Graduate Study Programs in Media Psychology

Media psychology focuses on the psychology behind media and technology use and impact. It is central to understanding behavior within many disciplines, including, in part, technology; public policy and government; telecommunications; software; education; health care; and entertainment.

The roles of media psychologists continue to evolve as the media landscape becomes more complex and fluid. Based on a 1998 study by Luskin and Friedland, the roles media psychologists include making new technologies more effective and user friendly; using new technology to enhance clinical psychology; working in education or training; developing media standards; working in commercial fields; studying sociological and psychological media effects; developing material for challenged populations; working with deviant or criminal populations; writing or being expert guests in various media; consulting with media personnel; researching ways to improve the media.

The field of media psychology is multidisciplinary and is often integrated with or overlaps other areas of study and programs. This list will continue to grow. If you have suggestions or programs that should be included, please contact us.

• Fielding Graduate Universityopens in new window
  Fielding Graduate University offers a PhD and an MA in media psychology. Psychology is the foundation of the program, and the program focus is the application of psychology to multi-media and media effects. Fielding Graduate University's School of Educational Leadership and Change also offers an EdD with a concentration in media studies.

• California State University—Los Angeles (CSULA)opens in new window
  Offers an MA in psychology. Course work can be completed in media psychology with Stuart Fischoff, PhD.

• Touro University Worldwide (TUW)opens in new window
  Master's in media and communication pychology: Gain an understanding of 21st-century advances in media and communications in society and the workplace. This media and communications psychology program is fully online. Each student enjoys a convenient quality opportunity to earn a master’s degree at his or her own time and pace while working. Bernard Luskin is professor and director of the media and communications psychology program for TUW. For more information visit the website or contact the Student Information Specialist, Kristen Crandall.

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)opens in new window
  A two-year program leading to MA in Comparative Media Studies (CMS) is part of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. CMS has been described as focused on the social, cultural, political, legal, and ethical implications of media, in a larger historical context. PhD in Media Arts and Science Program (also known as the Media Lab) is part of the School of Architecture and Urban Planning. The Media Lab as been described as a place for designing and developing innovative new technologies.

• New York University, Steinhardt School of Educationopens in new window
  Offers both an MA and PhD in educational communication and technology.

• Stanford Universityopens in new window
  Offers a PhD program in communication theory and research. This program prepares students to conduct research on communication processes and effects within social and behavioral sciences.

• The New Schoolopens in new window
  opens in new windowOffers an MA in media studies. This program explores the relationship between theory and practice across comparative media.

• University of Chicagoopens in new window
  The cinema and media studies graduate program offers a PhD program that focuses on the history, theory, and criticism of film and media.

• University of Denveropens in new window
  UD offers an MA in digital media studies. This program is in partnership with the School of Communication, School of Art and Art History, and the Department of Computer Science.

• University of Iowaopens in new window
  UI Offers a graduate program in media studies within the Department of Communication Studies.

• University of Stirlingopens in new window, Scotland
  Offers an MSc/Dip through their film and media studies department. This program also has an online program.

• University of Sussexopens in new window, United Kingdom
  Offers two MAs, one in media studies, the other in digital media.

• Western Universityopens in new window, Canada
  The MA in media studies is an interdisciplinary study of media, technology and culture.

• Media Studiesopens in new window
  This organization provides links to educational guidelines, international news outlets and other resources for media educators, students and researchers.

These programs listed are for informational purposes only and are not endorsed by APA Division 46.