Online Master’s in Psychology: Health Psychology Emphasis

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Overview

Explore Critical Topics in Health Psychology Courses

Health psychology is a multidisciplinary specialization that explores the biological, social and psychological factors that influence people’s behavioral decisions and their impact on health, wellness and illness.1 The Master of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Health Psychology at Grand Canyon University can prepare future health psychologists to support individuals in their quest for a physically, mentally and cognitively healthy lifestyle. With an education in health psychology, you will examine the interrelationships of body, mind and spirit as you prepare to enrich the lives of those around you.

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Female psychology professional in therapy session guiding young female client
Why GCU

Earn Your MS in Psychology at GCU

Offered by the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, this master’s degree in psychology with an emphasis in health psychology can enable you to dive into current theories, statistics and data analysis. Apply research-based interventions to inspire healthy behavior changes in diverse communities. This program teaches you how to practice a holistic approach to healthcare as you reflect upon what motivates people to make health-related decisions, how people recover from illnesses and how they cope with chronic conditions.

GCU seeks to graduate students who are skilled communicators and inspired servant leaders. As a GCU student, you are encouraged to apply the Christian perspective to your coursework. There is an emphasis on moral considerations in theory and application, and you are guided in acquiring an ethical framework to implement in your professional practice.

Earn Your Master’s in Psychology Online

At GCU, you can dive into timely topics in health psychology online courses. Designed with the needs of working professionals in mind, our MS in Psychology online program connects learners from diverse backgrounds and places to experienced instructors. Benefit from the flexibility of working through course materials from virtually anywhere and engaging in academically stimulating discussions on our interactive e-learning platform. Our students have access to a variety of support resources, including technical support and web-enhanced learning tools.


This Degree Is Offered Online

Coursework

Health Psychology Course Topics

This master’s degree in psychology is designed to equip you to evaluate the many factors that influence individual and societal health, and to support people to work toward positive change. You will be taught to design and implement policies and programs intended to inspire healthy lifestyle modifications.

In a comprehensive range of health psychology courses, you will be taught the following core competencies:

Health Behaviors

The promotion of health behaviors at the individual and community level, with a focus on prevention programs and the utilization of media

Intervention and Prevention

The implementation of community-wide change throughout intervention, prevention and program evaluation

Public Policy

Current public policy and the issues and controversies that affect the health psychology field

Lifestyle

The lifestyle factors that promote health and wellness across the lifespan

Group of peers sitting in a circle at group therapy session

Capstone Project

Toward the conclusion of this Master of Science in Psychology degree program, you will complete a capstone course. You will explore and present your original research ideas and examine relevant occupations in order to prepare for a health psychology career.

Careers

Career Paths for Graduates With a Health Psychology Focus

Graduates with a master’s in psychology: health psychology emphasis may consider careers that touch upon the interrelated nature of the body, mind and spirit. After you complete this master’s in psychology online or on campus, you may choose to pursue a doctoral degree to further enhance your health psychology career qualifications.

You can position yourself to pursue roles across a range of settings, including:1

Hospitals and other healthcare organizations

Private practices

Specialty Practices

Universities

Government agencies

Corporations

Research-Based Career Paths

You may also choose to pursue a research-based position. Examples of what qualified health psychologists may do include:

  • Community health: Evaluate the health profile of whole communities and explore risk factors in disease prevalence.
  • Occupational health: Work with corporations to influence workplace policies that encourage and support the health of employees, and explore how jobs may affect the health of employees.
  • Public health: Work within public and governmental health programs to influence public health policies or implement public health awareness campaigns.
  • Clinical health: Help clients understand how behavior and lifestyle choices affect overall health and how to overcome lifestyle issues.
Accreditation

Graduate From an Accredited University

You can feel confident knowing that GCU’s top priority is to adhere to high academic standards. As an institutionally accredited university, we develop curriculum with the goal of providing quality education across each department. Furthermore, the Higher Learning Commission has continually accredited GCU since 1968. The College of Humanities and Social Sciences shares the university’s commitment to upholding the principles and standards established by our accrediting bodies.

FAQ

Master of Science in Psychology: Health Psychology Emphasis FAQs

Before committing to a particular course of study, it can be helpful to further explore the field and the potential career outcomes. GCU has compiled the following FAQs and answers to guide your decision-making process.

Explore Emphasis Options

Explore the various MS in psychology emphases offered by GCU.

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Start Your Journey Today

Prepare to help make a positive impact on individuals and whole communities as a psychology health and wellness professional. Apply today to earn your MS in Psychology online at GCU.

Apply Now

1 American Psychological Association. (2014, October). Health Psychology Promotes Wellness. American Psychological Association. Retrieved Dec. 6, 2023.

2 Cherry, K., MSEd. (2023, March 1). Studying Health Psychology and Illness. VeryWell Mind. Retrieved Dec. 6, 2023.

3 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologists. Retrieved on Dec. 6, 2023.

4 Schieltz, M. (2017, July 5). Major Differences Between Clinical Psychologist & Health Psychologist. Career Trend. Retrieved Dec. 6, 2023.

5 American Psychological Association. (2014). Pursuing a Career in Health Psychology. American Psychological Association. Retrieved Dec. 6, 2023.

6 Indeed. (2023, March 10). How to Become a Health Psychologist (Plus Duties and Skills). Indeed. Retrieved Dec. 6, 2023.

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