Closely supervised research and coursework provide foundations in theoretical approaches to fundamental issues in psychology and in the study of physical and mental health. At the same time, our department and the program offer education in the use of rigorous methodologies for testing theory in laboratory, community, and clinical settings.
Beyond the coursework common to all the majors in psychology, the health psychology major has two required courses. One is a proseminar in health psychology and the other is a course in biological bases of health psychology. These are accompanied by elective seminars chosen from a number of options (see course list). In addition, majors in Health Psychology attend the area lecture series once a week during fall and winter quarters for 3 years. The health psychology faculty members hold weekly lab meetings with graduate students in which important training experience is gained above and beyond individual research supervision and coursework.
Students concentrate primarily on a single research project in the first and second years (Psych 251) culminating with the receipt of the Master's degree. As training progresses thereafter, health psychology predoctoral students typically work with two or more faculty members to develop an increasing focus on their own particular topics in research, and expertise in the associated methods.
The program admits students who have been identified as a good match for at least one faculty member, but we do not operate by a strict apprenticeship model in that students are encouraged to conduct research with at least two faculty members over the course of their doctoral education.
In addition to housing the Health Psychology program, the Department of Psychology is home to additional core areas of study (Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical, Cognitive, Developmental, Learning and Behavior, Quantitiative, and Social), many of which have ties to the Health Psychology program.
The Psychology Department is also affiliated with a number of cross-disciplinary research programs that offer training and research opportunities to Health Psychology trainees. Some of these are:
The Health Psychology program also has strong ties to the David Geffen School of Medicine and the School of Public Health. Past and current trainees have received training and support from a number of interdisciplinary research centers, including but not limited to:
Jane & Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience & Human Behavior
