Doctoral Program in Community Health Education

The Doctoral Program in Community Health Education at UNC Greensboro emphasizes community-engaged research in public health and health education. Specific attributes of the program include:

• An emphasis on understanding the behaviors and contextual factors that contribute to healthy populations. This ncludes strategies to reduce health disparities, changes in health policies, and innovative individual and community-level interventions.
• The use of a socio-ecological perspective for understanding the health of populations and broad determinants of health.
• An emphasis on preparing doctoral students for careers in academia, where they will have the capability to train new generations of professionals and conduct original research.
• A commitment by faculty to work in partnership with professionals, agencies, and community members to address the priorities emerging out of public health practice and the experiences of communities.

Our approach to research and learning in this doctoral program should accelerate the translation of new knowledge into practice in other ways, as well. Findings generated by research teams will have immediate implications for improving the undergraduate and master’s curricula that prepare practitioners.

Ph.D. in community health Education Program Distinctions

The Doctoral Program in Community Health Education is nationally recognized for its excellence and the opportunities afforded to students. Distinctions include:

• The Ph.D. in Community Health Education is #8 of the 15 Best Ph.D.s in Health Education by College Rank in 2024.
• The Public Health Education program is #116 nationally and #3 in NC by the U.S. News & World Report’s 2026 Best Graduate Schools rankings for 2026.
• The Department of Public Health Education is affiliated with Healthy UNCG, the UNCG Center for Athlete Well-being, and the UNCG Center for Women’s Health and Wellness.

The Ph.D. in community health Education Student Experience

Students in the Community Health Education Ph.D. program work closely with faculty members who are nationally recognized for their research. Students will also collaborate with community partners. They will design and implement research studies designed to facilitate the resolution of public health outcomes that are important to the community and the field.

Electives and research topics may include:

• Epidemiology
• Policy research and data analysis
• Gender and health
• Urban and regional development.

After Graduating with a Ph.D. in community health Education

The doctoral program will prepare students academically and professionally to conduct and disseminate rigorous research.

The Community Health Education Program also equips students to teach in academic settings.

Apply to the Ph.D. in Community Health Education Program

For best consideration into the program, apply by Dec. 1. See full admissions requirements to the Doctoral Program in Community Health Education here: Admissions.