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The Ph.D. degree is designed for those who seek to advance the state of the art and science of health promotion, education, and behavior. This degree stresses understanding of research design and methodologies. The program requires 60 hours of post-master’s course work, including 12 hours of dissertation preparation. In addition, the following are required: a written qualifying examination, a written and oral comprehensive examination, and an oral defense of the dissertation.

Degree Requirements

• Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior Core (6-12 Hours)
• Research/Statistical Methods (18-24 Hours)
• Cognate (12-18 Hours)
• Dissertation Preparation (12 Hours)

Admission

Admissions requirements for graduate study in HPEB can be found in the Academic Bulletin: http://www.sc.edu/bulletin/grad/GHlthProm.html.  The letter of intent is an important part of the application.  It should persuasively convey the degree program to which you are applying, your academic and careert interests, how the department’s programs fit with your interests, and how the training you receive will help you reach your career goals.

Admissions process information and links can be found at the Arnold School of Public Health webpage: http://www.sph.sc.edu/futurestudents/index.htm.

Applications for the Ph.D. program in HPEB are made through the new Schools of Public Health Application System (SOPHAS). Please go to www.sophas.org for further details.

Only single program applications are accepted, so you may only apply to one program at a time (unless you are applying to a certificate program). Once received, your application and credentials are sent for review by the HPEB faculty. After reviewing your credentials, the department makes a recommendation to The Graduate School which officially grants admission. We will inform you of the department’s recommendation regarding admission, but official notice of admission comes from the USC Graduate School.

You are encouraged to review carefully the information provided on the above websites before beginning the application process. If you have further questions, you may contact:

Ken Watkins
HPEB Graduate Director
phone:  803-777-7603
e-mail:  watkinsk@gwm.sc.edu

Casey Goldston
HPEB Academic Services Coordinator
phone:  803-777-2966
e-mail:  Goldston@sc.edu

Office of Student and Alumni Services
phone:  803-777-5031 
e-mail:  sphstsrv@gwm.sc.edu