Ph.D. Subtrack in Health Communication

Department Research Centers

Degree Programs

MS in Community and Behavioral Health

MS Subtrack in Health Communication

MPH Subtrack in Community and Behavioral Health

MPH Subtrack in Health Communication

MPH Focus Area in Maternal, Child, and Family Health

MPH Focus Area in Nutrition and Exercise
PhD in Community and Behavioral Health
PhD Subtrack in Addiction Studies

PhD Subtrack in Health Communication

PhD Subtrack in Occupational Injury Prevention Research

Ph.D. subtrack in Health Communication

Degree Description and Learning Objectives

The PhD subtrack in Health Communication combines the core coursework from the Community and Behavioral Health PhD curriculum with additional training at the doctoral level to prepare individuals for academic, research, and policy-making careers in the area of health communication.

Graduates of the Health Communications Program will be able to do the following:

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

Prerequisites

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

Supervision of a PhD program

It is necessary for all PhD 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 Graduate Program Coordinator, Arlys Thompson, arlys-thompson@uiowa.edu or 319-384-5382, 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 PhD program will be in part dependent on the identification and agreement of an appropriate and available advisor and dissertation chair.

Ph.D. Health Communication 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.

Behavioral and Social Sciences

12 s.h. required - Students may chose from the following courses to satisfy the area requirement

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.
113:185/ 152:185	Medical Anthropology	3 s.h.

Research Methods

15 s.h. required - Students may chose from the following courses to satisfy the area requirement

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/ 22S:140	Design and Analysis of Biomedical Studies	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.
07P:249	Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Models	3 s.h.
07P:252	Introduction to Multivariate Statistical Methods	3 s.h.

Health Communication Core

12 s.h. required

172:240/ 036:240	Health Communication	3 s.h.
172:242	Persuasion and Health	3 s.h.
036:371	Communication Theory	3 s.h.
172:246/ 036:379	Health Communication Campaigns	3 s.h.
172:140/019:160	Media and Health	3 s.h.

Electives

21 s.h. required - Electives are selected in consultation with your adviser.

Thesis/Dissertation Hours

12 s.h. required

172:300	Thesis/Dissertation Hours	Arr

Total Semester Hours (minimum)	75 s.h.

PhD Dissertation

The dissertation for PhD students completing the PhD subtrack in Health Communication will follow the same procedures and guidelines as the dissertation for students in the general PhD program.

PhD Comprehensive Examination

The comprehensive examination for students in the PhD subtrack in Health Communication will include theories and research related to health communication, as well as relevant theories, analytical skills, research design and methodology in the behavioral and social sciences related to public health.

“The Health Communication program is part of the Coalition for Health Communication. For more information, please visit the CHC website at coalitionforhealthcommunication.net”

For additional information regarding the Health Communication, contact Shelly Campo.

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