Health Psychology
See also: Healthcare Field
Health psychology and the psychology of well-being focus on understanding how psychological, social, and behavioral factors influence biological processes, physical health, illness, and well-being across the lifespan. Psychologists in this field study topics such as stress, coping, resilience, health behaviors (e.g., sleep, physical activity), social relationships, digital well-being, behavior change, mental health, health disparities, and the mind-body connection, with the goal of improving health outcomes and quality of life. It bridges psychology, medicine, public health, behavioral science, and data science, and has both research and applied career paths.
Career paths in health psychology are diverse, generally falling into three broad categories:
1. Research and academia
Positions in colleges and universities (e.g., SEED Research Institute, Institute on Inequalities in Global Health, Center on the Developing Child), research institutes, medical centers/schools, think tanks (e.g., RAND Corporation, Mathematica), and government agencies (e.g., National Institutes of Health, CDC, State Departments of Health). Researchers study topics such as stress and health, digital media and well-being, health behavior change, and intervention development.
Common settings include:
- Universities and research centers
- Medical schools and hospitals
- Public health institutions
- Government agencies (e.g., NIH, CDC)
- Policy organizations and nonprofit research institutes, such as Pew Research Center and the Gallup Organization.
Many research roles require a Ph.D., but research assistant, project coordinator, and data analyst positions are often available with a bachelor’s degree.
2. Clinical and applied practice
Careers focused on improving mental and physical health through intervention and care delivery. Applied roles exist in hospitals, healthcare systems, social services, community organizations, nonprofits, and industry settings (e.g., health tech, wellness programs, program evaluation). Examples include:
- Clinical psychologist (health psychology specialization)
- Behavioral medicine specialist
- Integrated primary care psychologist
- Health coach
Most clinical roles require a doctoral or master’s degree plus licensure.
3. Policy, industry, and behavioral science
This growing area applies psychological science to improve well-being at scale.
Examples include:
- Behavioral science consultant
- UX researcher (digital well-being focus)
- Public health program evaluator
- Health tech researcher
- Workplace well-being strategist
Some roles are accessible with a bachelor’s degree, especially if students develop strong research and data skills.
Advice for students interested in this field
For students interested in this field, gaining research experience is especially important. Working in a research lab, completing an honors thesis, or assisting with data collection and analysis develops critical thinking skills transferable to a wide range of positions. Internships or volunteer positions in hospitals, clinics, public health departments, nonprofits, or wellness organizations are also valuable. In short, developing strong skills in research methods, statistics, scientific writing, and communication is advantageous.
What does it take to become a practitioner?
If you are interested in becoming a clinical or health psychologist:
- Plan on graduate school (Ph.D., Psy.D., or relevant master’s program)
- Gain research experience early
- Seek clinical or service-oriented volunteer experience
- Build strong quantitative and writing skills
If you are interested in applied or industry roles:
- Develop data analysis skills (R, SPSS, Python)
- Learn how to interpret and communicate research clearly
- Gain experience through internships or lab work
For students with a Bachelor’s Degree
With a B.A. in psychology, you might pursue roles such as:
- Research assistant or lab coordinator
- Project coordinator
- Health program assistant
- Clinical research coordinator
- Behavioral health technician
- Program evaluator
- Health education and community outreach positions
- Public health research assistant
- Digital health research associate
These roles can be stepping stones to graduate school or long-term careers in applied research and health settings.
Practical steps:
- Join a research lab early and stay involved
- Learn statistical software (R is especially valuable)
- Seek internships in hospitals, public health organizations, or nonprofits
- Present research at undergraduate conferences
- Build strong relationships with faculty mentors
- Develop both methodological rigor and real-world curiosity
Professional organizations:
- Society for Health Psychology (APA Division 38)
- Society for Personality and Social Psychology
- Society of Behavioral Medicine
- Society for Biopsychosocial Science & Medicine
- Psychoneuroimmunology Research Society
- International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology
- International Positive Psychology Association
Relevant courses in Psychology:
- PSYC 2400 Social Psychology
- PSYC 2500 Emotion
- PSYC 3220 Health Psychology
- PSYC 3400 Cultural Psychology
- PSYC 3610 The Psychology of Aging
- PSYC 2200 Physiological Psychology
- PSYC 3210 Social and Affective Neuroscience
- PSYC 4200 Stress, Coping, and Health
- PSYC 4220 Health Behavior and Cancer Prevention Across the Lifespan
- PSYC 4410 Psychology of Close Relationships
- PSYC 4430 Digital Well-Being
- PSYC 4450 Empathy and Communication
Other courses in Psychology are also relevant, including those focused on human development (e.g., PSYC 2600 Lifespan Development; PSYC 3600 Early Child Development; PSYC 3650 Adolescence and Emerging Adulthood; PSYC 3610 The Psychology of Aging), clinical psychology (e.g., PSYCH 2700 Psychological Disorders), and physiological processes (e.g., PSYC 2200 Physiological Psychology). In addition, other pertinent courses include those in Medical Humanities and the School of Health. Students may also benefit from courses in Public Health, Biology, Data Science, Economics, and Sociology.
Want to find out more? Chat with Drs. Kostadin Kushlev and/or Jessica Chiang, as well as other faculty working in health psychology, behavioral science, or well-being research. Reach out to explore research opportunities, career planning, and next steps.
