Graduate Academic Programs
Doctoral Degree Program (PhD)
Health Behavior Major
Description of Program
The Ph.D. in Health Behavior is a highly regarded, nationally recognized program with a strong history of preparing graduates to conduct scholarly inquiry in a broad spectrum of areas emphasizing health promotion and prevention of health problems. Research and creative activities include both basic and applied work in program planning and development; health policy management, evaluation of the program effectiveness; and examination of lifestyle and health behavior in relation to nutrition, exercise, stress, alcohol, tobacco and other drug abuse, individual development and family health, communicable disease, human sexuality, aging, and related areas.
Courses required for this degree are prescribed by an advisory committee for each individual student. Degree requirements include:
- A minimum of 90 graduate-level credits beyond the bachelor’s degree are required.
- A minimum 3.0 GPA is required for graduation.
- A minimum grade of C is required in each course used to satisfy the major, minor, and elective requirements of the course prescription.
- A minimum grade of B is required in each course used to satisfy the research skills requirement of the course prescription.
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Requirements for the Ph.D. in Health Behavior
All Ph.D. in Health Behavior degree students in the School of Public Health-Bloomington are required to complete the following requirements*:
· Public Health Foundations Requirement (0 credits): School of Public Health graduate students must complete the Public Health Foundations online course no later than the end of their first semester of graduate study. Complete details and registration information for this course can be found iu.instructure.com/enroll/MNG3L6
Year 1 Courses (12 credits)
· Methods for Public Health Research (SPH-H 750, 3 credits)
· Advanced Health Behavior Theory (SPH-B 701, 3 credits)
· Quantitative Methods 1 for Public Health Research (SPH-B 650, 3 credits)
· Advanced Seminar in Health Behavior (SPH-H 750, 1 credit)
· AHS Research Colloquium (SPH-B 784, 1 credit Fall; 1 credit Spring)
Other Coursework (18 credits)
· Epidemiology (SPH-E 651, 3 credits) or equivalent
· Advanced Evaluation Research in Public Health (SPH-B 702, 3 credits)
· Quantitative Methods 2 for Public Health Research (SPH-H 750, 3 credits)
· Acquiring External Funds for Research (SPH-B 703, 3 credits)
· Advanced Qualitative Methods (SPH-H 750, 3 credits)
- Note, Students taking this course should have some qualitative experience, for example, they should have taken SPH-H 590, another introductory qualitative research course, or should request permission from the instructor.
· Pedagogy in Health Behavior (SPH-H 710, 3 credits): To be taken first semester of teaching
*Note: Students can opt out of a required course(s) if they have taken equivalent coursework and with permission from their primary advisor.
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Common Course Prescription Components
The elements of the course prescription for all Ph.D. degree students in the School of Public Health are arranged as follows:
- Research Skills (9 credits minimum). A minimum of 9 credits of coursework providing required skills to conduct research, such as advanced courses in biostatistics. These credits count toward the 90 credits for the degree. Courses counted in this area require a minimum grade of B.
- Major Area of Study (30 credits minimum). A minimum of 30 credits in the major area of study. These courses must be taken within the School of Public Health-Bloomington. Courses transferred from previous graduate work outside the School of Public Health-Bloomington, if within the major area of study, can be used to fulfill the major areas of study requirement, contingent upon the committee’s approval.
- Minor Area of Study (9 credits minimum). A minimum of 9 credits of coursework in a designated area outside the department in which the major is being pursued.
- Electives (0–28 credits). Elective credits may range between 0 and 28. An optional second minor may be included in the elective credit hours.
- Dissertation (20–30 credits)
Program Milestones
Doctoral Qualifying Exam and Dissertation
As part of the Health Behavior Ph.D. program each student must complete a doctoral qualifying exam and dissertation. For each of these program milestones they must describe (written or orally) how two or more of the Health Behavior Ph.D. core competencies relate to their project.
Students have the opportunity to develop skills by participating in research activities independently or in collaboration with faculty members and other graduate students. Through funded associate instructor (AI) appointments, most doctoral students also acquire essential skills and experience in teaching various health topics in different settings. Students are strongly encouraged to publish research results in
professional journals and via presentations at national conferences. A limited number of fellowships and scholarships are available to the best qualified students.
Most graduates pursue careers in higher education as professors and researchers while some complete postdoctoral fellowships or pursue research or executive careers in governmental agencies such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and voluntary health agencies.