While a bachelor's degree is the foundation of a career in health psychology, most careers require a doctorate. The career path of someone with a master's degree often includes positions as a research assistant or behavioral specialist. They usually work under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. Students who pursue careers as health psychologists earn a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in psychology.
These two degrees take about six years to complete with full-time assistance. Health psychology is a specialty area that focuses on how biological, social, and psychological factors influence health and illness. Could consulting a health psychologist benefit your health and well-being? Or are you interested in becoming a professional health psychologist? Learn more about what health psychologists do, educational and training requirements, and job prospects in this brief summary of health psychology. Most licensed health psychologists have a doctoral degree (doctorate or PsyD) in psychology.
In many cases, health psychologists earn a degree in general psychology and then specialize in health psychology in graduate school. Some programs offer specific degrees in health psychology. The emphasis in these programs may vary: some focus on preparing students for clinical careers, while others emphasize the role of research. Health psychologists typically have completed an accredited degree in psychology.
From there, they must complete a master's degree in health psychology approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and then complete a doctoral degree in health psychology. Make a difference your way and start your path to becoming a psychologist with King University's online psychology degree. The health psychologist performs a different role than the clinical health psychologist who specializes in physical health. For example, public health psychologists establish connections between their knowledge of psychology and common public health problems.
Health psychologists work with individuals (including children, adults, and older adults) or groups, or work indirectly by developing remote approaches, such as media or online interventions. Health psychologists conduct evaluations and conduct interviews, in addition to developing and implementing specialized patient care programs in pain management, oncology and women's health. Health psychologists work in a wide variety of settings, including hospitals, health care clinics, private corporations, and universities. Health psychology is a subfield that explores how biological, psychological and social factors affect health.
During this period, you must complete a standard 1-year internship or residency specializing in health psychology training. In addition to a graduate degree, health psychologists must meet their state's licensing or certification requirements. Common skills include a strong understanding of health psychology and its role within the profession, critical and analytical thinking, excellent communication and interpersonal skills, and research skills. People with a master's degree enjoy more employment opportunities, although they generally work under the supervision of a licensed clinical psychologist.
Every day, health psychologists make a positive difference in the lives of their patients and the community. Non-profit organizations and government sectors could also employ health psychologists, as could large corporations. This field, also sometimes referred to as medical psychology, also focuses on the patient's mental and emotional reaction to illness or recovery from illness. Critical health psychologists focus on marginalized communities and the inequities that exist in the delivery of quality health care.
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