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
  • 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

UNITS
72 units

ESTIMATED COMPLETION TIME*
5 years

*This estimate assumes full-time registration and pursuit of the degree. Actual completion times will vary and may be higher, depending on full- or part-time course registration, units transferred, and time to complete other degree requirements.

COURSES BEGIN
Fall | Spring

DEGREE AWARDED
PhD in Health Promotion Sciences

Featured Courses

CGH 400
Advanced Theoretical Foundations in Health Promotion & Education

Examines theories in Health Promotion Sciences and expands on the exploration and evaluation of the theories of social and behavior influences introduced in CGH 300.

CGH 301
Biostatistics

Examines the most commonly used statistical methods in clinical and experimental research, focusing on data analytic methods, reading and interpreting computer output from commonly used statistical packages, and more.

CGH 302
Epidemiology

Provides an overview of the causes, distribution, and control of disease in populations and the skills and knowledge to investigate the epidemiology of a specific disease or other health-related phenomenon.

CGH 413
Research Methods

Develops an understanding of the principles and skills of conducting behavioral research, using qualitative and quantitative approaches commonly used in public health settings.

CGH 401
Advanced Statistical Methods

Covers multivariable statistical techniques frequently used in health-related research, including topics in linear and logistic regression, structural modeling, multiple-group modeling, exploratory factor analysis, growth curves, and multi-level or nested models.

Areas of Concentration

 

Curriculum

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

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

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:

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.

Faculty & Research

  • Jessica Clague DeHart profile image

    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

  • Stewart I. Donaldson profile image

    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

    Affiliated with

    Claremont Evaluation Center

    The Evaluators’ Institute

  • C. Anderson Johnson profile image

    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

  • Paula Healani Palmer profile image

    Paula Healani Palmer

    Associate 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

  • Darleen V. Peterson profile image

    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

  • Kim D. Reynolds profile image

    Kim D. Reynolds

    Professor

    Research Interests

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

  • Alan Stacy profile image

    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

  • Bin Xie profile image

    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

Where You Can Find Our Alumni

Request information about the Health Promotion Sciences program

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Brittany Galvez

Assistant Director of Admissions
T: 909-607-6728
E: brittany.galvez@cgu.edu