PhD in Health Education
The doctoral degree program in health focuses on advanced study and research in community/health education. The program prepares advanced students to contribute to the field of health through research. Although research and health courses are required, the program is individualized through selection of a cognate and elective courses to develop each student for leadership roles in universities, public service or the private health sector.
An opportunity exists for graduate students interested in pursuing a joint OTD/PhD degree in Occupational Therapy and Health Education. This joint degree program provides occupational therapy students with the clinical practice, advocacy, leadership, research, and scholarship skills needed to pursue careers in higher education. The occupational therapy program provides detailed description of the application process and curriculum. Opportunities also exist for students to take related graduate level courses across campus that lead to certification (e.g., biostatistics and epidemiology, gerontological practice, occupational health, public health and emergency response).
Admission to the program includes completion of a master’s degree from an accredited institution. In addition to the College of Graduate Studies requirements, evaluation of applicants is based on the following criteria:
- completion of the GRE;
- a clearly defined statement of purpose that specifies the area of specialization within the degree program;
- a minimum of three letters of reference from faculty members with specific expertise in health who have worked with the applicant in an academic setting;
- evidence of research and/or writing ability through a master’s thesis, project, paper, report, publication or paper presented to a professional society will be considered;
- international applicants must submit a TOEFL score of 550 or higher
Prospective students should contact the department for further information.
The program requires 15 credits of research core courses, 27 hours of specified health education major courses, 12 hours from a related field to fulfill the cognate, 9 credits of approved electives based on the student's needs and interests, a dissertation that contributes to the field of health education (9 credits), and a portfolio fulfilling six domain areas [1) Research; 2) Teaching; 3) Planning/Implementing/Evaluating Health Programs; 4) Grant Writing; 5) Advocacy; and 6) Service].
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| General Core Requirements (15 credits) | 15 | |
| HEAL 8880 | Scientific Writing In Health | 3 |
| PUBH 8060 | Advanced Biostatistics | 3 |
| or RESM 8120 | Quantitative Methods II | |
| HEAL 8690 | Public Health Research Design | 3 |
| HEAL 8360 | Applied Survey Research In Health | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Qualitative Research Methods in Public Health | ||
| Qualitative Research I: Introduction And Basic Methods | ||
| Statistical Packages for Public Health | ||
| Categorical Data Analysis | ||
| Multivariate Statistics | ||
| Required Courses (27 credits) | 27 | |
| HEAL 8000 | Professional Issues In Health Education | 3 |
| HEAL 8080 | Social Determinants of Health | 3 |
| HEAL 8310 | Public Health Assessment and Planning | 3 |
| HEAL 8320 | Implementation of Public Health Programs | 3 |
| HEAL 8600 | Health Behavior | 3 |
| HEAL 8800 | Evaluation Of Health Programs | 3 |
| HEAL 8900 | Grant Writing In Health Sciences | 3 |
| or HEAL 8100 | College Teaching In Health Education | |
| Select two of the following | ||
| HEAL 8510 | Pathophysiology in Public Health | 3 |
| PUBH 8630 | Public Health Advocacy | 3 |
| PUBH 8090 | Issues in Public Health | 3 |
| Elective Courses (9 credits) | 9 | |
| Student must consult with advisor and program committee to select elective courses | ||
| Cognate Area (12 credits) | 12 | |
| Student must consult with advisor and program committee to specify courses for cognate area | ||
| Doctoral Dissertation (9 credits) | 9 | |
| Each student must form a dissertation committee and develop novel research that adds to the body of literature in the field. | ||
| Joint Degree Option | ||
An opportunity exists for graduate students interested in pursuing a joint OTD/PhD degree in Occupational Therapy and Health Education. This joint degree program provides occupational therapy students with the clinical practice, advocacy, leadership, research, and scholarship skills needed to pursue careers in higher education. The occupational therapy program provides detailed description of the application process and curriculum. Opportunities also exist for students to take related graduate level courses across campus that lead to certification (e.g., biostatistics and epidemiology, gerontological practice, occupational health, public health and emergency response). | ||
Plan Health Education Programs
Implement Health Education Programs
Evaluate Health Education Programs
Demonstrate the Ability to Teach a University Level Health Education Course
Conduct Health Education Research
Engage in Health Related Grant Writing
Provide Service to the Community and to the Health Education Profession
Engage in Health Education Advocacy
Influence Policy to Promote Health