• To capacitate students to apply knowledge of the core domains of Health Psychology and the various theoretical and methodological perspectives associated with these domains.
• To impart foundational skills, techniques and expertise required to promote the mental health of humans in diverse settings.
• To produce socially responsible graduates with practical, ethical and professional skills in Health Psychology
• To instil in students the ability for critical thinking required for them to appropriately design, conduct, interpret and evaluate Health Psychology-related studies.
• Develop an understanding of behaviour change within health and healthcare contexts.
• To mould and produce graduates who can effectively write, present and interact with others.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

For all pathways, candidates must have at least five Ordinary Level subjects/National Foundation Certificates including English Language, Mathematics and a relevant Science subject at Grade C or better.

Normal Entry: At least 5 ‘O’ Level passes/National Foundation Certificates including  English Language, Mathematics and a relevant Science subject at Grade C or better                                        plus a minimum of any 2 “A” Level passes or relevant National Certificate

Special Entry: At least 5 ‘O’ Level passes/National Foundation Certificates including      English Language, Mathematics and a relevant Science subject at Grade C or better plus a professional qualification such as a Diploma in a Psychology-related field in which candidates must be employed

Mature Entry: At least 5 ‘O’ Level passes/National Foundation Certificates including   English Language, Mathematics and a relevant Science subject at Grade C or better.                                       Candidates must be at least 25 years of age and have a minimum of 3 years of working experience in a Psychology-related field in which they must be employed.

 CAREER OPPORTUNITIES AND FURTHER EDUCATION

Careers: 

• Training health care workers, community well-being advisors, forensics, academia, sports coaches, youth and community advisors, social workers, Special needs Education Teaching, Health Psychologists, and Public Health Advisors.
• Human and social services in settings including academia, clinical, occupational, environmental, sports, and Community Psychology; Public/government and private/non-governmental institutions requiring Health Psychological services

Further Education: Masters and/or PhDs in Health Psychology and/or Public Health

Level 1 Semester 1	Credits
HHP 131: Introduction to Health Psychology	12
PSY 132: Introduction to Psychology	12
PSY 133: Introduction to Social Psychology	12
HCS 135: Introduction to Information Technology	12
CS 131: Communication Skills	12

Level 1 Semester 2	Credits
HHP 132: Substance Abuse in Families	12
HHP 133: Positive Psychology	12
PSY 135: Psychology Concepts, Methods and Applications	12
PSY 136: Contemporary and Applied Social Psychology	12
PSY 138: Emotional Intelligence	12

Level 2 Semester 1	Credits
PSY 231: Psychobiology	12
PSY 232: Child Development	12
PSY 234: Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics	12
GSSS 201: Gender Studies for Social Sciences	12
ENT 235: Entrepreneurship	12

Level 2 Semester 2	Credits
HHP 231: Human Kinetics and Healthy Eating Behaviours	12
HHP 232: Cultural Psychology	12
PSY 237: Adolescence and Adulthood Development	12
PSY 239: Cognitive Psychology	12
PSY 240: Ethics and Professional Practice	12

Level 3 Semester 1 (Work-Related Learning)	Credits
HHP 330: Work-Related Learning Placement Report	40

Level 3 Semester 2 (Work-Related Learning)	Credits
HHP 331: Work-Related Learning Report	30
HHP 332: Academic Supervisor’s Report	20
HHP 333: Employer’s Assessment Report	30

Level 4 Semester 1	Credits
HHP 431: Impact & Experiences of Long-term Conditions	12
PSY 431: Psychopathology	12
PSY 432: Psychometrics	12
HHP 432: Psychosomatic Pathways to Health and Illness	12
PSY 436: Neuropsychology	12

Level 4 Semester 2	Credits
HHP 433: Community Health Psychology	12
HHP 434: Health Promotion and Behaviour Change	12
PSY 438: Principles of Psychotherapy	12
PSY 439: Contemporary-Critical Psychology	12
HHP 435: Dissertation	24

 

MODULE SYNOPSES

HHP 131 Introduction to Health Psychology

The module examines Mental Health approaches and historical evolution in the cultural context. Topics covered include theories, research findings and applications to behaviour and health outcomes; behaviour change techniques; digital and other interventions; psychological adjustment to chronic illnesses; pain/symptom perception; sexual health and placebo responses.

PSY 132 Introduction to Psychology

The module introduces students to the richness and diversity of Psychology’s fundamental principles, theories, concepts and findings, and equips them with tools necessary for the study of human behaviour and mental processes. Major domains of Psychology as a discipline are also explored based on classic studies, and of current and emerging research, including reference to the DSM-5 in discussions of psychological disorders.                                                                                                                                                           

PSY 133 Introduction to Social Psychology

The module covers the nature and causes of individual/group behaviour and thought processes in social settings; The way people think about, feel, and behave, and how they influence and are influenced by others; perspectives, empirical research methods, findings; impression-formation, conformity, prosocial behaviour, interpersonal attraction, persuasion, stereotyping, prejudice; analysis of theory and research in Social Psychology.

HCS 135 Introduction to Information Technology

Refer to the Department of Information Systems.

CS 131 Communication Skills

Refer to the Department of Communication Skills.

HHP 132 Substance Abuse in Families

The module is on psycho-sociological aspects of substance dependence in families. Topics covered are: Models to identify addictive behaviour and its aetiology; Addiction, its assessment methods, skills for treatment, collaborative approaches with other mental health professionals; Addictive, intergenerational patterns; Interventions for alcoholic/substance abusing; History, analyses and methods of clinical Relational treatment models.

 

HHP 133 Positive Psychology

This module focuses on understanding, testing, discovering and promoting the factors that allow individuals and communities to thrive. Positive Psychology is based upon 3 primary concerns: positive emotions, positive individual traits, and positive institutions. This module will introduce students to these fundamental aspects of Positive Psychology, apart from highlighting some of the core Positive Psychology concepts including happiness, flow, mindfulness, optimism, resilience, emotional intelligence, spirituality and self-related concepts (self-efficacy, self-esteem, ideal-self and real-self, self-regulation). This module will facilitate students’ understanding of the positive aspects of human behaviour.

 

HHP 135 Psychology Concepts, Methods and Applications

This module builds on the Introduction to Psychology module. Covered concepts, theories and methods augment the central themes and controversies of the discipline acquired earlier. This provides students with an understanding of the human mind and behaviour. Also examined are the psychodynamic perspective, humanism, post-modernism, personality, intelligence, and mental and behavioural issues. In workshop teams, students debate on raised issues.

 

PSY 136 Contemporary and Applied Social Psychology

The module focuses on challenges addressed by Social Psychology. Topics include attitudes and attitude change; prejudice, discrimination; aggression, conflict, conflict resolution; Group behaviour; Social Psychology in politics, law and health; tendency to conform to social norms; applied studies; application of Social Psychology basic principles to find, understand, interpret and use more specialized, and applied research findings.

PSY 138 Emotional Intelligence

This module equips students with knowledge of theory and practice in Emotional Intelligence. Students are expected to develop skills to be able to recognise, regulate, express/elicit, and monitor their own and other people’s emotions. The module also exposes students to current areas of interest which include developing emotional intelligence in people through sharing emotional experiences and carrying out emotional intelligence-enhancing exercises.

   

PSY 231 Psychobiology

The module is on how biological processes influence human behaviour and mental functioning. It equips students with knowledge of genetics and the role of various body systems such as the nervous and endocrine systems in behaviour; The organisation, function and role of homeostatic organs in behaviour; the human anatomy in explaining behaviours.

 

PSY 232 Child Development

The module introduces students to the scientific study of child development, focusing on age-related changes in various domains. Emphasis is on the holistic development of children, inclusive of social, emotional, cognitive, moral and physical. Students are exposed to issues related to children’s wellbeing such as the influence of attachment patterns and parenting styles on behavioural outcomes, child abuse and children’s rights.

 

PSY 234 Introduction to Research Methods and Statistics

The module introduces students to qualitative and quantitative paradigms/approaches and to respective methods. It gives students an opportunity to demonstrate an understanding of the use of statistical tables and formulae in analysing and interpreting research data. It also exposes students to the association of variables, regression and prediction, statistical inferences and hypothesis-testing, Chi-square (x2) and analysis of variance (ANOVA).

 

GSSS 201 Gender Studies for Social Sciences

This Gender Studies for Social Sciences 201 (GSSS201) module is an introductory module focused on giving students a broad understanding of the discipline of Gender Studies, its subject matter, key issues and concepts. It is designed to help students develop a critical understanding of basic gender issues as well as prepare them to be agents of change, particularly in Southern Africa and Zimbabwe. In so doing GSSS201 adopts an interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary approach that takes as its subject matter all aspects of the human experience in a gendered world, viewing gender as a field of study, analytical tool and a social phenomenon structuring the social world itself

ENT 235 Entrepreneurship

Refer to the Department of Entrepreneurship

 

HHP 231 Human Kinetics and Healthy Eating Behaviours

Human Kinetics is a discipline focused on the comprehensive study and practice of human movement and exercise, and its impact on health and physical performance. Topics include approaches to human appetite research; homeostatic and hedonic factors in appetite regulation; physiological and nutritional determinants of appetite; obesity and eating disorders; exercise and energy expenditure; gene-environment interactions in weight regulation and food choice; dieting/weight management; food addiction; appetite across the human lifespan.

 

HHP 232 Cultural Psychology

The module examines how culture shapes cognition, perception, motivation, and emotion. It will also look at cross-cultural differences in conceptions of the self, personality, interpersonal behaviour and group processes. Further, the module will look at culture and health. Gender and health will be examined from different cultural perspectives. Finally, the module will discuss how intercultural contact and/or acculturation impacts the individual, but also interpersonal and intergroup processes.

PSY 237 Adolescence and Adulthood Development

The module provides knowledge on developmental theories. For adolescents, the focus is on explanations and effects of body changes, the influence of peer relationships, and initiations into adulthood in the African context. For adulthood, the focus is ontheories of career choices in young adulthood; Midlife crises and related issues in middle age; Theories of ageing, developmental challenges and old age home life for the elderly.

 

PSY 239 Cognitive Psychology

The module provides students with an understanding of how humans organize and interpret information to produce a conscious experience of objects, events, situations and people. Topics include: Perception, attention, accommodation, assimilation, information processing, memory, language and thought processes. The module also explores ways by which cognition is utilised by humans in an attempt to ensure continued survival.

PSY 240 Ethics and Professional Practice

Students are oriented on: Professional Psychological Assessment and Psychotherapist identity; ethical, legal and professional codes of conduct; the Health Professions Act Chapter 27: 19 and the requisite Mandate; safe, acceptable practice; professional issues associated with risk in working with clients in diverse settings/circumstances; individual and team-based service models; communication and implications on practice; Intern supervisee-supervisor relationships.

HHP330 Work-Related Learning Placement Report

The students will submit a comprehensive work placement report which shows their understanding of the organisation placed.

HHP331 Work-Related Learning Report

As part of the examination, the students will be required to submit a comprehensive academic report of their work-related learning experience to the department and it will be marked and awarded a mark that will be ratified by the departmental examinations board.

 

 HHP332 Work-Related Academic Supervisor’s Report

As part of the examination, the students will be assessed and awarded a mark by the academic supervisor and this will be presented to the departmental examinations board for processing of final marks.

 

HHP333 Work-Related Learning Supervisor’s Report

The employer will assess the student and award a mark which will be presented to the departmental

examinations board for processing of final marks.

 

HHP 431 Impact and Experiences of Long-Term Conditions

This module provides students with skills and techniques to assess the experiences of individuals diagnosed with long-term conditions and the impact of the conditions on psychological functioning, and interventions. The module also covers theoretical models of health-related behaviour and cognition.

PSY 431 Psychopathology

This is a study of mental disorders. Concepts covered include the scientific study of the disorders, with a focus on their genetic, biological, psychological, and social causes, and respective symptoms. Students analyse symptoms to correctly classify the disorders so as to prescribe appropriate interventions.

PSY 432 Psychometrics

The module provides students with a grounding in the comprehension and application of psychometric tests, related theories, the nature and essence of psychometrics, test construction and use, and enhancement of effectiveness. Topics covered are methods of observing and measuring human behaviour; psychometric assessment methods and practice; testing principles of validity, reliability, standardization and adopting/ adapting tests.

HHP 432 Psychosomatic Pathways to Health and Illness

The module covers aspects of planning for and evaluating appropriate interventions for mental health problems. It builds on the Psychobiology module concepts on mechanisms of pathways between psychological and behavioural factors, and physical and psychological health outcomes. Key biological systems, and examples of stress, sleep and pain are used to explore how the pathways interact, and how they are measured as indices for health/disease.

PSY 436 Neuropsychology

The module exposes students to the anatomy, physiology and biology of the central nervous system which underlies human behaviour and mental processes. Topics covered includegenetic, hormonal and functional systems; examination of the interface between Psychology,                                               Neurology and Psychiatry in relation to the psychological effects of brain lesions, trauma, toxicology and various forms of mental under-development.

HHP 433 Community Health Psychology

This module focuses on the social ecological perspective of health emphasizing how individual health behaviour is shaped by social forces. Topics include bio bio-behavioural factors in health;  health behaviour change; community health promotion; and psychological aspects of illness, patient care, and chronic disease management. Students are equipped with knowledge and skills to work with clients. Other topics covered include death, dying and bereavement, decision-making by clients, health literacy and issues related to client satisfaction.

 

HHP 434 Health Promotion and Behaviour Change                                               The module provides an understanding of factors that influence health behaviour and behaviour change. Concepts covered are on models and values that inform health promotion practice and are on the requisite knowledge and skills to successfully design and evaluate health-based interventions.

PSY 438 Principles of Psychotherapy

The module acquaints students with major approaches, namely the Psychoanalytic, Adlerian, Person-centred, Rational-emotive, Humanistic, and Behavioural. It also explores: Current issues/practices in psychotherapy, emotional, relational, behavioural and cognitive mechanisms of change, and empirical evidence for psycho-therapeutic processes; Emotion regulation, cultural competency, therapeutic boundaries, principles, philosophy, tenets of the approaches, and therapist self-care

PSY 439 Contemporary-Critical Psychology

The module examines the implications of debates between mainstream and critical approaches to Psychology; Philosophical foundations from Foucault and the analysis of bio-power, Derrida on deconstruction and Mbembe and the post-colony. Implications of the challenges are examined in relation to Mkhize, Burman and Gergen, and others. Attention is on relationships between critical theory and qualitative research methodologies in Health Psychology.

HHP 435 Dissertation

Students identify psychosocial problems and conduct research to address them. They apply previously taught research concepts and statistical skills, conceptualize ideas, review relevant literature, use appropriate methods/tools, collect, present, analyse and interpret data from which they draw conclusions and suggest recommendations. Under the guidance of a lecturer in the Department, students pursue a study on a relevant topic of their interest.