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Graduate Certificate Program in
Health Psychology
Executive Committee Faculty (Psychology
Department):
Crystal Park (Coordinator) Clinical
Janet Barnes-Farrell, I/O
Dean Cruess, Clinical
Jeffrey Fisher, Social
Seth Kalichman, Social
Program Faculty (Psychology Department):
Bede Agocha, Social
Rob Henning, I/O
Blair T. Johnson, Social
Vicki J. Magley, I/O
Etan Markus, BNS
Kerry Marsh, Social
Stephanie Milan, Clinical
John Salamone, BNS
Affiliated Faculty in Other Departments
Pam Erickson, Anthropology
Leslie Snyder, Communications
Nicholas Warren, Medicine, UCHC
Glenn Affleck, Family Medicine, UCHC
Health Psychology
admissions procedures
Educational Objectives of the Certificate Program
Health Psychology is concerned with the application of psychological
theory, methods and treatment to the understanding and promotion
of physical health. Health psychology is based on the biopsychosocial
model, which posits that biological, psychological and social
processes are centrally and interactively involved in physical
health and illness. This initially provocative premise has fueled
major advances in psychology, medicine, nursing and public health
over the past twenty-five years. The certificate in Health
Psychology has the following objectives:
- Introduce students to the field of health psychology
- Provide a range of coursework in theoretical,
methodological,
and applied areas of health psychology so that students can
individualize
their learning of particular areas of health psychology
- Encourage students to engage in health psychology-related research
and applications and prepare them for careers in health psychology
Course sequence
Students may begin course work for the 12-credit health psychology
certificate after completing any of a number of psychology courses
that fulfill the prerequisite for the core course, Health Psychology.
That is, students must have taken at least one of the following
courses: PSYC 303, PSYC 313, PSYC 325, PSYC 336, PSYC 348, PSYC
367, or have consent of the instructor in order to take the core
course.
Additional courses identified as appropriate for the certificate
follow. In addition, other courses subsequently developed
or taught on an occasional basis (e.g., special topics courses)
related to health psychology may also be counted towards the
certificate,
at the discretion of the Executive Committee. Students who wish
to petition for another course that is not listed may do so by
submitting a petition with sufficient documentation of the course
content (e.g., syllabus, copies of exams, course text, etc.) to
the Executive Committee. As a general rule, qualifying courses
in this category will not be courses completed at other
institutions.
Note: Only 3 credits of PSYC 329 can be counted towards the certificate
credit requirement.
Core Course (required)
Health Psychology (PSYC 309)
3 credits. Lecture.
Prerequisite PSYC 303, PSYC 313, PSYC 325, PSYC 336, PSYC
348, PSYC 367, or consent of the instructor.
Interaction of biological, psychological,
and social factors in health. Topics include disease prevention
and health promotion, psychosocial factors in treatment of illness,
and stress and coping processes.
Additional Courses (at least three of the following courses required,
for a total of at least 9 additional credits)
PSYC 328. Neuropsychopharmacology
2 credits. Lecture.
This course will review the anatomy and
physiology of the CNS and then discuss the effects of pharmacological
agents on it. Topics include general anaesthetics, hypnotics and
sedatives, anticonvulsants, alcohol, muscle relaxants, tranquilizers,
hallucinogens, and narcotics. Student presentations will treat
topics relating the CNS and behavioral pharmacology.
PSYC 329. Clerkship in Clinical Methodology
1-6 credits. Practicum.
Supervised clinical training in a community
facility.
PSYC 402. Clinical Health Psychology
3 credits. Seminar.
Examines the interaction of biological,
psychological, and social factors in health and the application
of psychological interventions for physical illness, psychological
problems secondary to physical illness, and health promotion.
PSYC 385. Neurobiology of Aging: Changes in Cognitive
Processes
3 credits. Lecture.
Neural basis of age-related changes in
learning and memory. Both the normal aging process and age-related
pathologies examined. Encompasses both animal models and human
data.
PSYC 401. Occupational Health Psychology
3 credits. Seminar. Prerequisite: STAT 379 or
NURS 358 or PUBH 434.
Introduction to research in occupational
health and the field of occupational health psychology. Topics
include work stress, worker participation in hazard management,
epidemiology of occupational exposures, workplace incivility,
and design of safe work environments.
PUBH 405. Social and Behavioral Foundations of
Public Health
3 credits. Lecture.
This survey course acquaints students with basic concepts and
theories in the social and behavioral sciences and with their
ability to inform our understanding of health; illness; and health
care utilization, practices and policies. Using the
biopsychosocial
paradigm of health and illness as a guide, topics will span the
societal, interpersonal, and intrapersonal factors which must
be considered in assessing and improving the health of the
public.
ANTH 352. Medical Anthropology
3 credits. Seminar.
An overview of current theory and practice
in medical anthropology.
ANTH 376. Ethnomedicine
3 credits. Seminar.
Medical systems in cultural context.
Traditional healers, herbal medicine, culture bound systems, the
meaning of illness, curing and disease. Impact of biomedicine
on traditional and alternative medical systems.
COMM 315. Communication Campaigns
3 credits. Lecture. Formerly COMS 301.
Campaign theory and planning. Students
learn how to conduct interviews and focus groups with members
of a target audience, and work with non-profit organizations to
design a campaign. |
University of Connecticut |