Directory
Calendar
News
Careers
Alumni
Giving
Search
Pitt Home
Home
Behavioral and Community Health Sciences
Academics
PhD
MPH
Community Collaboration and Practicum
Joint Degrees
MPH/MSW
MPH/PhD in Anthropology
MPH/PhD Social Work
MPH/MID, MPA, or MPIA
Certificates
Courses
Class Schedule
Student Handbooks & Forms
MPH e-Portfolio
Research & Practice
BCHS Centers & Institutes
Evaluation Institute for Public Health
Center for Social Dynamics and Community Health
Concept Mapping Institute
Community Partners
Faculty Research
Student Research
Practice
Admissions & Aid
Admissions
Financial Aid
Frequently Asked Questions
Request Information
Apply Now
Seminars & Events
BCHS Events
Seminar Series
Center for Health Equity Events & Journal Club
Who's Who
Faculty (All)
Primary Faculty
Secondary Faculty
Adjunct Faculty
Emeritus and Retired Faculty
Staff (All)
Postdoctoral Researchers
Contact Us
About
Welcome from Chair
Philip Hallen Chair in Community Health and Social Justice
History
Mission
Strategic Plan
BCHS Department News
BCHS Faculty News
BCHS Student Stories
BCHS Alumni Stories
Social Media
Alumni
Contact Us
Biostatistics
Environmental and Occupational Health
Epidemiology
Health Policy and Management
Human Genetics
Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
Academics
PhD
MPH
Community Collaboration and Practicum
Joint Degrees
MPH/MSW
MPH/PhD in Anthropology
MPH/PhD Social Work
MPH/MID, MPA, or MPIA
Certificates
Courses
Class Schedule
Student Handbooks & Forms
MPH e-Portfolio
Research & Practice
BCHS Centers & Institutes
Evaluation Institute for Public Health
Evaluation Institute Faculty and Staff
History of the Evaluation Institute
Evaluation Certificate Students
Evaluation Certificate Course & Practicum Requirements
Survey Center
Evaluation Resources
Center for Social Dynamics and Community Health
Concept Mapping Institute
Community Partners
Faculty Research
Student Research
Practice
Admissions & Aid
Admissions
Financial Aid
Frequently Asked Questions
Request Information
Seminars & Events
BCHS Events
Seminar Series
Center for Health Equity Events & Journal Club
Who's Who
Faculty (All)
Primary Faculty
Secondary Faculty
Adjunct Faculty
Emeritus and Retired Faculty
Staff (All)
Postdoctoral Researchers
Contact Us
About
Welcome from Chair
Philip Hallen Chair in Community Health and Social Justice
History
Mission
Strategic Plan
BCHS Department News
BCHS Faculty News
BCHS Student Stories
BCHS Alumni Stories
Social Media
Alumni
Contact Us
Apply Now
Academics
Why Study Behavioral and Community
Health Sciences?
Behavioral and community health sciences
Examine public health problems using social and behavioral sciences theory and information
Conduct community-based research and practice to build a knowledge base and gain understanding
Develop and plan programs and policies to address public health problems
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, community health workers are...
Projected to experience
faster than average employment growth
(20–28%) over the period 2010–20
Projected to see
52,600 job openings
over the period 2010–20
Behavioral and community health research and practice are important for...
Implementing, managing, and evaluating community programs and public policies
Communicating information to policy makers and the public
Advocating for program development, policy changes, and improvements in the quality of life of populations and communities
Everyone benefits from research and interventions such as the following, in which the Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences has been or is involved:
Discovering ways to prevent falls in the elderly
Examining depression and end-of-life care in patients diagnosed with definite or probable amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
Examining patterns of substance use over time among an existing cohort of HIV-positive and negative men who have sex with men (MSM)
Exploring the relationship between neighborhood context and racial disparities in pregnancy-related health outcomes (e.g., preterm birth and low birth weight)
Providing training in conducting behavioral trials on cancer screening among underserved Latino populations
Increasing the quantity and improving the quality of social services in maternal and child health by training qualified social workers for leadership positions as administrators, consultants, and practitioners
Identifying the precursors of methamphetamine use and/or abuse among MSM
Graduates of the Department of Behavioral and Community Health Sciences are able to...
Master of Public Health
Examine public health problems using social and behavioral sciences theory and information
Develop and plan programs and policies to address public health problems
Implement, manage, and evaluate programs and policies
Conduct community-based applied research to build a knowledge base and gain understanding
Communicate information to policy makers and the public
Advocate for program development and policy change
Doctor of Philosophy
Develop critical thinking and problem solving skills
Develop an understanding of the social ecological context within which public health programs are designed, implemented, and researched
Employ qualitative and quantitative methodologies to design and conduct rigorous and scientifically valid research at various levels of human activity
Develop a social justice perspective in the consideration of and sensitivity to ethical issues that influence public health, health policy, and the delivery of health care
Apply data management and analysis skills and competencies in communicating research findings orally and in writing