About this Program

The Health Psychology (HP) concentration in the Psychology Ph.D. program at ODU provides education, research opportunities, and other relevant experiences around applications of psychology in health, health behavior, and environments that affect health. Health Psychology research and doctoral training addresses a range of focus areas, including alcohol and substance misuse, family and adolescent health, cultural adaptation and identity, injury prevention, stress and health, quantitative issues and their application in health, and many others.

Program Highlights

  • Doctoral training using a mentor model, which emphasizes close collaboration with and accessibility of faculty mentors.

  • Students are actively involved in the entire range of research activities, including research design, collection and analysis of data, grant proposals, publication and dissemination of results.

  • A breadth of coursework with research and applied experiences.

  • ODU is a medium-sized university with a personal feel, but has the research opportunities often found at larger universities.

  • Students frequently present their research at national and international conferences and publish in professional journals. 

AT A GLANCE
Degree Level
Graduate
Degree Earned
Doctor of Philosophy
Delivery Modes
On-Campus

Careers

Check out these ideas from ODU's Center for Career & Leadership Development and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET). A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Biostatisticians

$88,980 Median Salary

Develop and apply biostatistical theory and methods to the study of life sciences.

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary

$85,050 Median Salary

Teach courses in psychology, such as child, clinical, and developmental psychology, and psychological counseling. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

Psychologists, All Other

$93,440 Median Salary

All psychologists not listed separately.

Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other

$83,230 Median Salary

All social scientists and related workers not listed separately.

Alumni Careers

Sentara Healthcare
Booz Allen Hamilton
Optima Health
National Highway Traffic Safety Association
Homeward
Universities

Requirements

What are the requirements to apply for Health Psychology at ODU?
Students entering the Doctor of Philosophy program in Health Psychology should meet the minimum university admission requirements Graduate Admission.
  • The Department of Psychology Ph.D. programs admit students with at least a bachelor's degree.

  • Official transcripts of all prior academic work. 

  • Three reference letters, at least two of which are from former college/university teachers or research supervisors. 

  • A brief statement outlining personal goals, academic objectives, a preferred mentor, and rationale for fit with the program and mentor’s research program. 

  • A curriculum vitae.

  • Although not required, applicants are encouraged to submit a writing sample. 

Cost of Attendance

We believe in providing students with transparent and accessible information about the cost of attendance. 

Review the estimated tuition rates for the 2024-25 academic year (subject to change). Non-resident rates are charged for anyone who is not a current Virginia resident, including international students.

Virginia Resident
Cost Per-Credit $620
Technology Delivered Courses Outside Virginia and/or the United States
Cost Per-Credit $642
Non-Resident
Cost Per-Credit $1,486

Ways to Fund Your Degree

There are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending Old Dominion University, including scholarships, assistantships, and student loans. For more details about financial aid at Old Dominion, visit the Financial Aid Office page.

Contact

Associate Professor

244B MILLS GODWIN BLDG
NORFOLK, 23529