About the Department
Our Vision
The Social and Behavioral Health department, founded in 2006, is an academic home for:
- Conducting research to understand the psychological, behavioral, social, cultural and policy factors that affect health
- Translating findings into educational and behavior change interventions that promote health and positive healthcare outcomes
- Using state-of-the-art methods to test interventions and translate their findings into effective programs
Doctoral students work closely with faculty in the department and across the university to gain experience in all stages of this process. Through their research, coursework and consulting experiences, students will develop the ability to make meaningful, independent scientific contributions to public health.
Our Educational Programs
- PhD in Social and Behavioral Health
- Master of Public Health - Social and Behavioral Track
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.
