Bachelor of Science in Medical Psychology (B.Sc MedPsych)

Description of the Programme

Medical Psychology is a sub-discipline of psychology that applies psychological principles to the field of medicine. The Bachelor of Science in Medical Psychology (B.Sc MedPsych) will provide specialized training for persons interested in becoming professional Medical Psychologists with a sound medical psychology basis capable of carrying out many facets of psychology work, such as psychological assessments, advanced psychological diagnosis, treatment, research, and consultations about the use of any psychotropic medication. The field is concerned with the development and integration of psychosocial, behavioural and biomedical knowledge relevant to health and illness, and the application of this knowledge to prevention, etiology, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of patients/clients within a lifespan perspective. Its graduates will deal with patients/clients with diverse health-related needs and contribute towards the well-being of the Kenyans and humanity generally. It will pursue this through innovative medical education. This includes, among others, the use of a competency-based, integrated, community-oriented, student-centered, problem-based learning curriculum and instructional strategies that promote the development of all needed professional competencies. This unique program arose out of a perceived need for suitably trained mental health professionals in Kenya. The Programme, which is offered at Moi University, has been designed in collaboration with Maastricht University in Maastricht, the Netherlands. It focuses on medical psychology, which is based on the biopsychosocial model that draws upon knowledge from health psychology, clinical psychology and neuropsychology. However, despite its misleading title, a Medical Psychologist does not automatically have the authority to prescribe medication. Any psychologist who desires to prescribe medication must first meet specific qualifications in psychopharmacology.

Minimum Entry Requirements