Learning Outcomes
Graduates will be able to:
- apply social and behavioral science theories in public health research;
- produce effective scientific writing;
- demonstrate grant-writing skills;
- participate in interdisciplinary research;
- communicate research findings to various audiences, including policy makers and community members;
- design a research study that incorporates knowledge of pertinent cultural, social, behavioral, and biological factors;
- design a theory-informed, community-based intervention research project;
- design an implementation and evaluation plan for a theory-informed, community-based intervention;
- formulate focused research questions to address gaps in community and behavioral health knowledge;
- evaluate social and behavioral science research design, methodology, and analysis related to public health; and
- evaluate how structural bias, social inequities, and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community, and societal levels.
The PhD program in community and behavioral health requires at least 75 s.h. of graduate credit, including approved credit earned from a master's degree. Students must maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00.
Students must successfully complete a qualifying exam, a comprehensive exam, and a dissertation. The 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.
College of Public Health Core
Students complete the following (13 s.h.).
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CBH:4105 | Introduction to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention | 3 |
| CBH:7100 | Community and Behavioral Health Doctoral Seminar | 1 |
| BIOS:4120 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| CPH:6100 | Essentials of Public Health | 2 |
| CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health | 1 |
| EPID:4400 | Epidemiology I: Principles | 3 |
Behavioral and Social Sciences Core
Students complete the following (21 s.h.).
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| All of these: | ||
| CBH:5220 | Health Behavior and Health Education | 3 |
| CBH:5235 | Community-Based Participatory Research | 3 |
| CBH:6205 | Designing and Implementing Interventions | 3 |
| CBH:6220 | Health Communication Campaigns | 3 |
| CBH:6230 | Health Equity, Disparities, and Social Justice | 3 |
| CBH:7200 | Advanced Intervention Research | 3 |
| CBH:7300 | Advanced Behavioral Theories | 3 |
Research Methods Core
Students complete the following (15 s.h.).
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Both of these: | ||
| CBH:5305 | Evaluation: Approaches and Applications | 3 |
| CBH:5310 | Qualitative Research for Public Health | 3 |
| 9 s.h. from these: | ||
| CBH:6115 | Ethnographic Field Methods | 3 |
| CBH:6335 | Research Methods in Community and Behavioral Health | 3 |
| BIOS:5120 | Regression Modeling and ANOVA in the Health Sciences | 3 |
| BIOS:5130 | Applied Categorical Data Analysis | 3 |
| EPLS:6209 | Survey Research and Design | 3 |
| EPLS:6370 | Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis | 3 |
| HMP:7940 | Primary Data and Mixed Methods | 3 |
| PSQF:6243 | Intermediate Statistical Methods | 3 |
| PSQF:6244 | Correlation and Regression | 4 |
| PSQF:6249 | Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Models | 3 |
| PSQF:6252 | Introduction to Multivariate Statistical Methods | 3 |
| PSQF:7375 | Topics in Educational Measurement and Statistics | 1-3 |
| SOC:5160 | Research Design and Methods | 3 |
| SOC:6170 | Introduction to Sociological Data Analysis | 3 |
| SOC:6180 | Linear Models in Sociological Research | 3 |
| SOC:7170 | Advanced Statistical Modeling of Data | 3 |
| SOC:7180 | Structural Equation Modeling | 3 |
Content Area Electives
Students complete 14 s.h. of elective coursework in consultation with their advisor. The following is a list of suggested coursework; however, other courses may be approved with consent of the advisor.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CBH:4140 | Feminist Activism and Global Health | 3 |
| CBH:5350 | Foundations of Maternal and Child Health | 3 |
| CBH:5435 | Substance Abuse Prevention and Early Intervention | 3 |
| CBH:5440 | Prevention and Early Intervention of Mental Health Disorders | 3 |
| CBH:6405 | Global Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health | 3 |
| CBH:6410 | Special Topics | arr. |
| CBH:6415 | Independent Study in Community and Behavioral Health | arr. |
| GEOG:4150 | Health and Environment: GIS Applications | 3 |
| HMP:5005 | Introduction to Healthcare Organization and Policy | 3 |
| HMP:7940 | Primary Data and Mixed Methods | 3 |
| HMP:7950 | Design Issues in Health Service Research | 3 |
| HMP:7960 | Analytic Issues in Health Services Research I | 3 |
| HMP:7965 | Analytic Issues in Health Services Research II | 3 |
Dissertation
Students complete 12 s.h. in the following.
| Course # | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CBH:7505 | CBH Thesis/Dissertation | 12 |
PhD applicants must apply through the Schools of Public Health Application Service (SOPHAS). Applications must include academic transcripts, three letters of recommendation, statement of purpose, and a writing sample. International transcripts should be evaluated by the World Education Service (WES) and submitted to SOPHAS. 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 admission 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 application for the PhD program. PhD program applicants also must submit their master's thesis, or if no thesis is available, a sample of their scholarly writing.
Applicants whose first language is not English must submit official test scores to verify English proficiency. Applicants can verify English proficiency by submitting official test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or DuoLingo. An acceptable TOEFL score is a minimum of 600 (250 computer-based test or 100 internet-based test), a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 (with no subscore lower than 6.0) or a DuoLingo score over 105. Automatic waivers of this requirement are granted for persons who have, or will have, completed a bachelor’s degree or more advanced degree at an accredited university in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada (excluding French Quebec), Africa (English speaking), Australia, or New Zealand.
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 graduate program coordinator and advisor works with admitted students to explore funding opportunities. A limited number of teaching and research assistantships are available. Assistantships offer financial support and tuition assessed at the resident tuition rate along with a tuition scholarship. They also provide valuable on the job training experience.
For more information on financing education through jobs, grants, and loans, contact the university's Office of Student Financial Aid.
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.
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
| Academic Career | ||
|---|---|---|
| Any Semester | Hours | |
| 75 s.h. must be graduate level coursework; graduate transfer credits allowed upon approval. More information is included in the General Catalog and on department website. a | ||
| Hours | 0 | |
| First Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CBH:7100 | Community and Behavioral Health Doctoral Seminar | 1 |
| CPH:6100 | Essentials of Public Health | 2 |
| CBH:5220 | Health Behavior and Health Education | 3 |
| EPID:4400 | Epidemiology I: Principles | 3 |
| BIOS:4120 | Introduction to Biostatistics | 3 |
| CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health | 0 |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| CBH:4105 | Introduction to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention | 3 |
| CBH:6230 | Health Equity, Disparities, and Social Justice | 3 |
| CBH:5235 | Community-Based Participatory Research | 3 |
| CPH:7270 | Principles of Scholarly Integrity: Public Health | 1 |
| Content Area Elective b | 3 | |
| Hours | 13 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Qualifying Exam c | ||
| CBH:5305 | Evaluation: Approaches and Applications | 3 |
| CBH:6205 | Designing and Implementing Interventions | 3 |
| CBH:7300 | Advanced Behavioral Theories | 3 |
| Content Area Elective b | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Spring | ||
| CBH:7200 | Advanced Intervention Research | 3 |
| CBH:5310 | Qualitative Research for Public Health | 3 |
| Research Methods Core course d | 3 | |
| Content Area Elective b | 3 | |
| Hours | 12 | |
| Third Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CBH:6220 | Health Communication Campaigns | 3 |
| Research Methods Core course d | 3 | |
| Content Area Elective b | 3 | |
| Content Area Elective b | 2 | |
| Hours | 11 | |
| Spring | ||
| Research Methods Core course d | 3 | |
| CBH:7505 | CBH Thesis/Dissertation | 3 |
| Comprehensive Exam e | ||
| Hours | 6 | |
| Fourth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CBH:7505 | CBH Thesis/Dissertation | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Spring | ||
| CBH:7505 | CBH Thesis/Dissertation | 3 |
| Hours | 3 | |
| Fifth Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| CBH:7505 | CBH Thesis/Dissertation | 3 |
| Final Exam f | ||
| Hours | 3 | |
| Total Hours | 75 | |
- a
- Students must complete specific requirements in the University of Iowa Graduate College after program admission. Refer to the Graduate College website and the Manual of Rules and Regulations for more information.
- b
- See General Catalog and website for list of suggested courses and specifics; work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate coursework and sequence.
- c
- Taken at the end of first year second semester if entering with a relevant master's degree; taken at the end of second year first semester if entering without a relevant master's degree or enrolled part-time. See General Catalog and website for specifics.
- d
- See General Catalog and website for list of approved methods courses; work with faculty advisor to determine appropriate coursework and sequence.
- e
- Usually completed after most required coursework has been completed; see General Catalog and website for specifics.
- f
- Oral dissertation defense.