Health and Human Services: Health and Disability Studies (Ph.D.)

The PhD Option in Health and Disability Studies imparts knowledge and skillsets to advance a broad spectrum of research aimed at examining, understanding, and addressing system-level issues surrounding health and disability. The program will combine the strengths of individual departments with the collaboration and innovation of clinical and translational work demanded by today’s complex problems in the Health and Human Service sector. It aims to promote a culture of high-quality clinical and translational research essential to the development, implementation, and assessment of prevention and intervention efforts in community, healthcare, and educational environments. It also leverages UNH’s Institute on Disability and Institute for Health Policy and Practice to more systematically link grant writing, research, and graduate education at the University.

The foundational core of the program in year one introduces students in all options to the key theoretical tenets and basic sciences in health and human services and establishes fundamental knowledge of research methods, data gathering and analytical techniques. Students then progress into their enrolled Option with a documented degree plan for years two through four.

The Option in Health and Disabilities Studies will bring an interdisciplinary focus in exposing students to contemporary cultural, economic, and social constructs of health and disability, The focus will be on advancing clinical and translational research to address health inequities and promote inclusive education and employment opportunities, and ensuring access to healthcare services and community supports for individuals with disabilities including those with visible disabilities and invisible conditions such as mental health conditions and chronic illnesses.

Degree Requirements

The PhD program Options in Health and Human Services have the following requirements:

• A minimum of 40-50 credits are required to complete the program.
• Students must maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 and earn a minimum of B- in all courses.
• Students must create a documented Individualized Degree Plan in consultation with their program mentor by the end of first year that outlines a systematic plan for completion of their PhD within four to five years. 
• Students must pass a comprehensive exam specific to their enrolled Option at the end of year two.
• Students will be assigned individualized yearly milestones by the mentorship committee pertinent to securing academic support grants, career advancement and dissemination of research.

• Generate new knowledge that addresses significant gaps in healthcare, health promotion and disability management; and disseminate research findings in scholarly platforms;
• Establish a credible identity in the field of health and disability through impactful research, conducted with scientific rigor, ethics, and reproducibility;
• Apply conceptual frameworks of health equity, social justice and social determinants of health and well-being to address the needs of vulnerable populations with visible and invisible disabilities, including those experiencing mental health conditions and chronic illnesses;
• Assume future leadership roles in the health and disability sciences through clinical and translational research in academic, administrative, and policy settings;
• Use collaborative, interdisciplinary, and innovative approaches to knowledge generation in health and disability through core principles of team science.