Stage 2 training comes in different formats. You are expected to arrange learning opportunities to ensure that you are able to attain the competencies required on the Professional Doctorate. On graduating, they progress to postdoctoral positions at home and abroad, work in industry or clinical, health and educational professions. The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as providing Stage 2 training in Health Psychology. One other thing before committing to the course, would be to ensure that your workplace supervisor can both accommodate your needs to fulfil the competencies of the doctorate but also provide any necessary support. What questions did you have when looking at your options? Then, even if it is difficult at times, you’re still doing things you enjoy. My initial reflection skills were embarrassingly self-critical and developing those to be constructive and useful was challenging at first. Supervision with your Co-ordinating Supervisor is an important part of your training on the qualification and, therefore, it is advisable to contact more than one Co-ordinating Supervisor before agreeing terms. health and care professions council (2013). Other courses (like ours at Staffordshire University) have more flexibility built in so that students can take advantage of opportunities as and when they arise. We have 174 health psychology PhD Projects, Programs & Scholarships. University of Buckingham School of Psychology and Wellbeing. (Anjulie), I am currently working within a pain management service as an Advanced Wellness Practitioner. (Anjulie), Something that is worth being mindful of, is that the course does require you to be an independent learner and good at self-motivating, although seeing your university supervisors regularly definitely helps! A student can intermit at any point during the academic year. So now we know a bit of the background details, let’s find out more by hearing from students past and present…. (Dan). Find out how to book an appointment with the QHP clinic. (Katrin), I knew Health Psychology was applicable to many areas of work but it has still surprised me to learn about its application in areas I hadn’t thought about previously. 2) You could ‘Intermit’ – see answer to the question below about taking a break from the course. What is the best part of doing the doctorate? Thanks for reading our latest post. LJMU's Prof Doc in Health Psychology meets the requirements for BPS Stage Two training in Health Psychology and leads to eligibility for registration with the HCPC. I’ll provide examples and experiences (both my own and from others who have taken this route) by examining ‘Frequently Asked Questions’. Candidates are required to find these themselves before they apply. Contact the course leaders by email if you have any questions – you will find that course leaders are very happy to answer queries. I acted as a research consultant for what was then a Primary Care Trust, a research associate on a project exploring the health benefits of natural environments, and then became a senior researcher in healthy urban planning. In order to become a chartered Health Psychologist, you need to do ‘Stage 2’. Stage 2 Trainee working as a Researcher and Part-time Lecturer in health psychology at university. Being able to discuss my work, get feedback on drafts and have designated hand-in dates, meant the course was structured and supportive. Entry into Health Psychology, Interviews/Q&A sessions, https://www.bps.org.uk/public/become-psychologist/accredited-courses, Treading New Waters: Being an International PhD Student (and tips on how to survive), Treating yourself in a self-compassionate way can be your New Year’s resolution, Identifying Transgender Participants and Measuring Gender in Health Research, Tips on Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) with Young People! Broadly, any setting where health psychology is practised would be appropriate (e.g. Now that we have heard from some students past and present, let’s answer some FAQs with Professor Karen Rodham – Director of the Health Psychology course at Staffordshire University and Past Chair of the BPS. (Dan). You do a Health Psychology MSc course accredited by the British Psychology Society (BPS), and then…? Some of us seem to have loads of experience, whereas a few have just completed their MSc in Health Psychology and starting stage 2 … I was very fortunate to be taught by an excellent Health Psych team including Prof. Sarah Grogan and their passion, drive and teaching inspired me. MSc Health Psychology to a minimum of merit grade (or equivalent) accredited by the British Psychological Society as providing Stage 1 of the Practitioner Health Psychologist qualification; A health-related job role (paid or voluntary) on applying, in which you can fulfil the majority of the Stage 2 competencies in Health Psychology. Home; ... Undergo training in transferable skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals through the Doctoral Academy's training programme. The assessment of the QHP is conducted at the end of your two years of training (Plan of Training) by means of a Portfolio of Competence and an oral examination relating to the contents of the Portfolio. Ph.D. programs often boast small incoming classes, meaning students can forge strong professional bonds with their peers. I am going to try and shed some light on the taught doctorate route, which is the route I decided on. Subscribe to the BPS for a great range of benefits, Qualification in Health Psychology (Stage 2), For details on how to find a Co-ordinating Supervisor consult the Candidate Handbook, Register of Applied Psychology Practice Supervisors, 2 years minimum (or part-time equivalent), That all the documents are signed with an electronic signature (scanned and inserted) and not typed, Certificates are authenticated copies. This is a doctoral level qualification which will enable you to train flexibly, within a structured and supportive framework and it is most suitable for those who choose not to, or are unable to attend, a University based Society-accredited stage 2 training programme. What was your placement/job during the doctorate? More Details . if you would like to work clinically the doctorate route may be able to provide you with more applied experience than a PhD (independent route), for example. If your new job is not appropriate, there would be a couple of options: 1) You arrange a voluntary placement (in addition to your job) that would meet the criteria. The different approaches will suit different students. (Anjulie), I decided to pursue the doctorate as I wanted to expand my knowledge and skills in the field of health psychology. Senior Lecturer in Health Psychology The latter covers the same material as an MSc but is effectively a self-study programme. Also, think about what you might like to do in the future and consider the route and opportunities that might help you fulfil that best – i.e. Take some time to think about the things you enjoy and are good at, and try to structure what you do around that. (Katrin), I would look at the differences between the taught and independent route and think about how this fits in with your life/job role. 3) Everything is included within the course structure – teaching, supervision, support services (if needed), handing work in (for each competency and then the final completed portfolio) and the viva examination. So think about your preferences when exploring the different courses. Take the first steps towards your chosen career by undertaking your postgraduate training in a world leading research environment. Stage 2 Trainee working as a Trainee Health Psychologist within NHS Trust. We hope you enjoyed this post and we will be back again on 1st September with our next post. Successful completion of the QHP (Stage 2) leads to eligibility for Chartered membership with the Society, Full membership of the Division of Health Psychology, and eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council, the statutory regulator for practitioner psychologists in the UK. Please use the links below to download the requisite forms and handbooks: Your enrolment application documents should be submitted electronically via Hightail. It is your responsibility to find a placement that is suitable for you to meet the competencies. Dr. Katrin Hulme – Health Psychologist & Post-doctoral Associate. (Dan), How much I enjoyed being taught again – the university days were great! If you are thinking about applying for the course I would advise individuals to have ideas about how they can meet each competency and to also consider the time that it takes to complete the course, as it has taken me longer than I had anticipated! By undertaking the taught route, there was a structure to guide me, focus upon and also to justify why I needed one day per week to work on my doctorate. The Doctoral programme is designed to meet the BPS accreditation standards for Stage 1 and Stage 2 training in Health Psychology, thus meeting the requirements for Practitioner Psychologist status. Prospective graduate students have two options when researching online health psychology graduate programs: the Ph.D. and the Psy.D. You enrol with a university for the duration of the programme. Health Psychology Update, 16(4), 20–24. I also realised just how important supervision and reflection is for personal development. Health psychology Ph.D. programs emphasize academic knowledge, research skills, and communication skills students need to succeed in clinical settings. This is where you will cover the competencies and also be provided with supervision. The skills you gain will act as a solid foundation for going on to undertake a PhD, Stage 2 professional doctorate, further clinical psychology training or work as a research assistant. Recent graduates of this course have gone on to work in a wide variety of roles, including: Dr. Dan Masterson – Health Psychologist & Consultant for local authorities on urban planning designs. Early Career Paths into Health Psychology: Introducing the Healthily Psyched at Guy’s team. Stage 2 Trainee currently doing a PhD at university. A key thing to do when thinking about Stage 2 is to look carefully at the course structure. Having said that, a few funded places which include a placement are being made available. The trick is to find opportunities to fulfil competencies through the things you are doing at work anyway. This is achieved by completing a Society accredited degree or conversion course; A Society accredited Masters in Health Psychology Plus one of the following 'Stage 2', doctoral-level qualifcations: Professio… (Harpreet), The best thing about the doctorate is that I came away with the confidence and ability to reflect on how to develop as a Health Psychologist, a researcher and a critical thinker. Usually, you need to organise your own health-related placement/job(s) which make up a full time equivalent (voluntary or paid, or a combination). You do a Health Psychology MSc course accredited by the British Psychology Society (BPS), and then…? (Harpreet), As is the case for most early career researchers, I had a number of placements due to short-term contracts. That nagging self-doubt that I imagine many people feel, despite all their hard work, that they don’t belong, or that they have somehow duped the system and will be found out. During the intermission period you remain as a student at the University and can continue using the University facilities such as the library, Students Union, Careers etc. Students tell us that the main reason they choose to complete the taught doctorate route, rather than the independent route, is so that they have a cohort of other trainees, with whom they meet regularly on campus and in so doing, form a supportive community. (Part 2/2), Tips on Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE): How to involve patients in research, writing it up for ethics/grants and tips from those who have been involved! I also worked with adult diabetes and cardiac patients as well. 4) You are part of a cohort of students – everyone has different placements and experiences which can create a really interesting and stimulating learning environment. Also, many health psychology Ph.D. programs include generous funding opportunities. Please note all applicants will have to indicate on a prior accredited learning form whether the material covered in the MSc Health Psychology maps onto specified standards of proficiency listed by the Health and Care Professions Council. The Qualification in Health Psychology (Stage 2) is the independent route to completion of stage 2 training for those working in a heath-related setting. However, to do this, there are multiple routes you can take: From my own experience I found the choice between the independent route and the taught route to be quite a confusing one – there are lots of things to consider. MSc Health Psychology is a mandatory qualification for those wishing to continue to Stage 2 training and subsequent registration with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Practitioner Psychologist: Health Psychologist. What really interested me about Health Psychology is the application of research and theory into real-world settings. For details on how to find a Co-ordinating Supervisor consult the Candidate Handbook. If a course has an open day, do go along and see the facilities that you will have access to and get a sense of the feel of the place – you will be spending a big chunk of time at the university, so you need to know that it suits you. Prior to applying for the Professional Doctorate, I was conducting two behaviour change interventions with the emergency services as well as bits and pieces of other research. This fulfils the research competency of your health psychology training. (Harpreet), At the time of undertaking my Masters in Health Psychology (stage 1), I was still exploring career options and had not yet made the decision to become a health psychologist. We do have contacts with placement providers who may be willing to provide voluntary positions, but we are not able to provide placements I’m afraid. (Dan). Sometimes it is possible to put potential applicants in touch with current trainees so that you can quiz them about their experiences. PhD/MPhil Health Psychology. The application of the science and evidence base of Health Psychology theories and frameworks within mental health settings. You must undertake at least 2 years of supervised practice. I really enjoyed having a cohort (albeit a small one) to do the course with, particularly as we became firm friends. Some of the trainees come from clinical psychology backgrounds, but decided to go for health psychology instead. The Qualification requires you to undertake a minimum of two years of structured supervised practice (or the part-time equivalent). Our Health Psychology course provides up-to- date and thorough grounding in the theories, concepts and empirical findings in health psychology. I also liked being ‘taught’ again; learning from experts in the field. It will prepare you for a subsequent research degree or professional training in health psychology (i.e. We are also sometimes able to help you find opportunities because people approach us asking for help with consultancy or teaching, for example. The first step is to consult the Candidate Handbook and make sure that you fulfil the entry requirements of the qualification. QHP 2009 Candidates - Change of Setting Form, QHP 2009 Candidates - Cover Sheet and Checklist for Portfolio of Competence, QHP 2009 Candidates - Plan of Training Revision Form, QHP 2009 Candidates - Portfolio Sample Contents Page, QHP 2009 Candidates - Postgraduate Regulations, QHP 2009 Candidates - Practice Diary and Supervision Log, QHP 2009 Candidates - Quarterly Supervisory Meeting Record, QHP 2009 Candidates - Record of Completion Form, QHP 2012 Candidates - Change of Setting Form, QHP 2012 Candidates - Cover Sheet and Checklist for Portfolio of Competence, QHP 2012 Candidates - Plan of Training Revision Form, QHP 2012 Candidates - Portfolio Sample Contents Page, QHP 2012 Candidates - Postgraduate Regulations, QHP 2012 Candidates - Practice Diary and Supervision Log, QHP 2012 Candidates - Quarterly Supervisory Meeting Record, QHP 2012 Candidates - Record of Completion Form, QHP 2015 Candidates - Change of Setting Form, QHP 2015 Candidates - Cover Sheet and Checklist for Portfolio of Competence, QHP 2015 Candidates - Plan of Training Revision Form, QHP 2015 Candidates - Portfolio Sample Contents Page, QHP 2015 Candidates - Postgraduate Regulations, QHP 2015 Candidates - Practice Diary and Supervision Log, QHP 2015 Candidates - Quarterly Supervisory Meeting Record, QHP 2015 Candidates - Record of Completion Form. Stage 2 Trainee working as a Researcher/Care Advisor for the patient/research charity. (Katrin), I decided to apply for the Professional Doctorate after seeing a post for a funded bursary for this role. The PhD in Health Psychology includes everything in our PhD Psychology programme. The role involved working as part of a clinical health psychology team with paediatric burns patients and their families. It may be that you need to develop relationships with other organisations, perhaps on a voluntary basis in order to be able to complete some of the more practice-based competencies. Some courses require students to complete competences in a set order at a particular time. The route less travelled: combining Stage 2 and the phD. Alternatively, applicants with a UK first class honours degree (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) not holding a master’s degree, will be considered on an individual basis. Anjulie Dhillon – Trainee Health Psychologist, Harpreet Sohal – Trainee Health Psychologist. (Katrin), I have found the time aspect most challenging. Your supervised practice will build upon the academic components of your MSc by requiring the development and demonstration of your skills to a doctoral standards in the following areas: You will undertake your supervised practice (Plan of Training) with the support of your Co-ordinating Supervisor, Workplace Supervisor (if appropriate), the Health Psychology Qualifications Board and a designated Qualifications Administrator, with the ultimate goal will be to develop all the necessary competencies required to practise independently as a health psychologist. Another main reason I had for doing this route is the ‘Dr.’ title, which the independent route via the BPS does not give you. I chose the taught route because I liked the idea of taught sessions plus independent learning. On successful completion of this PhD, you’ll have the Stage 2 requirements needed to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to work as a Health Psychologist. You’ll also have the requirements needed for the Graduate Basis of Chartered Membership of … HCPC registration is necessary to work as a health psychologist in the UK, which can be attained after obtaining relevant qualifications (health psychology stage 1 and stage 2 training). 3) You will need to complete Stage 2 training in health psychology. Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC). What have you found most challenging and what should potential stage two students bear in mind? Our Candidate Handbook will help to guide you through the process of enrolment and provide tips on how to complete the forms. Qualification with a 2i or more provides eligibility to apply for GBC (Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership of the BPS). I wanted the chance to get practical experience based in different settings, where I could work with patients, healthcare professionals and other stakeholders, so I didn’t think a PhD was for me. health psychology phd uk Health psychologists help patients respond to and manage the psychological and emotional aspects of health and illness As a health psychologist you’ll work with patients of all ages and with varying physical or psychological health issues to help them understand their illness. My role is largely focused on working with patients who are struggling to come to terms with the psycho-social impact of living with a chronic condition. My weakness was putting my placement (work) demands ahead of my personal development, which slowed me down. 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