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PROGRAM INFORMATION

Health Studies, PHD

(Concentration: Therapeutic Recreation)

The mission of the Ph.D. program in Health Studies is to provide specialized areas of study in Health Communication, Health Education and Therapeutic Recreation. The program prepares graduates to be independent researchers in the multidisciplinary applied social-behavioral health sciences. The academic focus of the degree prepares students to integrate social and behavioral health sciences with substantive knowledge of particular populations (e.g. children, youth, elderly) and specific intervention modalities (e.g. health communications, community or patient education, therapeutic recreation). The integration of knowledge and skills is achieved through specialized cognate areas that emphasize multidisciplinary approaches to social, behavioral and education research with applications in a wide variety of settings and diverse populations. The program offers students the opportunity to work with outstanding researchers within the Health Studies Department, in related departments on the main campus, the Medical School, the College of Allied Health Professions and in affiliated institutions (e.g., The Fox Chase Cancer Center) in the Philadelphia area.

Campus Location:
Main Campus

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered after 4:30 p.m. Students able to complete the degree program on a part-time basis (8 credit hours or less per semester).

Department Information
Department of Health Studies, 304 Vivacqua Hall, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA 19122
healthstudies@blue.temple.edu
(215) 204-8726

Ranking:

Accreditation:
False

Areas of Specialization:
There are three primary areas of specialization within the Ph.D. Program: (1) Health Communication, (2) Health Education, and (3) Therapeutic Recreation. Each student, in consultation with an advisor, develops a detailed curriculum plan during the first semester following matriculation. The Ph.D. requires a minimum of 82 semester hours of graduate credit. Most courses are 3 semester hours (s.h.). Students may receive advanced standing credits for graduate coursework, taken as part of a master's degree. Cognate courses are used to develop expertise in a broad area of interest related to health communication, health education, therapeutic recreation and/or closely related health studies research areas. A minimum of 5 cognate courses (15 s.h.) with an interdisciplinary focus must be taken following matriculation into the program. Supervised research with faculty (HS 956) is strongly recommended. Readings and Conference (HS 601) is also encouraged.

Job Placement:
Graduates of the Health Studies Ph.D. Program find employment in a wide variety of health care and research settings, including: colleges and universities; health maintenance organizations; pharmaceutical companies; non-profit and for-profit corporations; foundations; hospitals and clinics; research companies; public health departments at the local, state and federal levels; and state and federal funding agencies.

Affiliation(s):
Research affiliations exist between the Health Studies Department, the Center for Public Health, the Disabilities Center, the Institute on Aging, the School of Communications and Theater, the Risk, Insurance and Healthcare Management Department, the Temple Medical School, the College of Allied Health Professions, and The Fox Chase Cancer Center. As well, major research resources are available throughout the university, including The Survey Research Center, the Social Science Data Library, and the Testing and Measurement Center.

Interdisciplinary Study :
Students are encouraged to develop programs of study which are interdisciplinary in nature, involving the many departments, centers, and research institutes at Temple and at academic institutions in the area.

Study Abroad:
Because of Temple's campus locations around the world, opportunities for study abroad are available. Students can take advantage of these opportunities through program planning with an advisor or through involvement in research projects taking place in distant locations.

Licensure:
False

Non-degree Student Policy:
Students are permitted to take up to 9 s.h. of coursework before matriculation. Upon admission to the program these credits are counted toward the degree. Course selection should be made in consultation with an advisor.