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Health Promotion Sciences

PhD in Health Promotion Sciences

The PhD program in Health Promotion Sciences trains well-rounded researchers and scholars in the theory and method of prevention research. Our students examine health-related behavior to create novel, effective interventions for disease prevention and health promotion.

In this unique degree program, you not only study the causes of health-related behaviors, you also design effective interventions to prevent disease and promote health. The well-rounded training encompasses theory and methods from the allied fields of communications, psychology, preventive medicine, cultural studies, biostatistics, public health and epidemiology. A low student-faculty ratio and a commitment to teaching at the highest level foster a highly collaborative learning and research environment in which you play a central role. You will work with faculty who are world leaders in health promotion and disease prevention research; they will mentor you from the start of your training until the successful completion of your doctoral degree. Because they bring a robust record of scholarly activity and experience—from being funded by National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other well-known agencies to publishing in hundreds of peer-reviewed publications and running countless research centers—you will gain firsthand knowledge and insight into the life of a research scientist. This substantial education prepares you to become a public health scholar and expert.

Program Highlights
  • Our online courses utilize the latest technology to enrich the learning experience and enhance your presentation skills. This includes multimedia lectures and interactive demonstrations.
  • Proximity to local health departments in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Riverside counties provides employment and educational opportunities for students.
  • The SCGH Student Association provides opportunities for leadership and impact through intellectual, social and cultural contributions that meet the needs of public health students through community service, dialogue, and special events.
  • Classroom discussion and projects use the latest technologies to enhance learning and presentation skills, including in-class multimedia lectures and demonstrations.
  • You can pursue the PhD in Health Promotion Sciences in conjunction with another degree program, such as an MA in Economics. You earn a diploma for each degree, and unit sharing across programs decreases your required total units.

 

Program At-a-glance

  • 72 units

    required units

  • PhD in Health Promotion Sciences

    degree awarded

  • Online

    modality

  • Spring, Fall

    program start

  • 5 years | full time*

    estimated completion time

Areas of Concentration

  • Biostatistics

    Gain an understanding of the principle methods of biostatistics through informatics, basic mathematical and computational tools, modeling, and computer applications.

  • Global Health

    Take an interdisciplinary approach to understanding key public health challenges that transcend local and national boundaries and require collaborative solutions.

  • Health Communication

    Increase your knowledge of key challenges in health communication and how it works through curricular development, persuasive technologies, interpersonal processes, and more.

  • Neurocognitive Sciences

    Note: This concentration is not currently accepting new students.

    Study neurocognitive sciences through the field’s impact on community and global health prevention, decision making, language, memory, and evolution’s impact on the brain.

  • Public Health

    Understand major public health issues in the United States and abroad through the lenses of health services, environmental and occupational health, program planning, and leadership.

  • Health Informatics

    Master the use of information for public health practice, including information technology, and systems to improve effectiveness of public health enterprises.

Where You Can Find Our Alumni

Faculty

  • Portrait of Jessica DeHart

    Jessica Clague DeHart

    Associate Professor of Community and Global Health

    Research Interests

    Epidemiology, chronic disease, cancer etiology, cancer survivorship, molecular and genetic epidemiology, lifestyle intervention trials, exercise, nutrition, quality of life, community-based interventions

    View profile
  • Stewart Donaldson

    Stewart I. Donaldson

    Distinguished University Professor
    Executive Director, Claremont Evaluation Center
    Executive Director, The Evaluators' Institute (TEI)

    Research Interests

    Positive Organizational Psychology, Health/Well-Being & Positive Functioning Across Cultures, Program Design & Re-Design, Culturally Responsive Theory-Driven Measurement & Evaluation

    View profile
  • Portrait of C Anderson Johnson

    C. Anderson Johnson

    Professor
    Founding Dean, School of Community & Global Health

    Research Interests

    Transnational prevention of tobacco, alcohol, and drug abuse, HIV-AIDS, and obesity; Community-based substance abuse prevention; Social and environmental influences on health; Community and mass media approaches to health

    View profile
  • Paula Palmer

    Paula Healani Palmer

    Professor of Community and Global Health
    Director of the PhD in Health Promotion Sciences program

    Research Interests

    Determinants of health among ethnically diverse populations; Community-based participatory research among under-served, underrepresented populations; Health of Pacific Islanders and South Asians; Technology applications for health behavior interventions; Tobacco control, mental health, disaster management, health of migrants and indigenous peoples; Maternal and child health

    View profile
  • Portrait of Darleen Peterson

    Darleen V. Peterson

    Professor of Practice, Community and Global Health
    Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs
    Director of the Certificate and Master of Public Health (MPH) programs

    Research Interests

    Evaluation of Health Communication Campaigns, Effects of Pro- and Anti-Tobacco and Alcohol Marketing; Public Health Education Accreditation

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  • Kim Reynolds

    Kim D. Reynolds

    Professor

    Research Interests

    Nutrition and physical activity, Health promotion and disease prevention, Diabetes and obesity

    View profile
  • Portrait of Alan Stacy

    Alan Stacy

    Professor
    Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs

    Research Interests

    Application of theories and methods of human memory; Cognitive neuroscience and social cognition to health behavior: etiology, prevention, and media effects; Translation of basic research to field research, high-risk populations, and prevention; Validation issues in assessment

    View profile
  • Portrait of Bin Xie

    Bin Xie

    Professor of Community and Global Health
    Director of the Applied Biostatistics (MS) program

    Research Interests

    Obesity prevention; Tobacco control; Diet, physical activity, body image in adolescents; Psychological adjustment to obesity; Diabetes and cancer; Application of statistical analysis in prevention research

    View profile

Curriculum

Breakdown

  • Transdisciplinary course (4 units)
  • Directed research units (8 units)
  • Concentration courses (12 units)

Courses

  • Theoretical Foundations in Health Education & Promotion
  • Biostatistics
  • Epidemiology
  • Seminar in Grant Writing & Proposal Development
  • Data Analysis
  • Research Methods
  • Advanced Theoretical Foundations in Health Education & Promotion
  • Advanced Statistical Methods I
  • Advanced Statistical Methods II
  • Advanced Research Methods
  • Manuscript Development
  • Foundations of Inclusive Pedagogy and Course Design
  • Doctoral Study

Program Features

Networking Opportunities
With more than 80 chapters throughout the world, the Delta Epsilon chapter of the Delta Omega Honorary Society in Public Health at CGU opens up numerous academic and professional opportunities for SCGH students, including:

  • Electing students, faculty, alumni, and honorary members based on high academic standards and outstanding performance in scholarship, teaching, research, and community service.
  • Connecting students to a vast networking pool of 15,000 members from the top echelons of graduate schools, programs of public health, and the public health community.
  • Opening doors for faculty and students to network and positively impact public health initiatives in the Southern California region.
  • Boosting students’ transition from academic life to professional life.

Research Projects
Gain direct experience in the global health community through a collective research and service focus on the needs of communities in Southern California, the Pacific Rim, South Asia, Latin America, and Africa.

Application Guidelines

University Requirements
Application Fee

$80 (fee is non-refundable)
Official Transcripts

Undergraduate/graduate

Applicants must submit a sealed, official transcript from every undergraduate and graduate institution that has granted the applicant a degree. Electronic transcripts sent to admissions@cgu.edu are also accepted. For undergraduate coursework, applicants are required to submit proof of a completed bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Unofficial copies of transcripts are accepted for review purposes, but official copies will be required upon admission.

Applicants currently earning a degree that will be completed prior to attending CGU are required to submit a transcript showing work in progress for evaluation purposes. Once the degree has been granted, a final official transcript documenting the degree conferred must be submitted to CGU.

International applicants are advised to review the International Transcript Guidelines for additional information on submitting international transcripts.
English Proficiency Exam

Required (international applicants only)

A valid score on one of the following examinations TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson PTE, Duolingo English Test is required of all non-native English-speaking applicants. The examination is not required for the following applicants:

  • Citizens or permanent residents of countries where English is the sole official language of instruction, e.g., Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Canada (except Quebec), England, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobago, Uganda, and Wales (see the CGU Bulletin for a complete list of accepted countries).
  • Applicants who hold an undergraduate or advanced degree, or will have earned such a degree prior to enrolling at CGU, from an institution in the US or in countries where English is the sole official language of instruction (see above).
  • Applicants who have successfully completed an academic English pre-master’s or intensive graduate bridge program from a nationally recognized, regionally accredited four-year college or university in the United States in the last two years, with submitted evidence of successful completion, and subject to curriculum approval.
  • CGU allows for an English proficiency waiver if the applicant has received, or will receive prior to enrollment at CGU, an undergraduate or advanced degree from an institution where English is one of the primary languages of instruction for the majority of courses in the student’s program. To receive the waiver, documentation must be provided by the applicant to show that English is the language of instruction at their university/college.

CGU’s school code for the TOEFL exam is 4053.

International applicants are encouraged to visit our International Applicants page for more information, including score requirements.
Resume

Applicants must submit an up-to-date copy of their resume.
Program Requirements
Statement of Purpose

Please submit a 2-3 page statement of purpose that details your academic and/or professional achievements, your specific areas of research interest within your desired field of study, why you are a strong candidate for graduate studies at CGU, and your career goals.
Letter of Recommendation

3 letters required

When filling out the online application, please enter references acquainted with your potential for success who will submit a written recommendation on your behalf. In most academic departments, references from faculty members who can speak to your academic ability are preferred; applicants with substantial work experience may request professional references. Please do not enter family members as references.

You will be required to input information for your recommenders (whether they are submitting online or not) in the “Recommendations” section of the online application. Please follow the directions in this section carefully before clicking on “Recommendation Provider List” to input the names and contact information for each recommender. You will have an opportunity to indicate if the reference writer will be submitting online. These reference writers will receive an email from CGU with instructions on submitting an online recommendation.

Recommenders who are indicated as offline will not receive an email from CGU with instructions to submit. These reference writers can submit via traditional mail and should use the supplemental New Student Recommendation Form. Recommenders can also email their letter of recommendation to the Office of Admissions at admissions@cgu.edu.

Download the Recommendation Form
Standardized Test Scores

GRE or GMAT required

GMAT or GRE examination scores must be dated within the past five years. Request that an official GMAT or GRE score be sent to admissions directly from Educational Testing Service (ETS).

Scores must be sent directly to CGU by the testing agency.

CGU’s school codes:
GMAT DZK-QS-08
ETS (GRE and TOEFL) 4053

Key Dates & Deadlines

CGU operates on a priority deadline cycle. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit complete applications by the priority dates in order to assure maximum consideration for both admission and fellowships.

Once the priority deadlines have passed, the University will continue to review applications for qualified candidates on a competitive, space-available basis. The final deadlines listed are the last date the University can accept an application in order to allow sufficient time to complete the admissions, financial aid, and other enrollment processes.

Spring 2025
Priority Deadline – November 1, 2024
Final Deadline (International) – November 15, 2024
Final Deadline (Domestic) – December 1, 2024
Classes begin – January 21, 2025

Fall 2025
Priority Deadline – February 1, 2025
Final Deadline (International) – July 5, 2025
Final Deadline (Domestic) – August 1, 2025
Classes begin – August 25, 2025

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Cost & Aid

Tuition and Fees

ESTIMATED TUITION (CALIFORNIA RESIDENTS, NON-RESIDENTS, INTERNATIONAL)
Program 49 units (students can transfer up to 13 units)
Tuition per unit* $2,070

*Based on 2025-2026 tuition rates.

STUDENT FEES (PER SEMESTER)
$245 Student Fee
$150 Technology Fee
International Student Services Fee**: $768 fall semester, $851 spring semester
**Applies to all international students (F-1 visa only) who are registered in coursework, doctoral study, or continuous registration. The fee is assessed each fall and spring semester for annual ISO accident and sickness plans and administrative fees. Subject to changes.

For estimates of room & board, books, etc., please download CGU’s Cost of Attendance 2025-2026.

review financial aid

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