Master of Public Health in Social and Behavioral Health Sciences

Based on the foundation of behavioral science research, the Rutgers School of Public Health's Master of Public Health (MPH) in Social and Behavioral Health Sciences degree prepares students to understand the importance of individual behaviors in health decision making.

Program Overview
Curriculum Details

About the Program

Students will be trained in public health policy and health behavior theories and models to assess diverse populations.

Graduates will be able to design, implement, conduct, and evaluate health education programs to positively impact health behavior change, health promotion, and health outcomes for all people and populations.

Graduates are eligible to sit for the Certified in Public Health Exam and Certified Health Education Specialist Exam.

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Competencies

Each concentration 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 MPH curriculum in Social and Behavioral Health Sciences will be able to:

MPH-SBHS1: Utilize health behavior theories or models for understanding health behaviors;
MPH-SBHS2: Develop an evaluation plan, including process and impact evaluation approaches, for a population-based intervention, program, or issue;
MPH-SBHS3: Apply research methods to address a public health issue;
MPH-SBHS4: Develop or critique health education, health promotion, or health intervention materials, methods, or programs; and
MPH-SBHS5: Utilize principles of health communication and risk communication in addressing public health issues or concerns.

Program Format and Length

The MPH in Social and Behavioral Health Sciences degree is offered to students on a full-time or part-time basis. Courses are available in-person, remote, and/or online. Students will complete a total of 45 credits, including a practicum experience and capstone research project.

If completing the program as a full-time student (nine or more credits per semester), the degree requirements may be completed in as little as two years (four to five semesters). Part-time students taking at least six credits per semester may expect to finish within four years. Taking courses in the summer may help expedite part-time students’ timing.

Dual-degree options are available in partnership with other Rutgers University schools.

Students are also required to register for and complete an Interprofessional Education activity prior to graduation.

Students can earn a post-baccalaureate certificate alongside their degree with an additional 6-12 credits. Contact admissions for additional information at admissions@sph.rutgers.edu.

Application Requirements

A complete application includes:

Completion of the online application
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
Statement of goals, one-to-three pages in length, which addresses:
- Interest in the program
- Preparedness for the program
- Goals and aspirations
Two letters of recommendation with at least one letter from an academic reference if you are currently enrolled in a degree program or have graduated within the last four years.
Resume or CV
GRE General Exam (optional)
TOEFL or IELTS score for applicants educated in a non-native English-speaking country

Applications are accepted on a rolling, space-available basis following the regular deadline.

Download MPH-Social and Behavioral Health Sciences Info. Sheet

Core Courses (18 credits)

PHCO 0501 - Health Systems and Policy
PHCO 0502 - Principles and Methods of Epidemiology
PHCO 0503 - Introduction to Environmental Health
PHCO 0504 - Introduction to Biostatistics (Prerequisite: Quantitative Skills Assessment)
PHCO 0505 - Social and Behavioral Health Sciences in Public Health
PHCO 0513 - Leadership and Management Essentials for Public Health

Practicum (3 credits)

Note: Students should review the Practice Experience webpage for information about Practicum.

PRAC 0715 - Applied Practice Experience (0 credits) [Prerequisite: APE Learning Agreement and select PHCO and concentration courses]
PRAC 0716 - Practicum Capstone (3 credits) [Prerequisite: Completion of the APE and Practicum Capstone Learning Agreement]

Review the School’s Registration Calendar for important MPH Practice Experience Registration dates specific to PRAC 0715 and PRAC 0716.

Concentration Courses (15 credits)

Note: Students should review the Course Descriptions in the School Catalog for specific information about prerequisites required for required courses and recommended electives.

HBSP 0600 - Health Behavior and Policy Research Design and Methods (Fall/Spring/Summer)
HBSP 0652 - Program Planning and Evaluation (Fall/Spring/Summer)
HBSP 0653 - Modifying Health Behaviors: Theory and Practice (Spring)
HBSP 0654 - Public Health Communication/Risk Communication (Spring)
HBSP 0655 - Social Marketing (Fall)

Other Requirements (0 credits)

PRAC 0621 - Interprofessional Education Experience (0 credits) [Fall/Spring]
Students are required to register for and complete an Interprofessional Education activity prior to graduation.
Complete Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) online training on Human Subject Research Protections (For Students Enrolled Fall 2024 and After)

Recommended Elective Courses (9 credits)

Electives may be chosen from the below list of recommended courses; other courses offered across the School of Public Health, including the School’s global courses (INTL courses); or with approval of the academic advisor. An Independent Study may also be done for up to 3-credits, with approval of the academic advisor and an SPH faculty member. Students interested in taking a graduate course at another Rutgers school must consult with their academic advisor and complete appropriate cross-registration forms in advance of registration. When choosing electives, students should consider the prerequisite requirement(s) and the location or teaching modality of the course.

Electives with Emphasis on Social and Commercial Determinants of Health

HBSP 0582 - Alcohol Use, Society, and Health (Fall)
HBSP 0683 - Social-Ecological Approaches to Suicide Prevention
EPID 0673 - Social Epidemiology (Spring)
UGPH 0580 - Social Determinants of Health (Summer)

Electives with Emphasis on Evaluation and/or Research

HBSP 0660 - Dissemination and Implementation Research for Health Promotion (Spring)
UGPH 0605 - Qualitative Research Methods (Fall)
UGPH 0650 - Community Engaged Methods in Public Health (Summer)

Electives with Emphasis on Community Health

HBSP 0603 - Mental Health and Aging (Spring)
HBSP 0682 - Understanding Suicide (Fall)
UGPH 0521 - Culture and Health (Spring/Summer)
UGPH 0621 - Public Health and Health Disparities (Fall)

Electives with Emphasis on Populations

HBSP 0602 - Long-Term Effects of Child Inequality and Adversity (Fall)
HBSP 0603 - Mental Health and Aging (Spring)
ENOH 0620 - Climate Change: Planet and Human Health (Fall)
UGPH 0642 - LGBTQ Health and Health Disparities (Spring)

Students thinking about pursuing a doctoral degree may want to consider taking additional quantitative data analysis and/or research methods courses as electives.