Postgraduate Certificate in Health Psychology Practice
Students registered for a PhD in health psychology may also be eligible to register for the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Psychology Practice. Successful completion of both a PhD in health psychology and the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Psychology Practice confers eligibility to:
- apply to The Health Professions Council (HPC) for registration as a Health Psychologist;
- apply for Chartered Membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS); and,
- full membership of the Division of Health Psychology of the BPS
The programme was first accredited by the BPS in 2004. The programme is approved by the Health Professions Council and accredited by the British Psychological Society.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Health Psychology Practice covers some of the required criteria, whilst the PhD fulfils the remainder. The Postgraduate Certificate in Health Psychology Practice covers competence in:
- Generic Professional Competence;
- Behaviour Change Interventions;
- Consultancy Competence; and,
- Teaching and Training Competence. The PhD covers Research Competence.
Core Philosophy
The core philosophy at the heart of the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Psychology Practice at the University of Surrey is a reflective-scientist-practitioner model of training and professional practice in health psychology. Thus, we believe that the effective application of health psychology is best achieved through evidence-based practice and through the development of health psychologists who are both reflective-practitioners and scientists. We aim to enable students to develop advanced competencies through:
- providing effective training in the theories, methods, and practical skills applicable to health psychology practice;
- developing self-reflective practitioner skills;
- providing a supportive learning environment with supervision and mentoring from an experienced Chartered Psychologist and Health Psychologist.
The Programme recognises the importance of peer-support in developing these competencies and aims to provide an environment in which students are able to learn from each other. We believe that the future of health psychology depends on high quality science in combination with the effective application of the evidence-base to healthcare settings. The PhD Programme ensures that students develop their abilities to conduct high quality, independent, and original research and contribute to the evidence-base of health psychology. The Postgraduate Certificate in Health Psychology Practice ensures that students have the advanced knowledge base, practitioner skills, and competencies to apply their understanding of health psychology effectively.
Programme of study
The programme of study to enable students to gain the skills and competences required for the Postgraduate Certificate in Health Psychology Practice will comprise taught modules/courses and the completion of practical professional activities under the supervision of a Chartered Psychologist and Health Psychologist over the three or four year duration of the programme. This will involve students undertaking professional activities under the supervision of a Chartered Psychologist and Health Psychologist and providing a portfolio of evidence which demonstrates that the student has carried out these activities level of competence that meets the criteria required by both the BPS and the HPC.
The taught modules will provide the students with an understanding of the theory underlying health psychology professional practice whilst the professional activities will enable students to develop and demonstrate practical skills and competencies in health psychology. Further information is available in the Programme Handbook and the Placement Learning Handbook.
Length of study
36 months-full time
48 months part-time
Eligibility
In order to be eligible to enrol on the programme students must:
- be a Graduate Member of the BPS or hold the Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC)
- hold Society's Stage 1 Qualification in Health Psychology (e.g. MSc Health Psychology)
- be registered for a PhD in health psychology at the University of Surrey.
Further information
Please contact:
Dr Victoria Senior (Course Director)
Department of Psychology
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH
Tel: +44(0) 1483 686866
Email: v.senior@surrey.ac.uk
PGCert Health Psychology Practice Handbook 2010 to 2011 (959.92KB - Requires Adobe Reader)
Placement Learning Handbook 2010 to 2011 (407.87KB - Requires Adobe Reader)