M.S. in Psychophysiology

Essentials of Bioscience

This course teaches you the fundamentals of electronic circuitry, biochemistry, human electricity, math, and human physiology as used in professional psychophysiology. You will learn about psychophysiological recording devices and how they function, the structure of major neurotransmitters, hormonal feedback cycles, and much more.

Psychopathology for Psychophysiologists

This course provides a strong introduction to the essential knowledge of psychopathology. You will use evolutionary lens to examine pathology relevant to behavioral medicine and psychophysiology. You will also be introduced to fundamentals of diagnostic principles, learn about evolutionary causes for common behavioral traits, and learn how those traits relate to disorders as described in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM).

Psychophysiological Recording, Assessment, and Interventions

This course continues from the fundamentals of psychophysiology course to provide in-depth material leading to an understanding of the physiology and methodology underlying common psychophysiological recording techniques used in behavioral medicine. The course emphasizes environmental recording and assessment techniques for work-based situations in support of athletes, musicians, soldiers, etc. who need to perform optimally in a variety of situations. Techniques emphasized include breathing evaluation, startle responses, ERPs, P300s and other brain responses to stimuli, pheromones, methods of assessing stress responses, etc.

Please refer to our academic catalog for more information on the M.S. in Psychophysiology program.

Is it required to choose a specialization to complete the online Psychophysiology master’s degree?

Yes. A specialization is required to complete the Psychophysiology degree program. These include a science and research specialization for students interested in learning psychophysiological research techniques and who want to continue in basic science and research programs. There is also the optimal functioning specialization which is a practice-oriented program addressing the need for optimal performance specialists in sports, performing arts, and other areas. Each of these specializations consists of 34 credits.

What does a psychophysiologist do?

A psychophysiologist studies how biological processes, such as heart rate, muscle tension, and brain activity, relate to psychological and behavioral outcomes.

They use tools like biofeedback and neurofeedback to help clients recognize and manage the physical patterns underlying stress, performance issues, or behavioral dysfunction, applying these skills in fields such as sports, education, business, and the military.

Practicing biofeedback professionally typically requires certification through the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA), which requires a minimum bachelor's degree in an approved healthcare field and periodic recertification

What length of time does the M.S. in Psychophysiology degree take to complete? 

Completion time for the Psychophysiology online degree is typically two to three years, with 34 earned credits. The benefit of the master’s in Psychophysiology degree is the self-paced nature of the coursework, allowing you to adjust class schedules on a situational basis.

What industries can a graduate of the M.S. in Psychophysiology degree apply their skills in?

This Psychophysiology degree is extremely diverse in its application post-graduation. Graduates from the online Psychophysiology program have gone on to affect lives in fields and industries such as sports, education, business, and the military.

What applicable skills will students in the M.S. in Psychophysiology degree program develop?

This Psychophysiology master’s degree program equips graduates with many applicable skills. They include comprehension of the fundamentals of bioscience, biofeedback, and neurofeedback and assessment and intervention tactics for underlying psychophysiological illnesses.

Is the M.S. in Psychophysiology degree 100% online?

While the coursework for the Psychophysiology master’s degree can be completed online, the Psychophysiology degree program does require attendance at one five-day, in-person Residential Learning Experience (RLE) per year. 

Do I need certification to practice biofeedback after this degree?

This M.S. in Psychophysiology program does not itself grant a professional license or certification.
Most practitioners who apply biofeedback or neurofeedback clinically pursue certification through the Biofeedback Certification International Alliance (BCIA), which is endorsed by the Association for Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback (AAPB) and the International Society for Neurofeedback and Research (ISNR).

BCIA certification requires a minimum bachelor's degree in an approved healthcare field, completion of accredited coursework, mentored clinical hours, and a passing exam score; recertification is required every four years.

Does the Optimal Performance specialization cover sports psychology?

Yes. The Optimal Performance Specialization within the M.S. in Psychophysiology program applies psychophysiological methods, including biofeedback, neurofeedback, and mental skills training, to athletic, artistic, and high-performance professional settings.

This includes techniques such as goal setting, imagery, self-talk, and arousal regulation for athletes, performing artists, and military personnel.