Clinical Health Psychology

Degree Type: 

Master of Philosophy

Department: 

Department of Education and Psychology

Programme Duration: 

2 years (Standard Entry)

Modes of Study: 

Regular

About Programme: 

The goal of this programme is to train clinical health psychologists who will have the requisite competencies that will enable them to function in the area of mental and behavioural health within the Ghana Health Service and related agencies.

Entry Requirements: 

A successful applicant would be offered a probationary admission as a Postgraduate Research Student [PRS] for the first year. Students may progress to the second year after having satisfied the following conditions:

  1. Completed all courses required at the masters level
  2. Obtained a  CGPA of 2.5 or better 
  3. Taken a course in academic writing and passed 
  4. Successfully defended a final research proposal before a department examining panel

A non- research master’s degree candidate seeking admission to the MPhil Programme must: 

  1. Have obtained a CGPA of 2.5 or better in the masters course work
  2. Submit an official transcript    of academic record 
  3. Submit at least two referee’s report one of which must be from a former lecturer 
  4. Submit a proposal of 2-3 pages on the intended area of study including references
  5. Satisfy any additional requirements prescribed by the colleges/faculties /schools /institutes/departments. This may include relevant work experience and written entrance examination and / or interview.

Goal / Aim / Objectives: 

The objectives of the programme are to train clinical health psychologists who can:

  1. Assess, formulate and evaluate clinical problems based on scientific evidence.
  2. Competently apply ethical principles in assessing and treating people who come to them for clinical interventions.
  3. Manage mental health as well as psychological aspects of physical health problems within the Ghana Health Service by applying biopsychosocial theories and spiritual models as they relate to clinical and health psychology.
  4. Use clinical and scientific knowledge to promote positive mental health in the Ghanaian society.
  5. Competently apply clinical and health psychology principles, techniques and skills to rehabilitate individuals with mental and physical health problems as well as substance use disorders.
  6. Undertake clinically-oriented research in the areas of mental and physical health.

Career Opportunities: 

  1. Ministry of Education and Ghana Education Service 
  2. College of Education (Tutors)
  3. Security Services, NGOs 
  4. Training Units of institutions

Programme Structure

Level 800

First Semester

CHP 801: Perspectives in Clinical Health Psychology
3 Credit(s)

This course introduces trainees to the broad history of clinical psychology and its role in understanding mental health, promoting mental health and rehabilitation of the mentally ill. The course will also discuss the importance of clinical health psychology in the Ghanaian context, the scientist-practitioner role and the settings in which clinical health psychologists may work will be discussed. Policies and legislation within mental health and related health areas will be discussed. Juvenile health policies, DOVVSU policies as they affect mental health and physical well-being will also be discussed in this course. There will also be a focus on issues relating to education, disability and equal opportunity.
CHP 802: Child and Adult Psychopathology
3 Credit(s)

Trainees will be introduced to psychopathology dealing with aetiology of mental disorders using the biopsychosocial and spiritual models of functioning; psychopathology of psychotic and neurotic disorders, including stress-related and somatoform disorders; personality and behaviour disorders; psychological disorders of ageing and psychopathology of childhood and adolescence.
CHP 803: Clinical Neuropsychology
3 Credit(s)

This is an introductory course that will briefly discuss neuroanatomy, neurophysiology and clinical syndromes. It will also discuss neuropsychological assessments in the areas of Alzheimer’s dementia and Parkinson’s disease. Neuropsychological profiling of HIV/AIDS dementia will also be discussed. The course will also introduce students to neuropsychological rehabilitation especially in the areas of head injury and stroke.
CHP 804 : Special Education and Intellectual Disabilities
3 Credit(s)

The focus of this course will be on the history and aetiology of intellectual difficulties; clinical syndromes; behaviour management of intellectual difficulties; mental health problems and talking therapies; occupational concerns and social skills training as well as educational strategies for behaviour management.
CHP 805: Advanced Research Methods in Clinical and Health Psychology
3 Credit(s)

Clinical research methods and ethics in clinical psychology will be covered in this course. Trainees will be introduced to both quantitative and qualitative methods. Single case experimental designs and naturalistic case studies will be taught in this course. Psychometric theories of test designs will be taught. Professional and political implications of research outcome interpretations will be discussed. The course will also focus on the importance of informed consent in clinical research
CHP 806: Clinical Psychology and Spirituality
3 Credit(s)

In this course, we discuss the spirituality of humanity drawing on theories in humanistic and transpersonal psychology. Eastern and Western concepts of humanity on the one hand and the African and Ghanaian philosophical beliefs about humanity will be discussed. The concept of healing from the various traditional groups will be examined with the view to having an appropriate scientific understanding of the concepts. Included in this course are the Freudian, Neo-Freudian, Jungian and Ghanaian mythology as they relate to spirit and human functioning, physical health and mental health.
CHP 807: Psychodiagnostics, Clinical Interviews and Case Formulations
3 Credit(s)

Various assessment tools and their relevance in the Ghanaian context will be introduced. Assessment tools for personality, cognition, emotions and behaviours in both children and adults will be introduced. The rationale for the use of such tools will be discussed. It will also introduce trainees to principles of case formulation and treatment strategies. Application of psychological theories and models of human development across the lifespan will be the focus in case formulation. Emphasis will be placed on evidence-based formulation.
CHP 808: Substance Abuse, Neuropsychiatry and Psychopharmacology
3 Credit(s)

This is an extension of biological basis of behaviour with special reference to neurotransmitters and neuromodulators. The mechanism of action of various antipsychotic and anxiolytic drugs will be discussed with reference to their cognitive, emotional and behavioural effects. Students will be introduced to psychiatric diagnostic categories, the uses and limitations of the classificatory systems (DSM V and ICD 10). Treatment and relapse prevention strategies will also be discussed. The course presents to trainees theories of substance abuse and addiction. Psychosocial effects of illegal substances in the Ghanaian context will be addressed. Treatment approaches, rehabilitation and relapse prevention will also be discussed.
CHP 809: Health Psychology
3 Credit(s)

The focus of this course will be on the theories and models in health psychology. Mind-body interaction and positive psychology will be discussed in this course. Health promotion and prevention of illnesses will be discussed. Cardiovascular problems, sickle cell management, pain management, diabetes management and psychophysiological disorders as well as quality of life will be addressed and emphasised.
EPS 812A: Computer Application in Education
3 Credit(s)

The course is to enable students gain computer knowledge to complete their thesis and oral examination. It is also, to equip students with skills in ICT that they may need to teach in their various areas of specialization. The course is intended to equip students with computer literacy to help them improve in the presentation and teaching of Home Economics Education. Data management tools such as MS Excel and MS Access as well as Presentation tool such as Power Point would be explored.
SGS 801: Academic Writing
3 Credit(s)

The course is designed to reinforce and further develop the writing skills of students at the postgraduate level. It is centred on the notion that the future success in postgraduate work is dependent to some extent, on the individual student’s ability to demonstrate understanding and insights regarding diverse forms of academic writing. This course will further provide students, nuanced understanding with respect to linguistic/ rhetorical theoretical underpinnings, features of academic writing and the requisite skills regarding argumentation and research centred-writing.

Second Semester

CHP 811: Psychological Therapies I
3 Credit(s)

Introduction to theoretical underpinnings of core treatment/ therapies in clinical and health psychology will be discussed. These therapies include behaviour therapy, cognitive therapy, cognitive-behaviour therapy, assertiveness skills training and problem-solving approaches. Other therapies such as psychodynamics and assertiveness skills will be discussed.
CHP 812: Professional Issues and Ethics
3 Credit(s)

Trainees will be introduced to issues relating to professional practice and professionalism. Client safety and confidentiality as well as professional note recording and keeping are major aspects of this course as they relate to legal concerns in the profession. Media relations will also be addressed in this course.
CHP 813: Clinical Placement I
6 Credit(s)

All clinical placements will be based on application of theories and therapies learned. This placement will cover assessment and treatment of children and adolescents with mental health and physical health related issues. It will also include working with individuals with special educational needs. Case studies 1 & 2 will be based on this particular placement.
CHP 814: Psychological Therapies II
3 Credit(s)

Theories and treatment/therapy approaches underlying new wave psychological therapies including Eye Movement Desensitisation and Processing (EMDR) will be the focus. It will also introduce students to spiritual psychology and therapy approaches. Topics will include Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Clinical Meditation. Their evidence-base for specific psychological issues will be discussed.
CHP 890: Clinical Placement II
6 Credit(s)

The focus of this placement will be working with adults and older adults who have mental health and physical health related issues. There will also be specialist placement in substance abuse disorders. Case studies 3 & 4 will be based on this particular placement.
CHP 899: Thesis
12 Credit(s)

The trainee will be required to research into a topic related to Clinical Health Psychology and submit a write-up between 120 and 150 pages.