Master of Public Health (In-Person)

Health Behavior Concentration

Breadcrumb

Health Behavior Concentration

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

This concentration is for students who enrolled before Fall 2026. If you started in Fall 2026 or later, view your available concentrations.

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. 

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The research, funded by the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, aims to uncover how alcohol and HIV disrupt gut bacteria and contribute to chronic health issues like heart disease.

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Program Snapshot

Health Behavior Competencies

In addition to the standard MPH Program competencies, students in the Health Behavior concentration will meet the following competencies:

  1. Explain the similarities and differences, strengths and weaknesses of predominant behavioral and social science theories for public health. (PHP2340)
  2. Apply the component principles of behavioral and social science theories to health behaviors. (PHP2340)
  3. Examine how behavioral and social science theories can be used to facilitate change in health-related behaviors. (PHP2340)
  4. Apply principles of health literacy and communication best practices to develop a brief health communication. (PHP2380)
  5. Design health communications to promote behavior change that results in decreased risks for disease and/or promote wellness. (PHP2380)
  6. Develop a plan to monitor and assess the reach, fidelity, and outcome of health communications. (PHP2380)
  7. Examine the causes and consequences of health disparities from the perspective of multiple behavioral and social science perspectives. (PHP1650, PHP1680U, PHP1810, PHP1821, PHP1920, PHP2365, PHP2428)

Courses

Health Behavior Concentration Courses:

Complete the following course:

  • PHP2340: Theories of Behavioral and Social Sciences in Public Health (Fall)

Complete the following course:

  • PHP2380: Health Communications (Spring)

Complete one of the following courses focused on issues of social determinants of health and diversity:

  • PHP1650: Race, Racism and Health (Spring)
  • PHP1680U: Intersectionality and Health Inequities (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)
  • PHP2428: Health Justice (Spring)

The Health Behavior curriculum for students who enrolled in Fall 2024 or earlier can be found HERE

Health Behavior Sample Schedules

Health Behavior Integrated Learning Experience (ILE)

Students are required to complete either a thesis or a capstone course for the ILE.

Students in the Health Behavior concentration must complete their ILE (thesis or capstone) project on an appropriate Health Behavior topic.

Faculty

Health Behavior Concentration Lead