Degree Programs
Master of Public Health Degree Program
The program of study for the M.P.H. in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences integrates the broad field of public health with the behavioral and social sciences. The curriculum includes intervention methods for health promotion development and evaluation in a variety of settings.
Special Entrance Requirements
- An earned bachelor’s degree. Some coursework in the social or behavioral sciences and/or health promotion is preferred.
- Graduate Record Examination.
- At least two letters of recommendation from faculty knowledgeable about the applicant’s academic work.
- Acceptance by the faculty in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences.
Course of Study
The M.P.H. student will be expected to take social and behavioral theory (PH 1111, PH 1112), health promotion program planning (PH 1113), and program evaluation (PH 1120), with additional coursework in research methods, ethics in research and public health, and social and behavioral science content courses.
Doctor of Public Health Degree Program
The Dr.P.H. in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences is offered in Houston with the opportunity to work with regional campus faculty. The primary focus of the Dr.P.H. degree is health promotion. Like the M.P.H., the Dr.P.H. in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences includes coursework in the five core public health disciplines: Behavioral Sciences, Biostatistics, Epidemiology, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences, and Management, Policy and Community Health. The purpose of the Dr.P.H. program is to train students for leadership roles as public health professionals in non-governmental agencies, health departments, and other governmental agencies. Some graduates also may work in the academic setting. Students receiving a Dr.P.H. are expected to contribute to and apply scientific discoveries in public health settings.
Special Entrance Requirements
- An earned master’s degree or equivalent in public health with a substantial behavioral sciences component.
- Graduate Record Examination with combined score over 1200 is preferred.
- Submission of a writing sample that demonstrates competence in written communication for academic work. Theses, publications or other academic work are preferred. The applicant should be the sole or first author on submitted work.
- At least two letters of recommendation from faculty knowledgeable about the applicant’s academic work.
- Acceptance by the faculty in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences with a faulty member who is willing to serve as an academic advisor.
Course of Study
The student will complete a course of study focused on the social and behavioral aspects of public health and the development and evaluation of health promotion interventions. The course of study must be approved by the academic advisor. The student must achieve satisfactory performance on a qualifying examination as certified by the student’s qualifying examination committee. The student will complete a dissertation as agreed upon with the dissertation committee and will focus on social and behavioral aspects of public health or the development and evaluation of health promotion interventions.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree Program
The Ph.D. in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences is offered in Houston with an opportunity to work with faculty at the regional campuses. The curriculum focuses on development of research skills and content expertise in behavioral and social sciences applied to health. The Ph.D. program provides training in social and behavioral science theory and methods as applied to public health and is designed to provide students with the skills necessary to succeed in academic and research positions. The emphasis in this degree program is preparation for independent research and teaching.
Special Entrance Requirements
- An earned master’s degree or equivalent in a social or behavioral science, such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, education, or communications.
- Graduate Record Examination with scores over 1200 is preferred.
- Submission of a writing sample that demonstrates competence in written communication for academic work. Theses, publications or other academic work are preferred. The applicant should be the sole or first author on submitted work.
- At least two letters of recommendation from faculty knowledgeable about the applicant’s academic work.
- Acceptance by the faculty in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences with a faulty member who is willing to serve as an academic advisor.
Course of Study
The student will choose one of two courses of study in Health and Social Behavior or Health Promotion and two minors in other public health disciplines. The course of study must be approved by the academic advisor. The student must achieve satisfactory performance on a qualifying examination as certified by the student’s qualifying examination committee. The student will complete a dissertation as agreed upon with the dissertation committee and will focus on social and behavioral aspects of public health.
