Department of Psychology

The health care field is increasingly confronted with new demands for professionals who can promote healthy life styles, prevent illnesses, enhance the rehabilitation of those who suffer serious diseases or injuries, and who can design, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of community based prevention and treatment programs. The Master of Arts in Health Psychology is designed to prepare students to meet these challenges. The Health Psychology program allows students to choose from 2 concentrations.

Clinical Approaches
Students choosing this track learn to provide direct services to clients, employees, and patients in a variety of settings such as rehabilitation centers, primary care centers, and hospices. In addition to the Core Courses, the courses in this track educate and train students in clinical and cognitive-behavioral techniques, group processes, and assessment.

Practicum Placement
Students in the Clinical Approaches track are required to complete 450 hours of practicum work as part of the Masters program. Students are placed in a wide variety of Practicum Sites.
 

Research Approaches
Students choosing this track may focus on working with businesses and organizations (non-profits, etc.) to promote healthy workplace environments and/or evaluation of treatment and prevention programs. This track will teach students how to design, implement, and evaluate interventions and programs in organzations.

Thesis Requirement
All students in the Research Approaches track are required to complete a Thesis. Students in the Clinical Approaches track have the option of doing a thesis, but it is not required. Students in previous years have completed theses covering a wide range of topics related to Health Psychology. A list of prior theses is available.