Facts about Current CBH Student Body

Applications:  The department received 52 applications for Fall 2008.  The department extended invitations to enroll to 5 PhD applicants, 2 MS applicants, and 20 MPH applicants.   Subsequently, 2 PhD students and 13 MPH students enrolled for the fall 2008 semester.

Prior Degrees of New Fall Students:  German, Health Promotion, Psychology, English, Health and Sports Studies, Biology, Sociology,  Communications, Nursing, Social Sciences, Mechanical Engineering, and Health Sciences.

Profiles of Current CBH Students

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Bobbi PhD Student Community and Behavioral  Health

Graduate major:  Public Health Policy and Health Administration

Areas of interest: Program evaluation, healthcare access, community health as a function of healthcare access, community health as a function of health policy

"After working as a health policy analyst at the General Accounting Office in Washington, DC, I felt well prepared in policy analysis and program administration.  However, I came to realize that better knowledge of statistical analyses and research in behavioral health was needed to reach my career goals.  I am currently pursuing my PhD in Community and Behavioral Health at the same time that I am the Health Science Program Coordinator at Cornell College.  I am able to apply my knowledge from the classroom at Iowa in my working and teaching environment at Cornell.  The College of Public Health has been wonderful in allowing me to both attend classes and work full time. While things do become a little crazy at times, the experience and balancing act has been well worth it." _____________________________________________________________________

Erica    MS Student    Community and Behavioral Health

Undergraduate major: Family Services

Areas of interest: Maternal, child and family health, adolescent health, sexual health, reproductive health, health education, health communication, and program evaluation

A career in public health has interested me for the last four years. Throughout my undergraduate years at the University of Northern Iowa, my interest in public health intensified and narrowed to community and behavioral health. In the past, I have volunteered at a nonprofit incentive program for low-income expecting and new moms, acted as a program associate for a parenting education program for which I made home visits, conducted risk assessments, and prepared educational materials for parents, and conducted an undergraduate honors thesis entitled “Father-Son Bonding: The Influence of Paternal Relationships on College Males’ Sexual Behavior and Values.” After all of these experiences, I have realized an appreciation and desire for conducting research leading me to pursue the M.S. in Community and Behavioral Health at the University of Iowa. In courses throughout the department and the College of Public Health, I have been able to take valuable theory, methods, and statistics courses that will benefit my future academic and professional goals in the field.

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Will   MPH Student   Community and Behavioral  Health

Undergraduate major:  Biological Sciences

Areas of interest:

Health education, autism and childhood obesity with a focus on physical activity and education.

“While finishing my degree in biology at St. Olaf College, the importance of interdisciplinary learning was impressed upon me.  When I researched the various master’s programs I could join, I felt that public health was the one program in which I could use my prior training as a biologist, incorporate other disciplines I studied as well, and pursue my interest in working with children.  Community and Behavioral Health is a great fit because my MPH degree will allow me to work with communities to improve their health.”

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Shweta    MPH Student    Community and Behavioral Health

Undergraduate major: Hospital & Health Management

Areas of Interest: Foods and nutrition, obesity/weight management, exercise and  physical activity, HIV/AIDS prevention

"I worked as a preventive health care coordinator in a corporate hospital for two years in India. Most of our clients belonged to the educated and elite class of the society. However, I realized that there was a lack of health awareness among them in regard to the importance of preventive health measures in one’s life. Even though a major part of my job profile involved imparting health education, I felt limitations in bringing about a positive change among the people. My dream to pursue such a profession that would enable me to create a positive impact on society came true when I got an opportunity to study public health at the prestigious University of Iowa. My experience with faculty and staff members thus far has been very encouraging.  Faculty and staff have been very supportive in helping me getting accustomed to the new environment. I truly believe that I have made the right decision and my journey of pursing an MPH degree program will be a rewarding experience."