PhD in Health Education
Discover a research-intensive doctoral program designed to prepare leaders in health education and health equity.
About the Program
Our PhD in Health Education trains researchers to investigate the factors influencing health and wellness across social, cultural, and environmental levels. Students collaborate with faculty, contribute to scholarly publications, and develop skills aligned with Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) competencies developed by the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, Inc.
Dates and Deadlines
| Entering Semester | Application Open Date | Application Deadline | Mandatory Orientation* | First Class Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2026 | Sept. 1, 2025 | Jan. 20, 2026 | TBD (August 17 - 21, 2026) | August 24, 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. | ||||
Estimate Your Cost of Attendance
Learn more about your total cost of attendance (COA) by visiting the Texas A&M cost and tuition rates webpage.
- Estimated COA for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students
- Tuition calculator to personalize your estimate
- Billing and fee explanations to help you plan
- Additional financial resources and tools
Application Requirements
PhD applicants must submit all of the required documents by the posted deadline to be reviewed for admission.
Review additional requirements by visiting the international application information page.
• All applicants must submit an official SOPHAS application through sophas.org
• Visit the SOPHAS FAQs for instructions and for helpful tips.
• The School of Public Health 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.
• Recommendation letters from family members and friends are not appropriate.
• Letters must be electronically submitted directly to SOPHAS.
Review the instructions section in your SOPHAS application for more details. In addition to describing why you want to pursue the chosen degree plan/concentration with the School of Public Health, SOPHAS recommends the following topics:
• Plans you have to use your education and training
• 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.
A current CV or resume should be uploaded directly to SOPHAS.
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 from each U.S. and English-speaking Canadian college-level institution attended must be submitted directly to SOPHAS.
• Applicants with coursework from institutions 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).
Standardize test scores (GRE) are waived for all applicants.
In addition to the requirements listed above, the applicant may be asked to participate in an interview.
Frequently Asked Questions
Texas A&M’s Health Education PhD program is led by experienced faculty with diverse, impactful research portfolios. Before applying, prospective students are encouraged to explore faculty areas of expertise and identify a potential advisor whose research aligns with their interests.
Below are current faculty members and their primary research areas:
Dr. Adam Barry — Professor
Research Focus:
• Alcohol impairment and alcohol-related behaviors
• Population health among student service members, veterans, and college students
⸻
Dr. Lei-Shih Chen — Associate Professor
Research Focus:
• Autism spectrum disorders (ASD)
• Cancer prevention and control
• Health disparities and public health genomics
• Maternal and child health
• International health
⸻
Dr. Whitney Garney — Associate Professor
Research Focus:
• Community-based participatory research
• Ecological and systems-based public health approaches
• Program evaluation and health innovation
• Social network analysis
⸻
Dr. Tamika Gilreath — Associate Professor
Research Focus:
• Adolescent health and substance use
• Mental health and behavioral risk comorbidities
• Health disparities among Black and military-connected populations
• Emerging adulthood
⸻
Dr. Patricia Goodson — Professor
Research Focus:
• Reproductive and sexual health
• Prevention education and sex education
• Program evaluation
⸻
Dr. Meg Patterson — Assistant Professor
Research Focus:
• Addiction and recovery
• College student health and wellness
• Community health and interpersonal violence
• Physical activity and sedentary behavior
• Social network analysis
⸻
Dr. Ledric Sherman — Associate Professor
Research Focus:
• Diabetes self-management
• Health education and wellness promotion
• Men’s health
• Quality of life in individuals with type 2 diabetes
⸻
Dr. Lisa T. Wigfall — Assistant Professor
Research Focus:
• Health communication
• HIV/AIDS and HPV-related cancer health disparities
• Implementation science and systems integration
⸻
Need help choosing a faculty advisor?
The PhD in Health Education at Texas A&M University offers a flexible, individually tailored curriculum built around each student’s career goals and research interests. The program includes both core academic training and applied learning experiences.
Program requirements include:
• A minimum of 64 credit hours beyond a master’s degree, or
• 96 credit hours beyond a bachelor’s degree
All plans of study must include:
• Health education core courses
• Statistics and research methodology
• Teaching internship
• Original research culminating in a dissertation
Students may petition to substitute elective courses for required health education coursework already completed at the graduate level.
Earning your PhD in Health Education at Texas A&M University means joining one of the nation’s most respected institutions with a global reputation for academic excellence and student support.
• Texas A&M has the 6th largest student body in the nation and is ranked among the top 25 public universities and top 10 public engineering schools by U.S. News & World Report.
• Located in Bryan-College Station, Texas, the university offers a low cost of living, safe and welcoming environment, and is regularly ranked among the best places to live in the U.S.
• Our faculty bring global expertise, mentorship experience, and research strengths across fields such as:
• Cancer, HIV, sexuality, and health policy
• Mental health, substance abuse, and interpersonal violence
• Health communication, health disparities, and physical activity
• Maternal and child health, public health genomics, and international health
• PhD graduates are highly competitive in the job market, often securing faculty roles or positions in government, healthcare, or research institutions both in the U.S. and abroad.
Texas A&M empowers you to become a confident, impactful scholar who will shape the future of health education.
Health education is a practice-driven academic field focused on improving individual and community health outcomes through research, teaching, and service. At Texas A&M University, the School of Public Health delivers comprehensive curricula designed to prepare future leaders in this impactful discipline.
Graduates are equipped to:
• Improve the quality of life for others through effective health education
• Build and strengthen professional networks
• Demonstrate strong leadership and ethical service
• Engage in meaningful, applied research
Faculty envision health educators as agents of change who advance well-being at the personal, community, and global levels. The mission of the program is to train and empower professionals to improve human health through evidence-based practice, research, and service.
Absolutely. The PhD in Health Education program at Texas A&M University welcomes applicants from both in-state and out-of-state locations. Our student body represents a wide range of geographic, professional, and academic backgrounds.
Out-of-state students benefit from the same high-quality faculty mentorship, research opportunities, and student support services as Texas residents. We encourage you to apply and bring your unique experiences to our collaborative academic community.
Out-of-state students benefit from the same high-quality faculty mentorship, research opportunities, and student support services as Texas residents. We encourage you to apply and bring your unique experiences to our collaborative academic community.
Yes. Texas A&M provides financial assistance through the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid to support doctoral students in advancing their research, teaching, and professional goals.
Funding opportunities may include:
• Graduate assistantships in research or teaching, often aligned with faculty-led projects in health disparities, mental health, or global health
• Competitive fellowships and scholarships offered by the School of Public Health and university-wide graduate programs
• Federal aid options including grants, work-study, and low-interest loans
• Travel or research funding to support dissertation work or conference presentations
Students are encouraged to apply early and speak with program staff about funding options that align with their focus area or advisor’s research.
No, the PhD in Health Education program at Texas A&M University does not require the GRE. We’ve waived this standardized test requirement to reduce barriers and create a more accessible, inclusive admissions process.
Applicants are reviewed holistically, with emphasis placed on academic background, research interests, letters of recommendation, and writing ability.
Applicants are reviewed holistically, with emphasis placed on academic background, research interests, letters of recommendation, and writing ability.
Contact
For questions related to the admissions process or application:
Office of Student Services - Graduate Admissions
Phone: (979) 436-9356
Send email to SPH-GradInfo@tamu.edu
To book a prospective graduate student appointment with the SPH recruiter:
For general questions about the curriculum/degree requirements:
Ms. Tami Hawkins
Academic Advisor II, Doctoral Programs
Phone: (979) 436-9420
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