Occupational Health Psychology Interdisciplinary Minor

Occupational Health Psychology (OHP) addresses the application of psychological and health-related knowledge to improve the quality of work life, and to protect and promote the safety, health and well-being of workers. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), a division of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has urged that this new field give special attention to the primary prevention of organizational risk factors for stress, illness, and injury at work. According to NIOSH, topics typically addressed in OHP programs include:

Survey of occupational safety and health
Job stress theory and mechanisms
Organizational risk factors for occupational stress, injury, and illness.
Health implications of stressful work, including physical and psychological health, and social and economic outcomes.
Organizational interventions (e.g., work redesign) and programs (e.g., employee assistance programs, work-family programs) for reduction of occupational stress, illness and injury.
Research methods and practices in public/occupational health and epidemiology.

For advising, contact Dr. Omie Shepherd, Professor of Health and Human Performance (shepherdo@psu.edu) or Dr. David W. Denton, Dean and Professor of Psychology (dentond@apsu.edu)

(18 hours, maximum of nine (9) from the same discipline)

Required Courses:

Survey of the Field (both are required)
HHP 4020 - Introduction to Occupational Safety and Health Credit Hours: 3
PSY 4030 - Introduction to Occupational Health Psychology Credit Hours: 3
NOTE: The courses below are drawn from an existing set of courses offered in different departments within the College of Behavioral and Health Sciences.
Psycho-Social Influences (pick one)
HHP 3040 - Positive Mental Health and Happiness Credit Hours: 3
HHP 4300 - Introduction to Stress Management Credit Hours: 3
PSY 3340 - Health Psychology Credit Hours: 3
Macro-Organizational Influences (pick one)
HHP 3410 - Health Disparities Credit Hours: 3
POLS 4050 - Health Care Policy in the U.S. Credit Hours: 3
PSY 4500 - Psychology Applied to Work Credit Hours: 3
SOC 3700 - Medical Sociology Credit Hours: 3
SOC 4300 - Sociology of Work and Organizations Credit Hours: 3
SW 3500 - Youth Gangs and Juvenile Delinquency Credit Hours: 3

Electives

(pick two electives included as options are those courses not selected above):

HHP 3040 - Positive Mental Health and Happiness Credit Hours: 3
HHP 4000 - Introduction to Gerontology Credit Hours: 3
HHP 4300 - Introduction to Stress Management Credit Hours: 3
POLS 4050 - Health Care Policy in the U.S. Credit Hours: 3
PSY 3340 - Health Psychology Credit Hours: 3
PSY 4120 - Human Factors Credit Hours: 3
PSY 4500 - Psychology Applied to Work Credit Hours: 3
SOC 3700 - Medical Sociology Credit Hours: 3
SOC 4300 - Sociology of Work and Organizations Credit Hours: 3
SOC 4400 - Environmental Sociology Credit Hours: 3
SW 3550 - Medical Social Work Credit Hours: 3
Discipline-based research experience course; e.g., PSY 4643 , HHP 3643 , LDSP 4820 requires permission of the instructor.

Be Aware …

Students in majors that do not require a minor may be permitted to double-count up to nine (9) hours toward their major and minor. For students in majors that do not require a minor, check with your major advisor to see if double-counting is permitted.