Department
of Health Behavior
UAB
School of Public Health
The Master of Public Health in Behavioral Science (MPH - Plan B)
Description/Career Opportunities
The Master of Public Health in Behavioral Science - Plan B Program in designed to train individuals with a bachelor's degree (but little or no previous work experience) for public health practice, research, or doctoral study. Students are taught to understand determinants of health behaviors and to develop and evaluate interventions that promote behavioral changes. Emphasis is placed on both qualitative and quantitative approaches in the evaluation of health promotion programs. A community-based internship in a public health setting and a research project demonstrating the student's ability to apply behavioral science research methods are required.
The learning objectives of
the M.P.H. - Plan B program are to enable the student to:
- explain and apply social
and behavioral science theories and research methods as they relate
to public health;
- critically examine health
behavior literature;
- develop and implement health
promotion/disease prevention programs;
- apply evaluation principles
and procedures to effectively assess health promotion and disease prevention
programs;
- develop, implement and evaluate
behavioral research; and
- gain professional experience in public health or health care settings.
Demand for qualified behavioral scientists and health educators is increasing. Graduates of our master's degree programs are typically employed in public and private agencies at the local, state, and national levels. They work to develop, implement, and evaluate health promotion and disease prevention programs.
Admissions
Applicants should have a strong academic record and meet the requirements for admission to the School of Public Health.
Curriculum
Students in this track take a minimum of 57 credit hours. Full-time students taking 12 to 15 hours a term can generally complete the program in two years or less.
Required Courses
M.P.H. Core - 15 hours
SPH 600 Public Health Integrated Core I (6 hours)
SPH 601 Public Health Integrated Core II (9 hours)
Health Behavior Track -
39 hours
BST 619 Data Collection, Management and Analysis (3 hours)
HB 600 Introduction to Public Health Education (3 hours)
HB 630 Health Communications: Theory and Practice (3 hours)
HB 641 Research Methods in Behavioral Science (3 hours)
HB 643 Health Program Evaluation (3 hours)
HB 678 Advanced Theory and Practice in Behavioral Science (3 hours)
HB 697 Internship in Behavioral Science (6 hours)
HB 699 Master's-Level Project Research (6 hours)
HB ___ Behavioral Science Elective I (3 hours)
HB ___ Behavioral Science Elective II (3 hours)
HB ___ Behavioral Science Elective III (3 hours)
Integrative Experience -
3 hours
SPH 690 Public Health Integrative Experience (3 hours)
Total 57 hours
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