Program Description

The University of the Sciences in Philadelphia, Department Social Sciences offers a new, integrated, dual degree, five-year program leading to a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in four years and a Master of Science (non thesis) in Health Psychology in five years.

Health Psychology focuses on the emerging awareness of the behavioral and interpersonal aspects of health, and the application of psychological research and practice to the improvements of efforts to optimize health, prevent, and treat illness, health care delivery, and medical treatment.

Health Psychologists recognize the effects of stress, lifestyle, and personality characteristics on conditions such as mental health/illness, addictive behaviors, chronic diseases (e.g. heart disease, hypertension, cancer), physical disability, etc., and apply the findings of research in psychology to clinical treatment of the disorders.

The program at the University of the Sciences in Philadelphia (USP) is designed to prepare health care professionals who apply psychological knowledge and skills to the maintenance of health and to the prevention and treatment of illness, with an emphasis on the scientific basis of practice as well as the acquisition of clinical skills. USP is primarily a health and natural science institution, and as such provides an unique environment to support the program in Health Psychology.

The Health Psychology Program at USP is built on a firm foundation of the humanities, the social sciences, and the natural sciences. Our program differs, however, from the typical psychology major offered at most colleges. While we will provide you with a thorough grounding in such standard areas of psychology as: abnormal psychology, personality, biopsychology, research design, statistical analysis, and human development, the similarity with most other psychology programs ends there.

To apply to our MS in Health Psychology Program online, email us at the Graduate Office or you can visit our graduate website.

Beginning in your second year of the BS program, you will take courses directly relevant to a health-related career in psychology:

• psychopharmacology
• psychopathology
• behavior modification
• psychological tests and measurement
• counseling theory
• research design and statistics
• health psychology
• advanced counseling techniques
• advanced assessment techniques

You will also have the opportunity to conduct directed research with USP faculty and with scientists at local research institutions.

The Bachelor of Science in Psychology program consists of 124 credits (42 Psychology core credits beyond Introduction to Psychology ). The Master of Science in Health Psychology (non-thesis) degree consists of 48 graduate level credits).

Admission to the B.S. in Psychology Program as a first year student, maintenance of an acceptable academic record during the first three years, and the recommendation of the advisor will facilitate your acceptance in the Master's level program. Students must maintain a 2.0 GPA to be successful in the pre-professional phase of the program, and must have a 2.3 GPA (3.0 GPA in the major program) to apply for elevation to the Master of Science in Health Psychology program.

If you choose to enroll in the MS in Health Psychology Program, you will spend the summer of your fourth year beginning the program.

Health Psychology (MS Program)

Health Psychology deals with the critical interrelationship between behavioral and interpersonal aspects of health, disease, health-care delivery, and medical treatment. Health psychologists focus on the individual and interpersonal aspects of health. They apply the findings of research in psychology to optimize health and prevent illness.

Health Psychology Curriculum

FOUR-YEAR PSYCHOLOGY BS OPTION

Second Year

THIRD YEAR

FOURTH YEAR

TOTAL CREDITS 127

a. All first-year students must demonstrate a competency in computer applications before progressing to the third year.

b. All students must demonstrate a proficiency in writing before graduation. Please note that the writing proficiency examination is different from the Diagnostic Examination in Writing, which is administered before or at the beginning of the student's first year of study.

FIFTH-YEAR BS/MS in HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY OPTION (THESIS AND NON-THESIS)

To qualify for admission to the Masters of Science in Health Psychology Program, students must complete the first four years of the program in good standing. To obtain the MS Non-Thesis degree, students must earn 48 credits of graduate level courses beyond the bachelor's level, of which 36 must be from didactic courses, and 12 must be practicum (field experience) credits. To obtain the MS Thesis degree, students must complete 48 credits, of which 30 must be in specified didactic courses, 6 credits in practicum, and 12 credits in master's research. The MS Thesis degree also requires students to write and defend a thesis.

To obtain the MS non-thesis degree, students must earn 48 credits of graduate level courses beyond the first four years of credits. In the fifth year, 36 must be from didactic courses and 12 must be practicum (field experience) credits. To obtain the MS thesis degree, students must complete 48 credits, of which 30 must be in specified didactic courses, 12 credits in master's research, and 6 credits in practicum. The MS thesis degree also requires students to write and defend a thesis.

FIFTH YEAR

*Students in the Non-Thesis program take two semesters of practicum and students in the Thesis program need take only one semester of practicum (although students in both programs can elect to schedule practicum for an additional semester).
**Only applicable to students in the Thesis program.
***Available if desired.

****Required of all students who did not take this course as an undergraduate at USP.

Health psychologists work in medical settings, health maintenance organizations, colleges and universities, pain centers and clinics, halfway houses, group homes and public health agencies.

Admission

Applications for first year students will be accepted annually. All transfers will be considered.

Applicants for admission are cordially invited to visit USP and explore the opportunities within this new and emerging field. To arrange for an interview and tour of the campus, contact the Office of Admissions : Director of Admission University of the Sciences in Philadelphia 600 South Forty-third Street Philadelphia, PA 19104-4495 (215) 596-8810