PhD in Public Health Sciences with specialization in Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences
University of Louisville - School of Public Health and Information Sciences
Key Information
Campus location
Louisville, USA
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 - 4 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
USD 14,453 / per semester *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Aug 2024
* non-resident/international | resident $7,111
Introduction
Overview
The Department of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences emphasizes teaching, research and community service related to influencing health-related behavior as well as the economic, environmental, organizational and policy supports necessary for sustained long-term health improvement. We are committed to helping our students address the social determinants of health, health disparities, and health equity.
The Ph.D. in Public Health Sciences specialization in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences is open to a select group of students who are committed to developing knowledge and skills in areas related to the social determinants of health, health disparities, and health equity. Students who complete this program will be suited to positions in academia as well as public health-related enterprises. Please note that this curriculum is in the process of being changed.
About the Department
The Department of Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences is a community of scholars committed to advancing health equity and social justice through interdisciplinary, community-engaged research, teaching, and service.
Our approach to health promotion and behavioral sciences is framed within the social-ecological model. We conduct research on theory and action to support the development, implementation, evaluation, and translation of interventions with impact at multiple levels. Our faculty maintain a growing research portfolio aiming to develop innovative approaches to addressing inequity and to inform policy, practice, and resource distribution. Located within a metropolitan research university, we collaborate with scholars from various disciplines, as well as local agencies and organizations to improve population health. In addition, our strong relationships with community partners provide a direct path for translation of our research into action both locally and globally.
We take a student-centered approach to teaching, learning, and mentoring. Our goal is that each of our graduates leaves with the training and experience to engage as public health-oriented leaders. We achieve this by intentionally building their critical thinking and leadership skills and utilizing our research and multidisciplinary expertise to immerse students in the work of public health.
Admissions
Curriculum
Students with a Master of Public Health (MPH) and those with master’s degrees from other disciplines may be admitted to the Ph.D. program. Possessing an MPH degree provides evidence of the 12 Foundational Competencies for the Ph.D. Students entering from other disciplines may be required to complete one or more of the MPH core courses for leveling purposes and to formally assess the 12 Foundational Competencies. The leveling courses include the MPH core courses, and they must be completed prior to beginning courses in the student’s Ph.D. degree plan.
The Ph.D. curriculum consists of a minimum of 48 credit hours of coursework and a dissertation.
Coursework
Code | Title | Hours |
Foundational Requirements | 17 | |
PHPB 701 | Theoretical Basis of Health Promotion | |
PHPB 703 | Health Promotion Research Methods and Design | |
PHPB 705 | Policy to Advance Health Equity | |
PHPB 709 | Philosophy of Science & Evaluation Theory | |
PHPB 710 | Social Justice and Health Equity Research | |
PHPB 750 | Doctoral Seminar in Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences 1 | |
Methods & Analysis | 15 | |
PHST 501 | Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Sciences II | |
PHPB 711 | Qualitative Research Methods in Public Health | |
Additional courses in research design, instrumentation, and analysis (9 credit hours) | ||
Teaching Seminar & Lab | 1-3 | |
PHPB 730 | Teaching Seminar in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences (required for all PhD students) | |
PHPB 731 | Teaching Lab in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences (optional for students wishing to gain teaching experience) | |
Cognate Area of Study | 15 | |
Coursework determined by student and faculty advisor. | ||
Dissertation | as needed | |
Minimum Total Hours | 48 |
Gallery
Program Outcome
Competencies
By the end of the program, the successful student will be able to:
- Demonstrate a social justice perspective in considering and being sensitive to issues that influence public health, health policy, and the delivery of health care.
- Appraise the role of structural, social, political, behavioral, and psychological determinants in producing and maintaining population health and health inequities.
- Apply and critically evaluate multi-level theoretical models of health and health behavior to understanding and intervening in societal, structural, community and organizational influences on public health issues.
- Demonstrate expertise in selecting and applying rigorous and ethical research methods to conduct research in the student’s cognate area.
- Implement pedagogical techniques, with a focus on critical pedagogy, in the process of teaching and learning.
- Communicate effectively and clearly both orally and in writing, and present public health issues and research findings in their area of expertise to a variety of audiences.
- Translate evidence into actionable information to develop and advocate for equitable policies and practices.
Ideal Students
The PhD in Public Health Sciences specialization in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences is open to a select group of students who are committed to developing knowledge and skills in areas related to the social determinants of health, health disparities and health equity. Students who complete this program will be suited to positions in academia as well as public health-related enterprises. Please note that the curriculum has been changed.