PsyD/MPH

Program Description

Mercer University’s College of Health Professions offers the PsyD/MPH combined degree program.  This innovative combined degree program addresses the ongoing mental healthcare provider workforce shortage by preparing graduates to provide cost-effective, evidence-based mental healthcare to diverse populations within Georgia. This program is structured around one specific goal as stated in the Healthy People 2020 objective: “Improve mental health through prevention and by ensuring access to appropriate, quality mental health services”.  Innovative programs such as the PsyD/MPH combined degree program address issues within the healthcare delivery system that are essential on both local and national levels. The curriculum plan facilitates preparation of mental healthcare providers who are able to address public health concerns and evaluate community-based programming.

Students admitted to the PsyD/MPH program can complete both degrees in 5 years. Thirty-three (33) credits of the MPH program will be completed while fulfilling courses in the PsyD program.  Students may begin taking MPH courses as early as their first year of enrollment in the PsyD program.  Three courses (CPSY 712, CPSY 718, and three credits of the 6-credit sequence CPSY 993) in the PsyD program will fulfill MPH elective requirements and applied practice requirements.  Students must also complete 40 hours of public health service.  The PsyD program consists of 100 credit hours and remains unchanged in the combined degree program. Students who complete the program will be awarded a Doctor of Psychology in Clinical Psychology (PsyD) and Master of Public Health (MPH).

Program Outcomes

The outcomes and learning objectives for the PsyD and MPH programs will remain unchanged, as the student will complete both programs, with only minor adaptations.

Admission Requirements and Procedure

Applicants must apply to each program according to the guidelines in the Admissions Process and Requirements section of MPH and PsyD programs.

After successful admission to the PsyD program, the student with a strong academic record who demonstrates an interest in community-based health promotion and mental healthcare practice will apply separately to the MPH program via SOPHAS Express for combined degrees. The admissions requirements for the combined degree are the same as for each individual degree.

Program Requirements

Doctor of Psychology Curriculum (100 credit hours)

Biological, Methodological, and General Psychology Requirements (22 hours)

  • CPSY 701. Psychometric Theory and Assessment (3 hours)
  • CPSY 702. Lifespan Developmental Psychology (3 hours)
  • CPSY 703. Biological Bases of Behavior (3 hours)
  • CPSY 710. Cognition and Affective Processes (3 hours)
  • CPSY 711. Social Psychology and Social Neuroscience (3 hours)
  • CPSY 712. Research Design (3 hours)
  • CPSY 714. Statistical Methods (3 hours)
  • CPSY 812. Seminar in History and Systems of Psychology (1 hour)

Ethics, Professional Values, and Cultural Diversity Requirements (7 hours)

  • CPSY 716. Professional Values (1 hour)
  • CPSY 717. Ethics and Professional Issues (3 hours)
  • CPSY 718. Individual and Cultural Diversity (3 hours)

Assessment Requirements (21 hours)

  • CPSY 708. Psychopharmacology (3 hours)
  • CPSY 721. Psychopathology (4 hours)
  • CPSY 731. Personality Assessment (4 hours)
  • CPSY 732. Cognitive Assessment (4 hours)
  • CPSY 833. Neuropsychological Assessment (3 hours)
  • CPSY 865. Child Psychopathology (3 hours)

Intervention Requirements (14 hours)

  • CPSY 733. Clinical Interviewing (4 hours)
  • CPSY 743. Evidence-Based Assessment and Therapy I (4 hours)
  • CPSY 745. Evidence-Based Assessment and Therapy II (3 hours)
  • CPSY 874. Child and Family Behavior Therapy (3 hours)

Consultation, Supervision, and Health Psychology (14 hours)

  • CPSY 704. Integrated Primary Healthcare (3 hours)
  • CPSY 726. Health Psychology (3 hours)
  • CPSY 835. Psycho-oncology (3 hours)
  • CPSY 861. Health Psychology II (3 hours)
  • CPSY 960. Consultation and Supervision I (2 hours)

Practicum and Internship Requirements (15 hours)

  • CPSY 893. Practicum I (1 hour, taken for at least 9 credit hours)
  • CPSY 993. Internship (6 hours, taken over the course of one year)

Dissertation (7 hours)

  • CPSY 971. Clinical Dissertation (taken for at least 7 credits)*

Electives (3 hours)

  • CPSY 880. Special Topics (1-3 hours)

Master of Public Health

  • MPH 611. Principles of Epidemiology (3 hours)
  • MPH 621. Basics Biostatistics and Health Measures (3 hours)
  • MPH 631. Environmental Health (3 hours)
  • MPH 641. Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (3 hours)
  • MPH 713. Health Systems and Policy (3 hours)
  • MPH 652. Public Health Management (3 hours)
  • MPH 675. Community Health Needs Assessment (3 hours)
  • MPH 721. Grant Proposal and Writing (3 hours)
  • MPH 730. Introductory Program Evaluation (3 hours)
  • MPH 739. Diverse Populations (3 hours)
  • MPH 740. Health Equity (3 hours)
  • MPH 793. Internship (3 hours); Substitute CPSY 993 (3 hours)

Electives (6 hours)

  •   CPSY 712. Research Design (3 hours)
  •   CPSY 718. Individual and Cultural Diversity (3 hours)