Earn Your Health Psychology Graduate Certificate Online

Psychological and behavioral factors can significantly influence a person’s physical health and wellbeing. The specialization of health psychology examines how social factors, behavior, psychology and biology come together to shape health and illness. You can study this fascinating field with the Graduate Certificate of Completion in Health Psychology. The health psychology certificate, offered online at Grand Canyon University, may serve as a supplemental career qualification for working professionals who have a background in counseling, psychology, nursing or social work.

Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, the health psychology graduate-level certification program examines the psychological, social and behavioral factors that affect individual and community health. Students will develop an understanding of how best to promote the behaviors that lead to positive health outcomes. Effective coaching practices for individuals are examined, along with the promotion of community-wide change.

Study Physical and Mental Behaviors That Influence Health

Explore the intersection of physical, mental and behavioral health. Benefit from the insightful lectures of fully qualified instructors, and from the diverse perspectives of your peers. Earn your health psychology graduate certification by taking evening courses at GCU’s campus. This program is also available via our dynamic online learning platform, which is fully interactive and intuitive. The program requires a total of 16 credits for completion. Online courses are eight weeks in length.

Students will examine the spectrum of personal lifestyle choices, including those pertaining to nutrition, physical activity and safety matters. There is an emphasis on the latest evidence-based research to shed light on health issues and inform modern practices. Students will also explore the fundamentals of survey design, public policy and the grant writing process in the healthcare field. In courses such as Health and Wellness, Community Health and Promotion of Health Behaviors, students will examine the following topic areas:

• The use of preventive programs and media tools to affect health behaviors at the individual and community-wide level
• The lifestyle factors that impact wellness, with a particular focus on exercise, nutrition, substance abuse and weight control
• Intervention, prevention and program evaluation for the implementation of community-wide programs that support health and illness prevention

Students will also explore the future of health psychology. The curriculum examines current public policy, careers in this field and related issues and controversies.

Explore Research and Patient Care Opportunities with a Graduate Certificate in Health Psychology

Health psychologists can work in a range of settings. Clinical health psychologists often work one-on-one with patients, helping them adopt healthy behaviors and reduce their risk of illnesses. Some health psychologists focus their careers on research, such as by exploring causes of health problems and how best to help patients who are struggling with illnesses or pain. Some health psychologists may do public policy work, either in agency settings or governmental organizations. They may advise on health care reform or address inequalities in health care.

This health psychology graduate certification may serve as a supplement for currently active psychology or nursing professionals. It may enhance career opportunities and enable graduates to focus their work in their area of interest. It may also prepare learners to pursue an advanced degree.