Degree Description and Learner Objectives

The doctoral program in CBH 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 non-academic 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 strategic areas: rural health; community engagement; culturally informed interventions; and social justice and health equity. The department is committed to deep reflection and interrogation of public health methods as we contribute to building social justice and health equity in our field.

Graduates of this Ph.D. program will be able to do the following:

1. Apply social and behavioral science theories in public health research;
2. Produce effective scientific writing;
3. Demonstrate grant-writing skills;
4. Participate in interdisciplinary research;
5. Communicate research findings to various audiences, including policy makers and community members;
6. Design a research study that incorporates knowledge of pertinent cultural, social, behavioral, and biological factors;
7. Design a theory-informed community-based intervention research project;
8. Design an implementation and evaluation plan for a theory-informed community-based intervention;
9. Formulate focused research questions to address gaps in community and behavioral health knowledge;
10. Evaluate social and behavioral science research design, methodology, and analysis related to public health; and
11. Evaluate how structural bias, social inequities, and racism undermine health and create challenges to achieving health equity at organizational, community, and societal levels

Prerequisites

A master’s degree in a related area is required.

Supervision of a PhD program

It is necessary for all PhD students to be matched with appropriate department faculty who are available to advise their program of study and chair their dissertation committee. Prospective students should begin this matching process by speaking with faculty who share their interests or the Graduate Student Success Administrator, who can advise which faculty members are available as advisors. Acceptance into the PhD program will be in part dependent on the identification and agreement of an appropriate advisor.

PhD Curriculum

During their first semester, students will work with their academic adviser to develop a Plan of Study that will satisfy both the students’ individual goals and the degree requirements. The curriculum for the doctoral program requires that students complete at least 75 semester hours of course work past the baccalaureate degree. The transfer credit given for a master’s degree counts towards these 75 semester hours. The University of Iowa General Catalog has the specific degree requirements.

PhD Qualifying Exam

The qualifying examination should be completed early in the doctoral program. For students with a relevant Master’s degree, the qualifying exam is to be taken at the end of the second semester of full-time study.  For students without a relevant Master’s degree or enrolled part-time the qualifying exam should be taken by the end of the third semester, or upon completion of sufficient coursework.  Students will work with their advisor to determine the best time to sit for the exam.

PhD Comprehensive Exam

The comprehensive examination is taken after the majority of coursework for the Ph.D. degree has been completed. It tests the student’s ability to integrate relevant theories, analytical skills, research design and methodology in the behavioral and social sciences related to public health.

Dissertation Defense

The goal of the dissertation is to produce a document that is publishable in a peer-reviewed journal. Original thought is required in the formulation and conduct of the research, although neither original data collection nor data analysis are strictly required. During the dissertation defense, a specially formed committee will thoroughly examine the student’s area of knowledge associated with the context of the work.