Taking the Pulse of Undergraduate Health Psychology: A Nationwide Survey

We conducted a random national survey of 100 doctoral, 100 comprehensive, and 100 baccalaureate institutions to determine the current state of the undergraduate health psychology course. We found clear evidence of a maturing course with much greater commonality in name (health psychology), theoretical foundation (the biopsychosocial model), and course content (e.g., smoking, heart disease, stress, chronic illness) than reported in the past. Also indicative of growth, 33% of all schools compared offered the course compared to only a quarter of schools offering the course 2 decades ago. Finally, we discuss the current state of health psychology and summaries of course content and teaching strategies.