Program Description

Health is broadly conceptualized as physical, psychological, emotional, social, and spiritual well-being. The health psychology specialization at UWF recognizes the interacting roles of body, mind, and spirit in health.

The curriculum of the health psychology specialization balances Eastern and Western approaches to health, with an emphasis on the contributions of the field of psychology. Required courses provide the groundwork for an empirical approach to the study of health.

Core courses provide a foundation in the biological, social, individual, and acquired bases of behavior.

Specialization courses integrate psychological theory and research in the tradition of the biopsychosocial model.

In addition to a solid foundation in the discipline of psychology, a range of interdisciplinary electives are available to students to tailor their educational experience.

Internship and thesis opportunities provide practical experience in the applications of health psychology. Faculty in the School of Psychological and Behavioral Sciences are actively involved in a number of local, regional, national, and international groups, providing access to a broad, interdisciplinary network of other professionals.

Specialization Requirements by Concentration

This specialization certificate is available for graduate students in each of the three graduate program tracks. Specific requirements for the Health Psychology Specialization Certificate vary slightly among each of the three graduate program tracks. Graduate students are required to fulfill the requirements of their specific graduate program track.

General Psychology Concentration (45 sh)

Required Psychology Courses (12sh)

• PSY 6971 Thesis (in Health Psychology) - 6sh
• PSY 6217 Research Design
• STA 5206 Analysis of Variance
  or STA 5207 Applied Regression Analysis
  or STA 5166 Special Topics in Statistics

Core Psychology Courses (12sh)

• 5035 Cognitive Neuroscience
• SOP 6069 Advanced Social Psychology
• EAB 5705 Advanced Behavior Modification
• DEP 5055 Developmental Psychology

General Psychology Concentration Courses (6sh)

• PSB 6089 Brain and Mind: Fact and Fantasy
• EXP 5208 Sensation and Perception
  or EXP 6506 Advanced Cognitive Psychology

Health Psychology Specialization Courses (9sh)

• EAB 5738 Behavioral Medicine (meets General Track Concentration requirement also)
• PSY 5990 Conjunctive Psychology and Lab
• PSY 4820 Health Psychology (dual listed for undergrad/grad credit)

Health Psychology Specialization Electives (3sh)

• PCO 6990 Substance Abuse Counseling
  or PSB 4990 Sports and Exercise Psychology (annotated for graduate credit)
  or ISC 5517 Buddhist Psychology and Lab
  or CYP 6xxx Community Psychology
  or PSY 6917 Supervised Research (in Health Psychology)
  or EXP 5990 Human Factors

Interdisciplinary Specialization Electives (3sh)

• HSA 5135 Health Guidance
  or HSC 6206 Health Delivery Systems
  or HSA 5115 Health Care Policy and Administration
  or HSC 6990 Health Promotion and Planning
  or HSC 5991 Epidemiology
  or HSC 5552 Communicable and Degenerative Diseases
  or PHI 4633 Biomedical Ethics (annotated for graduate credit)

Counseling Concentration (51 sh)

Required Psychology Courses (12sh)

• PSY 6971 Thesis (in Health Psychology) (6 sh)
• PSY 6217 Research Design
• STA 5206 Analysis of Variance
  or STA 5207 Applied Regression Analysis
  or STA 5166 Special Topics in Statistics

Core Psychology Courses (12sh)

• PSB 5035 Cognitive Neuroscience
• SOP 6069 Advanced Social Psychology
• EAB 5705 Advanced Behavior Modification
• PCO 6216 Theories of Individual Counseling

Counseling Track Concentration Courses (9 sh)

• CLP 5166 Psychopathology
• PCO 6206 Ethical and Professional Issues in Counseling
• PCO 6246 Theories of Group Counseling

Health Psychology Specialization Courses (9 sh)

• EAB 5738 Behavioral Medicine
• PSY 5990 Conjunctive Psychology and Lab
• PSY 4820 Health Psychology (dual listed for undergrad/grad credit)

Health Psychology Specialization Electives (6 sh)

• PCO 6946 Practicum (in Health Care Setting)
• PCO 6948 Internship (in Health Care Setting)

Interdisciplinary Specialization Electives (3 sh)

• HSA 5135 Health Guidance
  or HSC 6206 Health Delivery Systems
  or HSA 5115 Health Care Policy and Administration
  or HSC 6990 Health Promotion and Planning
  or HSC 5991 Epidemiology
  or HSC 5552 Communicable and Degenerative Diseases PHI 4633 Biomedical Ethics (annotated for graduate credit)

Inudstrial/Organization Concentration (50 sh)

Required Psychology Courses (12 sh)

• PSY 6948 Internship (in Health Care Setting) (6 sh)
  or PSY 6971 Thesis (in Health Psychology) (6 sh)
• PSY 6217 Research Design
• STA 5206 Analysis of Variance
  or STA 5207 Applied Regression Analysis
  or STA 5166 Special Topics in Statistics

Core Psychology Courses (12 sh)

• PSB 5035 Cognitive Neuroscience
• SOP 6069 Advanced Organizational Psychology
• EAB 5705 Advanced Behavior Modification
• DEP 5055 Developmental Psychology
  or PCO 6216 Theories of Individual Counseling

Industrial/Organizational Track Concentration Courses (8 sh)

• INP 6216 Personnel Selection and Appraisal
• SOP 6668 Organizational Change and Development
• SOP 5609 Current Issues in Industrial/Organizational Psychology (2 sh)

Health Psychology Specialization Courses (9 sh)

• EAB 5738 Behavioral Medicine
• PSY 5990 Conjunctive Psychology and Lab
• PSY 4820 Health Psychology (dual listed for undergrad/grad credit)

Health Psychology Specialization Electives (6 sh)

• EXP 5990 Human Factors
• CYP 6xxx Community Psychology
• PSY 6917 Supervised Research (in Health Psychology)

Interdisciplinary Specialization Electives (3 sh)

• HSC 6206 Health Delivery Systems
• HSA 5115 Health Care Policy and Administration