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Home School of Public Health Academic Affairs PhD in Social and Behavioral Sciences

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Social and Behavioral Sciences (SBS)

Driving Change. Creating Impact. Across Communities.

 

icon for program descriptionAbout the Program

The Social and Behavioral Sciences doctoral program is based on the principle that health and health behaviors are influenced by multiple psychological, behavioral, social, and cultural factors. This program is designed for master's prepared students who seek advanced training in social and behavioral sciences theories and methodologies. This CEPH-accredited interdisciplinary doctoral program is intended to be completed in three to four years. There are several competitive assistantships available with full tuition waiver and a $18,000 annual stipend.

PhD degree can be earned in-person and full-time or part-time.

icon for questionWhat will you learn?

Students work closely with faculty mentors in research areas such as smoking, addiction, substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, STDs, cancer, nutrition, physical activity, obesity, maternal and child health, and neighborhood environment with strong mixed methods training. As a metropolitan research university, we are especially committed to health equity and social justice issues in urban communities.

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 will emphasize urban health and health disparities issues in Tennessee, the Mid-South region, and globally.

icon for program descriptionWhere to after graduation?

Due to the complex challenges of population health and healthcare delivery, the need for public health scholars with expertise in social and behavioral sciences continues to grow in academia, research, and practice. 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.

icon for program descriptionIs this degree right for you?

The PhD degree in Social and Behavioral Sciences is the highest academic degree for individuals planning to pursue scholarly careers in this discipline.

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Icon for Contact usConnect with our Admissions Team

Briana McNeil, MEd
Coordinator, Recruitment and Admissions
sphadmissions@memphis.edu
(901) 678-3740

Shirl Sharpe, MS
Academic Services Coordinator II
ssharpe@memphis.edu
(901) 678-1710

Shafi Bhuiyan, PhD, MPH, MBBS, MBA
SBS Program Coordinator
sbhuiyan@memphis.edu

icon for admission requirementsAdmission Information

Requirements:

  • A Master’s degree with a minimum GPA of 3.0
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose (750-1000 words)
  • Curriculum vitae
  • International students:
    • Transcripts from degrees obtained outside of the United States must be evaluated by WES or by any members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services
    • Applicants whose native language is not English will be required to submit acceptable scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL IBT) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
  • GRE recommended but not required

A research-based master’s degree in a health-related or social/behavioral field is required for admission. Applicants who possess professional master’s degrees (e.g., MPH) will be considered if they have appropriate research experience, such as having completed a thesis during master’s training, or being employed in a professional research position.

Letters of recommendation from three individuals (at least two letters from former professors or instructors but fewer may be acceptable in extenuating circumstances) familiar with the applicant’s academic background or experience in public health related issues, specifying in detail the applicant’s capabilities for graduate study and for future performance as a public health scholar, are required.

Applicants must also submit a personal statement of purpose of approximately 750 to 1000 words indicating his/her present interests and career goals, including how the PhD in Social and Behavioral Sciences will prepare the candidate to achieve these goals.

Materials submitted will be reviewed by the faculty admissions committee. Admissions decisions are made based on the overall quality of the applicant’s scholarship and academic ability (GPAs, GRE scores, undergraduate and graduate coursework completed, research conducted, relevant work experience, and recommendations) as well as the applicant’s “fit” for the program in terms of academic background, research interests, and career goals. Some applicants may be invited for a face-to-face or telephone interview with representatives of the Admissions Committee.

Program pre-requisites:

PUBH 8150 - Biostatistical Methods I
PUBH 8170 - Epidemiology in PUBH I
PUBH 8160 - Soc/Behav Science Principles

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Priority Deadline - February 1

icon for curriculumCurriculum

The SBS doctoral program is a 54-semester hour degree program, with 45 hours of graduate coursework beyond the master's degree, and 9 hours of PUBH 9000 for the dissertation. Students are required to take 12 credit hours of SBS core courses, three credit hours of doctoral seminar, 12 credit hours of research methods courses, 6 credit hours of biostatistics, 12 credit hours of elective courses, and nine credit hours of dissertation.

Social and Behavioral Sciences Core (12 credit hours)

  • PUBH 8130: Social Determinants of Health
  • PUBH 8132: Health Program Evaluation
  • PUBH 8340: Behavioral Intervention Development
  • PUBH 8161: Health Behavioral Theories

Doctoral Seminar Core (3 credit hours)

  • PUBH 8901: Doctoral Professional Development Seminar

Research Methods Core (12 credit hours)

Quantitative Methods Course (9 credit hours) - Select one

  • PUBH 8141: Epidemiologic Survey Methods
  • PUBH 8172: Epidemiology in Public Health II
  • PUBH 8174: Epidemiology in Public Health III
  • PUBH 8450: Randomized Clinical Trials

Quantitative Course (3 credit hours)

  • PUBH 8347: Qualitative Methods in Health Research

Biostatistics Core (6 credit hours)

Biostatistics II (3 credit hours)

  • PUBH 8152: Biostatistical Methods II

Additional Biostatics Courses (3 credit hours) – Select one

  • PSYC 8302: Advanced Statistics
  • PUBH 8104: Large Data Sets in Public Health Research
  • PSYC 8304: Measurement Theory and Psychometrics
  • PSYC 8305: Quantitative Methods of Review in Research
  • PUBH 8306: Linear Structural Modeling
  • PUBH 8308: Applied Multivariate Statistics
  • PUBH 8310: Mixed Model Regression Analysis
  • PUBH 8311: Applied Categorical Data Analysis

Elective Courses* (12 credit hours)

Public Health Elective Courses (6 credit hours)

  • PUBH 8800: Guided Research in Public Health (max 3 hours)
  • PUBH 8140: Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases
  • PUBH 8333: Addictive Behaviors
  • PUBH 8335: Structural and Environmental Issues in Urban Communities
  • PUBH 8336: Women’s Health
  • PUBH 8337: Public Health Nutrition
  • PUBH 8338: Critical Issues in Global Health
  • PUBH 8341: Physical Activity and Public Health
  • PUBH 8342: Epidemiology of Minority and Ethnic Populations
  • PUBH 8343: Tobacco Use: Causes, Consequences, and Control
  • PUBH 8345: Health Literacy
  • PUBH 8346: Public Mental Health
  • PUBH 8400: Special Problems
  • PUBH 8447: Public Health Genomics

Other elective Courses (6 credit hours)

  • EDPR 8109: Infant Development
  • EDPR 8110: Early Childhood Development
  • EDPR 8165: Social Development in Children
  • PSYC 8207: Developmental Psychology
  • PSYC 8217: Social Psychology
  • PSYC 8416: Child Psychopathology
  • PUBH 8720: Grant Writing in Health Science
  • SOCI 8851: Medical Sociology

*Other courses could be selected as electives in consultation with the major professor

Dissertation (9 credit hours at The University of Memphis)

Students are required to fulfill prerequisite courses: PUBH 8150 Biostatistical Methods I, PUBH 8160 Social and Behavioral Science Principles, and PUBH 8170 Epidemiology in Public Health I, or document their equivalent. Credit hours for these prerequisite courses will not count toward the 54 hours required for graduation.

  • PUBH 9000 Dissertation

In addition to completion of the 54 semester hours of required coursework, program requirements include successful completion of written and oral comprehensive examinations (once 36 hours are in progress or completed and enrolled for at least 6 credit hours), and the preparation and successful defense of a dissertation in accordance with the University of Memphis Graduate School policies and guidelines.

icon for competenciesCompetencies

  • Review, synthesize, and evaluate Identify individual, organizational, community, and societal influences on health, health behaviors, disease, illness, injury, and disability.
  • Utilize social and behavioral science theories to advance public health research and application.
  • Conduct and disseminate rigorous and innovative social and behavioral science research relevant to public health.
  • Develop, implement, and evaluate behavioral and structural interventions to promote health and health equity, prevent disease and injury, alleviate disability, and improve the quality of life.
  • Analyze and critically apply professional and ethical standards of public health.