Occupational Health Psychology Interdisciplinary Minor

Department of Psychological Science and Counseling

Location:  Clement Bldg., Room 205
Phone:  931-221-7233
Website: www.apsu.edu/psychology

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 field give special attention to the primary prevention of organizational risk factors for stress, illness, and injury at work. Courses in this interdisciplinary minor use the approach of various behavioral health disciplines to explore relevant theories, methodologies, and empirical research linking the psychosocial and physical work environment with overall employee health and well-being. 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. Adriane Sanders, Associate Professor of Psychological Science (sandersam@apsu.edu).

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