PhD Behavioral and Social Health Sciences at Brown University

Programme overview

Interdisciplinary doctoral program preparing students to study how behavior and social factors affect public health, design interventions and apply behavioral and social science theory to health problems. Focus areas include diet, physical activity and obesity, substance use, HIV and sexual health, chronic disease, global health, LGBTQI+ health, mindfulness and health disparities.

Faculty: The Graduate School | Department: School of Public Health, Behavioral and Social Sciences | Intake: Fall; application deadline November 15, 2026 | Study mode: full-time | Location: Providence, RI, United States

What you will study

16 required courses (at least 12 completed after enrolling; prior graduate coursework may count) with grades of A or B, a qualifying exam and a defended original dissertation.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

PhD in Behavioral and Social Health Sciences (programme-specific): GRE not required. Three letters of recommendation, personal statement, CV/resume, official transcripts via SOPHAS, application fee. TOEFL or IELTS for international applicants whose native language is not English unless their degree was taught in English or from a US institution. Preferred background: master's in public health or a behavioral/social science field with quantitative coursework and research experience. Deadline November 15, 2026.

USD 74,568 a year (2026-27). Doctoral tuition rate for all PhD students, 2026-27 (Fall $37,284 + Spring $37,284). Tuition only; excludes required fees and health insurance. Incoming doctoral students receive guaranteed funding that includes tuition remission. Source

Applications to MFA and doctoral programmes are submitted online through the Graduate School application; the non-refundable application fee is $75. Many programmes have a January 1 deadline, with decisions four to eight weeks after the deadline; deadlines are set by each programme.

Apply through the official page: https://graduateprograms.brown.edu/

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