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Community and Behavioral Health
Interim head: Linda G. Snetselaar
Professors: Elizabeth Altmaier (Psychological and Quantitative Foundations), Leslie Baxter (Communication Studies), Joe D. Coulter, Melanie Dreher (Nursing), Jennifer Glass (Sociology), Paul Greenough (History), John B. Lowe, Ann Marie McCarthy (Nursing), Peter Nathan (Psychology), Michael Teague (Leisure Studies)
Adjunct professors: Frank Boster, Gene Lutz
Associate professors: Julie Andsager (Journalism and Mass Communication), Mary Aquilino, Karen Farris (Pharmacy), Kristi Ferguson (Internal Medicine), James Hall (Pediatrics), Jeffrey Lobas (Pediatrics), Andrew Peterson, Salome Raheim (Social Work), Anne-Helene Skinstad, Nancy Thompson
Adjunct associate professors: Mary Hansen, Kevin Kelly, Mary Losch
Assistant professors: Nanette Barkey (Anthropology), Shelly Campo, Faryle Nothwehr, Anne Baber Wallis, Jingzhen Ginger Yang
Adjunct assistant professor: Ralph Wilmoth
Adjunct lecturers: Dennis Affholter, Ro Foege, Dawn Gentsch, Kevin Teale, Laurie Walkner
Graduate degrees: M.S., Ph.D. in Community and Behavioral Health
Web site: http://www.public-health.uiowa.edu/cbh The Department of Community and Behavioral Health examines the relationship between human behavior and community health and focuses on creating effective strategies for change. Its faculty members come from a variety of disciplines within the social and health sciences, drawn together by an interest in health behavior and promoting healthy communities. Community and behavioral health students learn how to design, implement, and evaluate interventions directed toward identified public health problems in communities. They learn how public and institutional policy, the media, and community organizations can promote healthy behavior and effect positive change. Graduate Programs The department offers two graduate degrees: Master of Science, with a subtrack in health communication; and Doctor of Philosophy, with subtracks in addiction studies and health communication. It also offers Master of Public Health subtracks in community and behavioral health, and health communication; and Master of Public Health focus areas in nutrition and exercise, and maternal, child, and family health; see Master of Public Health Program in the Catalog. Master of Science The M.S. program prepares students for research and professional positions in community and behavioral health or for Ph.D. study in community and behavioral health. The M.S. is offered with an optional subtrack in health communication. The M.S. requires 35 s.h. of graduate credit, including a thesis. During the first semester, students work with their academic advisor to develop a plan of study that satisfies their interests and professional goals as well as the program's requirements. Students are required to attend departmental seminars and to complete the following courses. COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH CORE All of these (9 s.h.):
| 171:161 Introduction to Biostatistics |
3 s.h. |
| 172:101 Introduction to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention |
3 s.h. |
| 173:140 Epidemiology I: Principles |
3 s.h. |
BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES CORE Three of these (9 s.h.):
| 172:106 Designing and Implementing Interventions |
3 s.h. |
| 172:110 Community Development in Public Health |
3 s.h. |
| 172:130 Social Determinants of Health |
3 s.h. |
| 172:135 Health Disparities and Cultural Competence |
2-4 s.h. |
| 172:150 Health Behavior and Health Education |
3 s.h. |
| 172:185 Communicating with the Community |
3 s.h. |
| 172:240 Health Communication |
3 s.h. |
| 172:242 Persuasion and Health |
3 s.h. |
| 172:246 Health Communication Campaigns |
3 s.h. |
RESEARCH METHODS CORE Two of these (6 s.h.):
| 07P:249 Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Models |
3 s.h. |
| 07P:252 Introduction to Multivariate Statistical Methods |
3 s.h. |
| 171:162 Design and Analysis of Biomedical Studies |
3 s.h. |
| 172:181 Evaluation I: Theory and Applications |
3 s.h. |
| 172:183 Qualitative Research for Public Health |
3 s.h. |
| 172:282 Evaluation II: Design and Methods |
3 s.h. |
| 172:285 Research Methods in Community and Behavioral Health |
3 s.h. |
CONTENT AREA ELECTIVES Students work with their advisors to select at least 5 s.h. of course work appropriate to their educational goals and emphasis areas. They may choose from any community and behavioral health courses not already taken, other College of Public Health courses, or other University of Iowa graduate-level courses. THESIS The thesis requirement is 6 s.h. M.S. Subtrack in Health Communication The M.S. subtrack in health communication is designed for students who wish to gain skill in designing, evaluating, and implementing effective communication strategies and messages that speak to the health needs of diverse audiences. The program addresses clinician-patient interaction, family communication, group and organizational communication, and mass media and web-based campaigns. The health communication subtrack combines the M.S. core course work with additional concentrated learning opportunities. Students fulfill the regular M.S. requirements, using the health communication core to satisfy the content area electives requirement. HEALTH COMMUNICATION CORE Four of these (12 s.h.):
| 036:371 Communication Theory |
3 s.h. |
| 172:242 Persuasion and Health |
3 s.h. |
M.P.H. Subtracks and Focus Areas M.P.H. Subtrack in Health Communication The M.P.H. subtrack in health communication prepares public health practitioners for a variety of employment opportunities in health communication strategies, health communication in groups and organizations, and mass media/web-based campaigns in health promotion. See Master of Public Health Program in the Catalog. M.P.H. Subtrack in Community and Behavioral Health The M.P.H. subtrack in community and behavioral health prepares public health practitioners for a variety of positions in community development, health program implementation, and health education. See Master of Public Health Program in the Catalog. M.P.H. Focus Area in Maternal, Child, and Family Health The M.P.H. focus area in maternal, child, and family health prepares public health practitioners for employment in maternal, child, and family health positions that involve identifying problems, analyzing data, and developing solutions to maternal, child, and family health issues. See Master of Public Health Program in the Catalog. M.P.H. Focus Area in Nutrition and Exercise The M.P.H. focus area in nutrition and exercise prepares public health practitioners for employment in community health promotion programs where nutrition and exercise research is applied. Students learn skills for working with clients to make behavioral changes such as altering diet and exercise patterns. See Master of Public Health Program in the Catalog. Doctor of Philosophy The Ph.D. program prepares individuals for academic, research, and policy-making work in the social and behavioral health sciences. This fast-growing academic specialty offers many career opportunities in academic and research institutions. The Ph.D. is offered with subtracks in addiction studies and health communication. The Ph.D. requires at least 75 s.h. of graduate credit, including credit from a master's degree. Students must successfully complete a qualifying exam, a comprehensive exam, and a dissertation--a substantial scholarly treatise. The research topic must be approved by the student's dissertation committee. During the first semester, students work with their academic advisors to develop a plan of study that satisfies their interests and professional goals as well as the program's requirements. Students are required to attend departmental seminars and to complete the following courses. COLLEGE OF PUBLIC HEALTH CORE All of these (9 s.h.):
| 171:161 Introduction to Biostatistics |
3 s.h. |
| 172:101 Introduction to Health Promotion and Disease Prevention |
3 s.h. |
| 173:140 Epidemiology I: Principles |
3 s.h. |
BEHAVIORAL AND SOCIAL SCIENCES CORE Seven of these (21 s.h.):
| 172:106 Designing and Implementing Interventions |
3 s.h. |
| 172:110 Community Development in Public Health |
3 s.h. |
| 172:130 Social Determinants of Health |
3 s.h. |
| 172:135 Health Disparities and Cultural Competence |
2-4 s.h. |
| 172:150 Health Behavior and Health Education |
3 s.h. |
| 172:185 Communicating with the Community |
3 s.h. |
| 172:240 Health Communication |
3 s.h. |
| 172:242 Persuasion and Health |
3 s.h. |
| 172:246 Health Communication Campaigns |
3 s.h. |
RESEARCH METHODS CORE Five of these (15 s.h.):
| 07P:249 Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Models |
3 s.h. |
| 07P:252 Introduction to Multivariate Statistical Methods |
3 s.h. |
| 034:214 Introduction to Sociological Data Analysis |
3 s.h. |
| 034:215 Sampling, Measurement, and Observation Techniques |
3 s.h. |
| 034:216 Linear Models in Sociological Research |
3 s.h. |
| 034:218 Advanced Statistical Modeling of Data |
3.s.h. |
| 034:219 Structural Equation Modeling |
3 s.h. |
| 171:162 Design and Analysis of Biomedical Studies |
3 s.h. |
| 172:181 Evaluation I: Theory and Applications |
3 s.h. |
| 172:183 Qualitative Research for Public Health |
3 s.h. |
| 172:282 Evaluation II: Design and Methods |
3 s.h. |
| 172:285 Research Methods in Community and Behavioral Health |
3 s.h. |
CONTENT AREA ELECTIVES Students work with their advisors to select at least 18 s.h. of course work appropriate to their educational goals and emphasis areas. They may choose from any Department of Community and Behavioral Health courses they have not already taken, other College of Public Health courses, or other University of Iowa graduate-level courses. DISSERTATION The dissertation requirement is 12 s.h. Ph.D. Subtrack in Addiction Studies The Ph.D. subtrack in addiction studies is designed for students who wish to gain skill in developing and evaluating addiction prevention and intervention programs. This area of study and practice examines addiction prevention and treatment from both a public health and a biopsychosocial perspective. The addiction studies subtrack combines core course work from the Ph.D. curriculum with additional specialized training. Students fulfill the regular Ph.D. requirements, using the addiction studies core to satisfy the content area electives requirement. ADDICTION STUDIES CORE Students work with their advisor to select 18 s.h. of addictions studies course work offered by the department. Courses focusing on treatment of substance abuse and comorbid psychopathology, prevention of substance abuse and comorbid psychopathology, and assessment and diagnosis of addiction and comorbid psychopathology are under development. Ph.D. Subtrack in Health Communication The Ph.D. subtrack in health communication is designed for students who wish to prepare for academic, research, and policy-making careers in the area of health communication. The health communication subtrack combines the core course work from the Ph.D. curriculum with additional specialized training. Students fulfill the regular Ph.D. requirements, using the health communication core to satisfy the content area electives requirement. HEALTH COMMUNICATION CORE Four of these (12 s.h.):
| 036:371 Communication Theory |
3 s.h. |
| 172:242 Persuasion and Health |
3 s.h. |
Admission For detailed information about Graduate College policies, including application requirements and procedures, see the Manual of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College or the Graduate College section of the Catalog. The community and behavioral health faculty considers several factors when evaluating applications for admission, including scores on the Graduate Record Exam, grade-point averages, letters of recommendation, intent and motivation for graduate study, and research interests. A student with deficiencies in one area may be admitted if all other components of his or her application are very strong. All applicants must submit academic transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. Forms are available from the Department of Community and Behavioral Health or on its web site (see "Prospective Students"). Applicants to the M.S. program must have a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00 and should hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. No specific undergraduate major is required. Preference is given to applicants with Graduate Record Exam verbal scores of at least 520, quantitative scores of at least 600, and analytical writing scores of at least 4.0. Applicants to the Ph.D. program must have a graduate grade-point average of at least 3.40 and should hold a graduate degree from an accredited college or university--ideally, an M.S. in community and behavioral health, or another public health degree, or a related social science degree, or a clinical health degree. Applicants who do not hold a graduate degree should apply to the M.S. program. Preference is given to applicants with Graduate Record Exam verbal scores of at least 520, quantitative scores of at least 620, and analytical writing scores of at least 4.0. Ph.D. program applicants also must submit their masters thesis, or if no thesis is available, a sample of their scholarly writing. International applicants who do not hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada (except Quebec), Australia, or New Zealand must score at least 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based), or 100 (Internet-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). International applicants who score 550-599 (paper-based), 213-249 (computer-based), or 79-99 (Internet-based) are required to take English fluency courses. Applicants who score below those ranges are not considered for admission. APPLICATION DEADLINES Fall entry: April 1 Spring entry: October 1 Applications received by January 20 receive maximum consideration for financial aid. Financial Support Several forms of financial support are available, including scholarships and awards, student loans, and graduate assistantships. Graduate assistantships provide a stipend and entitle students to resident tuition and reduced health insurance costs. Research assistantships are competitive and are awarded according to department need and student merit. Most graduate students do not receive assistantships until their second year in the program. Scholarships and fellowships are available through federal agencies, such as the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health, and from private foundations. Resources The department houses the Iowa Tobacco Research Center, Prairielands Addiction Technology Transfer Center, and the Prevention Research Center. M.S. and Ph.D. students may be asked to assist with ongoing research projects. The Iowa Tobacco Research Center supports innovative research and education on tobacco use and prevention, as well as provision and support of culturally competent and accessible smoking cessation services. The Prairielands Addiction Technology Transfer Center provides state-of-the-art training, curricula, and resources on substance use issues for counselors, health care professionals, and members of the community. The Prevention Research Center focuses on improving the health of rural Iowans.
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