Department of Health Behavior, Society and Policy
About Us
The Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy focuses on social and behavioral health, health systems and policy, population aging and mental health, as well as other areas like economics and ethics through its research, educational programs, and community engagement activities.
The department is committed to improving the development, implementation, dissemination, and sustainment of interventions that optimize public health.
Now Offering a Master of Public Health (MPH) in Population Aging
This degree prepares students trains scholars, clinicians, advocates, and community leaders who can discover and implement creative and innovative public health and policy solutions to improve the health and wellness of aging populations worldwide. Scholarships are available.
Degree Programs
The Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy prepares students with the skills necessary to address pressing public health concerns through its various graduate degree programs and post-baccalaureate certificate offerings.
Our Faculty
- Social and Behavioral Health Sciences—Our faculty have expertise in HIV/AIDS, tobacco dependence, alcohol dependence, mental health, LGBTQ health, and cancer. Students can take advantage of robust collaborations with the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the Institute for Nicotine and Tobacco Studies, the School of Communication and Information, the Department of Psychology, the Department of Psychiatry, the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, the New Jersey Center for Gun Violence Research, and the School of Social Work.
- Health Systems and Policy—Our faculty have expertise in population health, adolescent and child health, maternal and child health, global health, health economics, and substance dependence. Students in the concentration will have opportunities to interact with faculty affiliated with the Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy, the Center for Population Level Bioethics and the Global Health Institute.
- Population Aging—Our faculty have expertise in geriatric mental health, end-of-life care, cancer and aging, HIV and aging, life-cycle effects of inequality, and dementia prevention. Students in this concentration will have opportunities to interact with faculty affiliated with the Cancer Institute of New Jersey, the School of Health Professions, the School of Social Work, and the Center for Health Services Research.
- Population Mental Health—Our faculty have expertise in behavioral interventions, substance use, suicide prevention, LGBTQ health, racial and socioeconomic disparities, and mental health services. Students can take advantage of close collaborations with the Institute for Nicotine and Tobacco Studies, the Department of Psychiatry, the Department of Psychology, the Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, the New Jersey Center for Gun Violence Research, the School of Social Work, and University Behavioral Health Care.
In addition to our department's primary faculty members, we also have individuals from across the university and partner organizations who hold secondary faculty appointments within our department. You can find a list of our secondary faculty here.
Our Alumni
Alumni of the Department of Health Behavior, Society, and Policy can be found in public and private sector industries including health departments, hospitals, consulting firms, health insurance, managed care agencies, biotech and pharmaceutical industries, academia, and government. Our graduates can be found at:
- Abbott Laboratories
- American Heart Association
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Essex County Child Passenger Safety Coalition
- March of Dimes
- Mathematica Policy Research
- Merck & Company, Inc.
- Middlesex County Office on Aging
- Monmouth County Department of Health
- National Cancer Institute
- National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
- NYC Health and Hospital Corporation
- Planned Parenthood, NYC
- The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation
- Thomas Reuters
- Union County LINCS
- University of Michigan Health Systems
Manisha, MD, MPH'21
“My MPH in Health Systems and Policy allowed me to acquire a deeper understanding of the evolution of the health system in this country and the economic, social, legal, and political forces that shape it… With Rutgers University informing, supporting, and stimulating sound health policy in New Jersey, the Rutgers School of Public Health was an excellent choice to advance my career goals.”
- Manisha MD, MPH'21
Sara, PhD’ 21, MPH, RDN
“During most of my PhD, I was fortunate to work in the Rutgers Cooperative Extension, Department of Family & Community Health Sciences where I provided nutrition and health education to the community as well as worked on policy, systems, and environmental changes to make the community a healthier place. It is both rewarding and impactful work that I look forward to continuing for years to come.”
- Sara, PhD’ 21, MPH, RDN
