Health psychology is concerned with the psychological variables that influence physical health and illness. The MS program in health psychology offers training in research and theories relevant to health promotion. The program of study consists of core health psychology coursework, research coursework, psychology breadth coursework, and an optional field placement. Recent research topics include gender and health, cancer prevention and health education, reproductive health and STD prevention, patient advocacy and self-care behaviors, the effects of stress and mechanisms of coping with it, and child abuse prevention. Research is conducted in laboratory as well as clinical settings and many of the faculty have strong ties to the Milwaukee community.
*Important Note: Funding opportunities for students admitted into the master’s program are limited.*
a. Coursework and Model Course Plan
Coursework includes 36 credits distributed as follows (Course substitutions are permissible with the director’s approval):
- Twelve credits in core Health Psychology courses. All students must take Psych 955 (Seminar in Social Psychology and Health), and any three of the following courses: Psych 711 (Current Topics, only when the topic is Child Health Psychology or another topic directly relevant to health), Psych 754 (Proseminar in Biological Psychology), Psych 756 (Psychophysiology), Psych 854 (Behavioral Neuroscience), or Psych 930 (Seminar in Social Psychology). These core courses introduce students to research, theories, and applications of health psychology.
- Fifteen credits in research courses: Psych 510 (Advanced Psychological Statistics), Psychology 610 (Experimental Design), Psych 932 (Proseminar in Evaluation Research), and six credits of Psych 790 (Independent Research) for those selecting the thesis option or six credits of Psych 791 (Master’s Project for Master’s Students) for those selecting the project option. These courses prepare students for conducting basic and applied research.
- Nine credits in psychology breadth courses (virtually any psychology graduate-level course not listed above).
- Optional: Although students are exposed to theories and applications in coursework, field placements offer further opportunity to apply theory. Students are encouraged to complete at least 3 credits of 812 (Field Placement in Psychology) in their area of interest.
| Year | Fall Semester | Spring Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | Advanced Psychological Statistics (510) Seminar in Social Psychology and Health (955) Core Selection 1 Breadth Selection 1 | Experimental Design (610) Seminar in Evaluation Research (932) Core Selection 2 Breadth Selection 2 |
| Year 2 | Core Selection 3 Master’s Research (790) Optional:Field Placement (812) | Breadth Selection 3 Master’s Research (790) Defend Thesis |
b. Thesis or Project Limit Time
The student, under the direction of an advisor, has the option of developing either a thesis based on empirical research or a project (a review or theoretical paper). If the student chooses the thesis option, he or she must pass an oral defense of the thesis. The student must complete all degree requirements within seven years of initial enrollment.
c. Relation of the Master’s Program in Health Psychology to Doctoral Study in Psychology
The MS program in health psychology is self-contained and primarily prepares students for work within the community. However, the emphasis on research training and basic principles also prepares students for doctoral studies. Some students may change their goals and wish to pursue a doctoral degree. Such students, if they do not have an undergraduate psychology degree from UWM, are eligible to apply for admission to the department’s doctoral programs. Please note that the department’s doctoral programs are highly competitive; admission is neither automatic nor guaranteed. Applications from students in the MS specialization in health psychology are not given preferential treatment in the doctoral admission process.