Master of Science in Health Psychology, MS

Description of Program

Health Psychology students use scientific methods to understand the interaction of biological, psychological, and social factors that affect both health and illness. The Master of Science in Health Psychology program helps prepare you for a career to work in education, the health and wellness industry, or the helping professions. Health psychology knowledge can be applied to the health of individuals and communities/organizations.

As a student in the Health Psychology program, you will examine the application of psychological principles that can prevent illness, improve personal health outcomes, and impact health care systems at large. In this flexible, 30-credit program, you will focus on the psychological study of health and illness, along with recovery, from the perspective that these phenomena arise from a combination of physical, behavioral, and social conditions. A core course is stress and coping, in which you will examine sources, manifestations and coping models for stress. Behavioral nutrition and research methodologies are also important to the field of health psychology. You also will be able to select electives focusing on such topics as substance abuse and wellness. At the end of the program, an optional internship provides an opportunity to apply class-room studies to real world situations. 

Click here for potential career opportunities within the Masters of Science in Health Psychology.

Learning Outcomes

• Synthesize theories and principles applicable to the field of health psychology through written communication
• Appraise research methods and data analysis applicable in the framework of health psychology
• Investigate empirically supported interventions for research, administration, or practice of health psychology
• Employ ethical principles of psychology in academic and professional matters of health psychology
• Examine diversity issues in the context of health psychology

Basis for Admissions

Admission to a master’s program requires a conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited academic institution or an international institution that is determined to be equivalent through an approved evaluation service.

Additional State requirements may need to be met for Basis of Admissions into a program: 

Degree Requirements

The Master of Science degree in Health Psychology requires a total of 30 credits for completion. 

The University may accept a maximum of 12 semester credits in transfer toward the Master of Science in Health Psychology for graduate course work completed at an accredited college or university with a grade average of “B” or better. See the Transfer Credit policy for additional information.

• PSY-5303  must be completed at the University

Graduation requirements for the Master’s Degree in Psychology vary according to specialization selected.

All master’s degree programs have the following graduation requirements:

• A minimum of 18 credit hours of graduate instruction must be completed through the University
• Completion of subject area competency requirements for the graduate program
• Elective courses must be relevant to the department’s graduate program
• Cumulative grade point average of 3.0 (letter grade of “B”) or higher
• Official documents on file for basis of admission: a conferred bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited academic institution
• Official transcripts on file for all transfer credit hours accepted by the University
• All financial obligations must be met before the student will be issued their complimentary diploma

Time to Completion

The University allows 5 years to complete all Master’s programs of 36 credits or less.

The median time to completion for this program is 18 months.

Time to completion varies depending upon the pace in which a student completes courses and the number of transfer credits accepted. As most students are working adults, balancing educational, professional, and personal commitments, our academic and finance counselors will work with you to develop a program schedule that works best for your needs.

Students following the preferred schedule designed by the Dean for this program, and applying no transfer credits, can expect to finish in as little as 16 months.