Social and Behavioral Sciences
Welcome to SBS at the Peter O’Donnell Jr. School of Public Health, our Department of Social & Behavioral Sciences (SBS) explores the human, social, and cultural dimensions of health. We focus on how environments, communities, and behaviors influence well-being — and how to design interventions that drive lasting change.
For students who want to understand the root causes of health disparities, work directly with communities, and create innovative programs that improve lives, SBS offers the perfect blend of Excellence for Impact.
Programs and Degree Concentrations
- Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) with a concentration in Social & Behavioral Sciences.
- Ph.D. in Public Health Sciences with a concentration Social & Behavioral Sciences.
- Graduate Certificates in Health Promotion, Health Communication, and Community Engagement.
What Makes SBS Unique?
- Community-Engaged Learning – Students partner directly with communities to design and implement programs that matter.
- Hands-On Training – From fieldwork to practicum projects, students gain real-world experience from day one.
- Interdisciplinary Faculty – Experts in behavioral science, sociology, psychology, and public health.
- Career Versatility – Graduates thrive in nonprofits, health departments, research centers, and global NGOs.
SBS integrates practice into every stage of learning:
Social & Behavioral Sciences (M.P.H.) – Applied, practice-oriented training.
- Advanced Placement experiences where students collaborate with local partners to address real challenges.
- Independent Learning (Capstone) Experiences that translate academic learning into actionable solutions for communities.
Behavioral & Community Health (Ph.D.) – Advanced research and leadership focus.
- Practical Experience & Partnerships
- An Impact Driving Internship at the end of year one with student choice sites including health departments, faculty labs, active research teams in local and global settings, nonprofits in local and global settings, and advocacy organizations.
Research Programs
- Community-based participatory research.
- Health communication and social marketing.
- Mental health promotion and stigma reduction.
- Nutrition, obesity, and chronic disease prevention.
- Adolescent, youth, and family health.
- Substance use and addiction prevention.
- Culturally tailored health interventions.