Our Vision
The Social and Behavioral Health department, founded in 2006, is an academic home for:
- Conducting research to understand and describe the psychological, behavioral, social, cultural and policy factors that affect health
- Using state-of-the-art methods to test interventions and translate findings into educational and behavior change programs promoting positive health outcomes
- Providing training to the next generation of social and behavioral health practitioners, educators and scientists
The department provides masters (MPH) and doctoral (PhD) training in social and behavioral health.
Students work closely with faculty in the department and across the university to study strategies
for promoting health and preventing disease. Through innovative instruction, personalized mentorship,
and applied research internships, students gain the skills needed to make meaningful, independent
scientific contributions to public health.
Our Educational Programs
- PhD in Social and Behavioral Health
Our Research Interests
- Health Disparities
- Health Communication and Decision Making
- Health Literacy
- Clinician Communication Training
- Entertainment Education and Social Marketing
- End-of-Life Care
- Measurement and Psychometrics
- Program Evaluation
- Disease Prevention
Our Location
The Department of Social and Behavioral Health is located on the VCU medical school campus in an urban setting within easy walking distance of the Virginia Department of Health, the State Legislature, VCU's teaching hospital and the James River. The City of Richmond boasts historical architecture and a moderate cost of living, and is just 90 minutes south of Washington, DC, west of the Atlantic Ocean and east of the mountains of the Blue Ridge Parkway.