Health Promotion Sciences (PhD)
A four-year advanced, applied and research-oriented degree based on synergy between major areas - behavioral and environmental change interventions, diet and physical activity across the lifespan, genetics/diagnostics and statistical modeling sciences—to promote health, health equity, and prevent diseases in a variety of settings and for diverse individuals. Doctoral students normally enter in the fall semester.
Location
- Storrs Campus
Modality
- In Person
Requirements
Ph.D. in Health Promotion Sciences Requirements
A minimum of 48 credits in the following domains.
Health Promotion Core
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AH 6181 | Experiential Learning in Health Promotion Research | 3 |
| AH 6305 | Program Planning and Evaluation for Health Professionals | 3 |
| AH 6324 | Critical Issues in Health Promotion, Disease and Disability Prevention | 3 |
| Select two health promotion or health equity based electives with advisor approval | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Methodology and Statistics
| Course | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| AH 5005 | Biostatistics for Health Professions | 3 |
| AH 6306 | Research Methods in Allied Health | 3 |
| Select one methodology based elective with advisor approval | 3 | |
| Total Credits | 9 | |
Cognate Courses Supportive of Knowledge/Skills and Dissertation Research
Elective courses from Allied Health Sciences and other schools or colleges across campus are selected to develop depth in an area of health promotion sciences related to the student’s dissertation research (e.g., statistical modeling/evidence-analysis, behavioral and environment change interventions, genetics and diagnostics), totaling nine credits.
Developing Research and Academic Teaching Skills and Competence
AH 6184 Graduate Seminar in Health Promotion Research (6 credits) and AH 6422 Writing Scientific Grant Proposals and Papers (3 credits; may substitute EPSY 6103 Grant Writing or NURS 6101 Grantsmanship: The Pursuit of Scholarly Support).
Students who previously earned a MS in Health Promotion Sciences from the University of Connecticut must complete a minimum of 39 credits in the following domains: AH 6181 Experiential Learning in Health Promotion Research (6 credits), AH 6184 Graduate Seminar in Health Promotion Research (6 credits), AH 6422 Writing Scientific Grant Proposals and Papers (3 credits; may substitute EPSY 6103 Grant Writing or NURS 6101 Grantsmanship: The Pursuit of Scholarly Support), cognate courses related to dissertation research (9 credits), GRAD 6950 Doctoral Dissertation Research/GRAD 6960 Full-Time Doctoral Research (15 credits).
The student and their doctoral committee jointly determine the specific program of doctoral study in health promotion science. This process allows for designing plans of study uniquely suited to each person’s particular needs and career goals.
Doctoral General Exam/Dissertation
The goal of the general examination is to assure that all students have acquired and can effectively communicate the breadth and depth of the field. The general examination contains a written component and oral examination of the written component as well as the dissertation proposal and oral defense of the dissertation proposal.
Learning Objectives
- Interpret, apply, and critically evaluate methods and strategies for engaging diverse populations in research and health promotion activities.
- Conduct research on health promotion, disease prevention and related fields utilizing appropriate research designs, data collection strategies, and quantitative and qualitative analytic methods.
- Apply conceptual models to develop/refine behavioral interventions based on explanation of evidence-based behavioral strategies and the analysis and critique of the scientific literature to identify gaps in the evidence base.
- Interpret and evaluate emerging research on biomarkers of health conditions/diseases including clinical utility, strengths, and limitations in health promotion monitoring, interventions, and social determinants of health.
- Integrate policies and environment-level constructs into conceptual frameworks, study designs, and/or health promotion interventions and programs.
- Demonstrate excellence as an entry-level researcher as evidenced by contributing to multiple scholarly conferences, submitting multiple publications, effective oral communications, mentoring students, leading and managing a research team, and practicing ethical research.