Health Education and Behavioral Science (HEBS)

About

With the advent of lifestyle as an all important contributor to major causes of morbidity and mortality, the educational process is guided by behavioral science theory, recognized as a principal method for achieving national health objectives. The role of the well-prepared health educator and behavioral scientist is essential to facilitating individuals and groups, altering lifestyles, improving the environment, controlling infectious diseases, and appropriately utilizing available health care services. Substantial benefits can best be achieved when initiatives are guided by professionals possessing the competencies required to design, implement and evaluate health promotion and intervention programs.

The Department of Health Education and Behavioral Science (HEBS) offers MPH, DrPH and PhD degrees. The HEBS Department is designed to prepare the MPH Student to participate in the formulation of policy, to assess and define health and educational needs of target populations through diagnostic and consultation skills, to develop and successfully implement theory based health programs, to design and conduct program evaluations and to design and conduct research. Students are prepared with sufficient managerial skills to plan, implement and evaluate health promotion and intervention programs in settings that range from hospitals to industries, schools and communities.

The HEBS doctoral programs are based on the scientist-practitioner model, and provide balanced training in behavioral science and health education research and practice. While both the Ph.D and DrPh programs have a series of required courses, each curriculum has flexibility to customize particular research and/or practice skills that are determined in close consultation with the academic advisor.

The HEBS Department contributes to the School�s overall goals by offering courses in research methods, behavior change theory, health education planning and health promotion, management techniques, and educational methods and materials. These courses are designed to provide students with the competencies required for professional credentialing by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc., and at the same time to meet needs of some students in other departments. The HEBS Department emphasizes the training of practitioners and researchers. Through a formal self-assessment process, students, in consultation with their advisors, develop an academic plan that builds upon their prior knowledge and experience. In the course of their studies, students are encouraged to integrate health behavior theory into practice and to pursue theoretical research methods and content areas that interest them.

The Department prepares students for conducting behavioral science research by providing coursework in diverse research methods and providing opportunities for students to apply those skills. Faculty and students are involved in a number of projects that involve collaboration with other institutions, including local and state health departments, and agencies at the federal level such as CDC and NIEHS. In addition, faculty in the Department provide public health expertise and consultation at national, state, and local levels.