Health Behavior and Health Education

• HED 386: Applied Research Methods
• EDP 371 Introduction to Statistics
• PSY 341 Health Psychology or SW 327 Human Behavior and Social Environment

Students applying to the Ph.D. program must have demonstrated capability of independent research by completing a thesis or publishing a research article(s). Students not meeting this requirement shall participate in a research project sponsored by a faculty member during the first year of study to demonstrate research ability.

Final acceptance and continuation in the program are contingent upon sponsorship by a member of the Health Behavior and Health Education faculty. This faculty member will serve as the student’s advisor. The admission of a student into the program and the selection of an advisor are by mutual agreement.

For acceptance into the Ph.D. program, in addition to meeting the above Graduate School requirements, the applicant must submit:

• A letter of application, which includes a statement of career goals and research interests to the Health Behavior and Health Education faculty.
• Three letters of recommendation, all preferably from current or former professors, are required.
• If possible, a personal interview is recommended.

• HED 395 Foundations of Epidemiology**
• HED 395 Planning Health Promotion Programs*
• HED 395 Theories of Health Behavior**

*  This course should be taken in the first semester of the 2nd year of the program.

** These courses should be taken during the first year in the program.

HED Specialization Electives – select two courses from the following:

• HED 395 Adult Development, Aging and Health
• HED 395 Child and Adolescent Health Psychology
• HED 395 Physical Activity & Public Health Practice
• HED 395 Risk and Resilience in Children and Adolescents
• HED 395 Social Determinants of Health
• HED 395: Health Promotion Strategies from Populations to the Individual Level
• HED 395: Impact of Marketing on Public Health
• HED 395 Cognitive Exercise Across the Lifespan
• HED 395 Exercise and Mental Health
• HED 395 Research Ethics

Students are required to take a minimum of 12 hours of graduate statistics and research methods with at least 3 hours in qualitative methods. Courses in experimental design, multivariate statistics, and qualitative research relevant to the student’s area of concentration may be included.

• EDP 380P Evaluation Models and Techniques
• EDP 380P Test and Scale Construction
• EDP 382K Analysis of Qualitative Data
• EDP 382K Correlation and Regression Methods
• EDP 382K Factor Analysis
• EDP 382K Survey of Multivariate Methods
• EDP 384 Qualitative Research Methods
• EDP 480C6-Statistical Analysis for Experimental Data
• EDP 482K Experimental Design and Statistical Inference
• N 397M Qualitative Research in Nursing
• PSY 384 Structural Equation Modeling  

6 hours of organized courses outside of HED are required; 3 hours must be outside of the Kinesiology and Health Education Department. Students select these courses in consultation with their advisor.

Depending upon the student’s interests and background, the program of study must include research experience with a minimum of:

• 8 hours of directed research
• 4 hours of the departmental seminar
• 18 hours of dissertation (HED 999rw)

Students must present empirical research at a local, state, or national conference prior to taking the comprehensive examination. Students must submit an empirical/data-based manuscript to a peer-reviewed journal prior to proposal of the dissertation and movement to doctoral candidacy.