Program Overview

PhD in Behavioral Sciences and Health Promotion

Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy in Behavioral Sciences & Health Promotion focuses on behavioral and socioecological aspects of public health and the development, evaluation, and implementation of health promotion interventions. It prepares scholars to develop and integrate state-of-the-art social and behavioral science theory, design, and analytic approaches to examine current problems in public health while working alongside communities. The emphasis is on preparation for independent research and teaching. An important component of this degree program is the ability to contribute to the scientific literature.

Department Overview

This degree program is managed by the Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences (HPBS). The department chair is Dr. Christine Markham, and the academics and admissions advisor is Jennifer Roberts.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements, Behavioral Sciences and Health Promotion PhD candidate applications will also be evaluated against the following considerations:

• An earned master's degree in a social or behavioral science, OR an earned master's degree in public health with research experiences, thesis experience, and/or coursework related to social and behavioral sciences, OR an earned master's degree in another field and at least 12 hours of upper division undergraduate or graduate coursework in social or behavioral sciences
• Submission of a writing sample (theses, publications, or other academic work) that demonstrates competence in written communication for academic work; the applicant should be the sole or first author on submitted work

Program Requirements

The PhD program requires students to complete 48 credit hours as detailed in the Behavioral Sciences and Health Promotion PhD degree planner. Most full-time students complete the PhD program in four to five years. All students are eligible to elect to complete one or more graduate certificates in addition to required coursework.

• For students who do not hold a graduate degree in public health, additional coursework and time to bring you up to competence may be required.

HPBS Degrees

• MPH in Health Promotion & Health Education
• MPH in Health Promotion & Health Education, Dietetic Internship
• DrPH in Health Promotion & Health Education
• PhD in Behavioral Sciences and Health Promotion

Certificates

• Health Promotion Program Planning and Evaluation Certificate
• Advanced Planning and Evaluation for Health Promotion Programs Certificate
• Introduction to Quantitative Methods for Behavioral Sciences Certificate
• Advanced Quantitative methods for Behavioral Science Certificate
• Dissemination and Implementation Science