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About the Department
The Department of Health Promotion & Behavioral Sciences is a community of scholars committed to advancing health equity and social justice through interdisciplinary, community-engaged research, teaching, and service.
Our approach to health promotion and behavioral sciences is framed within the social ecological model. We conduct research on theory and action to support the development, implementation, evaluation, and translation of interventions with impact at multiple levels. Our faculty maintain a growing research portfolio aiming to develop innovative approaches to addressing inequity and to inform policy, practice, and resource distribution. Located within a metropolitan research university, we collaborate with scholars from various disciplines, as well as local agencies and organizations to improve population health. In addition, our strong relationships with community partners provide a direct path for translation of our research into action both locally and globally.
We take a student-centered approach to teaching, learning, and mentoring. Our goal is that each of our graduates leaves with the training and experience to engage as public health-oriented leaders. We achieve this by intentionally building their critical thinking and leadership skills and utilizing our research and multidisciplinary expertise to immerse students in the work of public health.
The department offers a concentration in the MPH program and a PhD in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences. More
Our Expertise
Students interested in health equity and social justice will benefit from the multidisciplinary background of our faculty. In our department, students are uniquely trained to approach complex social and public health issues using theories, methods, and strategies from across diverse disciplines. In addition, our faculty possess a breadth of expertise in various designs, methods, approaches, and subject matter areas to support students in their academic and professional pursuits. Located in the heart of a metropolitan area, our hands-on training strengthens the science and practice of public health, equipping our graduates to be leaders in a variety of settings.
Interdisciplinary Training of Our Faculty:
• Public Health: Health Promotion / Social & Behavioral Health
• Biostatistics / Bioinformatics
• Cognitive psychology
• Communication
• Community sciences
• Education
• English
• Global health
• Health education
• Medicine
• Occupational therapy
• Policy and politics
• Prevention science
• Youth development
