About
Social and Behavioral Sciences in Public Health: Academics
Students in BCHS learn how to: Examine public health problems using social and behavioral sciences theory and information; develop and plan programs and policies to address public health problems; implement, manage and evaluate programs and policies; conduct community-based applied research to build a knowledge base and gain understanding; communicate information to policymakers and the public; and advocate for program development and policy change. Many of the graduates of this department have assumed leadership roles in regional, state, national, and international agencies and organizations that play a major role in the prevention of illness and promotion of health. Research conducted by our faculty and students has resulted in major changes in the provision of public health programs.
Where can one expect to work after graduating with a master in public health degree in BCHS? Following is a sampling of jobs where our graduates are making a difference:
- Regional director for a state health department;
- Director of a statewide HIV/AIDS education program;
- Program director with an international relief agency;
- Evaluation and research director for a regional reproductive health program;
- Program officer for a philanthropic foundation;
- Evaluator for urban public education system;
- Program officer in federal maternal and child health agency;
- Preparedness coordinator in federal public health agency.
Each degree program in BCHS is based on a clearly articulated framework of learning objectives and social/behavioral science knowledge areas. These areas encompass the full range of skills and knowledge required of public health professionals and applied researchers who seek to employ social/behavioral theories and research methods to the improvement of health.
All educational programs offered by the department are derived from a common set of knowledge areas and core competencies/skill areas.
The relevant social/behavioral knowledge areas include:
The role of social/behavioral factors in health and illness; health-related behavior of specific community subgroups; the context of populations served (economic, cultural and political); community dynamics and principles of community development; models of health behavior; group change theory and intervention strategies; lay/professional health communication and interaction; structure of social/organizational networks and processes; program organization and management behavior; relationships between social structure, culture, health policy, political processes, economics, the law, and health behavior; and economic and cultural barriers to utilization of health programs.
Competency and skill areas include:
Ability to assess community/population health status and needs; identification of social/behavioral factors affecting the health status of the population; incorporation of input from community; assessment of health status of specific community sub-groups; mapping of health resources and community assets; ability to design and implement behavior change program on a community/population level; ability to fit intervention within cultural context; population-based communication techniques/social marketing; ability to develop collaborative efforts; basic evaluation research design and methods (structure/process/outcomes); ability to set up monitoring and assessment systems; ability to apply modern information technology; ability to translate scientific findings into policy recommendations; ability to communicate scientific findings to lay public and politicians; ability to document and communicate needs and resources to lay public and politicians; and the ability to develop coalitions. Cross-cutting competency and skill areas include participatory-based community practice, cross-cultural studies and programming; and international health strategies. Students are also provided with a range of research skills in areas such as:survey methods, statistical methods, ethnographic methods, demography, and knowledge of primary and secondary data sources.