For information about applying to the program, please see the The University of Alabama Graduate School. The department will begin reviewing applications for Fall admissions by mid-late March. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Dr. Michael Stellefson, PhD Program Coordinator: stell001@ches.ua.edu

Department of Health Science

The University of Alabama®

The mission of the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree program in Health Education & Promotion at The University of Alabama (UA) is to provide a high-quality, student-oriented, and health equity-focused curriculum that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and expertise needed to preserve, promote, and improve the health and well-being of individuals, communities, and populations. In addition, the program is designed to provide students with coursework and practical experiences needed to become leading faculty, researchers, and practitioners in health education and health promotion.

The Ph.D. degree is regarded as the highest research degree. Therefore, program requirements include acquiring unique skills for conducting independent, scholarly research of publishable quality. Through acquiring these skills, Ph.D. candidates demonstrate their potential for careers as independent publishing scholars.

Preventing Disease • Promoting Wellness

Improving Lives

PROGRAM CURRICULUM

The PhD degree is granted based on scholarly proficiency, distinctive achievement in a special field, and capacity for independent, original investigation. The first two criteria are tested in coursework and a comprehensive examination, the last in a dissertation in which the student must present clearly and effectively the results of substantial research. A combination of these accomplishments, rather than the mere accumulation of residence and course credits, is the essential consideration in awarding the PhD degree.

SAMPLE COURSES The 66 credit hours needed to complete the PhD in Health Education and Promotion include Seminars in Doctorial Studies, Advanced Theoretical and Scientific Basis of Health Education and Health Promotion, Planning and Administration, Advanced Biostatistics in Health, Multivariate Methods in Health, and Advanced Evaluation of Public Health Education and Health Promotion.

CERTIFICATIONS Upon program completion, students are eligible to take the Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) for professional certification.

For more information please email Dr. Michael Stellefson at stell001@ches.ua.edu.