Rutgers School of Public Health

Health Behavior, Society & Policy

PhD in Social and Behavioral Health Sciences (72 credits)

The PhD in Social and Behavioral Health Sciences degree offers students rigorous training in the concepts, methods and analytic approaches used in the behavioral sciences to design and conduct research studies related to health behavior. Upon completion of the degree, students will have the following skills and competencies: Design and conduct experimental investigations related to health behavior; demonstrate proficiency in the application of univariate and multitvariate analytic techniques; demonstrate ability to critically analyze and interpret the scientific literature; establish a program of focused research; and demonstrate proficiency in behavioral/environmental models of behavior change; and have sufficient familiarity and understanding of behavioral sciences to teach at the graduate level.

Competencies

Competencies for the PhD in Social and Behavioral Health Sciences

Each Department identifies competencies for each degree offered. These competencies reflect the full range of knowledge, skills, and other attributes that a student will acquire as a result of completing the requirements for a particular degree.

Upon graduation, a student completing the PhD curriculum in Social and Behavioral Health Sciences will be able to:

  • Design and conduct research investigations related to health behavior
  • Demonstrate proficiency in the application of univariate and multi-variate analytic techniques
  • Demonstrate ability to critically analyze and interpret the scientific literature
  • Establish a program of focused research
  • Demonstrate proficiency in behavioral/environmental models of behavior change

Curriculum (Prior to Fall 2018)

Curriculum for the PhD in Social and Behavioral Health Sciences (72 credits)

For Students Enrolled Prior to Fall 2018

Students seeking the PhD in Social and Behavioral Health Sciences degree must complete a minimum of 72 credits of academic work with a minimum GPA of least 3.2 overall and a 3.2 in the set of required courses specified by their department; earn no more than nine (9) credits bearing grades less than B; and complete the degree requirements within nine years. Courses are three credit hours unless otherwise noted.

  • PREREQUISITES
    • PHCO 0505 - Social and Behavioral Health Sciences in Public Health
    • SBHS 0652 - Program Planning and Evaluation (formerly SBHS 0651)
    • SBHS 0654 - Modifying Health Behaviors: Theory and Practice
  • CORE COURSES (6 credits)
    • PHCO 0502 - Principles and Methods of Epidemiology (Prerequisite: Quantitative Skills Assessment)
    • PHCO 0504 - Introduction to Biostatistics (Prerequisite: Quantitative Skills Assessment)
    • PHCO 0508 - Issues in Environmental and Occupational Health (1 credit)
    • PHCO 0510 - Issues in Health Education and Behavioral Science (1 credit)
    • PHCO 0511 - Issues in Health Care Systems and Policy (1 credit)
  • REQUIRED COURSES (15 credits)
    • SBHS 0678 - Health Communication/Risk Communication
    • SBHS 0705 - Eval & Research Design and Public Health Interventions
    • Behavioral Science Electives (3 credits) selected with advisor approval -- Example: SBHS 9557 - Health Psychology
  • REQUIRED METHODS COURSES2 (12 credits)
    • SBHS 0682 - Evauation and Research Design for Public Health Interventions
    • SBHS 0705 - Intermediate Survey Research Methods
    • Methods Electives (6 credits) selected with advisor approval -- Example: SBHS 9529 -Introduction to Educational Research
  • REQUIRED ANALYTICAL COURSES2 (12 credits)
    • BIST 0551 - Applied Regression Analysis for Public Health Studies
    • Multivariate Analysis course (3 credits) selected with advisor approval
    • Analytical Elective (6 credits) selected with advisor approval -- Example: BIST 0615 - Categorical Data Analysis
  • REQUIRED RESEARCH (24 credits)
    • RESH 0760 - Doctoral Research

    • All SBHS PhD students are expected to engage in research activities with their faculty advisor.

    Notes:
    1Combined courses satisfy residency requirement
    2With Advisor approval, other courses may satisfy these requirements

Curriculum (Fall 2018 and After)

Curriculum for PhD in Social & Behavioral Health Sciences (72 credits)

For Students Enrolled Fall 2018 and After

Students seeking the PhD in Social & Behavioral Health Sciences degree must complete a minimum of 72 credits of academic work with a minimum GPA of least 3.2 overall and a 3.2 in the set of required courses specified by their department; earn no more than nine (9) credits bearing grades less than B; and complete the degree requirements within nine years. Courses are three credit hours unless otherwise noted.

  • PREREQUISITES
    • PHCO 0505 - Social and Behavioral Health Sciences in Public Health (or equivalent)
  • CORE COURSES (9 credits)

    MPH from an accredited school or program meets Public Health core requirements. PHCO 0502 and PHCO 0504 must be completed before Year 1, Fall semester (e.g., online summer before) if student does not have graduate level coursework in these two areas.

    • PHCO 0502 - Principles and Methods of Epidemiology (Prerequisite: Quantitative Skills Assessment)
    • PHCO 0504 - Introduction to Biostatistics (Prerequisite: Quantitative Skills Assessment)
    • PHCO 0512 - Public Health Foundations (available in Spring 2019)
  • REQUIRED COURSES (24 credits)

    The following represents a typical course schedule and the order in which courses would be taken for a student in the PhD program. Schedule is subject to change.

    YEAR 1 COURSE
    CREDITS
    FALL
    		 BIST 0535 - Biostatistical Computing (formerly Biometrics Computing) (Mon, 6-8pm)
    3
    EPID 0656 - Intermediate Epi Methods (Mon, 3-5pm)
    3
    HSAP 0773 - Population Health and Public Policy (Tue, 3-5pm)
    3
    SBHS 0715 - Evaluation & Research Design for Public Health Interventions
    (Wed, 3-5pm)
    3
    RESH 0700 - Doctoral Colloquium1
    0
    TOTAL
    12
    SPRING
    		 BIST 0551 - Applied Regression Analysis for Public Health Studies2 (Thu, 6-8pm)
    3
    SBHS 0705 - Intermediate Survey Research Methods (Wed, 3-5pm)
    3
    NEW: Theories and Models for Public Health (under development)
    3
    RESH 0700 - Doctoral Colloquium1
    0
    RESH 0760 - Doctoral Research
    2
    TOTAL
    11
    YEAR 2 COURSE
    CREDITS
    FALL
    		 BIST 0615 - Categorical Data Analysis (Wed, 6-8pm)
    3
    Specialization Courses
    6
    RESH 0700 - Doctoral Colloquium1
    0
    RESH 0760 - Doctoral Research
    2
    TOTAL
    11
    SPRING
    		 Specialization Courses
    9
    RESH 0700 - Doctoral Colloquium1
    0
    RESH 0760 (Section 000) - Doctoral Research: Dissertation Proposal Seminar
    3
    TOTAL
    12
    YEAR 3 COURSE
    CREDITS
    FALL
    		 RESH 0700 - Doctoral Colloquium1
    0
    RESH 0760 - Doctoral Research
    9
    TOTAL
    9
    SPRING
    		 RESH 0700 - Doctoral Colloquium1
    0
    RESH 0760 - Doctoral Research
    8
    TOTAL
    8
  • REQUIRED SPECIALIZATION COURSES (15 credits) Note: Students should review the Course Descriptions in the School Catalog for specific information about prerequisites required for courses.
    • SBHS 0678 - Health Communication/Risk Communication
    • Behavioral Science Electives (6 credits) - Selected with advisor approval
    • Example: EPID 0637 - Social Epidemiology
    • Analytical Electives (6 credits) - Selected with advisor approval
    • Example: UGPH 0605 - Qualitative Research Methods
  • REQUIRED RESEARCH (24 credits)
    • RESH 0760 - Doctoral Research (21 credits)
    • RESH 0760 (Section 000) - Doctoral Research: Dissertation Proposal Seminar (3 credits)

    • All PhD students are expected to engage in research activities with their faculty advisor.

    Notes:
    1PhD students should register for RESH 0700-Doctoral Colloquium each Fall and Spring semester they are enrolled at the School of Public Health.
    2With Advisor approval, may substitute with BIST 0610 - Advanced Regression Methods for Public Health Studies