MSc in Health Psychology (GYA70)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: THE MSC IN HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY IS NOW ACCREDITED BY THE PSYCHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF IRELAND

• What is the MSc in Health Psychology?
• What will I study?
• Programme Overview
• How is the programme delivered?
• What are the entry requirements?
• Why should I choose this course?
• Will I get a job?
• How do I apply?
• What are the programme fees?
• Who are the members of the programme board?
• Who should I contact for further information?
• Links / websites

Click here for the MSc in Health Psychology Student Guide 2012/2013

What is the MSc in Health Psychology?

The MSc in Health Psychology is a one-year full-time programme of academic study in the discipline of health psychology. The MSc in Health Psychology is a fully accredited programme of the Psychological Society of Ireland.

Health Psychology is concerned with the application of psychological theory, research, and practice to the promotion and maintenance of health; the identification and amelioration of psychological factors contributing to physical illness and the improvement of the health care system and formulation of health policy.

The types of issues which health psychologists address include:

• Exploring the factors that influence the uptake and maintenance of behaviours which affect our health, such as physical activity
• Understanding the impact of stress on wound healing
• Evaluating programmes for increasing attendance at mammography for asymptomatic women
• Evaluating the impact of psychological therapy on coping with chronic illness
• Assessing the impact of interventions designed to prepare children for stressful medical procedures
• Exploring the role of psychological factors in adherence to medication regimens for patients with chronic illness

What will I study?

The course is concerned with the application of psychological theory, methods and research to health, illness and health care. The course includes lectures, seminars and workshops on the biopsychosocial basis of health and illness; models of health-related behaviour and illness cognition; health psychology in applied settings; psychosomatic influences on health and current issues relevant to health psychology such as childhood obesity, caffeine & health, sexuality and health.

The modules cover a wide variety of topics including adjustment to chronic illness, doctor-patient communication, management of chronic pain and the nature of stress and its psychobiological consequences.

Students also take classes in research methods in health psychology and carry out an empirical research project in a health-related area. In addition, they have the opportunity to attend research seminars given by international experts in the field of health psychology.

For further details on individual modules, please see the Student Guide link above.

Programme Overview

The general aims of the course are:

• To equip graduates with a comprehensive knowledge base in health psychology, at postgraduate level
• To train students to conduct high quality research in the area of health psychology
• To prepare students to undertake future professional training in health psychology and other areas of psychology, such as clinical psychology.

The specific course objectives are as follows:

1. To impart specialist knowledge of core theoretical issues, principles and methods in health psychology
2. To support the development of research skills and research competencies relevant to health psychology and health-related settings in general
3. To enable students to reflect on the application of research evidence to health, illness & health care
4. To support students in the development of an ethical approach to their work and to increase awareness of professional responsibilities and the importance of scientific integrity.
5. To support the development of communication skills (written and oral) and the dissemination of research
6. To help students understand the broader context in which they work.

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 1 & 2, and Summer Term

How is the programme delivered?

The programme is delivered across three academic terms (Semester 1, Semester 2, and the Summer Term). Semesters 1 and 2 contain a number of taught modules, which are assessed based on coursework, continuous assessment assignments and written exams. Throughout both Semesters 1 and 2 and the Summer Term, students carry out and report on a significant piece of supervised research, which comprises a Minor Dissertation.

In addition, to the dissertation, other forms of assessment include exams, essays, reports, a literature review and oral presentations.

What are the entry requirements?

The programme is intended for graduates usually with at least an upper second class honours primary degree in psychology. There is an annual intake each Autumn and it is anticipated that 15 students will be admitted each year.

Why should I choose this course?

The School of Psychology at NUI, Galway has an established record in the teaching of health psychology. This school was one of the first to introduce Health Psychology as a module to psychology undergraduates in 1990. At postgraduate level, a masters course - the MPsychSc in Health Psychology - was established at the NUI, Galway in 1994. Professor Ruth Curtis was the first director of the course; Dr AnnMarie Groarke, Anne Marie Keane M Litt, Seamus McLoone (Senior lecturer, retired) and Emeritus Professor Martin McHugh also contributed immensely to the setting up and running of this programme following its inception. Since, 2007, NUI Galway now have replaced the MPsychSc with a one year full time MSc in Health Psychology. A number of new personnel have since joined the programme board. Staff are available to provide students with expert guidance in the field of health psychology research and to support students professional development in the field.

In addition to the Schools commitment to teaching health psychology there are a number of staff members who are research active in the area of health psychology. Research interests include: areas such as psychological intervention with patients with breast cancer, stress and cardiovascular reactivity, coping and adjustment to chronic illness, immunisation uptake, interventions for behaviour change in general practice, understanding health behaviours in children and the impact of caffeine consumption on health.

Programme staff have also been actively involved in the development and promotion of health psychology both in Ireland and internationally. A number of staff have been involved in the committee of the Division of Health Psychology in the Psychological Society of Ireland. Programme board members also regularly attend the European Health Psychology Society (EHPS) Conferences, and other international events. Members of the team were also involved in organizing and hosting the EHPS conference in NUI, Galway in September 2005. The conference attracted over 600 delegates from Ireland, Europe and further afield.

Will I get a job?

The MSc in Health Psychology at NUI, Galway is the only Masters programme of its type in Ireland and has a long-established reputation for producing excellent graduates (since its inception in 1994).

Given the strong academic and research basis of this programme, this qualification has relevance for working in a diverse range of settings. Previous graduates have gained employment in research posts and health service evaluation. Other opportunities include working with health authorities or voluntary organisations, that provide support, education and training to those with health-related difficulties. Graduates may also find employment in the area of health promotion or health education.

In addition to helping to prepare for employment in which a background in psychology is an advantage, the MSc in Health Psychology also provides an excellent foundation for further postgraduate study. Some previous students have progressed to PhD studies, and have gained employment in Universities and other higher education settings (eg. teaching psychology to health professionals or those in training, as well as psychology students and/or conducting research). Others have pursued studies in Clinical Psychology, with Clinical-Health Psychology a potential route in which to specialize.

How do I apply?

NUI, Galway uses a system of offer rounds to facilitate decision making and early notification to applicants throughout the year. Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Applications will continue to be reviewed until the start of the programme if there are still programme places available.

All applications must be submitted on-line via the Postgraduate Applications Centre (PAC).

The PAC application code for this programme is: GYA70

In the PAC system, you need to click on the "Apply Taught" menu option.

What are the programme fees?

Click on Fees Office for further details about fees.

Programme Board

The programme board consists of:

Dr Molly Byrne
Dr Gerry Molloy
Dr AnnMarie Groarke
Dr Caroline Heary
Ms Anne Marie Keane
Dr Jane Walsh

Other members of staff from the School of Psychology also contribute to the programme.

Who should I contact for further information?

For further information, please contact:

Dr Jane Walsh
Phone: +353 (0)91 493102
Email: jane.walshnuigalway.ie

Dr Molly Byrne
Phone: +353 (0)91 495182 or extension 5182
Email: molly.byrne nuigalway.ie

Co-Directors of MSc in Health Psychology
School of Psychology, NUI Galway

Or consult the PAC website: http://www.nuigalway.ie/courses/taught-postgraduate-courses/health-psychology.html

Links/Websites

For further information, please refer to:

• Division of Health Psychology, Psychological Society of Ireland: http://www.psihq.ie/members_div_health.asp
• British Psychological Society, Division of Health Psychology: http://www.health-psychology.org.uk/
• American Psychological Association: Division 38: http://www.health-psych.org/

Important links with regard to application for all postgraduate courses including the MSc in Health Psychology are as follows:

• Graduate Education at NUI Galway (Go4th)
• NUI Galway Postgraduate Prospectus
• Postgraduate Admissions Office
• Online Postgraduate Application
• Postgraduate Fees and Funding

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