How To Become a Health Psychologist
Health psychology seeks to understand how psychological, social and biological influences impact a person’s overall health, including their predisposition to developing illnesses. In other words, health psychology professionals study how and why people make lifestyle choices that affect their physical wellness.
In This Article:
- What Is a Health Psychologist?
- What Do Health Psychologists Do?
- Education Requirements to Work in Health Psychology
- Degrees for a Health Psychologist
- What Skills Does a Health Psychologist Need?
- Where Do Health Psychologists Work?
What Is a Health Psychologist?
What is a health psychologist’s overall goal? It’s to empower individuals to learn how to adopt healthier lifestyle habits and make better choices that reduce their risk of developing health problems. Learn how to become a health psychologist and pursue a career guiding others toward better wellness.
What Do Health Psychologists Do?
A health psychologist explores the mind-body connection, such as how biological, social and psychological factors combined can affect people’s health.2 They strive to understand patients' responses to diagnoses, how and why to change behavioral patterns or lifestyle habits and what might motivate someone to make a healthy change, such as quitting smoking.3
What do health psychologists do on a daily basis? Their tasks might vary depending on their area of focus but generally include the following:2
Research
Some health psychologists focus on researching the effects of disease and injury on people and how people respond to conditions.
Patient Education
These professionals strive to help patients develop a greater understanding of their health issues and how their lifestyle choices affect them.
Program Design
Health psychologists may develop and implement programs geared toward healthy behaviors and lifestyles.
Workplace Wellness
Some health psychologists might work with employers who are interested in boosting health and wellness in the workplace.
Coping Techniques
A health psychologist might help patients learn how to better deal with stress, cope with chronic health conditions, quit smoking or deal with burnout.
Treatment Adherence
Not all patients follow their doctor’s recommendations. Health psychologists strive to understand why and how to change this.
It could be said that good health is one of a person’s most valuable assets. Health psychologists make it their life’s work to help others work toward better health and wellness.
Education Requirements to Work in Health Psychology
If the idea of becoming a health psychologist appeals to you, you may be wondering what it takes to pursue the various careers in health psychology. Your career pathway will depend on the specific type of career you wish to pursue. Clinical psychology positions have stricter requirements, including licensure, whereas non-clinical positions are often achievable with only a master’s degree.2
High School Diploma
If you’re still in high school, consider speaking with your guidance counselor about your desire to specialize in health psychology. Your counselor may be able to help you arrange a job shadowing opportunity. You might also be able to add some related courses to your schedule, such as classes in health and psychology. Focus on doing well in all of your science and math courses.
College Degree
You’ll need to earn at least a bachelor’s degree, and typically a master’s degree, as well. At the baccalaureate level, look for a general Bachelor of Science in Psychology degree. At the master’s degree level, look for a specialization option, such as a Master of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Health Psychology. If you don’t plan on pursuing licensure as a clinical health psychologist, then you’ll likely only need a master’s degree.2
Undergraduate Certificates
Graduate certificates in psychology are designed to serve as supplemental education for current psychology, counseling or nursing professionals. These online certificates may enhance career opportunities and enable graduates to specialize in their area of interest. It may also prepare learners to pursue an advanced degree.
Internships
Hands-on experience in health-related settings can be helpful. You'll gain exposure to different aspects of health and wellness in practical settings while also enjoying opportunities to grow your professional network. Plus, an internship may help bolster your resume after graduation.
Entry-Level Roles
With a bachelor’s and master’s degree in health psychology, you may qualify to apply for roles such as:4
- Community health worker
- Mental health technician
- Research assistant
Professional Certifications
If you decide to pursue licensure as a clinical health psychologist, you would need to earn a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree and complete an internship lasting at least one year. In addition, you might choose to obtain board certification in health psychology through the American Board of Professional Psychology.2
Earning a baccalaureate degree in psychology followed by a master’s degree in health psychology can enable you to pursue a meaningful career related to health and wellness. Good health is important for everyone, and behavioral patterns and lifestyle choices can significantly influence health outcomes.
Degrees for a Health Psychologist
All aspiring health psychologists will need to earn at least a bachelor’s degree in psychology. However, more opportunities may become available to those who hold a master’s degree that focuses on health psychology in particular.2
At the baccalaureate level, you will explore the fundamentals of psychological research, human development and the various social, biological and psychological factors that can influence behavior. At the master’s degree level, you will focus more closely on health psychology topics, such as how to promote healthy behaviors in individuals and communities.
Health psychology degree programs may cover topics such as:
- Professional ethics
- Health behaviors
- Social effects on health
- Community program development
- Lifestyle factors and health
- Research methodology
GCU Recommends These Degree Programs for Health Psychologists
Health psychologists need a firm understanding of not only psychology — how and why people think and behave the way they do — but also of health and wellness, including how lifestyle choices influence disease risk and management. They need to understand the principles and methodologies of scientific research, as well as how to connect with individuals in a way that encourages them to make healthy lifestyle choices.2
If you’re interested in pursuing careers in health psychology, then a degree program that teaches both soft and hard skills may be beneficial. Consider the following programs:
Bachelor’s Programs
Master’s Programs
Other Programs
What Skills Does a Health Psychologist Need?
Aspiring health psychologists benefit from having a firm grasp on scientific research, particularly if they plan on pursuing a research-related position under the supervision of a clinical psychologist.2
In addition to an understanding of the fundamentals of health psychology, it’s helpful to have the following skills:4
- Effective communication
- Data analysis
- Critical thinking
- Compassion
- Adaptability
- Research
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not offer employment data specifically for health psychologists. However, according to the BLS, the median annual salary for most types of psychologists was $117,750 as of May 2023.5 This category of psychologists does not include clinical and counseling psychologists, school psychologists or industrial-organizational psychologists.
The U.S. BLS does not offer job growth projections specifically for health psychologists. However, from 2022 to 2032, the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook estimates job growth for most types of psychologists to be 5%, faster than average, indicating an estimated addition of about 2,900 new jobs in the field.6
Where Do Health Psychologists Work?
A professional who works in the health psychology field may enjoy the opportunity to pursue employment across various settings, such as the following:2
Healthcare Facilities
Hospitals and other healthcare clinics are just a few of the places where health psychologists might work.
Universities
A health psychologist with a master’s degree may serve as a research assistant under the supervision of a clinical psychologist.
Private Corporations
A health psychologist may help employers design workplace wellness programs for employees.
Government Agencies
Some health psychologists work on public health initiatives in community health settings.
After working for a while as a health psychologist, you might decide to pursue clinical licensure as a means of career advancement. You’ll need to enroll in a doctorate program that leads to clinical licensure. You’ll also need to complete an internship lasting at least one year to become a licensed clinical health psychologist, and you may decide to pursue board certification.2
If you’re passionate about helping other people take better care of their health, consider pursuing careers in health psychology. Apply today to the Bachelor of Science in Psychology or Master of Science in Psychology with an Emphasis in Health Psychology at Grand Canyon University.
1 American Cancer Society. (n.d.). Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking Over Time. ACS. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
2 Cherry, K., MSEd. (2024, May 17). What to Know About Pursuing a Career in Health Psychology. VeryWellMind. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
3 American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Pursuing a Career in Health Psychology. APA. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
4 Monteiro, I. (2024, April 18). FAQ: What Can You Do With a Health Psychology Degree? Indeed. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
5 The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Psychologist as of May 2022, retrieved on, July 17, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers nationwide with varying levels of education and experience. It does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as Psychologist, nor does it reflect the earnings of workers in one city or region of the country or a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries. Your employability will be determined by numerous factors over which GCU has no control, such as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, the graduate’s experience level, individual characteristics, skills, etc. against a pool of candidates.
6 COVID-19 has adversely affected the global economy and data from 2020 to 2022 may be atypical compared to prior years. Accordingly, data shown is effective September 2023, which can be found here: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Psychologist, retrieved on July 17, 2024.
Approved by the assistant dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences on Aug. 29, 2024.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
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