Health psychology, often referred to as behavioral medicine or medical psychology, is the application of psychological theory to health-related practices. The field of health psychology includes two sub-fields. Behavioral health focuses on the prevention of health problems and illnesses, while behavioral medicine focuses on treatment. Health psychology is concerned with the psychology of a range of health-related behaviors, including nutrition, exercise, healthcare utilization, and medical decision-making. However, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs are available in a variety of health and wellness areas and available in different schools. Read on to know the best health and wellness psychology degrees, the job description, and job outlook. Here is a review of what you should expect in this post:
What Is Health And Wellness Psychology?
Health psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on how mental, emotional, and social factors affect a person’s physical well-being.
Why Do We Need Health And Wellness Psychology?
Health psychology has several practical purposes in life. Firstly, it can help medical doctors care for their patients’ health. By understanding the mental, emotional, and socioeconomic factors that might lead to certain illnesses, doctors can also have a better understanding of how to prevent these illnesses. Health psychology also plays a role in helping medical professionals understand the mental and emotional effects of certain illnesses. This not only refers to the effects of certain symptoms on patients, but also the behavioral, social, and economic ramifications that illnesses might have as well.
What Are The Goals Of Health And Wellness Psychology
There are eight major goals of health psychology:
What Does A Health Psychologist Do?
The jobs of those pursuing health psychology careers might vary widely from one professional to another. However, the duties and responsibilities of these psychology professionals will depend on their specialties. The health psychology field explores the connections between health and behavior. Clinical health psychologists help clients with issues including dealing with illness or injury and improving health habits through interviews, assessments, and interventions. Researchers examine why people refuse to seek or follow medical advice.
Types Of Health Psychology Careers
In general, there are four main types of health psychology careers – clinical health psychology, community health psychology, occupational health psychology, and public health psychology.
1. Clinical Health Psychology
This is an area of health psychology that focuses on treating individuals. Professionals pursuing clinical health psychology careers often focus on how an individual’s lifestyle and behavior might affect his overall health. Clinical health psychologists will also usually work with individuals to help change bad habits or overcome lifestyle problems that may be affecting their physical health.
2. Community Health Psychology
This focuses on the health of a community as a whole. Individuals pursuing community health psychology careers will typically study the prevalence of diseases in certain communities, and what might cause them.
3. Occupational Health Psychology
This focuses on the individual’s job and his overall state of health. Professionals working in this area might work with companies and businesses to help create happier and healthier employees.
4. Public Health Psychology
This is concerned with public and government health policies and programs. These types of professionals might work with low-income individuals, influence government health policies or help organize public health awareness campaigns.
What Are the Educational Requirements to Become a Health Psychologist?
Psychologists are required to have earned at least a Master’s degree in the subject. But in order to practice clinically and call yourself a clinical psychologist, you need a doctoral degree. There are two ways to enter the field of health/medical psychology. The first is to get either a Ph.D. in Psychology or a PsyD degree. A number of universities offer doctorates in the field of health/medical psychology. After getting the doctorate, it is often a requirement to get a master’s degree or certificate in psychopharmacology. The other way is to go to medical school to become a medical doctor. Many medical schools offer medical psychology integrated into a medical degree program. All health/medical psychologists need to be licensed and certified before practicing. After getting a doctorate, the candidate must take an exam and go through a supervised internship.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Degree In Health Psychology?
A bachelor’s degree takes four years to complete, doctoral degrees in health psychology take an average of five years, while master’s degrees generally take around two years to complete.
Licensure and Certification Information
Psychologists who provide patient care must be licensed by the states in which they practice. Although licensure standards vary by state, they usually stipulate that psychologists have a doctorate, several years of professional experience and an approved internship experience. Most states require a written licensing examination. Some states also require additional oral exams and responses to essay questions. Continuing education may also be needed to periodically renew licensure. Health and wellness psychology degrees can often be found at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. In order to practice as a psychologist, graduates will need to become licensed by the state in which they intend to work, pass an examination, and maintain continuing education.
Where Do Health Psychologist Work?
Health psychologist works in Healthcare facilities – like hospitals and clinic. Non-profit organizations and government sectors might also employ health psychologists, as well as large corporations and universities. These professionals might also be able to find positions in government and private research facilities.
What Is the Average Salary of a Health Psychologist?
In general, a health psychologist’s annual salary is often influenced by a few factors. Those with more advanced degrees, for instance, will typically be able to command higher salaries. A health psychologist’s place of employment might also have an influence on his salary as well. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, psychologists that worked in hospitals made an average salary of $91,810. Those that worked in clinical and counseling positions, however, made an average salary of $73,090, while those working in the field of research and development made an average salary of $100,790.
Career Outlook Of A Health Psychologist
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lists health psychology as one possible specialization area for psychologists. Graduates with a master’s degree may find psychological assistant positions. Psychologists were predicted to see a 14% growth in total employment from 2018 to 2028. The BLS noted that psychologists with a doctorate and a specific background in health would have the best career prospects during this time period.
Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Health And Wellness Psychology
Through a B.S. program in health psychology, students study the basic relationship between physical health and human behaviors, feelings, and thoughts. Students may examine the use of psychological interventions in preventing illnesses, as well as the applications of psychological research in promoting healthy lifestyles. The health psychology program touches on topics in biology, chemistry, mathematics, healthcare, psychological methodology, and behavioral science.
Best health and wellness psychology degrees (Undergraduate)
There are various schools offering health and wellness degrees for an undergraduate program but here we have picked the best 15 out of them. The tuition of these schools varies, you can check the school’s official website for more details on the tuition fees. They include:
1. Adams State University
Programs available:
BACHELORS of PsychologyBACHELORS of Psychology
It offers remedial services, academic/career counseling services, placement services for completers, and employment services for students.
2. Alabama A & M University
Program available : BACHELORS of Psychology, General. It offers employment services for students, on-campus daycare for students’ children, remedial services, and academic/career counseling services.
3. Albany State University
Program available include; BACHELORS of Psychology, General. It has both online and on-campus programs. It offers placement services for completers, academic/career counseling service, and Remedial services.
4. Arizona State University-Skysong
Program available: BACHELORS of Psychology, General It has both online and offline programs. It offers placement services for completers, employment services for students, and academic/career counseling services.
5. Arizona State University-Skysong
Program available :BACHELORS of Psychology, General. It offers remedial services, employment services for students, and placement services for completers.
6. Armstrong State University
Program available : BACHELORS of Psychology, General. It offers academic/career counseling services, employment services for student and remedial services.
7. Athens State University
Programs available : BACHELORS of Psychology, General. It offers placement services for completers, employment services for students, and academic/career counseling services.
8. Ball State University
Program available: BACHELORS of Psychology, General. It offers placement services for completers, employment services for students, on-campus daycare for students’ children, and academic/career counseling services.
9. Bridgewater State University
Program available : BACHELORS of Psychology, General. It offers academic/career counseling services, employment services for students, and on-campus day care for students’ children.
10. California State University-Bakersfield
Program available: BACHELORS of Psychology, General. It offers on-campus day care for students’ children, employment services for students, academic/career counseling service, and placement services for completers.
11. Bowie State University
Program available : BACHELORS of Psychology, General. School Type: Both Online and Campus It offers employment services for students, remedial services, and placement services for completers.
12. Boise State University
Program available : BACHELORS of Psychology, General. School Type: Both Online and Campus It offers remedial services, academic/career counseling services, placement services for completers, and employment services for students.
13. Cameron University
Program available : BACHELORS of Psychology, General. School Type: Both Online and Campus It offers employment services for students, placement services for completers, and academic/career counseling services.
14. Chicago State University
Program available: BACHELORS of Psychology, General It offers remedial services, on-campus daycare for students’ children, and employment services for students.
15. Clemson University
Program available: BACHELORS of Psychology, General School Type: Both Online and Campus It offers academic/career counseling services, placement services for completers, and employment services for students.
Master’s Degree in Health And Wellness Psychology
Master’s degree programs, such as the Master of Arts (M.A.) in Health Psychology or M.A. in Counseling with a specialization in sport and health psychology, train students to be proficient psychological researchers, as well as practical promoters of physical and mental wellness among health organizations, athletic groups, businesses, and communities. Programs may cover substance abuse, eating disorders, exercise promotion, preventive clinical techniques, and rehabilitation. Some programs integrate studies in sports psychology.
Best Health And Wellness Psychology Degrees(Masters)
There are various schools offering health and wellness degrees for a master’s program but here we have picked out the best 15 out of them. The tuition of these schools varies, you can check the school’s official website for more details on the tuition fees. They include:
1. Angelo State University
Programs availble:
MASTERS of Applied PsychologyMASTERS of Counseling PsychologyMASTERS of Industrial and Organizational Psychology
It offers academic/career counseling services, placement services for completers, and remedial services.
2. Appalachian State University
Programs available:
MASTERS of Clinical PsychologyMASTERS of Counseling PsychologyMASTERS of Industrial and Organizational PsychologyMASTERS of Marriage and Family Therapy/CounselingMASTERS of Psychology, GeneralMASTERS of School Psychology
It offers placement services for completers, remedial services, employment services for students, and on-campus day care for students’ children.
3. Arizona State University-Polytechnic
Program available: MASTERS of Applied Psychology School Type: Both Online and Campus It offers employment services for students, placement services for completers, and academic/career counseling services.
4. Bemidji State University
Programs available: MASTERS of Counseling Psychology School Type: Both Online and Campus It offers remedial services, academic/career counseling services, placement services for completers, and employment services for students.
5. Binghamton University
Program available: MASTERS of Psychology, General It offers academic/career counseling services, employment services for students, and on-campus day care for students’ children.
6. California State University-Fresno
Progams available:
MASTERS of Psychology, GeneralMASTERS of School Psychology
It offers remedial services, placement services for completers, academic/career counseling services, and on-campus daycare for students’ children.
7. California State University-Sacramento
Program available: MASTERS of Psychology, General School Type: Both Online and Campus It offers remedial services, placement services for completers, and on-campus daycare for students’ children.
8. Cleveland State University
Program available:
MASTERS of Community Health Services/Liaison/CounselingMASTERS of Psychology, General
It offers employment services for students, remedial services, academic/career counseling services, and placement services for completers.
9. College of William and Mary
Program available:
MASTERS of Educational PsychologyMASTERS of Psychology, General
It offers placement services for completers, academic/career counseling services, employment services for students, and on-campus daycare for students’ children.
10. Coppin State University
Program available: MASTERS of Substance Abuse/Addiction Counseling School Type: Both Online and Campus It offers on-campus daycare for students’ children, academic/career counseling services, remedial services, and placement services for completers.
11. CUNY Graduate School and University Center
Program available:
MASTERS of Developmental and Child PsychologyMASTERS of Educational PsychologyMASTERS of Environmental PsychologyMASTERS of Experimental PsychologyMASTERS of Forensic PsychologyMASTERS of Industrial and Organizational PsychologyMASTERS of Psychology, OtherMASTERS of Clinical PsychologyMASTERS of Social Psychology
It offers on-campus day care for students’ children, placement services for completers, employment services for students, and academic/career counseling services.
12. East Carolina University
Programs available:
MASTERS of Marriage and Family Therapy/CounselingMASTERS of Psychology, GeneralMASTERS of School PsychologyMASTERS of Substance Abuse/Addiction CounselingMASTERS of Clinical Psychology
It offers placement services for completers, employment services for students, academic/career counseling service and remedial services.
13. East Tennessee State University
Program availble: MASTERS of Psychology, General It offers on-campus day care for students’ children, academic/career counseling service, employment services for students, and placement services for completers.
14. Fayetteville State University
Program available: MASTERS of Psychology, General It offers remedial services, placement services for completers, academic/career counseling service and on-campus day care for students’ children.
15. Florida Atlantic University
Program available: MASTERS of Psychology, General It offers placement services for completers, employment services for students, and academic/career counseling service.
Doctoral Degree (PhD) in Health And Wellness Psychology
Doctoral degree programs, including the Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) in Clinical Psychology with a concentration in health psychology and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Biological and Health Psychology, train psychological researchers and clinical practitioners, respectively. These programs focus on how psychological methods and behavioral research are applied to the analysis, prevention, and treatment of disease. Specific focus areas may include cardiovascular diseases, obesity and weight regulation, physiology of chronic pain, genetics, and behavioral oncology.
Best Health And Wellness Psychology Degrees (PhD)
There are various schools offering health and wellness degrees for a PhD program but here we have picked the best 15 out of them. The tuition of these schools varies, you can check the school’s official website for more details on the tuition fees. They include:
1. Arizona State University-Skysong
Program available: DOCTORAL of Applied Behavior Analysis It offers academic/career counseling service, employment services for students and, placement services for completers.
2. Binghamton University
Programs available:
DOCTORAL of Clinical PsychologyDOCTORAL of Cognitive Psychology and PsycholinguisticsDOCTORAL of Physiological Psychology/Psychobiology
It offers academic/career counseling service, on-campus day care for students’ children, placement services for completers and employment services for students.
3. Bowling Green State University-Main Campus
Program available: DOCTORAL of Psychology, General It offers remedial services, academic/career counseling service, employment services for students and placement services for completers.
4. Central Michigan University
Programs available:
DOCTORAL of Clinical PsychologyDOCTORAL of Experimental PsychologyDOCTORAL of Industrial and Organizational PsychologyDOCTORAL of School Psychology
It offers employment services for students, remedial services, placement services for completers and academic/career counseling service.
5. Clemson University
Program available:
DOCTORAL of Industrial and Organizational PsychologyDOCTORAL of Psychology, Other
It offers employment services for students, placement services for completers and academic/career counseling service.
6. Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Program available: DOCTORAL of Psychology, General It offers academic/career counseling service, on-campus day care for students’ children, placement services for completers and employment services for students.
7. CUNY Graduate School and University Center
Program available:
DOCTORAL of Clinical PsychologyDOCTORAL of Developmental and Child PsychologyDOCTORAL of Educational PsychologyDOCTORAL of Environmental PsychologyDOCTORAL of Experimental PsychologyDOCTORAL of Forensic PsychologyDOCTORAL of Industrial and Organizational PsychologyDOCTORAL of Psychology, OtherDOCTORAL of Social psychology
It offers on-campus day care for students’ children, placement services for completers, employment services for students and academic/career counseling service.
8. East Carolina University
Program available:
DOCTORAL of Health/Medical PsychologyDOCTORAL of Marriage and Family Therapy/Counseling
It offers placement services for completers, employment services for students, academic/career counseling service and remedial services.
9. East Tennessee State University
Program available: DOCTORAL of Psychology, General It offers academic/career counseling service, employment services for students, placement services for completers and on-campus day care for students’ children.
10. Eastern Michigan University
Program available: DOCTORAL of Clinical Psychology It offers placement services for completers, academic/career counseling service, remedial services, employment services for students and on-campus day care for students’ children.
11. Florida Atlantic University
Program available:
DOCTORAL of Experimental PsychologyDOCTORAL of Physiological Psychology/Psychobiology
It offers placement services for completers, employment services for students and academic/career counseling service.
12. Florida State University
Program available:
DOCTORAL of Educational PsychologyDOCTORAL of Marriage and Family Therapy/CounselingDOCTORAL of Psychology, General
It offers academic/career counseling service, placement services for completers, on-campus day care for students’ children and employment services for students.
13. George Mason University
Program available: DOCTORAL of Psychology, General It offers placement services for completers, academic/career counseling service, employment services for students and on-campus day care for students’ children.
14. Idaho State University
Program available:
DOCTORAL of Clinical PsychologyDOCTORAL of Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions, OtherDOCTORAL of School Psychology
It offers on-campus day care for students’ children, placement services for completers, employment services for students, academic/career counseling service and remedial services.
15. Indiana State University
Program available: DOCTORAL of Clinical Psychology It offers employment services for students, on-campus day care for students’ children, placement services for completers and academic/career counseling service.
Conclusion
Health and wellness psychology is an interdisciplinary field that analyzes emotional, social, and biological well-being through a combination of psychological methodology and study of the natural sciences. Bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs are available in a variety of health and wellness areas. The health psychology field explores the connections between health and behavior. Clinical health psychologists help clients with issues including dealing with illness or injury and improving health habits through interviews, assessments, and interventions. Researchers examine why people refuse to seek or follow medical advice. Health psychologists assist hospitals and healthcare entities with treatment and prevention strategies. They also inform healthcare policy with data on such topics as controlling healthcare costs and preventing communicable diseases. These psychologists help people struggling with the psychological effects of health issues, such as disease, injury, chronic illness, and obesity. A bachelor’s degree takes four years to complete, doctoral degrees in health psychology take an average of five years, while master’s degrees generally take around two years to complete. Health psychologist works in Healthcare facilities – like hospitals and clinic. Non-profit organizations and government sectors might also employ health psychologists, as well as large corporations and universities. Health psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on how mental, emotional, and social factors affect a person’s physical well-being.
Sources
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