University General Course Catalog 2025-2026 (DRAFT)
Public Health (Social and Behavioral Health), Ph.D.
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 Return to: Programs in the School of Public Health
The Public Health (Social and Behavioral Health), Ph.D. is designed to prepare students for careers in which advanced analytical and conceptual capabilities are required, such as university teaching, research, consulting, policy development or other high-level positions. Students apply social and behavioral health methods to understand complex public health problems. The program trains students to become independent investigators through two years of required coursework in social and behavioral health methods followed by two years (or more) of research. Students must pass a written qualifying exam and complete and defend a research dissertation.
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Program Learning Outcomes
By completing this program, students will be able to develop original research hypotheses and research questions that will advance public health knowledge and effectively defend research methodology and findings through concise scientific writing and oral presentations. In addition, they will be able to: - justify appropriate qualitative research methodology.
- demonstrate and understanding of interdisciplinary approach by integrating an outside academic area into scholarly work.
- understand the fundamental principles for designing and implementing mixed methods studies.
- examine and evaluate theoretical knowledge about the influence of diversity and social determinants on health.
Contact Information
Helen Harriff, Administrative Assistant
Department of Health Behavior, Policy, and Administration Sciences
School of Public Health
(775) 682-8709
hharriff@unr.edu Dr. Eric Crosbie, Graduate Director of Health Behavior, Policy and Administration Services
School of Public Health
(775) 682-8333
ecrosbie@unr.edu Admission Requirements
Admission Deadline: The application deadline is May 1st. However, to receive full consideration for graduate scholarship funding, applicants are encouraged to submit their application by February 1st. Ph.D. applications are accepted once per year for fall admission. Prospective students must meet both University of Nevada, Reno and School of Public Health requirements for graduate status. - Master of Public Health (MPH) degree or relevant master’s or doctoral degrees from accredited institutions, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4-point scale preferred. Occasionally, students can be admitted with a health-related Bachelor’s degree with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 that is confirmed before beginning classes.
- Duolingo, TOEFL, or IELTS Test Scores (required if education history is from a non-English Speaking Country). OFFICIAL Duolingo, TOEFL, or IELTS test scores are required if your educational history is from a non-English speaking country. Minimum scores: Duolingo: 105; TOEFL: 550 (paper) or 79 (internet); IELTS: 6.5 (academic version)/
- Three letters of recommendation from individuals who can evaluate the applicant’s motivation, academic capability, scholarship potential, and personal goals for doctoral study.
- A written statement of personal career, educational and scholarship goals including identification of research interests.
- A current curriculum vitae (CV).
- An academic health-related writing sample (for example, a first-author publication or class paper).
- An interview with the admissions committee (if invited).
Prerequisite Coursework
Students will typically enter the Public Health(Social and Behavioral Health), Ph. D. after having completed a relevant Master’s degree, such as the Master of Public Health (MPH). All students must have documentation that they have completed the following MPH courses (or their equivalent). Students missing any of the required prerequisites may be admitted, contingent on successful completion of specified courses within a period of time (typically the first year). - CHS 712 Epidemiology in Public Health or relevant course
- Students who do not have an undergraduate or graduate degree from an accredited public health program must take the Basics of Public Health course (offered online by the School of Public Health, 0 credits).
I. Program Requirements
All Public Health (Social and Behavioral Health), Ph. D. students must complete a minimum of 63 graduate-level units to graduate. The Ph. D. program requires passing a written qualifying exam after the first year of coursework is completed, a written and oral dissertation prospectus, and a written and oral dissertation defense. Students will complete 42 units in the Ph. D. core that include 2 doctoral seminar units (1 unit each). Students will also take the comprehensive exam (1 unit) and, after advancing to candidacy, will complete 21 dissertation units (on average). II. Total Units (63 units)
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Return to: Programs in the School of Public Health
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