Students earning a bachelor's degree in health psychology at Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences are required to complete one year of fieldwork in addition to the degree curriculum. This gives them an opportunity to put into practice the knowledge gained in class. Health psychology program coursework covers topics including biology, mathematics, health research methods and medical patients' rights. Field experience can be obtained in a specialty area such as pain management, elder care or stress reduction. Applicants to the bachelor's program in health psychology submit high school transcripts and two recommendations, along with SAT or ACT scores.
Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences
179 Longwood Ave.
Boston, MA 02115
617-732-2800
mcphs.edu
Health psychology graduate students at the University of Michigan-Dearborn can select from two master of science (MS) specializations. The clinical health psychology specialization is a two-year, 48-credit program that prepares graduates to work in clinical and primary care settings. The health psychology specialization is a two-year, 39-credit program that is research-focused and ideal for students who would like to pursue the study of health psychology on the doctoral level. Students in the health psychology specialization can select from a master's thesis or master's project after completing core courses and electives. The clinical health psychology program includes a required practicum and master's thesis. Students who complete the clinical health psychology program followed by one year of postgraduate health care experience qualify for Michigan's limited psychology license. Applicants to the health psychology programs must have a bachelor's in psychology or a related field with a GPA of 3.0 or better. They must also submit a personal statement and three recommendations, along with GRE scores.
University of Michigan-Dearborn
4901 Evergreen Rd.
Dearborn, MI 48128
313-593-5000
casl.umd.umich.edu
UCLA offers a doctoral program in health psychology that is focused on training students to become researchers. Degree candidates focus on a research project during the first two years of the five-year program and are awarded a master's degree. Students develop further expertise in research methods as they progress in the doctoral program. Required coursework covers topics such as the biological bases of health psychology and research methods. Electives are available in areas such as the psychology of chronic disease and the psychology of women's health. Research areas include mental health, cancer, HIV/AIDS and pregnancy. Applicants submit undergraduate transcripts, GRE scores, three recommendations and a personal statement. An interview is also required for prospective health psychology graduate students.
UCLA
Department of Psychology-Health Psychology
1282A Franz Hall
405 Hilgard Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90095
310-206-8116
health.psych.ucla.edu
Doctoral students at Kent State University can select from a clinical or experimental health psychology track. The clinical program trains students in research and providing clinical care. Clinical specialties include eating disorders, alcohol abuse, and stress and health. The experimental program is for students who want to carry out research without the clinical program component. Research areas include gender attitudes, chronic illness and health communication. Applicants to the program need a bachelor's degree with at least 18 psychology credits and a GPA of at least 3.0 during the junior and senior years. About 10 students are admitted to each program (clinical and experimental) out of 200 applicants, according to Kent State's website.
Kent State University
161 Schwartz Center
Kent, OH 44242
330-672-2444
kent.edu