The curriculum for the Prevention Science Doctoral Program is designed to ensure that students both (a) receive broad, interdisciplinary training in the area of prevention science; and (b) develop specialized expertise through the selection of relevant electives, research, and outreach activities.
Graduates of this program will have the following competencies:
- A mastery of theory and basic research on human development in the contexts of family, peers, school, and community.
- An understanding of: 1) individual, family, and environmental risk and protective factors and how they relate to optimal human development; and 2) the epidemiological approach to assessment of their prevalence.
- The skills to conduct rigorous basic and/or applied research in the area of prevention science.
- The ability to apply theory and research findings to the design of programs that promote optimal development and prevent poor physical, social, and emotional outcomes.
- The ability to design and conduct scientific tests of program efficacy and effectiveness.
- The ability to conduct translational research on program implementation, outcomes, dissemination cost, and sustainability (moving programs from research to practice).
- Effective written and oral communication skills for the dissemination of research findings to a variety of audiences and for affecting evidence-based policy decisions.
- The ability to write successful grant and contract proposals to fund prevention science research and programming.
- The knowledge of and experience with effective teaching strategies.
Learn about career opportunities for prevention science graduates.
Degree Requirements
To earn a PhD in Prevention Science, students must:
- Complete the required courses in three core competency areas (a) developmental epidemiology and public health, (b) research methods and statistics, and (c) program development, implementation, and institutionalization,
- Complete and successfully defend a Master’s Thesis,
- Complete and successfully defend the Preliminary Doctoral Exam,
- Complete and successfully defend a Doctoral Dissertation.