PhD - Doctor of Philosophy in Prevention Science

The Prevention Science Graduate Program at Washington State University provides training opportunities at the doctoral level for students interested in developing expertise in the study of individuals and families and in the development and evaluation of prevention programs. The Ph.D. program in Prevention Science at Washington State University is an interdisciplinary program; participating faculty are from Human Development, Communication, Educational Psychology, Psychology, and Nursing. The program emphasizes training in both the generation of research-based knowledge and its translation into effective programs and policies that positively impact the well-being of children, youth, adults, families, and their communities. Examples of prevention programs include drug and alcohol prevention programs; broad based youth development programs; and early child care and learning quality improvement programs. Students in the program complete required courses in three areas of prevention science: 1) Human Development in Context; 2) Research Methods; and 3) Program Development and Evaluation. Students are required to take core courses in at least three of the following disciplines: Communication, Educational Psychology, Human Development, and/or Nursing. All students will complete a Master's thesis as part of their Ph.D. program, as well as a Ph.D. dissertation. Students are required to have faculty members from at least two (preferably three) disciplines on their thesis and dissertation committees. Besides the required courses, students have the opportunity to take additional electives from three elective specialty areas: 1) Advanced Developmental Science, 2) Quantitative Methods, and 3) Social Policy. The curriculum for the Prevention Science Doctoral Program is designed to ensure that students both (a) receive broad, interdisciplinary training in the area of prevention science; and (b) develop specialized expertise through the selection of relevant electives, research, and outreach activities. Graduates of this program will have the following competencies: A mastery of theory and basic research on human development in the contexts of family, peers, school, and community. An understanding of: 1) individual, family, and environmental risk and protective factors and how they relate to optimal human development; and 2) the epidemiological approach to assessment of their prevalence. The skills to conduct rigorous basic and/or applied research in the area of prevention science. The ability to apply theory and research findings to the design of programs that promote optimal development and prevent poor physical, social, and emotional outcomes. The ability to design and conduct scientific tests of program efficacy and effectiveness. The ability to conduct translational research on program implementation, outcomes, dissemination cost, and sustainability (moving programs from research to practice). Effective written and oral communication skills for the dissemination of research findings to a variety of audiences and for affecting evidence-based policy decisions. The ability to write successful grant and contract proposals to fund prevention science research and programming. The knowledge of and experience with effective teaching strategies.