Doctoral Program in Health Psychology:
| Health
psychology is a rapidly emerging field of basic
and applied research which utilizes principles
of psychology to impact health and illness across
the life span. More specifically, health psychology
seeks to understand the role that behavior and
its physiologica concomitants play in the etiology,
treatment and prevention of physical and mental
illnesses, and the promotion of health and wellness.
The Doctoral program in Interdisciplinary Health
Psychology will offer the following three tracks: |
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General
Health Psychology |
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General
Health Psychology will focus on the behavioral and
psychological factors that contribute to the onset
of illness, coping with illness, and compliance
with treatment. Students in this area will emphasize
theoretically-based empirical research aimed at
increasing understanding of the mechanisms linking
psychological/behavioral factors to physical health
outcomes such as disease, disability, and death.
Graduates choosing this focus would be prepared
to direct or conduct research in universities, medical
centers, or private medical research facilities. |
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Clinical
Health Psychology |
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Clinical
Health Psychology will focus on individuals with
physical and mental health dysfunction and the psychological
and behavioral factors that a) prevent these problems
from developing and b) contribute to the treatment
of the dysfunctions. A particular emphasis will
be on the development, implementation, and evaluation
of new systems of care that involve multiple professional
disciplines (e.g., psychology, psychiatry, social
work, special education, nursing, health education)
working in teams with families and informal community
supports (e.g., communities of faith, nonprofit
organizations) to improve the health outcomes of
individuals and families. These students would be
eligible for licensure as health service providers,
and could assume positions in mental health or medical
centers, universities, private practice, or other
applied settings. |
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Community
Health Psychology |
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Community
Health Psychology will emphasize the social and
community factors that lead to healthy outcomes
in individuals, and interventions in community systems
that create stronger, healthier communities. Students
with this emphasis could specialize in the macro-level
efforts to bring about changes in systems or environments
that can impact the health and well-being of individuals
and families. Graduates choosing this emphasis would
be prepared to assume positions in universities
or in settings that require skills in applied research
(e.g., program evaluation) and/or community intervention. |
| The
intended audience for the Interdisciplinary Health
Psychology Ph.D. program includes Masters-prepared
professionals in psychology, gerontology, public
policy, nursing and other disciplines who are interested
in developing additional research and applied skills
to address health issues. In addition, consistent
with doctoral-level training in psychology nationally,
highly qualified students with undergraduate degrees
(including a minimum of 18 hours of undergraduate
psychology) who are interested in developing professional
research and practice skills will be eligible for
admission into the program. |
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Application
Deadlines |
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Fall
2006- All materials due on or before |
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January 13, 2006 |
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