The School of Public Health at The University of Memphis offers a PhD degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences, the highest academic degree for individuals planning to pursue scholarly careers in this discipline. This program is designed for those who intend to teach and conduct original research utilizing rigorous scientific theories and methods to understand and influence the social and behavioral determinants of population health risk factors and outcomes. Graduates of the program are prepared to conduct innovative, interdisciplinary, and translational research in community settings with an emphasis on vulnerable populations, and to design, implement, administer, and evaluate public health interventions and policies. The program emphasizes urban health and health disparities issues in Tennessee and in the Mid-South region.