About SBS

The Social and Behavioral Sciences is an elective, interdisciplinary track of the Master of Public Health Program in Health Services. This program track is for health professionals, researchers, administrators, health promotion specialists, and policy analysts who wish to apply social and behavioral sciences theory and methods to the study, practice, and thought of public health. Applicants should hold a post-baccalaureate degree or have substantial health-related experience.

The track focus is on research and application of knowledge concerning the relationships among:

1. social, cultural, and behavioral processes
2. health and illness
3. what society does and can do to promote health and prevent illness

In addition to the basic principles of public health, students will receive training in the general theories and methods of social and behavioral sciences applied to public health.

Special course concentrations may be pursued in chronic illness & disability, health education & research, and health services research. Other concentrations can be designed in consultation with faculty advisors.

Graduates of the Program in Social and Behavioral Sciences will have the background and skills to pursue careers in research or in public health practice. Skills such as survey research, statistics, behavioral measurement, ethnography, quality-of-life assessment, and cost-effectiveness analysis are stressed and applied in fieldwork placements in community health agencies.

This track enrolls up to twelve students each year and the admission process is quite competitive. Applicants are very strongly encouraged to interview with at least one Social and behavioral Sciences faculty member, either in person or by telephone, when submitting an application.