Health psychology deals with the interconnections between psychology and medicine, and the practice of health psychology in identifying issues in prevention, assessment, and management of health problems. The purpose of this advanced graduate study program is to understand the extent to which psychosocial and environmental factors contribute to the development and progression of medical conditions. These conditions can range from acute physical sysmptoms, such as headaches and constipation, to chronic illnesses such as cancer and heart disease, to predicting the length of time a person lives. The coursework in Health Psychology/Behavioral Medicine will provide a major overview of the discipline and also examine specific types of illnesses and disorders and the mind-body connection.

HBM5000 - Health Psychology

This course examines how biological, psychological, and social factors interact with and affect: 1) the efforts people make in promoting good health and preventing illness, 2) the treatment of people by medical professionals and responses to treatment, 3) coping with stress and pain, 4) the recovery, rehabilitation, and psychosocial adjustment of patients with serious health problems, 5) personality factors in health, and 6) role of stress on immunity.

PSY5027 - Psychology of Stress & Stress Related Disorders: Theory, Assessment, & Intervention

This course is a comprehensive overview of the theory and research regarding psychological, physiological, and environmental components of stress. Symptom management and therapeutic interventions will be discussed with a focus on stress management techniques.

PSY5054 - Eating Disorders and Obesity

A survey of topics related to eating disorders and obesity, including measurement and diagnosis, epidemiological issues, etiology, prevention, and treatment of eating disorders and obesity.

HBM6006 - Psychology of Chronic Illness

This course addresses the challenges that accompany chronic illness. It identifies chronic health complaints and diseases, addresses the medical explanation for each, looks at the standard medical treatment, and discusses the psychological barriers to effective management. Specific interventions are explored with focus on short-term therapy and treatment of the grief associated with the loss of health.

HBM6007 - Behavioral Medicine I: Mind-Body Connection

There is a substantial body of research documenting the mind-body connection. The first demonstrates how the mind and one’s emotional states can significantly effect the body’s immune system, psychoimmunology. The second is the mind’s influence upon the nervous system, psychoneurology. The third is the mind’s ability to create various disease-like states, psychogenic. This course investigates the mind’s ability to influence physiological states and the mechanisms used.

HBM6008 - Behavioral Medicine II: Body-Mind Connection

Emerging research documents the body-mind connection. This research has given rise to plausible theories of how environment toxicities and abnormal physiological states can interact to produce both positive and negative mental, behavioral, and physical health states.