meetings, and to publish in peer-reviewed journals and volumes.
The doctoral program and the Graduate Student Association of the University help to facilitate professional development through financial support of student travel and research.
Optional Master of Art degree in Social Psychology
Students who have been admitted to the program may opt to graduate with an master's degree in social psychology upon completion of a prescribed 32 credits in the doctoral program. Most of these credits (24) may also be applied to the Ph.D. The master’s degree is solely available to students accepted into the doctoral program, en route to their Ph.D.
See the program timeline with and without the master's degree.
WRGP/WICHE program member
Our program is the only social psychology doctoral program that has been chosen as a member of the Western Regional Graduate Program/Western Interstate Commission of Higher Education.
Students admitted to the program from the 14 western states are eligible for enrollment under this program.