Below are some frequently asked questions about our program:
How large is the social group?
We have seven affiliated faculty members. Most faculty are part of the regular colloquium and actively partake in collaborative training of graduate students. A dozen graduate students also provide a rich and stimulating peer environment. (Students working with Dr. Fong are primarily connected with the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Project.) Each faculty member has primary responsibility for two to four students.
What are your research interests?
Currently, faculty and graduate students engage in studies of diverse processes and phenomena, including: AI and Society; dress and person perception; cooperation; cultural change; diversity; forecasting; impression formation; intergroup relations; stereotype and prejudice; moral psychology; political psychology; public policy; trust; wisdom.
Graduate students work with faculty members and are also strongly encouraged to develop their own research interests.
How is your program organized?
Students with an undergraduate degree (BA or BSc) are admitted to the MA program in Social Psychology. It is expected that those making good progress will continue into the PhD. Students working with Dr. Fong receive a Masters in Social Psychology and a PhD in Health Psychology.
Do I work with one advisor throughout my graduate career?
Although students enter our program with specific faculty supervisors, we also encourage students to work with additional faculty members over the course of their training. Many social area faculty collaborate with each other and other members of the department. The faculty at Waterloo has a superb record of publishing with graduate students.
How long does it take to complete graduate training?
Consistent with most social psychology MA/PhD programs, the program typically takes five to six years to complete. It takes time to develop the skills and publication record that will be competitive on the job market in industry, government, or academia.
How does graduate funding work?
See Funding and Awards for future students for details. Faculty research grants also regularly provide additional funding to our graduate students for conference travel, computer purchases, and research assistanceships.