Santa Clara University

Emphasis in Health Psychology

Dale G. Larson (Coordinator)

The Emphasis in Health Psychology Program at Santa Clara University offers a concentration in health psychology within the counseling degree programs. The program focuses on applications of psychology to issues of health and disease at individual and societal levels. Course work concentrates on the development of knowledge and practical skills in the following areas: maintaining and promoting personal health; preventing disease; exploring the individual and social contexts of health problems; counseling healthy and ill individuals regarding health-related problems and issues; counseling for grief and loss; developing stress management programs; addressing interpersonal issues in health care settings and the emerging field of Positive Psychology.

The Emphasis in Health Psychology is designed for individuals with a combined interest in counseling and health psychology. Graduates of the program work as agency and private practice counselors; health promotion specialists in industry, schools, and hospitals; counselors in employee assistance programs; and counseling and health specialists in other settings.

The emphasis is available to students in both master of arts program options: Counseling with an Emphasis in Health Psychology (51 units) and Counseling Psychology with an Emphasis in Health Psychology (78 units). The 78-unit option provides a greater depth of training in counseling theory and skills. A student who includes the health emphasis in the 78-unit master’s program can meet all the academic requirements for the California State License in Marriage and Family Therapy.

78: Counseling Psychology (MFT Track) with Health Emphasis - Core classes plus 211, 217, 311, 312, 315, 318, 319, 323, 333 (three consecutive quarters beginning in the fall), and emphasis courses: 291, 380, 381, 383, 385, plus one elective.

78: Counseling Psychology (Self Designed NON MFT) with Health Emphasis - Core courses plus 217, 311, 312, 315, 318, 331 (two consecutive quarters beginning in the fall), and emphasis courses: 291, 380, 381, 383, 383, 385, and five electives.

51: Counseling with Health Psychology Emphasis - Core courses plus 312, 318, 331H (fall term), 291, 380, 381, 383, 385.

Link to Course Descriptions