Specializations
The program provides the opportunity to specialize in one of three areas: behavioral medicine, neuropsychology, and severe mental illness. This is accomplished by completing specialty courses, selecting targeted practicum experiences, and engaging in research in these areas. The Department of Psychology, the IUPUI campus, and the city of Indianapolis provide numerous research and clinical opportunities and a rich environment to pursue these interests. The Department of Psychology has ongoing funded projects in all three areas and provides for a vibrant climate of scholarly activity. Superb practicum placement opportunities are also readily available in all three areas and complement the vigorous research experiences and the specialty courses offered.
Behavioral Medicine/Health Psychology
A clinical health psychologist is a clinical psychologist who specializes in the application ofpsychological knowledge to the understanding of health and illness through basic and clinical research, education, and clinical service activities.
Health psychology is both an applied and a basic science, traditionally focusing on four areas:
- health promotion and maintenance,
- prevention and treatment,
- etiology and correlates of health, illness, and dysfunction, and
- the health care system and the formulation
of health care policy.
Neuropsychology
A clinical neuropsychologist is a clinical psychologist with additional expertise and skills related to the functioning of the nervous system. The neuropsychologist-in-training will pursue advanced training and clinical experience in (a) neuroanatomy, (b) neuroscience, (c) brain-behavior relationships, and (d) clinical assessment of neurological conditions. Click here to learn more about the IUPUI Neuropsychology Training Guidelines
Severe Mental Illness/Psychiatric Rehabilitation
This specialization area focuses on training and research in interventions for individuals with severe psychiatric disorders (such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder) and who have ongoing problems in community functioning. Psychiatric rehabilitation refers to a set of practices aimed at assisting such individuals to achieve personal life goals and full integration into the community. Students specializing in this area are exposed to new research related to evidence-based practice and have an opportunity to work with nationally recognized leaders in the field. Students often participate in research through the ACT Center of Indiana, which is a state-funded technical assistance center for assertive community treatment and other evidence-based mental health practices.