Our Clinical Health Psychology program takes a biopsychosocial approach to the promotion of health, the prevention and treatment of illness, and the identification of etiological and diagnostic correlates of illness and health.
We emphasize an interdisciplinary understanding of the total
matrix of psychological, physiological, and social factors and techniques relevant to health and illness and the applications of this knowledge to prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation. Many individuals are healthy at birth and made ill by social and/or physical factors. A holistic approach to health includes the study of personality characteristics, reinforcement history, psychological
responsivity, nutritional states, psychoimmunity, ecological factors, and other variables that emphasize the realignment of lifestyle to reduce physiological and psychological stresses. The mind-body bridge needs further appreciation and investigation as we understand and treat psychological and biological functioning.
The Doctoral Program in
Health Psychology at the University of North Texas is accredited by the American Psychological Association, Office of Program Consultation and Accreditation, 750 First Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002-4242.
We recognize that our field is a dynamic, ever changing one – evolving, growing, and providing new and expanded role choices for the scientist-practitioner in health research, treatment, and the prevention of illnesses. Our graduate program fosters adaptability, innovation, and readiness on the part of our graduates for the present and future technologies,
orientations, and frontiers of our field.
Applicants may have a bachelor's degree, a master's degree or a doctoral degree in psychology or a health related field. Advanced placement is possible for students with graduate degrees. Admission is competitive. Motivation, aptitude, self-awareness and professional presence are valued along with skills in interpersonal relationships in culturally diverse
contexts, experimental method, and scholarly writing. Admission is a serious commitment on the part of both the applicant and the faculty. We try to make an optimal match between the applicants' qualifications and goals and our resources and objectives. Call (940) 565-2652.
We adopt an experimental-integrative model, assuming that demonstrable, basic competencies develop through “doing” or active participation, and that the processes and content of psychology are intrinsically bound to one another. Our program, like the Psychology Department as a whole, has adopted a scientist-practitioner model.
The Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology: Health & Behavioral Medicine requires a minimum of 103 semester hours beyond the bachelor's degree, a foreign language or research tool, and a one-year pre-doctoral clinical internship. Students bear the responsibility for applying and gaining acceptance at these placements. Students with a bachelor's
degree spend about 4-6 years on campus prior to internship unless a part-time track is requested for family and other reasons.
General Core Courses - Students acquire knowledge in the basic areas of psychology including history and systems, learning
and cognition, psychophysiology, social psychology, statistics, and research design.
Clinical Core Courses - Students focus on psychopathology; medical and behavior disorders; developmental health psychology, clinical assessment; psychophysiological
assessment; cultural aspects of health; psychoneuroimmunology; psychotherapy methods; behavioral intervention methods; professional and ethical issues; and biofeedback methods.
Elective Specialization-Students develop their own strong study emphasis
through elective courses, research, and practicum experiences in consultation with their advisor. Areas include behavioral toxicology; neuropsychology; cardiovascular disorders; psychoneuroimmunology; multi-cultural health practices; pain management; applied psychophysiology; geriatric health.
Our students, about 50, are diverse in age, backgrounds, and interests. At the present time we have a larger number of women than men. Students range from mid-twenties to mid-fifties. Many of our students come to us with advanced degrees in health related areas, and have several years of work experiences to draw upon. Facilities at both campuses are accessible to students with
disabilities. Women and minorities are encouraged to apply. The rate of attrition from the doctoral program is very small. Please refer to the Program Statistics for more detailed information.
UNTHSC Cardiovascular Labs
UNT Health & Wellness Center
Brainmapping Lab
Sleep and Health Research Lab
Psychoneuroimmunology Lab
Neurofeedback Lab
Neuropsychological Assessment Lab
Geriatric Assessment Center
Center for Psychosocial Health
University of North Texas/University Health Sciences Center (Consortium) Department of Psychology Clinical Health Psychology/ Behavioral Medicine P.O. Box 311280 Denton, TX 76203
