Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences (HP)The Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences is one of the graduate divisions within the GSPH. It offers the Masters of Public Health (MPH) in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Behavioral Science (offered jointly with the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine.
HP Faculty
In addition to core faculty listed above, the Division enjoys active participation and involvement by a number of part-time faculty from other Departments at SDSU and the community. About the MPH in Health Promotion and Behavioral SciencesThe MPH program in Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences provides pre- and post-doctoral instruction in behavioral and social sciences as applied to public health. The curriculum examines socio-ecological factors responsible for health-related behaviors that lead to morbidity and premature mortality, and research and evaluation techniques appropriate for health behavior and community health research. Graduates will be able to design, manage, and evaluate health promotion programs in a variety of settings, including schools, work sites, health care facilities, and community organizations. Emphasis is placed on the study of disease prevention and health promotion in both large populations and small groups. The coursework stresses principles of social and environmental factors responsible for health behavior. Extensive faculty/student collaboration is employed so that students can apply health behavior change principles in research and practice.Career PossibilitiesCareer opportunities for specialists in health promotion are available in federal, state, and local governmental agencies, HMOs, hospitals, public schools, colleges and universities, voluntary health agencies (e.g., American Heart Association), and private enterprise such as business and industry. Activities may include planning, implementing, evaluating, and administering health promotion programs as well as involvement in community organizations and teaching health promotion.Background of CandidatesHealth promotion students have a wide diversity of backgrounds including medicine, nursing, nutrition, physical therapy, exercise physiology, health education, and psychology and other behavioral/social sciences. The common interest of this heterogeneous group is the application of behavioral strategies to the prevention of disease and promotion of health. The program invites applications from students who wish to emphasize either research or applied work. Applicants must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree with preparation in biological sciences, quantitative methods, and behavioral or social sciences.Research OpportunitiesMetropolitan San Diego is home for many internationally recognized health care and health research centers. Health promotion students have the opportunity to conduct research at the Center for Behavioral and Community Health Studies (BACH), the Center for Behavioral Epidemiology and Community Health (CBEACH), ), the San Diego Prevention Research Center (SDPRC), and the Institute for Public Health on the SDSU campus; at other prestigious academic institutions as the University of California, San Diego including the UCSD Cancer Center, and the Scripps Clinic and Research Foundation in La Jolla; and at community clinics and elsewhere in the region, including nearby Mexico.Currently, joint projects are underway with the Autonomous University of Baja California (UABC) and other cooperating health agencies in Mexico to study health problems specific to the people of these areas. Students can also participate in faculty research currently supported by the National Institutes of Health, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and foundations such as the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. CurriculumThe curriculum is a 48-unit program that requires two years of full-time study to complete. The program provides instruction in general areas of public health as well as health promotion and behavioral sciences. Opportunities for collaborative research and work experience are formal parts of the program. These opportunities usually fulfill field placement and thesis requirements. Curriculum requirements can be tailored to meet the unique background and special interests of individual students. Students in health promotion must complete an empirical research project such as a thesis, or, with approval from the graduate adviser, a comprehensive critical review paper and an oral examination.Curriculum Requirements
Admission Procedures and RequirementsApplications for admission must be submitted to both the GSPH and the SDSU Graduate Division admissions offices. Additional information and application materials can be obtained from the MPH section. If you have additional questions, please contact Brenda Fass-Holmes, Coordinator for Admissions and Student Affairs, at (619) 594-4492. Most program sequences begin in the fall semester, although applicants may also be accepted for spring semester admission.Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit all application materials as early as possible, and by no later than March 1 for fall semester consideration, or October 1 for spring semester consideration (the latter is applicable only to those divisions or programs that accept spring applications; please contact the Admissions Coordinator for further information if you are interested in spring semester admission). The final filing dates are May 1 for fall semester admission, or November 1 for spring semester admission. Although we will make every effort to process all applications submitted by the final filing date, please note that we may not have space available to accommodate applications received or completed after March 1 /October 1, regardless of the applicant's qualifications. Applicants are selected for admission to the GSPH on the basis of grade point average, graduate record examination (GRE) scores earned within the past five years (except for applicants with prior graduate degrees, including M.D., earned from a school that is a member of the Council of Graduate Schools), narrative statement and career goals, letters of reference, and prior experience. The GSPH especially encourages women and minorities to apply. The SDSU Graduate Bulletin should also be consulted for general information regarding admission policies of the University. Financial AssistanceThe University has limited funds for student aid. Interested applicants should contact the Financial Aid Office at (619) 594-6323.The Division of Health Promotion and Behavioral Sciences recognizes the financial and professional responsibilities of incoming students. Therefore, the normal two-year program may be extended for students who are employed part-time while completing the degree requirements.
The California State University is committed to providing equal opportunities to men and women CSU students in all campus programs, including intercollegiate athletics. |
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