Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health Psychology
UConn’s Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health Psychology exposes students to the rapidly expanding, interdisciplinary field that focuses on the science and practice of psychology in the promotion of workplace health and safety.
Program participants conduct research and learn about the health and well-being of individuals in the workplace. This 15-credit certificate is open to students currently enrolled in any UConn graduate program and external applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Program Overview
The field of occupational health psychology seeks to improve the quality of working life, and enhance the safety, health, and well-being, of workers in all occupations. Research and practice in this area focus on interventions that target work environments, as well as individuals, to:
- Create healthier workplaces and organizations
- Improve the capacity of workers to protect their safety and health
- Maximize workers’ overall effectiveness
Existing at the intersection of behavioral science and occupational health disciplines, occupational health psychology incorporates knowledge and methods from psychology, public/occupational health, organizational studies, human factors, and allied fields such as occupational sociology, industrial engineering, economics, and others.
The UConn Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health Psychology follows a scientist-practitioner model of training with an emphasis on research. Coursework includes an introductory OHP proseminar, an epidemiology course, supervised field or lab research in occupational safety and health, plus elective courses in occupational safety and health such as ergonomics and organizational stress.
Requirements and Courses
Students are required to complete two prerequisite core courses, a required methodology course, and two elective specialization courses.
Required Courses
The following courses are required for the Certificate Program:
Common Core Courses
PSYC 5123 or PUBH 6497. Occupational Health Psychology
PSYC 5800. Field/Lab OHP Research Experience
(This must be a non-thesis project that is discussed with your research mentor. It may include co-authors and be RA-associated work, but the student must have a significant role in the project. Ideally, it culminates in at least a conference presentation.)
Methodology Course
PUBH 5497. Intermediate Epidemiology
Qualifying Courses
Students must take two elective specialization seminars from the list below. One course must be from outside the student’s primary discipline.
PSYC 5670. Organizational Stress
PSYC 5670. Work & Aging
PSYC 5622. Work Systems and Performance
PSYC 5617. Occupational Health and Safety
PSYC 5120. Health Psychology
PUBH 5497 or BME 5339. Introductory Ergonomics & Exposure Assessment
PUBH 6493. Occupational and Environmental Health: Exposures, Risks and Prevention
PUBH 5497. Occupational & Environmental Health Policy
PUBH 5497-F47. Health in the Built Environment
Faculty
The certificate program is administered by faculty in the Department of Psychological Sciences.
Admissions
Students must apply to the Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health Psychology via The Graduate School’s online application system. The application process is managed by The Graduate School, not the Department of Psychological Sciences, and is similar to the master’s/Ph.D. program application process.
Application Requirements and Costs
Applicants must currently be enrolled in any UConn graduate program.
Applicants enrolled in a psychological sciences graduate program
Applicants must submit an online application via The Graduate School. The application fee is automatically waived for students currently enrolled in a UConn graduate program (certificate, master’s, or doctoral) when they apply to another graduate program.
In addition, applicants must upload the following documents to the online application system:
- Unofficial copies of your transcripts
- Single page CV
- Brief personal statement regarding interest in the certificate (1 page)
Note: The online application system may not let you submit until you have attached a personal statement, there is no need for a new one, however in place of it please attach a document that states, “see personal essay from application to UConn (name of department) in (year applied).
Applicants enrolled in another UConn graduate program
Applicants must submit an online application via The Graduate School. The application fee is automatically waived for students currently enrolled in a UConn graduate program (certificate, master’s, or doctoral) when they apply to another graduate program.
In addition, applicants must upload the following documents to the online application system:
- Unofficial copies of your transcripts
- Single page CV
- Brief personal statement regarding interest in the certificate (1 page)
- Short letter signed by major advisor assenting to the application
- Short letter signed by home department head or director of graduate program supporting the application
Contact Us
For questions about the Graduate Certificate in Occupational Health Psychology, please contact the program director:
Vicki Magley
Professor of Psychological Sciences
vicki.magley@uconn.edu
Students interested in the certificate should contact the Psychological Sciences Graduate Program Coordinator at psychgrad@uconn.edu to coordinate the appropriate forms and records for admission.