Designed by one of the world’s leading experts in the science of stress, this interdisciplinary program draws on courses in the life sciences and psychology to help you build a strong understanding of the stress system and its role in health and disease. With its emphasis on research and its balance of theory and practice, you’ll become skilled in applying evidence-based stress management techniques to help clients or yourself better cope with stress and improve health and well-being. If you are already working in a health-related field, earning the M.S. in Stress and Health Management will enrich your practice with additional knowledge and expertise and distinguish you as a committed professional.
Strengths of the Program
The MSSHM has been designed by Professor George P. Chrousos, one of the world’s leading experts in the biology and medicine of stress. The interdisciplinary curriculum includes courses in the biology and medicine of stress, statistics and research design, counseling, and evidence-based stress management.
Program strengths include the following:
World-Class Faculty
You’ll be taught by an exceptional team of biomedical research scientists and expert practitioners in clinical psychology, nutrition, psychotherapy, and management. Many of the faculty have served as senior health policy analysts, scientific advisors to governments, and executive officers in hospitals, businesses, and foundations.
Holistic Education
You’ll be encouraged to develop and express yourself as both a scholar and a professional practitioner. You’ll build strong skills in designing, conducting, and communicating the findings of your research. At the same time, you’ll learn techniques and methods to tackle stress that you can immediately implement in your practice.
Balance of Theory and Hands-On Learning
The program gives equal weight to theory and practical learning. Courses are taught through an engaging mix of lectures, hands-on workshops, case-based learning, problem sets, and scientific presentations.
Option for Online Attendance
All the onsite courses are taught in specially equipped classrooms and videocast live. So, if you live or work outside Athens, you can attend the entire program or just selected courses via our online learning and collaboration platform.
More about the MSSHM program
Program Structure
The MSSHM is a 30-credit graduate degree program. It consists of 8 required courses, one elective course (chosen from three options), and a research-based thesis Full-time students can complete the program in 1 ½ years. Consult the Hellenic American University website for a detailed list and description of courses in the degree program.
What You’ll Learn
It provides you with in-depth knowledge of the science of stress and the role of stress in chronic non-communicable and other diseases. You’ll become familiar with instruments to identify and evaluate stress. You’ll also acquire the practical skills to apply evidence-based stress management methods for individuals and groups in a variety of settings.
By the time you complete the program, you’ll be able to:
- Design, conduct, and evaluate health promotion programs;
- Perform and teach evidence-based stress management techniques;
- Design and conduct intervention studies in subpopulations of individuals with chronic stress;
- Possess skills in biostatistics and research methodology, including how to design clinical trials.
Admissions Requirements
Please see our page on Graduate Admissions or information on requirements for admission and information on how to apply.
Certificate
Certificate in Stress Management
A certificate option is also available for individuals who do not wish to do the full degree program.
The Certificate in Stress Management requires the completion of the following four courses:
- Principles of Complexity, Homeostasis and Stress
- Biology and Psycho-Neuroendocrinology of Stress
- Health Promotion Principles and Practice
- The Role of Stress in Health and Disease
Faculty
Who will teach you
The program brings together core faculty of biomedical scientists and expert practitioners in clinical psychology, nutrition, psychotherapy and management. They include (in alphabetical order):
- Dr. Aristidis Charonis, collaborating investigator at the University Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine.
- Professor George Chrousos, Professor Emeritus of Pediatrics and Endocrinology, Director of the Research Institute for Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, and head of the unit on Clinical and Translational Research in Endocrinology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens School of Medicine.
- Dr. Evi Hatziandreou, Senior Director, Health Policy and Market Access.
- Dr. George Paltoglou, pediatric endocrinologist.
- Dr. Anna Papageorgiou, nutritionist in the Department of Childhood Obesity at Mitera Hospital.
- Dr. Harikleia Stefanaki, pediatrician and post-doctoral researcher at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens Medical School.
- Dr. Effie Tsilibary, Associate Professor of Neuroscience at the University of Minnesota Medical School.
- Dr. Liza Varvogli, psychologist and psychotherapist.
A program for anyone whose work involves helping people
The M.S. in Stress and Health Management aims to bring together students from diverse backgrounds—from teachers and mental health counselors to social workers and dieticians. The HR professional who needs to empower a team to better manage workplace stress and improve productivity. The coach who wants to help athletes build positive coping mechanisms to handle competitive stress. The physical therapist interested in expanding the range of therapeutic tools for managing pain.
The structure and content of the program has been designed to use this diversity of expertise and prior education to create a stimulating learning environment for all participants.
We encourage applications from:
- Psychologists, mental health counselors, and life coaches
- HR professionals
- Teachers
- Physicians and nurses
- Nutritionists
- Coaches, fitness trainers, and wellness consultants
- Physical therapists
- Social workers
- Anyone interested in pursuing research or further studies in stress and health management.