Degree Programs

Ph.D. - Community and Behavioral Health

Degree Description and Learner Objectives

Prepares individuals for academic, research, and policy-making careers in the social and behavioral health sciences. Graduates of this Ph.D. program will be able to do the following:

1. Demonstrate extensive knowledge and understanding of social and behavioral science theories related to public health.
2. Demonstrate expertise in appropriate social and behavioral science research design and methodology related to public health.
3. Design and implement research that incorporates knowledge of pertinent cultural, social, behavioral and biological factors.
4. Understand the mechanisms of identifying and disseminating best practices in community health.
5. Identify knowledge gaps, synthesize relevant information, and formulate focused research questions to address these gaps.
6. Contribute to public health knowledge by designing and conducting original research.

Prerequisites

A master's degree in a related area is required.

Supervision of a Ph.D. program

It is necessary for all Ph.D. students to be matched with appropriate department faculty who are available to advise their program of study and chair their dissertation committee. Prospective students should begin this matching process by speaking with the Interim Graduate Program Coordinator, Brenda Schropp, brenda-schropp@uiowa.edu or 319-384-1470, about which faculty members are currently available for the advisement and dissertation chair roles. The Graduate Program Coordinator will suggest personal contact with likely advisors as needed. Acceptance into the Ph.D. program will be in part dependent on the identification and agreement of an appropriate and available advisor and dissertation chair.

Ph.D. Curriculum

During their first semester, students will work with their academic adviser to develop a Plan of Study that will satisfy both the students' individual goals, and the requirements listed below. The curriculum for the doctoral program requires that students complete at least 75 semester hours of course work past the baccalaureate degree. The transfer credit given for a master's degree counts towards these 75 semester hours. In addition to the courses below, students are required to attend departmental seminars.

College of Public Health Core

9 s.h. required

 

171:161	Introduction to Biostatistics	3 s.h.
172:101	Introduction to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention	3 s.h.
173:140	Epidemiology I: Principles	3 s.h.
170:200	Essentials of Public Health* * Course requirement waived for students with a MPH	1 s.h.

 

Behavior and Social Sciences Core

21 s.h. required

 

172:110	Community Development in Public Health	3 s.h.
172:130	Social Determinants of Health	3 s.h.
172:150	Health Behavior and Health Education	3 s.h.
172:106	Designing and Implementing Interventions	3 s.h.
172:240	Health Communication (same as 036:240)	3 s.h.
172:185	Communicating with the Community	3 s.h.
172:242	Persuasion and Health	3 s.h.
172:246	Health Communication Campaigns (same as 036:379)	3 s.h.
113:185	Medical Anthropology	3 s.h.

 

Research Methods Core

15 s.h. required

 

172:181	Evaluation I: Theory and Applications	3 s.h.
172:282	Evaluation II: Design and Methods	3 s.h.
172:183	Qualitative Research for Public Health	3 s.h.
172:285	Research Methods in Community and Behavioral Health	3 s.h.
171:162	Design and Analysis of Experiments in the Biomedical Sciences	3 s.h.
07P:249	Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Models	3 s.h.
07P:252	Introduction to Multivariate Statistical Methods	3 s.h.
172:285	Research Methods in Community and Behavioral Health	3 s.h.
034:214	Introduction to Sociological Data Analysis	3 s.h.
034:215	Sampling, Measurement, and Observation Techniques	3 s.h.
034:216	Linear Models in Sociological Research	3 s.h.
034:218	Categorial Data Analysis in Sociological Research	3 s.h.
034:219	Seminar: Selected Topics in Research Methods and Data Analysis	3 s.h.

 

Content Area Electives

18 s.h. required. Students should select elective courses in consultation with their advisor. The following is a list of suggested courses.

 

170:101	Introduction to Public Health	3 s.h.
170:171	Problems in Public Health	3 s.h.
172:115	Community Preventive Programs and Services	2 s.h.
172:122	Maternal, Child, Family Health: An Overview	3 s.h.
172:131	Anthropology and International Health (same as 113:184, 152:184)	3 s.h.
172:133	Anthropology of Women's Health (same as 113:133)	3 s.h.
172:144	Physician-Patient Communication (same as 036:161)	3 s.h.
172:160	Substance Use and Misuse in America	3 s.h.
172:161	Substance Abuse and Mental Health	3 s.h.
172:185	Communicating with the Community	3 s.h.
172:270	Independent Study in Community and Behavioral Health	Arr
172:271	Research in Community and Behavioral Health	Arr
174:200	Introduction to Health Care Organization and Policy	3 s.h.
174:212	Health Economics I	1 s.h.
174:213	Health Economics II	3 s.h.
174:242	Federalism and Health Policy	3 s.h.
175:197	Environmental Health	3 s.h.
044:112	Mapping American Cities and Regions	3 s.h.

 

Dissertation

12 s.h. required

 

172:300

Thesis/Dissertation Hours

Arr

Total Semester Hours (minimum)

75 s.h.

 

Ph.D. Comprehensive Exam

The comprehensive examination is taken after the majority of coursework for the Ph.D. degree has been completed. It tests the student's ability to integrate relevant theories, analytical skills, research design and methodology in the behavioral and social sciences related to public health.

Dissertation Defense

The goal of the dissertation is to produce a document that is publishable in a peer-reviewed journal. Original thought is required in the formulation and conduct of the research, although neither original data collection nor data analysis are strictly required. During the dissertation defense, a specially formed committee will thoroughly examine the student's area of knowledge associated with the context of the work.