Program Overview

EdD in Health and Physical Activity

The EdD in Health and Physical Activity major is focused on training students to prepare for public health, health-related, community-based, school-based, or government/policy opportunities related to health and physical activity based on improvement science.

Program Overview

The EdD major in Health and Physical Activity is part of the Doctor of Education (EdD) degree program at the University of Pittsburgh Pitt School of Education. The program aligns with the School of Educations mission to prepare students to be scholars, leaders, and change-makers in education and health, with a particular focus on equity and justice.

Evidence-Based Methodology

With the EdD in Health and Physical Activity program, students will gain experience in:

• Designing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based physical activity and nutrition programs for diverse priority populations in workplaces, communities, schools, and healthcare institutions
• Analyzing the impact of legislation, judicial opinions, regulations, and policies on individuals and populations physical activity and nutrition
• Synthesizing information from multiple sources for research and practice and evaluating the performance and impact of health programs, policies, and systems
• Obtaining skills in funding and resource development to provide higher quality, more efficient, and less expensive health promotion and healthcare to populations

Program Structure

The program accommodates the schedules of working professionals and combines an online learning environment with monthly Saturday in-person sessions. There is a hybrid course delivery model, including a one-day welcome and information event, a week-long intensive on-ramp experience in the first summer, cross-disciplinary practitioner inquiry and foundations courses, and an internship.

Career Pathways

Graduates of the EdD in Health and Physical Activity program can pursue careers in:

• Public health careers related to health and physical activity
• Health-related careers related to health and physical activity (medical centers, health-insurers, etc.)
• Community-based organizations related to health and physical activity
• School-based opportunities related to health and physical activity
• Government and policy agencies related to health and physical activity

Program Faculty

The program is led by a team of experienced faculty, including:

• Sharon Ross, Associate Professor and Interim Director, Office of Child Development
• Sirry Alang, Professor and Associate Dean for Equity and Justice, Interim Chair, Department of Teaching, Learning, and Leading
• Kelli Davis, Associate Professor of Practice, Associate Co-Chair, Department of Health and Human Development
• Elizabeth Nagle, Associate Professor of Practice, Associate Co-Chair, Department of Health and Human Development
• Sally Sherman, Associate Professor of Practice

Admissions Requirements

Applicants must complete the School of Education online admissions application, which includes:

• Resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
• Goal statement
• Contact information for three professional references
• Academic transcript The EdD program at the Pitt School of Education requires applicants to have 24 credits of relevant graduate work to transfer from a source institution with a B (3.0) or higher according to University policy.

Curriculum

The EdD program is a three-year program that consists of 76 credits. Students will complete 52 new credits in the program and transfer 24 credits from relevant graduate work.

Learning Experiences

The EdD curriculum is delivered in several stages, through a variety of methods, including:

• Orientation (Spring): A full-day, on-campus orientation before the summer start of the program
• On-Ramp Experience (Summer): A full-week, on-campus experience that includes intense work focused on understanding enduring problems of practice in education, health, and human development
• Online Classes and Hybrid Seminars (Summer, Fall, and Spring): A hybrid model of education through online course experiences and in-person, once-per-month sessions on the Pittsburgh campus

Program Facts

• Degree Type: Doctor of Education (EdD)
• Credits: 76 credits (24 credits transfer from previous graduate credits)
• Format: Hybrid
• Time Commitment: Part-Time
• Duration: 3 years on average
• Enrollment Term: Summer
• Application Deadline: February 1