Master of Public Health

Health Behavior Concentration

Breadcrumb

Health Behavior Concentration

Prepares students to understand and apply theories of health behavior and health promotion to improve population health

The Health Behavior Concentration prepares students to understand and apply theories of health behavior and health promotion to improve population health. Students in the Health Behavior Concentration will gain experience in behavioral-social science frameworks and methodologies for designing, implementing, and evaluating interventions, and in disseminating and translating findings for diverse communities. The Health Behavior Concentration also emphasizes the roles of cultural competence, ethical practice, professionalism, and community collaboration as vital to the design and delivery of public health interventions.

Taking the buzz out of cigarettes

The FDA's way toward cutting nicotine in cigarettes to non-addictive levels was paved by Brown research, including a study on the impact of gradual or immediate switches to low-nicotine cigarettes on reducing tobacco harms.

Learn more

Program Snapshot

Competencies

MPH candidates in this concentration will develop core competencies prior to graduation. Required skills and topics include:

Explain the similarities and differences, strengths and weaknesses of predominant behavioral and social science theories for public health.
Apply the component principles of behavioral and social science theories to health behaviors.
Examine how behavioral and social science theories can be used to facilitate change in health-related behavior.
Apply principles of health literacy and communication best practices to develop a brief health communication.
Design health communications to promote behavior change that results in decreased risks for disease and/or promote wellness.
Develop a plan to monitor and assess the reach, fidelity, and outcome of health communications.
Examine the causes and consequences of health disparities from the perspective of multiple behavioral and social science perspectives.

Information for students who matriculated prior to Fall 2018 (PDF)

Courses

Health Behavior Concentration Courses

Complete both of the following courses:

PHP2340, Theories of Behavioral and Social Sciences in Public Health (Fall)
PHP2380, Health Communications (Spring)

Social Determinants of Health and Diversity

Complete one of the following courses:

PHP1650, Race, Racism, and Health (Spring)
PHP1810, Community-Engaged Research in Public Health (Spring)
PHP1821, Incarceration, Disparities, and Health (Fall)
PHP1920, Social Determinants of Health (Fall)
PHP2365, Public Health Issues in LGBT Populations (Spring)

Health Behavior Content-Focused Courses

Compete two of the following courses:

PHP1300, Parenting Behaviors, and Child Health (Fall)
PHP1540, Alcohol Use, and Misuse (Fall)
PHP1550, Substance Use and Vulnerability to Addictions (Fall)
PHP1551, Substance Use Prevention, Treatment & Policy (Spring)
PHP1600, Obesity in the 21st Century: Causes, Consequences, and Countermeasures (Spring)
PHP1610, Tobacco, Disease and the Industry: cigs, e-cigs, and more (Spring)
PHP1690, Technology and Behavior Change (Fall)
PHP1880, Meditation, Mindfulness, and Health (Fall)
PHP1885, Measuring Mindfulness (Spring)
PHP1890, The Craving Mind (Fall)
PHP2310, Physical Activity & PH (Fall)

*Students taking the qualitative analytic sequence must also take PHP2061, Qualitative Analysis in Public Health Research, as an elective.

Thesis

All in-person students are required to complete a thesis. Students in the Health Behavior Concentration work with faculty advisors to design a thesis project appropriate to their interests and career path in the behavioral health aspects of public health.