Behavioral Science and Community Health (MS / PhD) Overview
The Behavioral Science & Community Health Research Theme strives to advance scientific understanding of the multi-leveled impact of individual, group, organization, community, and system factors on health and health behaviors. We examine strategies to improve health through the creation, dissemination, and implementation of evidence-based intervention and work to understand the mechanisms that underlie success of these interventions. Finally, our theme is particularly focused on work that eliminates health disparities and advances health equity.
Research Pillars
- Community-based participatory research
- Dissemination and implementation science
- Optimal health and wellness
- Tobacco control, substance use prevention, and disease prevention
Research Facilities
Coming Soon!
MS Thesis Program Details
You will have a primary mentor but also be supported by all faculty in the Behavioral Science and Community Health Research Theme. You will complete a 36-hour program of study along with your thesis. Your courses will emphasize content area knowledge, research methods and statistics, seminar experiences with your mentors, and the completion of your thesis. Your completed thesis will be in manuscript form and submitted to a journal upon completion.
Required for this Program
- BS in Kinesiology, psychology, public health, or a related field
- Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- The GRE requirement has been suspended. You do not need to submit your scores during the application process.
PhD Program Details
You will have a primary mentor but also be supported by all faculty in the Behavioral Science and Community Health Research Theme. You will complete a 67-hour program of study along with your dissertation. Your courses will emphasize content area knowledge, research methods and statistics, specialized content knowledge, seminar experiences with your mentors, and the completion of your dissertation. Your dissertation will consist of multiple manuscripts.
Required for this Program
- Degree in behavioral science, community health, or a related field.
- Students entering the PhD program must have a demonstrated capacity for independent research. This capacity is often demonstrated through completion of a master’s thesis. However, other experiences, such as, but not limited to, intensive undergraduate research experience, community experience, clinical research or practice, or experience publishing research can be examples of a capacity for independent research. Students with a bachelor’s degree who wish to enroll in the PhD program are encouraged to speak with a prospective mentor about their suitability for the PhD program.
- Undergraduate and Graduate GPA of 3.0 or higher
- The GRE requirement has been suspended. You do not need to submit your scores during the application process.
- If you have any questions about these requirements, please reach out to the graduate program director or a prospective mentor.
Our Team
Core Faculty
Graduate Students
- Beck, Shelly
- Jones, Shannon
- Norton, Kayla
- Xie, Yuhuan
Contact Us
Co-Directors of Graduate Studies
Genevieve Albouy, PhD
Julie Lucero, PhD
Program Manager
Andrea Moss
