Faculty expertise and well- equipped laboratories are available in developmental neurobiology, visual perception, psychophysiology, and chronobiology. Graduates of the program may be employed in academic departments, research institutes, or government or industry-sponsored laboratories. The Social Psychology program at Penn State is designed to train students in social psychological theory and research. Course work and research experience are available in traditional and contemporary areas within social psychology and in basic as well as applied research topics. Core course work is designed to introduce students to several topic areas within social psychology, train students in research methodology, and provide fundamental knowledge in the areas of social cognition and attitudes.
Additional courses provide in-depth coverage of several specialty areas within social psychology.
Students develop empirical research experience through collaboration with faculty and through the development of their own research. Each student selects a program of study in consultation with an advisory committee of her or his own choosing. Faculty and students in social psychology, along with several faculty outside of the social area, meet weekly to discuss on-going research projects. Graduates are trained to teach and to conduct research in academic and applied settings.