Social and Behavioral Sciences – Online

social and behavioral sciences

Research complex health issues to promote health services, self-care practices, and health system engagement

Career opportunties: Behavior scientist, health educator, health scientist, mental health researcher, health communications specialist, academic

UF MPH Social and Behavioral Sciences

Overview


The social and behavioral sciences concentration is based on the assumption that health and health behavior are impacted by multiple psychological, behavioral, social and cultural factors. Central to addressing health problems and eliminating health disparities and inequalities, these factors must be understood and addressed at multiple social-ecological levels (individual, interpersonal, organizational, community and population). Through online instruction, research and field practice, MPH students who concentrate in social and behavioral sciences explore the unique issues faced by diverse groups and populations and acquire skills to achieve social and behavioral change.

Those who seek a concentration in social and behavioral sciences come from a variety of undergraduate and professional backgrounds. Undergraduate majors in sociology, anthropology, psychology and health education provide strong foundations for this concentration. However, it is also sought out by individuals with backgrounds in bench science, health professions and other professions, such as journalism, to provide a multi-layered perspective on the determinants of and solutions to health problems.

MPH graduates with concentrations in social and behavioral sciences are employed in health agencies at all levels and sectors. They are usually involved in creative aspects of community assessment, program development and evaluation and research. Just a few examples of current jobs held by our alumni include research positions at NIH and CDC, program directors at the Alachua County Health Department and the North Florida Healthy Start coalition, and tobacco specialist with the local Area Health Education Center (AHEC).

The curriculum is designed to enable students to develop competence in very specific social and behavioral science skills. In addition to the public health core courses, students are required to take 15 credits of social and behavioral science core courses. The social and behavioral sciences core courses enable students to acquire and apply new knowledge and tools in social and behavioral theory, research methods, health communication, need, and asset assessment and surveillance, and ultimately, program planning and evaluation.

Visit the campus social and behavioral sciences concentration page for more information on the campus program. Visit the Social and Behavioral Sciences Faculty page to learn more about the course instructors.

If you are interested in the social and behavioral sciences concentration, please contact askmph@phhp.ufl.edu.

UF MPH SBS Students

Eligibility


Individuals who typically apply to this concentration include:

  • Undergraduate majors in sociology, anthropology, psychology and health education provide strong foundations for this concentration.
  • Those who seek a concentration in social behavioral sciences come from a variety of undergraduate and professional backgrounds.
  • Individuals with backgrounds in bench science, health professions, and other professions, such as journalism, to provide a multi-layered perspective on the determinants of and solutions to health problems.
  • Those who are involved in creative aspects of community assessment, program development and evaluation, and research

Online Social and Behavioral Sciences Curriculum


Social and Behavioral Sciences Core Courses


  • PHC 6146 Public Health Program Planning and Evaluation
  • PHC 6195 Health Information for Diverse Populations: Theory & Methods
  • PHC 6251 Assessment and Surveillance in Public Health
  • PHC 6405 Theoretical Foundations of Public Health
  • PHC 6700 Social and Behavioral Research Methods

Concentration Competencies

Upon completion of the MPH program, students with a concentration in social and behavioral science should have mastered the following competencies:

  1. Evaluate public health social and behavioral science research so that research decisions, strengths and limitations are addressed
  2. Integrate social and behavioral science theories and concepts in the development of interventions/solutions to public health problems
  3. Design and conduct a community needs assessment
  4. Design, implement and evaluate a public health intervention
  5. Design and develop effective communication products that convey health information to diverse audiences that increase recipients’ knowledge and positively impact attitudes, beliefs and behaviors

Interested in the other concentrations offered in the MPH program? Explore other options on the Concentrations page.