This is the first version of the 2026–27 General Catalog. Please check back regularly for changes. The final edition and the historical PDF will be published during the fall semester.
The Doctor of Philosophy in community and behavioral health prepares students to become independent scholars who conduct social and behavioral research in collaboration with a variety of partners. Graduates are prepared to conduct research in both academic and nonacademic settings, to assess and monitor community health, and to plan, implement, and evaluate interventions. The curriculum provides rigorous training in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed public health methods and addresses timely topics from an interdisciplinary perspective. Although each student’s experience is highly individualized, the doctoral program emphasizes learning in the department’s four research interest areas: rural health, community engagement, culturally informed interventions, and health equity. The department is committed to deep reflection and interrogation of public health methods as it contributes to building health equity in the field.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of this PhD program will be able to:
evaluate and apply social and behavioral science theories and conceptual frameworks in public health research;
define the principles of community-engaged research and practice;
demonstrate proficiency in quantitative and qualitative research methods;
identify a public health problem and develop a culturally informed intervention to address it that specifies outcomes and includes an evaluation plan;
develop foundational skills for professional success in social and behavioral science research;
explain the principles of research ethics and demonstrate them in social and behavioral science research;
design a research study that includes well-focused research questions, testable hypotheses, and rigorous analytic methods; and
communicate a research study’s aims, methods, results, limitations, and conclusions to academic and lay audiences.
The PhD in community and behavioral health requires at least 75 s.h. of graduate credit. Students must maintain a Graduate College program grade-point average of at least 3.00. Students may receive credit for a maximum of 31 s.h. of transfer courses with the approval of the program.
Students must successfully complete a qualifying exam (also known as a preliminary exam), a comprehensive exam, and a dissertation. The dissertation research topic must be approved by a student's dissertation committee.
During the first semester, students work with their academic advisor to develop a plan of study that satisfies their interests and professional goals as well as the program's requirements.
Core Courses
All core courses must be taken on an A–F graded basis except CBH:7100 and CPH:7270.
College of Public Health Core
Students earn 19 s.h. in College of Public Health core courses.
Students complete 12 s.h. in CBH:7505 CBH Thesis/Dissertation.
Electives
Students complete 8 s.h. of elective coursework selected in consultation with an advisor. Students may select courses numbered 4000 or above from the following subjects: community and behavioral health (prefix CBH), excluding CBH:7505; biostatistics (prefix BIOS); College of Public Health (CPH); epidemiology (prefix EPID); health management and policy (prefix HMP); or occupational and environmental health (prefix OEH).
While they may count any of the preceding courses toward the requirement, students are strongly encouraged to consider the following recommended electives. Other courses not listed here may be approved by an advisor.
Introduction to Healthcare Organization and Policy
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Graduate education prepares students with advanced knowledge and skills in specialized fields. At the University of Iowa, the Graduate College advocates for student-centered graduate education and supports equitable application of rules and policies across graduate programs.
Graduate student applicants must meet admission requirements for both the Graduate College and the program to which they have applied. University of Iowa graduate admission requirements are published by the Graduate College and on the Graduate Admissions website.
Financial Support
Graduate students might be eligible for financial support. Several contingencies apply, including degree program and award type, satisfactory progress toward degree, satisfactory completion of all duties related to an appointment, and availability of funding. Graduate students should inquire directly with their program for more information about funding availability. The Graduate Student Employment Standards govern the employment relationship between the University of Iowa and all graduate teaching and research assistants in all matters except wages, which are covered by an existing collective bargaining agreement or the conditions of an applicable federal grant.
PhD applicants must apply through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS). Applications must include academic transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and a writing sample. International transcripts should be evaluated by the World Education Service (WES) and submitted to SOPHAS. Interested PhD applicants are asked to connect with community and behavioral health faculty by Dec. 1. For detailed application information, visit How to Apply to the PhD in Community and Behavioral Health on the Department of Community and Behavioral Health website.
The community and behavioral health admissions committee considers several factors when evaluating applications for admission, including grade-point averages, letters of recommendation, intent and motivation for graduate study, and research interests. Students with deficiencies in one area may be admitted if all other components of their application are very strong.
Applicants must have a graduate grade-point average of at least 3.40 and have earned a graduate degree from an accredited college or university in a related public health, social science, or clinical health field. Applicants who do not hold a graduate degree should apply to a master's program prior to applying for the PhD program. PhD program applicants must also submit their master's thesis, or if no thesis is available, a sample of their scholarly writing.
Applicants must meet the admission requirements of the Graduate College; see the Manual of Rules and Regulations on the Graduate College website.
The application deadline is Jan. 15 for the fall semester. Applications are not accepted for spring or summer semesters.
The program prepares individuals for academic, research, and policy-making work in the social and behavioral health sciences. This academic specialty offers many career opportunities in academic and research institutions. Visit the Careers in Community and Behavioral Health page.
Sample Plan of Study
Sample plans represent one way to complete a program of study. Actual course selection and sequence will vary and should be discussed with an academic advisor. For additional sample plans, see MyUI.
Community and Behavioral Health, PhD
This sample plan is currently being reviewed and will be added at a later date.
