Program Summary

Focus:
Self/symptom management health and chronic illness.
Social justice, vulnerable populations and health disparities.
Informatics and technology, healthcare quality and safety, healthcare systems.
Addiction science.
*Students work with identified faculty.

Pathways/Credits (cr):
BS-PhD - 78cr*
MS-PhD -57cr
*At 31 credits can apply for MS

Class Format: In person and synchronous distance.

Class Dates: Tuesdays

Electives: Advanced methods elective, 2 cognate electives

Comprehensive/Qualifying Examination: Written comprehensive exam offered at the end of first year of MS to PhD course work. Created and reviewed by the appointed comps committee.

Dissertation: Traditional Chapter Dissertation - Dissertation follows Graduate school guidelines, typical conducted during year 3 and year 4 of full time study. 

Dissertation Committee: Follows Graduate School Guidelines: 2 CON and one interdisciplinary member, may also invite an outside the university member.

Number of PhD Students in the Program over the past 5 years: N/A

Time to graduation over the past 5 years:
MS to PhD - N/A
BS to PhD - N/A

Focus
Population Health and Policy
Tagline: Enhancing Health Equity and Quality: Populations and Policies

Pathways/Credits (cr)
*BS to PhD – 81 cr
MS to PhD –  60 cr
*At 30 credits can apply for MS

Class Format
In person and blended

Class Dates
Mondays, Wednesdays

Electives
Moving to 5 electives model

Comprehensive/Qualifying Examination
Written comprehensive exam after completion of ALL course work other than a proposal prep course NU791: 2 papers in publishable format (one conceptual, one methodological) linked to program objectives – students have 4 weeks to complete: Chair and second reader chosen by student; one standard reader to maintain fair process.  Oral examination follows written exam

Dissertation
Traditional Chapter Dissertation

Dissertation Committee
All have interdisciplinary member – often outside UMASS system

Number of PhD Students in the Program over the past 5 years
35-40

Time to graduation over the past 5 years
MS to PhD 4.5 years
BS to PhD 5.5 years

Focus
Education and Chronic Illness

Pathways/Credits (cr)
BS to PhD – 73 cr
MS to PHD – 52 cr

Class Format
In person , one online day per month; synchronous distance available

Class Dates
Tuesdays

Electives
1 required – advanced method or essential content

Comprehensive/Qualifying Examination
Written Qualifying Exam upon completion of 1st year course work; written paper (theoretical/philosophical underpinnings of chosen areas of research)

Dissertation
40 page proposal with the standard headings, an executive summary, and findings paper for publication.

Dissertation Committee
May have an interdisciplinary member but it is not required

Number of PhD Students in the Program over the past 5 years
25-30

Time to graduation over the past 5 years
MS to PhD N/A
BS to PhD N/A

Focus
Health Promotion

Pathways/Credits (cr)
MS to PhD – 48 cr

Class Format
Online and weekend blended

Class Dates
Weekend blended format- one Saturday per month on campus with other classes taught online via weekly asynchronous modules

Electives
1 required – must be approved by advisor and related to dissertation research topic or methods

Comprehensive/Qualifying Examination
The qualifying examination consists of two written papers. Students are eligible to take this after completion of all required core course work. It is written concurrently in the final semester of course work along with the Mentored Research Course.

Dissertation
Student choice between traditional chapter dissertation or minimum of 2 publishable manuscript format

Dissertation Committee
At least 3 members: Chair from SON, second member from SON or other 5 UMass campuses, third outside of SON recommended interdisciplinary

Number of PhD Students in the Program over the past 5 years
N/A

Time to graduation over the past 5 years
MS to PhD N/A
BS to PhD N/A