Health Promotion and Health Behavior
PhD in Public Health
Transform knowledge into action and create healthier communities.
Address disparities in health
The Oregon State University public health doctoral degree program with a concentration in health promotion and health behavior (HPHB) provides research-based training for an interdisciplinary understanding of social and behavioral influences on health, with special attention to communities experiencing health disparities.
Recent graduates have gone on to prestigious post-doctoral positions, tenure-track faculty positions, and positions in industry and government.
Our public health programs are ranked among U.S. News & World Report’s best graduate programs for 2025.
Health promotion and health behavior research
As a doctoral student, you will collaborate with faculty members on interdisciplinary, community-engaged research spanning a variety of areas, including:
- Cancer prevention
- Tobacco
- Sexual health
- Environmental factors in health promotion
You will work alongside faculty on funded research studies, manuscripts, conference presentations and grant development.
Our work includes dissemination and implementation science research, and we are committed to enhancing health equity through our research and practice.
Estimated costs
The Public Health PhD program is a 109-credit program that can be completed within 4-5 years on a full-time credit load (except for summer).
The estimated costs for the program are broken down as follows:
Resident costs for years 1-3
$15,795 per year
Resident Tuition ($13,446)
+ Fees ($2,349)
Each additional year after 3
$6,832 per year
Resident Tuition ($4,482)
+ Fees ($2,349)
Non-resident costs for years 1-3
$31,698 per year
Non-resident Tuition ($29,349)
+ Fees ($2,349)
Each additional year after 3
$12,132 per year
Non-resident Tuition ($9,783)
+ Fees ($2,349)
Tuition and fees estimates were calculated using the 23-24 academic year tuition and fees tables in combination with the tuition calculator. Please note, tuition and fees can change for the 24-25 academic year.
Research in action
COH faculty are working hard to understand the social factors that impact HIV prevention and treatment.
Your experience as a public health doctoral student
See which courses you’ll take as a public health doctoral student.
What you’ll learn in the health promotion and health behavior concentration.
Get information about assistantships, your investment and more.
Doctoral student research spotlight
Sydelle Harrison, MPH
HPHB PhD student
Through her research, Sydelle Harrison aims to identify and address gaps in public health translation at the Tribal level in the Pacific Northwest.
Her current community-based research focuses on investigation of indigenous environmental health priorities and capacity-building with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR).
We’re here to help
For questions about the application process and requirements, contact College of Health graduate admissions.
For academic or professional information specific to the environmental and occupational health doctoral program, please contact Program Director Molly Kile, ScD
Accreditation
Our BS, MPH and PhD Public Health programs are accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. This distinction ensures your education meets the nationally-agreed-upon standards developed by public health academics and practitioners.