Department of Psychology

Graduate Certificate Program in Health Psychology

Executive Committee Faculty (Psychology Department):
            Crystal Park (Coordinator) Clinical
            Janet Barnes-Farrell, I/O
            Dean Cruess, Clinical
            Jeffrey Fisher, Social
            Seth Kalichman, Social

Program Faculty (Psychology Department):
            Rob Henning, I/O
            Blair T. Johnson, Social
            Vicki J. Magley, I/O
            Etan Markus, BNS
            Kerry Marsh, Social
            Stephanie Milan, Clinical
            John Salamone, BNS

Affiliated Faculty in Other Departments
            Pam Erickson, Anthropology
            Leslie Snyder, Communications
            Nicholas Warren, Medicine, UCHC
            Glenn Affleck, Family Medicine, UCHC

Health Psychology admissions procedures

Educational Objectives of the Certificate Program
Health Psychology is concerned with the application of psychological theory, methods and treatment to the understanding and promotion of physical health. Health psychology is based on the biopsychosocial model, which posits that biological, psychological and social processes are centrally and interactively involved in physical health and illness. This initially provocative premise has fueled major advances in psychology, medicine, nursing and public health over the past twenty-five years. The certificate in Health Psychology has the following objectives:

Introduce students to the field of health psychology
Provide a range of coursework in theoretical, methodological, and applied areas of health psychology so that students can individualize their learning of particular areas of health psychology
Encourage students to engage in health psychology-related research and applications and prepare them for careers in health psychology

Course sequence
Students may begin course work for the 12-credit health psychology certificate after completing any of a number of psychology courses that fulfill the prerequisite for the core course, Health Psychology.

Additional courses identified as appropriate for the certificate follow. In addition, other courses subsequently developed or taught on an occasional basis (e.g., special topics courses) related to health psychology may also be counted towards the certificate, at the discretion of the Executive Committee. Students who wish to petition for another course that is not listed may do so by submitting a petition with sufficient documentation of the course content (e.g., syllabus, copies of exams, course text, etc.) to the Executive Committee. As a general rule, qualifying courses in this category will not be courses completed at other institutions. Note: Only 3 credits of PSYC 5120 can be counted towards the certificate credit requirement.

CORE COURSE (required)
Health Psychology (PSYC 309)
3 credits. Lecture.
Prerequisite PSYC 303, PSYC 313, PSYC 325, PSYC 336, PSYC 348, PSYC 367, or consent of the instructor.
     Interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors in health. Topics include disease prevention and health promotion, psychosocial factors in treatment of illness, and stress and coping processes.

Additional Courses (at least three of the following courses required, for a total of at least 9 additional credits)

PSYC 5120 Health Psychology(PSYC 309)
3 credits. Lecture.     Interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors in health. Topics include disease prevention and health promotion, psychosocial factors in treatment of illness, and stress and coping processes.

ADDITIONAL COURSES (at least three of the following courses required, for a total of at least 9 additional credits)

PSYC 5228. Neuropsychopharmacology
3 credits. Lecture.      This course will review the anatomy and physiology of the CNS and then discuss the effects of pharmacological agents on it. Topics include general anaesthetics, hypnotics and sedatives, anticonvulsants, alcohol, muscle relaxants, tranquilizers, hallucinogens, and narcotics. Student presentations will treat topics relating the CNS and behavioral pharmacology.

PSYC 6300. Clerkship in Clinical Methodology
1-6 credits. Practicum.      Supervised clinical training in a community facility. (Note: This must be conducted within a health context in order to qualify as credit towards the certificate)

PSYC 5122. Clinical Health Psychology
3 credits. Seminar.      Examines the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors in health and the application of psychological interventions for physical illness, psychological problems secondary to physical illness, and health promotion.

PSYC 5285. Neurobiology of Aging: Changes in Cognitive Processes
3 credits. Lecture.     Neural basis of age-related changes in learning and memory. Both the normal aging process and age-related pathologies examined. Encompasses both animal models and human data.

PSYC 5123. Occupational Health Psychology
3 credits. Seminar. Prerequisite: STAT 379 or NURS 358 or PUBH 434.     Introduction to research in occupational health and the field of occupational health psychology. Topics include work stress, worker participation in hazard management, epidemiology of occupational exposures, workplace incivility, and design of safe work environments.

GPAH 5309. Health and Aging
(GPAH 309) 3 credits. Lecture. Examination of the theoretical and applied issues in optimizing health for older adults. Focus is on the bio-psycho-social aspects of health; application of current research, and leadership skill building for program development.

GPAH 6324. Critical Issues in Health Promotion, Disease and Disability Prevention (GPAH 324) 3 credits. Lecture. An in-depth study of health promotion, disease and disability prevention policies, programs and strategies.

GPAH 6319. Behavioral Interventions and Health Education for At-Risk Populations. 3 credits. Seminar. The study and application of current learning theories, models, and strategies used by experienced health professionals to become effective within didactic, clinical, and community settings.

PUBH 5405.   Social and Behavioral Foundations of Public Health
3 credits. Lecture. This survey course acquaints students with basic concepts and theories in the social and behavioral sciences and with their ability to inform our understanding of health; illness; and health care utilization, practices and policies. Using the biopsychosocial paradigm of health and illness as a guide, topics will span the societal, interpersonal, and intrapersonal factors which must be considered in assessing and improving the health of the public.

ANTH 5352. Medical Anthropology
3 credits. Seminar.     An overview of current theory and practice in medical anthropology.

ANTH 5376. Ethnomedicine
3 credits. Seminar. Medical systems in cultural context. Traditional healers, herbal medicine, culture bound systems, the meaning of illness, curing and disease. Impact of biomedicine on traditional and alternative medical systems.

COMM 5120. Communication Campaigns
3 credits. Lecture. Formerly COMS 301.     Campaign theory and planning. Students learn how to conduct interviews and focus groups with members of a target audience, and work with non-profit organizations to design a campaign.