Health Psychology

• The course follows the framework for professional training in health psychology developed by the Division of Health Psychology of the British Psychological Society.
• The MSc aims to give you an overview of health psychology with a focus on the methodologies and models underpinning health research and practice.
• Consideration of ethical and professional issues are central to the course.
• Graduates from this award gain Stage One accreditation towards gaining Chartered Psychologist status and registration with the Health professionals Council(HPC) as a Health Psychologist. 

• "Tutors were very supportive in all areas, every session well prepared and lots of extra references for reading round appropriately"

• "Tutors were effective. Was good to have a number of tutors who talked about their speciality areas"

• "This course is very enjoyable and interesting. It is well organised"

• "Very much enjoyed the course and felt that I have learned a lot from it"

Health psychologists apply psychological research and methods to:

• promotion and maintenance of health

• prevention and management of illness

• identification of psychological factors in contributing to physical illness

• improvement of the health care system

• formulation of health policy.

Health Psychologists work in health and academic settings:

• teaching students and health professionals

• conducting research

• assessing patients

• managing clinical interventions

• informing health promotion and public health policy.

Health Psychology is one of the latest branches of Psychology to be given professional status by the British Psychological Society (BPS). This means that you will need to complete an accredited MSc in Health Psychology as the first step towards gaining Chartered Health Psychologist status and registration with HPC as a Health Psychologist. For more details, see the Division of Health Psychology web pages at www.health-psychology.org.uk

• To develop your skills in research methods applied to health
• To equip you with an understanding of health psychology
• To encourage the consideration of ethical and moral aspects of different approaches to health issues
• To allow you to demonstrate the ability to carry out independent research.

The MSc in Health Psychology is awarded on the successful completion of the following modules:

• In Core Issues in Health Psychology you will study health psychology from a variety of perspectives, to develop theoretical and practical knowledge of health psychology, and to develop critical and evaluative skills.

• The Psychology Research Methods module covers qualitative and quantitative methods, including the philosophical underpinnings of research approaches, and the difficulties of conducting research and practice under experimental and non-experimental conditions.

• Communication Issues in Health Care Settings covers general issues relating to communication in health care settings as well as specific issues relating to particular patient groups.

• The Impact and Experience of Long-term Conditions investigates psychological impact and experiences of people who have been diagnosed with a long-term condition.

• Applications of Health Psychology focuses in particular on interventions to improve health.

• The Dissertation allows you to work independently, under supervision, to research a topic of your own choosing.

These modules cover the core curriculum of health psychology required by the BPS for Stage One professional training.

Staffordshire University Masters Program

The MSc in Health Psychology operates within the general framework for the University Modular Masters Programme. To obtain an MSc in Health Psychology you will have to complete modules worth 180 credits. This programme of study normally takes 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time to complete. It is also possible to obtain a Postgraduate Certificate in Health Psychology following the completion of taught modules worth 60 credits, or a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Psychology having completed taught modules worth 120 credits. 

The MSc in Health Psychology at Staffordshire is fully accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). The British Psychological Society accreditation team has commended the Staffordshire University health psychology programme team for the high quality service and learning facilities, most notably:

1. Strong academic leadership and team cohesion
2. The emphasis on personal and professional skills, and the extent to which it permeates the programme
3. The broad range of assessments
4. Student satisfaction with the programme
5. The forward-thinking programme and proactive approach
6. Embedding the programme within the Centre for Health Psychology
7. The use of Blackboard as an effective teaching resource.

The Centre for Health Psychology at Staffordshire University has been established to promote psychological research into illness and health and into health care delivery. The Centre seeks to link researchers and practitioners from a variety of fields to facilitate research in the West Midlands and North West. Through its core academic and research staff significant expertise is provided in health psychology research, teaching and consultancy. The Centre for Health Psychology will respond to local needs and inform national developments.

Stage Two Professional Training

Staffordshire University also offers a Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology which provides Stage Two professional training in Health Psychology.

We have regular open days where potential students can meet staff and look at our facilities. Please contact Susan Steele on 01782 294573 for further details.

For more information about Health Psychology please contact: