Master’s Degree in Health Psychology

Health psychology is a relatively new area of professional specialization in the larger realm of psychology which traces its official roots back to the early 1970s. In response to the increasingly important role that psychologists were playing in hospital medical care, and the obvious links between mental and physical health that decades of study had established, the American Psychological Association added something called “health psychology” to its lists of official divisions within the sphere of clinical and behavioral psychology. Of course, psychology in all of its various facets is concerned with issues of health. So, why did health psychology need a separate designation within the discipline?

The answer to that question lies in the more nuanced understanding of medical treatments and disease that gained traction over the last half of the 20th century, one that, as the British Health Society explains, saw illness not just in biological and physiological terms, but also as a symptom of psychological and social factors. So, as evidence linking behavior and biology accumulated, and behavioral science became part of the physician’s toolbox, psychologists and psychological theory became intertwined with the practice of medicine, and health psychology became a discrete specialty.

In this guide we’ll take an in-depth look at master’s degrees in health psychology, as well as the training and knowledge it takes to embark on a career in the field. We’ll also highlight the various areas of specialization that have emerged within health psychology, the kinds of careers that are available, and the job outlook and earning potential that comes with earning a master’s degree in health psychology.

What Does a Health Psychologist Do?

The APA answers that question with another question that offers some insight into the work of health psychologists: “Doctors diagnose illnesses and surgeons operate to cure them, but what factors contribute to our health? That’s where the skills of health psychologists can help.” Indeed, health psychologists confront a number of pressing questions about illness causation and the impact of various diseases. How can patients best be persuaded to follow medical advice? Get more exercise? Eat right? Make healthier life choices? Are there more effective ways to get patients to engage in the kind of preventative care measures that can prolong health and wellbeing, and reduce the overall cost of medical care?

Health psychologists are charged with designing and conducting research aimed at answering these questions. They study the psycho-social causes of disease and the behavioral patterns that can effect treatment protocols. They also work directly with patients to help them understand complicated diagnoses, and to ease them into treatments that can be difficult and even a little scary. They act as educators and counselors to patients in need and consult with other healthcare professionals. They help inform and mold public healthcare policy, working in tandem with hospitals, insurance providers, and government agencies. And they also go out into the community, developing and implementing intervention programs and working with at-risk groups to get them the medical care they need.

Who Becomes a Health Psychologist?

Health psychology is a graduate-level area of specialization that entails earning a master’s or doctorate degree. The master’s degree in health psychology is open to applicants who have earned a bachelor’s degree and who want to go into a growing healthcare field that incorporates the theories and practices of psychology. While in some cases there are health psychology classes offered at the undergraduate level, and much of what one learns about psychological research methods, social and behavioral psychology, and other aspects of the discipline in a four-year bachelor’s degree program in psychology are applicable at the master’s level, a master’s degree in health psychology is generally considered the minimum requirement for most jobs in the field.

The APA’s Division 38, which is devoted to health psychology, recommends that undergraduates interested in pursuing a master’s degree in health psychology focus on developing a, “broad psychology background (e.g. social, abnormal, cognitive neuroscience, developmental, and definitely psychobiology), but also biology, anatomy, and even a public health course if that is possible.” In fact, one way to conceptualize preparation for a master’s degree in health psychology is something along the lines of a marriage between a pre-med curriculum and a psychology major.

It’s also worth noting, as the American Job Center Network’s ONet Online emphasizes, that working in psychology requires strong interpersonal skills, an ability to clearly articulate one’s thoughts in writing and oral presentation, and the kind of active listening and critical thinking skills that come with a well-rounded, four-year bachelor’s degree program in the liberal arts.

What Is a Master’s Degree in Health Psychology?

Like most master’s degrees in psychology, the master’s degree in health psychology is designed to be a two-year course of study, during which students are immersed in the clinical practices, research methodologies, and theoretical underpinnings of the discipline. These degrees don’t always come by the same name: There are master’s of arts and master’s of science degree programs available in health psychology, and there are also master’s degrees in clinical, counseling, or behavioral psychology that offer a concentration in health psychology. In addition, some of these master’s degree programs fall under the heading of interdisciplinary health psychology, or biological and health psychology.

Master’s programs in health psychology do differ from school to school. Some place a greater emphasis on counseling and clinical practice, while others are more focused on research in the field. Most offer internship opportunities, but that can vary, as can master’s degree thesis requirements. It would be nice if there were a strict delineation between the curriculum of a typical MA and a typical MS in health psychology, but that just isn’t the case. Instead, it’s important to look into the requirements and the courses offered by each program individually.

Master’s in Health Psychology Coursework

With that in mind, here is a chart that illustrates some of the core subjects covered in a master’s degree in health psychology, beyond the general graduate-level psychological research and counseling coursework:

Specialization within the Master’s Degree in Health Psychology

Health psychology is itself a subspecialty within the discipline of psychology, but it has grown to include four further areas of specialization. For the most part, the lines between these specialties aren’t clearly drawn during a master’s degree program. Rather, they become more relevant during doctoral and post-doctoral work in health psychology. But, as a master’s degree candidate, it’s good to be aware of how the knowledge and skills acquired during an MA or MS program in health psychology might lead to further study. Here’s a brief description of each of the four areas of specialization:

Career Options, Salaries, and Job Outlook

Full licensure to practice as a psychologist generally requires a PhD or PsyD degree, and that is true in health psychology as well. However, a master’s degree in health psychology does prepare graduates for various kinds of work in the field, usually under the supervision of a licensed health psychologist. The Bureau of Labor Statistics doesn’t keep records on health psychologists per se, so it’s hard to get an exact count of how many people are currently working in the field, or how their salaries compare to those of other psychologists. But, a 2009 salary survey by the APA found, “that health psychologists working in direct human services earned an average of $80,000 per year. Many who work in large universities or health systems earn more.”

The APA also notes that, “the career path for someone with a master’s degree [in health psychology] often includes positions such as a research assistant or behavioral specialist.” However, the expansion of the healthcare system under the Affordable Care Act has put a new emphasis on and new resources behind managing costs, providing better care, and creating more effective preventative measures for an expanding population of potential patients. This is almost certain to create greater demand for health psychologists. As the BLS’s Occupational Outlook Handbook notes, “Demand for psychologists in the healthcare industry is also expected to increase because their collaborative work with doctors, social workers, and other healthcare professionals provides patients with comprehensive, interdisciplinary treatments. In addition to treating mental and behavioral health issues, psychologists will be needed to work on teams to develop or administer prevention or wellness programs.”