Degree Programs - Community and Behavioral Health - College of Public Health

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

PhD Subtrack in Addiction Studies

Degree Description and Learner Objectives

The PhD subtrack in addiction studies combines the core coursework from the Community and Behavioral Health PhD curriculum with additional specialized training in strategies to develop and evaluate prevention and intervention programs in the addictions. This emerging area of study and practice examines addiction prevention and treatment from both a public health and a biopsychosocial perspective. Graduates of this program will have the knowledge and tools to chart the course of future research on prevention and treatment in the addictions. Graduates of the Addiction Studies 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 public health knowledge by designing and conducting original research.
Demonstrate an in-depth knowledge and understanding of substance abuse and other issues related to the public health aspects of addiction.
Apply knowledge of research on addiction prevention and treatment to the public health domain.

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.

PhD 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.

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.
172:185	Communicating with the Community	3 s.h.
172:240	Health Communication (same as 036:240)	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.
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	Categorical Data Analysis in Sociological Research	3 s.h.
034:219	Seminar: Selected Topics in Research Methods and Data Analysis	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.

Addiction Studies Core

12 s.h. required

172:161	Substance Abuse and Mental Health	3 s.h.
172:2XX	Assessment and Diagnosis of Addiction and Comordbid Psychopathology	3 s.h.
172:2XX	Research on Prevention of Substance Abuse and Comorbid Psychopathology	3 s.h.
172:2XX	Research on Treatment of Substance Abuse and Comorbid Psychopathology	3 s.h.

Addiction Studies Electives

6 s.h. required
(Students should select elective courses in consultation with their adviser. The following is a list of suggested courses.)

172:160	Substance Use and Misuse in America	3 s.h.
172:2XX	Readings in Addiction Studies	1–3 s.h.
172:2XX	Special Topics in Addiction Studies	3 s.h.
031:241	Behavioral and Cognitive Neuroscience	3 s.h.
031:240	Judgment and Decision Making	3 s.h.

Dissertation

12 s.h. required

172:300	Thesis/Dissertation Hours	Arr

Total Semester Hours (minimum)	75 s.h.

PhD Comprehensive Exam

The comprehensive examination is taken after the majority of coursework for the PhD 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.

Master's Thesis 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 not 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.

Note: Courses printed above in italics are under development. Curriculum requirements printed here are subject to change.

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