Health and Human Services: Health and Disability Studies, Ph.D. - CHHS, UNH

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.

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Deadlines

Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:

• Fall: January 15 (priority*), August 1 (final) *Applications completed by Jan. 15 will be given priority consideration for admission and financial support. Applications completed after Jan., 15 will be considered based on openings and funding.
• Spring: October 15 (priority*), December 1 (final) *Applications completed by Oct. 15 will be given priority consideration for admission and financial support. Applications complete after Oct. 15 will be considered based on openings and funding.
• Summer: N/A
• Special: N/A

Application fee: $65

Campus: Durham

New England Regional: No

Accelerated Masters Eligible: No

New Hampshire Residents

Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.

Transcripts

If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC. 

If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.

If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:

• Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
• Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.

Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.

Letters of recommendation: 3 required

Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.

Personal Statement/Essay Questions

Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:

1. Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
2. Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.

Resume

A current resume is required with your submitted application.

GRE Optional

The GRE scores are optional, if you wish to provide scores please email the scores directly to the department once you have submitted your application online.

Important Notes

All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.

International Applicants

Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.