Applicants who are most competitive for the Master’s in Health Psychology program typically demonstrate:

• Strong academic record at the undergraduate or post-baccalaureate level
• Deep interest in research given that this is a major focus of the program
• Prior experience conducting research within PI-directed research laboratories, in advanced coursework, or through research training programs (e.g., McNair program)
• Involvement in academic writing (e.g., undergraduate thesis, peer-reviewed publication) and conference presentations (e.g., poster presentation, oral presentation)
• A desire to pursue a PhD following graduation from the Master’s program
• Research interests that clearly align with the current work being carried out at the EQUITY Research Group

The Master’s in Health Psychology is an especially good fit for individuals seeking to obtain specialized research training before ultimately applying for a PhD program (generally in clinical psychology, health psychology, or other related fields). This program is therefore a good fit for applicants who have not completed a Bachelor’s degree in psychology and/or who do not have significant research experience in clinical psychology.

No, the Master’s program is research-intensive, yet it is not a clinical degree. To this end, Master’s students do not partake in clinical practica (i.e., direct delivery of clinical interventions in clinics or hospitals) within their curriculum and as such are not license-eligible upon completion of the program. However, Master’s students in the EQUITY Research Group might still get experience in clinical research assessment (e.g., utilizing validating assessment batteries with research participants) as well as psychosocial intervention delivery (for example, being a facilitator for the Cultivating Resilience intervention) in the context of research studies.

Applicants who are interested in obtaining clinical training while completing a master’s program may consider alternatively applying for the UWM Clinical Mental Health Counseling Master’s program. 

Master’s students will gain exposure to a range of methods and will be involved in several studies. Master’s students are expected to carry out a mentored project, which will fulfill the basis of a Mater’s Thesis, which may later be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. There will also be opportunities for Master’s students to present their research at scientific meetings. 

Students enrolled into the Master’s program are responsible for paying tuition and other related costs during their graduate training. However, there are sometimes funding opportunities (tuition remission, stipend, health insurance) in the form of a Teaching Assistantship, Research Assistantship, or Fellowship. These are offered on a year-to-year basis and may not be guaranteed through the duration of the program.