The College of Health and Human Services has received approval from the UNC Board of Governors to offer the Doctor of Philosophy in Public Health Sciences.
The program, housed in the college’s Department of Public Health Sciences, will be the University’s 21st doctoral degree.
The Ph.D. with a concentration in behavioral sciences will focus on the social and cultural factors that influence health and behavior-- in particular, those factors that contribute to health disparities among minority and vulnerable populations. Students in the program will engage in coursework and cutting edge research to understand and address health determinants related to the prevention and management of disease and disability.
“We have faculty with a wealth of expertise, knowledge and experiences that will make this a high quality program,” said Michele Issel, the newly appointed director of the Ph.D. program. “Through this program, we will offer students mentoring and individualized support typical of a small campus, while exposing them to rich opportunities for research and professional development typical of a large campus.”
Located in a vibrant and growing urban community, this newest doctoral program will be of significant importance to the community and a broad spectrum of health and human service organizations serving the greater Charlotte region. Jan Warren-Findlow, the public health sciences faculty member who spearheaded the effort, was present during the Board of Governors’ approval hearing.
“This doctoral program is an important step to realizing our vision of becoming a School of Public Health. We are so thrilled at the support and enthusiasm we have received for expanding public health education in the region,” Warren-Findlow stated.
This announcement marks an important new chapter for the College of Health and Human Services, which prides itself on cultivating the next generation of highly trained practitioners and researchers, through its best-in-class faculty and programs.
“This doctoral degree will be a terrific complement to our Ph.D. program in health services research and our Doctor of Nursing Practice” said Nancy Fey-Yensan, dean of the College of Health and Human Services. “Our complete commitment to improving the health and quality of life of our communities is a cornerstone of all of our undergraduate and graduate programs here at UNC Charlotte, and this newest doctoral program illustrates our dedication to that priority.”
The program will enroll its first class of Ph.D. students in fall 2014. Admissions applications are due Jan. 1, 2014.