The doctoral program in Health Promotion Sciences is an academic degree program designed to prepare students for teaching and research positions in the areas of preventive medicine, public health, behavioral epidemiology, health psychology, and policy research. The program seeks to train teachers and researchers in the field of health promotion sciences who will be prepared to conduct etiological research on the causes of health-related behavior; equipped to fashion and evaluate effective intervention strategies to prevent and manage disease; and capable of communicating findings to different audiences including through effective teaching. 

Degree Requirements

Coursework.  The program requires 72 units, consisting of 21 courses. Students complete 44 units of core courses, 8 units of directed research, a minimum of 12 units of coursework that constitutes a concentration, one transdisciplinary course, and 4 units of pedagogy (two courses). 

Concentration. Students must successfully complete 12 units in a concentration. Students may select from: Biostatistics, Global Health, Public Health, Health Informatics, Health Communication or Neurocognitive Science (currently closed).

Research Tool. Demonstrated proficiency in one research tool tailored to individual student needs is required. Research tools in health promotion may include statistics, computer programming, statistical programming applications, survey research, evaluation research, neurocognitive assessment, and physical activity/dietary assessment. The selection of research tools is part of each student’s advisement plan. Students should plan to fulfill the requirement within the first three years of study. 

Teaching Tool. Demonstrated proficiency in one teaching tool is required and is accomplished by the successful completion of TNDY 430: Transdisciplinary Pedagogy in Ethical Education, and PFF 531: Teaching Practicum and Portfolio.

Annual Reviews. Student work and progress is reviewed annually. Intended as a constructive and developmental process, the review provides feedback to the student on progress in the program, examines career goals and aspirations, and identifies avenues of continued development.  Participants of the review include the doctoral program director and a minimum of two faculty members familiar with the student’s course work or research activities.  At the time of the review, the student submits a portfolio which includes a current vita, list of courses and grades received, and statements of accomplishments and goals for the upcoming academic year. Students are required to participate in the annual review after completion of coursework.

Transfer Credit.  The University’s policies on transfer credit applies. The PhD program permits the transfer of up to 24 semester units from prior graduate work completed outside of CGU with advisor approval.

Qualifying Examination. Oral and written examinations center on the dissertation proposal and assess the depth and breadth of a student’s knowledge and aptitude in approaching and solving fundamental research issues in health promotion. Successful completion of the qualifying exam is required for advancement to candidacy.

Dissertation. Each candidate must submit acceptable dissertation research conducted with the approval of an advisory committee.  An oral defense of the dissertation is scheduled upon submission of the dissertation to the advisory committee.

University Policies. Policies detailed in the current Policies and General Information Bulletin apply.

Admission. Admission requirements are detailed in the Admissions section of the current Policies and General Information Bulletin.