Health Psychology is the study of how biological, psychological, environmental, social, and cultural factors integrate with health and wellness promotion. The field is composed of five specialties, including clinical health psychology, public health psychology, community health psychology, occupational health psychology, and critical health psychology. According to researchers, the biopsychosocial model explains health and illness as the result of biological, behavioral, and social factors. Health psychologists work every day to understand how these factors interact and determine health and illness. Health psychologists work with doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals as part of a medical team passionate about promoting wellness.
Masters programs in Health Psychology are designed to graduate experts ready to tackle the many factors that cause illness. These programs offer students direct experience in psychological consultation in healthcare settings, the change to conduct demand-driven research to add to the fields knowledge base, and study a variety of illnesses including cancer, alcoholism, cardiovascular disease, and chronic pain. Courses might include Advanced Health Psychology, Emotion and Health, Pediatric Health Psychology, Alcoholism, Drugs and Behavior, Health Care Systems, and Rural Health Issues. Prerequisites might include an essay, GRE exam, interview, and letters of recommendation.