PhD in Health Education
About the Program
The program prepares students to conduct research in basic and applied health education. All students are expected to work closely with faculty in research and service projects to become skilled, independent and ethical researchers and to publish in health education journals.
A transdisciplinary approach is used to produce researchers and academicians who are trained to understand how one’s health and wellness is both positively and negatively influenced by one’s total environment from factors ranging from micro (interpersonal relationships, families) to macro (cultural, environmental, policies, infrastructure). The goal is to train professionals who understand and consider the interaction between the individual, their respective state, and their social, structural and political environment.
The program is grounded in the Responsibilities and Competencies for Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES) developed by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc. (NCHEC).
Admissions Requirements
Most applicants have completed a U.S. master’s degree, but students may be admitted with a U.S. bachelor’s degree (or equivalent). Bachelor’s degree applicants must have an exemplary record of achievement at the undergraduate level and significant preparation in health education.
Dates and Deadlines
The Ph.D. Health Education program admits during Fall terms only.
| Entering Semester | Application Open Date | Application Deadline | Mandatory Orientation* | First Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fall 2026 |
Sept. 1, 2025 |
January 15, 2026 |
TBD (August 2026)^ |
TBD (August 2026)^ |
| *All new graduate students must attend mandatory SPH orientation sessions. More information will be shared via email. | ||||
| ^Dates will be determined upon release of the official 2026-2027 TAMU academic calendar. | ||||
Cost of Attendance
For a better understanding of your total cost of attendance (COA), please visit our cost and tuition rates webpage (https://aggie.tamu.edu/billing-and-payments/cost-and-tuition-rates). This webpage will provide you with an opportunity to review estimated COA information for undergraduate, graduate and professional students, as well as other resources such as the tuition calculator and billing and fee explanations.
Application Requirements
Applicants must submit all necessary documents by the posted deadline in order to be reviewed for admission. International applicants should review the international applicant information for additional requirements.
SOPHAS Application and Application Fee
Applicants must submit a complete application via SOPHAS along with all related application fees. Visit the SOPHAS Applicant Help Center for information about the application and helpful tips.
Our school does not require a supplemental and/or secondary application.
Letters of Recommendation
Three (3) letters of recommendation are required for a complete application.
- Letters should be from professional and/or academic references. Recommendation letters from family members and friends are not appropriate.
- The School prefers at least one academic reference from a higher education institution and one professional reference. The remaining letter may be either academic or professional.
- Preferably, the academic reference should come from one of the applicant's course instructors who can attest to the applicant's capability to pursue graduate studies.
- Letters must be submitted electronically by recommenders directly to SOPHAS using Liaison Letters, the SOPHAS recommender portal. The School of Public Health cannot accept hard copies of recommendation letters.
Statement of Purpose
In addition to describing why you want to pursue the chosen degree plan/concentration and attend the School of Public Health, we recommend addressing the following topics in your statement of purpose:
- Plans you have to use your education and training
- Career goals
- The needs and/or challenges you perceive as important in your field of study.
- Any personal qualities, characteristics, and skills you believe will enable you to be successful in your chosen field of study.
Review the instructions section in your SOPHAS application for more details.
A Current Curriculum Vitae or Resume
Writing Sample
- Doctoral applicants must submit a writing sample that demonstrates their analytical and writing skills. Preference is given to samples in which the applicant is the sole and/or primary author.
- Examples include journal articles, research papers, thesis/dissertation, and/or capstone projects.
Official Transcripts
- Official transcripts from each U.S. and English-speaking Canadian college-level institution attended (including community colleges) must be sent directly to SOPHAS. The School of Public Health cannot accept official transcripts on behalf of SOPHAS.
- Applicants with coursework from an institution outside of the U.S. and English-speaking Canada, must submit a World Education Services (WES) ICAP Course-by-Course evaluation of academic records (if applicable).
For detailed instructions on how to submit official transcripts to SOPHAS, please visit: Sending official Transcripts to SOPHAS
Official Test Scores
Standardized test scores (GRE) are NOT required for applicants seeking admission to the PhD program. This requirement is waived.
Interview
In addition to the requirements listed above the applicant may be asked to participate in an interview.
International Applicants
International applicants should review the International Applicant information for additional requirements related to English Language Proficiency.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
SPH - Graduate Student Services
Phone: 979.436.9356
SPH-GSS@tamu.edu
We have world-class tenure-track/tenured faculty bringing decades of experience to our students. It is highly recommended that before you apply for our PhD program, you choose the field you are interested in, identify a potential advisor for your doctoral program, and contact them for more information about their research. You can find more specific information in the table below or visit: https://public-health.tamu.edu/departments/hb/faculty.html
| Name | Email Address | Research Interests |
| Adam Barry
(Professor) |
aebarry@tamu.edu
|
Alcohol Impairment Alcohol-Related Behaviors Population Health (Student Service Members/Veterans) Population Health (College Students) |
| Lei-Shih Chen
(Associate Professor) |
lacechen@tamu.edu
|
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) Cancer Prevention and Control Health Disparities
International Health Maternal and Children Health |
| Whitney Garney
(Associate Professor) |
wrgarney@tamu.edu
|
Community-based participatory research Ecological approaches to public health Program evaluation Public health innovation Social network analysis Systems approaches to public health |
| Tamika Gilreath
(Associate Professor) |
tgilreath@tamu.edu
|
Adolescence
Substance use Mental Health Comorbidity of behavioral health risks Disparities/Vulnerable populations (e.g., Black American, military-connected) Emerging adulthood |
| Patricia Goodson
(Professor) |
pgoodson@tamu.edu
|
Prevention Education Program Evaluation Reproductive Health Sex Education |
| Meg Patterson
(Assistant Professor) |
megpatterson@tamu.edu
|
Addiction and recovery College student health and wellness Community heath Interpersonal violence Physical activity and sedentary Behavior Social network analysis |
| Ledric Sherman
(Associate Professor) |
lsherman@tamu.edu
|
Diabetes Self-Management Health education and wellness promotion Men’s Health Quality & quantity of life among persons living with type 2 diabetes |
| Lisa T. Wigfall
(Assistant Professor) |
lwigfall@tamu.edu
|
Health Communication HIV/AIDS Health Disparities HPV-Related Cancer Health Disparities Implementation Science Systems Integration |
Every student’s course of study is individually designed on the basis of career goals and interests. The program required a minimum of 64 hours of coursework beyond the master’s degree and 96 hours of coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree and must include: health education core; statistics/research requirement; teaching internship; dissertation of original research; students may petition to substitute elective courses for required health education courses already completed.
Texas A&M has the 6th largest student body in the nation, and is ranked among the nation’s top 25 public universities and top 10 public engineering schools by U.S. News & World Report. The campus is located in the twin cities of Bryan and College Station, Texas, which boasts a low cost of living, good educational and support for students, sunbelt environment, and is consistently ranked among the best places to live in the country.
The school has world-wide faculty with diverse backgrounds, strong research skills and a desire to help and mentor students. Their research fields are widespread and varied, including but not limited to cancer, HIV, sexuality, health policy, school health, substance abuse, physical activity, health disparities, mental health, interpersonal violence, health communication, international research, social network analysis, maternal and children health, public health genomics.
There is a wide range of employment in health education. Most of our PhD graduates are highly competitive in the job market, with many getting faculty positions inside and outside the United States or working in government or hospitals.
The school offers comprehensive curricula that prepares students to help people improve their health, and thereby their quality of life, through effective health education, powerful networking, strong leadership, meaningful research and selfless service to others. The vision of those who teach health education is to be a leader in improving the quality of life for individuals on personal, community and global levels. The mission is to train and equip professionals to facilitate improving human health through practice, research, and service.
Yes, we accept in-state and out-of-state applicants.
Yes, there are opportunities for financial assistance through the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
No, the GRE is not required.