Health Psychology M.S.
- Internal Page Links
- Specialization
- Model Course Plan
- Computer Literacy
- Major Professor and Advisory Committee
- Thesis or Project Requirement
- Time Limit
- The Faculty
- Future Studies in Health Psychology
- For Further Information
- Applying to Psychology Graduate Program
The specialization in health psychology offers state-of-the-art training in health promotion, stress and its management, the patient in the treatment setting, management of pain, management of chronic illness, and causes and consequences of health disorders such ascoronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, AIDS, cancer, and arthritis. The dual focus on basic research and direct applications appropriate for students planning careers in health care, human services, business/industry, consulting/contract research organizations and those seeking the doctorate in psychology. Graduates can develop and implement interventions that enhance fitness, work environments, lifestyles, medical treatment, and prevent disease.
Specialization
The health psychology specialty requires 36 credits. Students who have completed, prior to entry into the program, any of the required courses, may substitute other psychology courses numbered 700 and above, preferably selected from the area of health psychology.
Twelve credits are required in core health psychology course work including Psych 955 (Health Psychology), and any three of the the following courses:
- Psych 854: Behavioral Neuroscience;
- Psych 754: Proseminar in Biological Psychology;
- Psych 756: Psychophysiology;
- Psych 758: Psychopharmacology;
- Psych 759: Emotions;
- Psych 833: Neuropsychology;
- Psych 954: Seminar in Physiological Psychology.
Theses core courses introduce students to research, theories, and applications of health psychology.
Students must complete a nine-credit breadth requirement by taking three of the following courses:
- Psych 705: Information Processing
- Psych 706: -Psychology of Language
- Psych 707: Psychology of Reading
- Psych 712: Introduction to Clinical Psychology
- Psych 714: Conditioning and Learning
- Psych 741: Systems of Psychotherapy
- Psych 912: Psychopathology
- Psych 914: Seminar in Learning
- Psych 915: Seminar in Operant Behavior
- Psych 919: Seminar in Learning Theory
- Psych 930: Seminar in Social Psychology
- Psych 931: Seminar in Interpersonal Attraction
- Psych 934: Social Psychology of Gender
- Psych 940: Short-term Psychotherapy
- Psych 960: Seminar in Child Psychology
- Psych 961: Seminar in Child Clinical Psychology
- Psych 980: Seminar in Aging).
These breadth courses familiarize students with the major content areas in psychology of special relevance to Health Psychology.
Fifteen credits of required research course work include:
- Psych 510: Advanced Psychological Statistics,
- Psych 610: Experimental Design,
- Psych 932: Proseminar in Evaluation Research), and
- six credits of Psych 790: Independent Research for those selecting the thesis option, or
- six credits of Psych 792: Master's Project for Master's Students.
These courses prepare students for conducting basic and applied research.
Although students are exposed to theory and its application in the course work above, an optional field placement offers further opportunities to learn by doing. Students are encouraged to complete at least three credits of Psych 812 (Field Placement in Psychology) in their area of interest.
Model Course Plan
| Fall, Year 1 | Spring, Year 1 |
|---|---|
| Psych 510 | Psych 610 |
| Psych 955 | Psych 932 |
| Core Selection 1 | Core Selection 2 |
| Breadth Selection 1 | Breadth Selection 2 |
|
12 credits
|
12 credits
|
| Fall, Year 2 | Spring, Year 2 |
|---|---|
| Core Selection 3 | Breadth Selection 3 |
| Propose thesis | Defend thesis |
| Psych 812 | |
|
6 credits
|
6 or 9 credits
|
Computer Literacy
The student must demonstrate proficiency in basic computer literacy (including word processing and spreadsheets), statistical packages, and graphics packages by passing an examination or completing course work with a grade of B or better.
Major Professor and Advisory Committee
The student must have a major professor who advises and supervises all graduate studies. The major professor is selected from the department's health psychology faculty (see below). Before the end of the second semester the student must form a three-person advisory committee.
Thesis or Project Requirement
The student, under the direction of the advisor, must develop an acceptable thesis (based on empirical research) or master's project (a review or theoretical paper). In each case, students must demonstrate their ability to formulate a research idea and pursue independent and original investigation.
Time Limit
Although the model illustrates how the degree can be completed in two years, part time study is possible so long as all degree requirements, including the thesis or project are completed within seven years of initial enrollment.
The Faculty
The health psychology faculty includes professors: Adesso, Fleming, Helmstetter, Hynan, Merritt, Mosack, Osmon, Passman, Reddy, Ridley, and Swain.
Future Studies in Health Psychology
Students who have completed undergraduate majors in psychology, at UWM, are encouraged to apply. On satisfactorily completing the master's degree here, the faculty helps these graduates either pursue doctoral study in other programs or secure employment.
Students who have completed undergraduate majors in psychology in other programs are also encouraged to apply. On satisfactorily completing the master's degree here, the faculty helps these graduates either pursue doctoral study here or in other programs, or secure employment.
For Further Information
For information about the health psychology specialization, please contact Prof. Diane M. Reddy (reddy@uwm.edu) or call (414) 229-6432.