Joint Ph.D. Program in Health education and promotion

The Ph.D. program in Health Education and Health Promotion is offered jointly by the Department of Health Science in the College of Human Environmental Sciences at The University of Alabama (UA), the Department of Human Studies in the School of Education at The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB), and the Department of Health Behavior in the School of Public Health at UAB. This Ph.D. program has been designed to provide students with the coursework background and practical experiences to become leading researchers and practitioners in health education and health promotion. Recently, in a study published in the Journal of Health Education, the UA/UAB program was ranked as the seventh best Ph.D. program in Health Education in the United States.

The course of study for this Ph.D. program has been designed to prepare students for employment in faculty positions at colleges and universities as well as leadership roles in the United States Public Health Service and other community agencies. At the completion of the Ph.D. program, students will have:

1. Developed a clear conceptualization of the theoretical and philosophical basis of health education and health promotion.
2. Developed skills to effectively plan, implement and evaluate health education and health promotion programs.
3. Clarified the psychological and sociological influences on health education and health promotion.
4. Developed knowledge and skills to become independent researchers.
5. Completed a significant research internship experience.

Students may apply to any of the three academic units that support the Ph.D. program. A flexible course of study can be designed by the student in consultation with his or her advisor. The general required components of the Ph.D. program are listed below.

I. Health Education/Promotion Core Courses (12 hrs) (UA = HHE, UAB-Public Health = HB, UAB-Education = HE)

• Advanced Theoretical and Scientific Basis of Health Education and Health Promotion (HHE 605, HB 750, HE 705) 3 hrs
• Health Communications Research (HHE 607, HB 730, HE 701) 3 hrs
• Planning and Administration of Health Education and Health Promotion (HHE 606, HB 760, HE 710) 3 hrs
• Doctoral Studies Seminar (HHE 604, HB 770, HE 700) 3 hrs

II. Advanced Research and Statistical Method (12 hrs)

• Multivariate/Multiple Regression Analysis (3 hrs)
• Advanced Epidemiological Research Methods (3 hrs)
• Data Management/Computer Technology (3 hrs)
• Evaluation/Research Methods (3 hrs)

III. Coursework in the Social and Behavioral Sciences Minor (12 hrs)

IV. Research Internship (12 hrs)

V. Dissertation (24 hrs) Total: 72 hrs

Each Department may have other specific program requirements. Check with each department for additional requirements. If you want more information on the program and/or have questions, feel free to contact Dr. Dave Birch at (205) 348-4751.