ABOUT THE PROGRAM
The graduate program in Medical Psychology provides graduate instruction and research training leading to a PhD degree. Students entering the program typically have a background in psychology, biology, or life sciences and pursue research in a field combining psychology with the biomedical sciences. Basic and applied approaches to health psychology and behavioral medicine are emphasized, focusing on the study of psychosocial, psychobiological, and behavioral factors in the etiology, prevention, and treatment of illness, substance abuse, and relationships between physical and mental health. The emphasis of this program is the training of scientists and educators in the fields of health psychology, behavioral medicine, and/or medical psychology. In the medical psychology program, students learn the research skills that they would learn at many graduate programs, but the opportunities to conduct DoD-relevant research, to work directly with servicemembers and their families, and to develop interprofessional and leadership skills sets this program apart from others in the country. Upon graduation, all students will have research skills, uniquely informed through their experiences within a DoD setting. The tracks in the program determine student status (i.e., military or civilian).
Military Track: Graduates in the Medical Psychology-Military Track are trained for research careers in one of the military services. Currently we are not accepting applications for this track (MPM).
Civilian Track: Graduates are trained to be independent researchers in government or civilian academic settings. Only civilians can apply for the Medical Psychology Program-Civilian Track (MPC).
