Health Psychology - Integrated BS/MS Curriculum
The MS in health psychology program focuses primarily on preparing you for a successful transition to doctoral programs in clinical psychology. The curriculum is designed to instill in you the skills and qualifications that are required to work in research and practice settings. Courses emphasize current issues and state-of-the-art research. You also will have an opportunity to apply your knowledge in real clinical health psychology settings through a practicum—supervised field-placement experiences that involve face-to-face therapeutic interventions with patients.
The following is a typical curriculum for psychology students entering USP in Fall 2008; current students should refer to their academic advisor for their curricula.
First Year
Refer to psychology first-year curriculum
Second Year
Refer to psychology second-year curriculum
Third Year
Psychology of Human Development
Social Psychology
Biological Psychology
Personality Theory
Abnormal Psychology
Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy
Introduction to Communication
Fourth Year
Tests and Measurements
Health Psychology
Counseling and Consultation Skills
Psychopharmacology
Graduate Statistics and Experimental Design I, II
Free Electives
Select two of the following fifth-year courses:
Neuropsychology
Health Psychology Treatment Interventions II
Ethics and Legal Issues
Health Psychology Treatment Interventions III
Assessment II: Psychological Assessment
Assessment III: Neuropsychological Assessment
Fifth Year
Assessment I, II, III
Health Psychology Treatment Interventions I, II, III*
Psychopathology
Health Psychology Professional Seminar I, II
Practicum in Health Psychology I, II, III*
Ethics and Legal Issues
Neuropsychology
Master’s Research*
Independent Study in Health Psychology*
*Electives based on choice of thesis or non-thesis option
Additional courses will be required as part of the program.
For detailed course descriptions and other information about the health psychology curriculum, see the USP catalog.