USC: Academic Bulletins

Professors
Donna L. Richter, Ed.D., University of South Carolina, 1988
Robert F. Valois, Ph.D., University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, 1984

Associate Professor
Deborah M. Parra-Medina, Ph.D., San Diego State University, 1998
Ruth P. Saunders, Ph.D., University of South Carolina, 1986
Ken W. Watkins, Ph.D., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1999

Assistant Professors
Sara J. Corwin, Ph.D., University of South Carolina, 1996
Alexandra E. Evans, Ph.D., University of Texas, 1997
Kathryn J. Luchok, Ph.D., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1993
Albert A. Neal, Ed.D., University of South Carolina, 1988
Stuart L. Usdan, Ph.D., University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2000

Overview

Programs leading to degrees in health promotion, education, and behavior center around changing health practices. Health promotion, education, and behavior is an activist discipline and employs community development, organizational behavior and applied communications strategies to influence knowledge, attitudes, social support systems, patient/provider relationships, and the alteration of access and availability barriers to care in promoting positive health practices. Courses emphasizing principles of learning, motivation, behavior change, program planning and evaluation as applied to health promotion, education, and behavior constitute the basis of professional preparation. The department supports the idea that health promotion, education, and behavior subsume a set of activities which:

influence individuals to adopt or maintain healthful practices through skill development, social support enhancement, and environmental and policy change
foster teaching and communication skills in all those engaged in health education
advocate changes in organizations and the environment which will facilitate healthful practices
develop appropriate and effective health education programs aimed at promoting good health through change in behaviors at the intrapersonal, interpersonal, organizational, community and public policy levels
enhance the health educator's role as a model, advocate, and leader in public health
evaluate health education programs to ensure they are meeting program goals and objectives (assess effectiveness)
develop and disseminate new knowledge through systematic research and evaluation
inform people about health, illness, disability, and ways in which they can protect and improve their health, including more efficient use of the health care delivery system.

The Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior offers the following degrees and certificates: Master of Public Health, Master of Science in Public Health, Master of Science (project and thesis options), Master of Arts in Teaching, Dual Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Public Health, Doctor of Education in Health Education Administration, Certificate of Graduate Study in Drug and Addictions Studies (see bulletin section for the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice), and Certificate in Graduate Study in School Health Education.

Department Admission Requirements

Application deadlines are October 1 and February 1. Admission requirements follow those of The Graduate School and include:

a completed application
official transcripts from all post-secondary schools and colleges previously attended, including non-degree courses taken
evidence of academic performance at a B or better level on academic transcripts
satisfactory GRE scores. While there is no minimum guideline for the master's programs, the average GRE (combined verbal and quantitative) for incoming students is approximately 1000. For the M.S.P.H., a minimum verbal score of 500 is required. For the Master of Arts in Teaching, the Miller Analogies Test is also accepted. For the doctoral programs a minimum of 1000 (combined verbal and quantitative) is required.
three letters of recommendation
a letter of intent which describes professional goals and objectives. Master's degree applicants should describe how the applicant became interested in the field of health promotion, education, and behavior. Doctoral applicants should describe research interests and professional goals.
satisfactory score on the TOEFL or the IELTS Intl. Academic Course Type 2 exam for applicants whose native language is not English. The minimum acceptable score on the TOEFL is 230 (computer-based) or 570 (paper-based), but many programs have set higher requirements. The minimum acceptable overall band score on the IELTS Intl. Academic Course Type 2 exam is 6.5.
current resume or curriculum vitae.

Programs Overview

Master's Degrees

Master of Public Health (M.P.H.)

The M.P.H. is designed for individuals with aspirations to be practitioners in health department, community, school or worksite settings. The program requires 45 hours of course work, including public health and health promotion, education, and behavior core courses and a 6-hour practicum. The public health core is designed to develop competencies in using epidemiology and biostatistics to understand distributions and causes of diseases in populations; understanding the relationship between environment and health; and managing and administering health organizations. The health promotion, education, and behavior core is designed to develop competencies in planning implementing, and evaluating programs which promote informed decision making and health behavior change in individuals, and communities. Candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive examination at or near the conclusion of program requirements.

Master of Science in Public Health (M.S.P.H.)

The M.S.P.H. degree is designed for those interested in pursuing specialized areas of health promotion, education, and behavior and for those who wish to complete a thesis in preparation for doctoral work. This degree is a more individualized program of study emphasizing the scientific base of public health and the investigation of public health related problems. The program requires 45 hours of course work, including 9 hours in core courses and 6 hours of thesis preparation. Candidates must also successfully complete a comprehensive examination at or near the conclusion of program requirements.

Master of Science (M.S.)

The M.S. program in health promotion, education, and behavior is designed for candidates wishing to prepare for health promotion and education positions in voluntary health organizations, hospitals, industry, business, and school settings. Candidates choosing the thesis option must successfully complete an approved 36 hours of graduate credit (including 6 hours of thesis) and a comprehensive examination. Candidates choosing the project option must successfully complete an approved 39 hours of graduate credit (including 6 hours of project) of which 18 hours must be in health promotion, education, and behavior. Candidates must also successfully complete a comprehensive examination at or near the conclusion of program requirements.

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.)

The M.A.T. degree in health education, offered in conjunction with the College of Education, is designed for candidates who wish initial certification as a health education teacher in public or private schools. The M.A.T. requires a minimum of 48 hours of course work, including 15 hours of internship (practice teaching). Candidates must also complete the South Carolina licensure requirements for a Class I Professional Certificate in health education which will include successful completion of the Praxis II exams and possible additional undergraduate work. Candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive examination at or near the conclusion of program requirements.

Master of Social Work and Master of Public Health (M.S.W./M.P.H.)

The joint M.S.W./M.P.H. degree program is intended to permit students to earn two complementary and distinct graduate degrees. The dual degree program offers students an M.S.W. focus on individuals, families, and groups and a public health focus on health promotion, education, and behavior. Students are allowed to utilize electives taken in one program as degree-filling requirements in the other. The M.S.W./M.P.H. requires 84 hours instead of the 105 hours required to complete the programs separately, including 3 hours of public health practicum (in conjunction with 3 hours of social work field instruction). Candidates must successfully complete a comprehensive examination at or near the conclusion of the program.

Doctoral Degrees

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)

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.

Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.)

The Dr.P.H. is the professional public health doctoral degree designed for individuals who wish to apply new knowledge in health promotion, education, and behavior programs. This degree stresses program development and evaluation methodologies. The degree 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.

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)

The Doctor of Education in Health Education Administration is designed primarily for leaders and potential leaders in private and public schools and post-secondary institutions of higher learning. This program is conducted in conjunction with the College of Education. The degree requires 60 hours of post-master's course work, including 12 hours of dissertation preparation. In addition, the following are required: an approved program of study, a written and oral comprehensive examination, and an oral defense of the dissertation.

Certification Programs

Certificate in School Health Education

This is an 18-hour post-bachelor's program which provides students the opportunities to strengthen their knowledge in school health education content and teaching methods. The program is designed for teachers, staff in school settings, and others who will work with school-aged children. For certified teachers, this 18-hour certificate program will lead to the 24-hour teacher "add-on" certification in health education provided by the S.C. State Department of Education.

Program Requirements for Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior Degree Programs

Curriculum requirements for degrees in the Department of Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior are listed below.

Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) (45 hours)

Basic Public Health Core (15 hours)

Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior Core (15 hours)

Cognate Area (9 hours)

Public Health Practicum (6 hours)

Master of Science in Public Health (M.S.P.H.) (45 hours)

Basic Public Health Core (9 hours)

Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior Core (12 hours)

Cognate Area (12 hours)

Research Methods (6 hours)

Thesis (6 hours)

Master of Science--Thesis Option (M.S.) (36 hours)

Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior Core (9 hours)

Cognate Area (9 hours)

Research/Statistical Methods (12 hours)

Thesis (6 hours)

Master of Science--Project Option (M.S.) (39 hours)

Basic Public Health Core (9 hours)

Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior Core (12 hours)

Cognate Area (12 hours)

Project (6 hours)

Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) (minimum 48 hours)

Professional Education (15 hours)

Teaching Content Area (18 hours)

Internship (observe and practice teaching) (15 hours)

Class I South Carolina Certification Requirements (varies, based on prior undergraduate courses)

Dual Master of Social Work/Master of Public Health (M.S.W./M.P.H.) (84 hours)

Public Health Core (15 hours)

Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior Core (9 hours)

Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior Electives (6 hours)

Public Health Practicum (3) (in conjunction with 3 hours of SOWK 784 Field Instruction)

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) (60 hours)

Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior Core (6-12 hours)

Research/Statistical Methods (18-24 hours)

Cognate (12-18 hours)

Dissertation Preparation (12 hours)

Doctor of Public Health (Dr.P.H.) (60 hours)

Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior Core (12-18 hours)

Research and Evaluation and Planning Courses (9-18 hours)

Cognate (24-30 hours)

Dissertation (12 hours)

Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) (60 hours)

Health Promotion, Education, and Behavior Core (6-12 hours)

Health, School, Business Administration (6-12 hours)

Research Methods (12-18 hours)

Cognate Area (12-18 hours)

Dissertation (12 hours)

Certificate in School Health Education (18 hours)

Core Curriculum (9 hours)

Electives (9 hours)

Course Descriptions (HPEB)

501 -- Family Life and Sex Education Programs. (3) (Prereq: senior or graduate level standing or consent of instructor) Family life and sex education instruction in health education programs: issues, content, and methods.
502 -- Applied Aspects of Human Nutrition. (3) (Prereq: BIOL 120 or equivalent, CHEM 101 or equivalent, or consent of instructor) Nutrition and basic biological needs of man, metabolic mechanisms, and energy requirements; nutritional requirements as related to health education programs.
511 -- Health Problems in a Changing Society. (3) Current and emerging health problems in society: causes, effects, and prevention.
513 -- U.S. Ethnic Minorities and Health. (3) Health and health related behaviors of U.S. ethnic groups (blacks, Hispanics, Asians, and Native Americans) are examined in light of the potential contributions of health promotion and education.
521 -- The Total School Health Program. (3) (Prereq: HPEB 331 or 434, or consent of instructor) A course designed to acquaint the student with the various facets of the modern school health program. Includes school responsibilities for health and safety instruction, school health services, school environmental health problems, school and community relationships, resources for health, and evaluation of programs.
540 -- Drug Education. {=PHAR 522, PHRM 626} (3) (Prereq: HPEB 223 or 224 or consent of instructor) Nature of drug actions, motivational factors that influence the use of drugs, and evaluation of procedures to provide effective drug education.
542 -- Tobacco Prevention and Control in Public Health. (3) (Prereq: senior or graduate level standing or consent of instructor) Examines policies and practices for tobacco prevention and control in public health.
547 -- Consumer Health in Contemporary Society. (3) An analysis and appraisal of issues related to the production and distribution of products and services as these activities affect consumer health.
550 -- Behavioral Concepts and Processes for the Health Professional. (3) The development of interpersonal skills in dealing with health clients in various settings.
551 -- Medical Anthropology: Field Work. {=ANTH 551} (3) Application of observation techniques, field notes, informant interviewing, and secondary data analysis to interpreting differential perceptions of health problem solving in the community and clinic.
552 -- Medical Anthropology. {=ANTH 552} (3) Socio-cultural factors in health, illness, healing, and in medical systems. Cross-cultural and ethnographic evidence for public health research and program applications.
553 -- Community Health Problems. (3) (Prereq: consent of instructor) Identification and analysis of major community health problems, their causes, the roles of individuals, community agencies, and government in affecting their solutions. Emphasis upon personal involvement and the responsibility for community health.
558 -- The Teaching of Driver and Traffic Study Education. (3) (Prereq: HPEB 380) Organization, administration, specialized information, and techniques essential to the teaching of driver education in the high schools. Includes laboratory teaching experiences (for giving instruction) in simulators, on the multiple-car driving range and in a dual control car.
581 -- The Teaching of Driver and Traffic Safety Education. (3) (Prereq: HPEB 380) Organization, administration, specialized information, and techniques essential to the teaching of driver education in the high schools. Includes laboratory teaching experiences (for giving instruction) in simulators, on the multiple car driving range, and in a dual control car.
582 -- Driving Simulation and Driving Range Education. (3) (Prereq: HPEB 380) Study and review of operation, maintenance, and techniques of teaching with driving simulators and multiple-car driving ranges. Includes laboratory experiences.
583 -- Teaching of Motorcycle Education. (1) (Prereq: HPEB 380, 468 or permission of instructor) Learning experiences needed to prepare the traffic educator to teach the novice rider to operate a motorcycle in a safe and efficient manner. Classroom and laboratory experiences provide practical experience in working with the novice motorcycle operator.
621 -- Maternal-Child Health Education. (3) Application of health education and behavioral sciences theory and methods.
631 -- Health Promotion for Elementary and Middle School Teachers. (3) A multimedia course emphasizing health education strategies for major S.C. health problems, risk factors, and concepts of positive health behavior.
654 -- Maternal and Child Nutrition. (3) A survey of current concepts in clinical and public health nutrition which are unique to infants, children, and pregnant and lactating women.
680 -- Laboratory Techniques in Physiological Measurement. (3) Practical laboratory skills and theoretical bases of measurements in human physiology; bioelectrical potentials, respiratory physiology, energy expenditure, body composition, temperature regulation, and biochemical assays.
684 -- HIV/AIDS Education: Principles and Practices. (3) The role of education in preventing the spread of HIV+ infection and AIDS, including evaluation of existing educational materials and development of educational interventions for target populations.
690 -- Independent Study. (1-3, to be designated at registration) Topics to be assigned and approved by advisor and department head.
700 -- Concepts and Methods in Health Promotion. (3) Fundamental principles and practices of public health promotion including history, ethics, cultural competence, professional responsibilities, overview of theory and models, and selection and implementation of instructional methods.
701 -- Theoretical Foundations of Health Promotion. (3) Role of theory in shaping research and practice in health promotion and education; historical and ongoing interaction between health education and the applied social sciences.
702 -- Planning Health Promotion Programs. (3) Health promotion planning frameworks; issues in planning, implementing, and evaluating health promotion programs in a variety of settings.
703 -- Public Health Education Seminar. (1-3) An examination of controversial and critical issues confronting the health educator, including ethical and professional concerns relating to the practice of health education in a variety of settings.
704 -- Health Education Research Seminar. (1) Presentation and discussion of research topics in health education. May be repeated for up to a total of 3 hours.
705 -- Contemporary Concepts of Health and Health Education. (3) This course will explore and analyze various concepts of health, disease, and illness as applicable to health education. Consideration will be given to alternative concepts of health and their implications for directions in health education.
706 -- Consultation in Health Systems. (3) (Prereq: consent of instructor) Consultation for role, program, and organization development in local and state health agencies, and in communities. Advanced practice in consulting roles aimed at system change.
707 -- Health Promotion Research Methods. (3) Research methods applicable to the study of individual and group health behavior. Interfaces behavioral theory, research design and methods, and data analysis/interpretation. Introduction to evaluating health promotion research and evaluation.
708 -- Health Education Methods. (3) Curricular planning and instructional strategies utilized in public health education settings.
709 -- Stress and Support Concepts and Management. (3) Identifies environmental, organizational, interpersonal, and individual patterns of stress with particular reference to health professionals; competency in the active management of stress and mobilizing support in health settings and organizations is evaluated.
710 -- Evaluation of Health Promotion Programs. (3) (Prereq: HPEB 700 or consent of instructor) Planning and implementation of health education program evaluations. Emphasis on political, practical, and theoretical aspects of evaluation.
711 -- Applied Health Communication. (3) The application of principles of communication theory to health education program development.
712 -- Changing Health Practices. (3) Students plan and implement a class on changing a health practice such as exercise, diet, or smoking. Lectures and reading assignments on theoretical foundations of how to conduct classes in changing health practices.
713 -- Behavioral Aspects of Physical Activity. {=EXSC 710} (3) Psychosocial and behavioral factors in physical activity. Topics include mental health effects of exercise, behavior change theories applied to physical activity, and physical activity determinants and interventions.
720 -- Coordinating the School Health Program. (3) (Prereq: HPEB 521 or consent of instructor) For persons administratively responsible for the school health program and for individuals involved in discharging the various responsibilities. Characteristics of the Health Education Coordinator; areas of responsibility, policies and procedures relative to health education needs; curricular patterns; criteria for an extensive evaluation of selected school health programs.
722 -- Health Education Curriculum Development. (3) The basis and nature of the health curriculum, its development, and appraisal of state and national health education curricula.
726 -- Prevention of Teen Pregnancy. (3) Design and implementation of community-based educational practices and services to prevent teen pregnancy.
730 -- Programs for Patient Education. (3) Knowledge and skills for identifying needs, obtaining support, designing curricula, organizing resources, training personnel, implementing activities, and evaluating patient education programs are presented.
731 -- Health Promotion for Older Adults. (3) Research and practice issues in health promotion with older adults, including the impact of ageism, ethnicity, gender, normal aging changes, self-management skills, and social networks on healthy aging.
742 -- Alcohol, Drugs, and Public Health Policy. (3) Public health policy issues related to treatment, prevention, research, and education in the field of alcohol and drug abuse.
748 -- Community Health Development. (3) Organizational development, policy influence, capacity building, empowerment, community diagnosis and coalition development for enhancing health.
750 -- Health Implications of Stress and Disease. (3) Causative agents of chronic disease, with particular emphasis placed on those illnesses which have been termed psychosomatic and related to or caused by stress; physiological response of the individual to contemporary psychological stressors as well as methods of adaptation and prophylaxis.
751 -- Physical Activity and Health. {=EXSC 882} (3) (Prereq: consent of instructor) An examination of physical activity/exercise habit patterns as they relate to health status. Emphasis on the chronic effects of exercise.
752 -- Nutrition and Public Health. (3) (Prereq: HPEB 502 or equivalent) A study of the relationship of human nutrition to public health and the potential for risk reduction through health education.
753 -- Obesity and Eating Disorders. (3) The public health implications of obesity and eating disorders, considerations of causes, and intervention strategies.
754 -- Community-Based Physical Activity Interventions. {=EXSC 754} (3) (Prereq: EXSC 700 or HPEB 700 or consent of instructor) Role of the physical activity specialist within the community health department. Development, initiation, and evaluation of campaigns, resources, community capacity building, and coalitions to promote physical activity.
760 -- Health Education in Occupational Worksites. (3) An overview of health education program models and strategies designed for workers in industry and business.
769 -- Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Child Abuse and Neglect. {=SOWK 769} (3) Current knowledge about child abuse and neglect, including typologies, etiology, effects, and current practice interventions.
770 -- Health Education in Developing Countries. (3) Development of programs in predominantly rural third world countries. Foreign nationals may substitute this course for HPEB 700.
771 -- Environmental Influences on Human Health. (3) (Prereq: BIOL 110 or equivalent, HPEB 333, or permission of instructor) The effects of contemporary environmental problems such as pollution, overpopulation, poor sanitation, socioeconomic status, alteration of the physical environment, pesticides, radiation, and their effects upon human health.
772 -- Current Trends in Developing World Health. (3) Current issues in health of the developing world as represented in literature, policy documents, and program materials. For students having worked either in public health or in the developing world.
773 -- International Public Health Seminar. (1) Various lecturers address the state of the art of public health strategies for third world countries aimed at the reduction of death and disease. Repeatable up to a maximum of 3 credit hours.
779 -- Injury Prevention and Control. (3) Etiology of injuries and strategies for their prevention are examined within an interdisciplinary framework.
782A -- Teaching Internship (Health). {=EDTE 782A} (3) (Prereq: acceptance to the Professional Program in Education) Application of effective teaching techniques and organization of instructional settings in health for K-12.
782B -- Teaching Internship (Health). (9) {=EDTE 782B} (Prereq: HPEB 782A; coreq: EDSE 584) Application of effective teaching techniques and organization of instructional settings in health for K-12.
790 -- Independent Study. (1-6)
792 -- Selected Topics in Health Education. (1-6) A study of selected issues confronted in health education programs.
796 -- Health Education Project. (1-6) Performance of a predetermined work or service project in a health education setting. (Pass/Fail grading)
798 -- Public Health Practicum. (1-6) (Prereq: 9-10 hours of specified courses including BIOS 700, EPID 700) Performance of a limited work or service project in a public need setting, pursuit of planned learning objectives related to previously identified aspects of the student's chosen role. Self-monitoring and regular seminars focusing on learning accomplishments. (Pass/Fail grading)
799 -- Thesis Preparation. (1-9)
802 -- Implementing and Monitoring Health Promotion Interventions. (3) (Prereq: consent of instructor) This advanced course will examine the process of implementing and monitoring theory- and evidence-based health promotion interventions with a strong emphasis on research interventions.
810 -- Applied Measurement in Health Education Research. (3) This doctoral seminar will examine conceptual and measurement issues regarding psychosocial constructs typically used in health education and health survey research--specifically health beliefs, health attitudes, health behaviors, health status, wellness, and perceptions of health care contexts.
818 -- Advanced Evaluation of Health Promotion Programs. (3) (Prereq: permission of instructor) Evaluation methods including formative, retrospective and monitoring techniques; survey and trend analysis; application of experimental and quasi-experimental designs, triangulation, and cost-accounting.
899 -- Dissertation Preparation. (1-12) (Prereq: one full year [18 hrs.] of graduate study beyond the master's level)

Return to School of Public Health