Child and Family Psychology Track (C/FT)
The child and family track is designed for PsyD students who want to apply systems theory to their work, and who want to be proficient in working with children, adolescents, couples, families, and systems. In the child and family track, you’ll take special sections of required courses that have more lecture material, clinical examples and homework related to children and families, yet still receive all the information on working with adults. Your ability to work with diverse family constellations and demographics is emphasized.
If you’re interested in being considered for the PsyD child and family track, you should indicate your interest at the time of application and will need to write a brief statement of interest and complete a short application. If accepted into the track, you can then be registered into the correct section of multi-section courses. If you’re unable to be accommodated in the track due to space limitations, you may still take courses in the C/FT if space permits after accommodating the track students.
Integrated Health Psychology Track (IHT)
Integrated health psychology is focused on the psychological and behavioral aspects of physical and mental health, specifically how biological, environmental, cultural, social, cognitive, emotional and behavioral factors impact health and illness. Additional factors related to health, illness, and/or disability include the health care system, health care policy, and access to and quality of health care providers. This track is ideal if you’re interested in settings that are interdisciplinary, hospitals, primary care settings, behavioral health, pain management clinics, and/or agencies serving specific populations with chronic illnesses or disabilities. In the track you’ll gain an appreciation of integrated health psychology as a holistic approach, rather than just a workplace or setting. You’ll learn to approach the person as a whole (mind and body) in the context of socio-cultural and socio-political structures (individual health beliefs, social-determinants of health, family, community, societal influences).
In the program you’ll be introduced to this emerging field which addresses the important psychological, behavioral, and social concomitants of physical symptoms, chronic and life-threatening illness, rehabilitation, as well as the mind-body connection in mental health. Faculty have interests in health across the lifespan; ethical issues in medical and mental health care and policy; positive aging; health care disparities; the impact of exercise on health; stress management; mindfulness; substance abuse; children, parents and families with disabilities; collaboration with medical professionals; models of disability; telehealth provision in primary care settings; complex trauma; risky health behaviors of adolescents; increasing diversity in the health workforce; clients with chronic illnesses or disabilities; cultural-specific health and health care access issues.
If you’re interested in being considered for the integrated health psychology track you should indicate your interest at the time of application and will be asked to write a brief statement of interest. If you are unable to be accommodated in the track due to space limitations, you may still take courses in the IHT, if space permits after accommodating the track students. Some courses beyond the 120 units required may be necessary to develop knowledge and skills in this applied area. The program combines relevant core or elective coursework, professional training placements, and research that develop knowledge, attitudes and skills in preparation for advanced specialized education and training in postdoctoral programs and/or entry level positions in health psychology.