Upon successful completion of this program, students should be able to:
1. Analyze health- related problems using theories, models and/or concepts from the social and behavioral sciences to better understand the social, cultural, economic, political, interpersonal, and intrapersonal determinants of health
2. Identify the evolution and development of health behavior and health education theories, models and concepts
3. Articulate the assumptions, either explicit or implicit, that underlie selected theories, models and/or concepts
4. Evaluate the advantages and limitations of health education strategies such as policy-making, organization development, community organizing, self-help support groups, interpersonal counseling, mass media health education campaigns, and social marketing
5. Analyze a health-related problem for the factors amenable to planned change
6. Plan and implement health education programs for specific populations and in a variety of organizations
7. Critically analyze research and evaluation studies from the literature in terms of the appropriateness of their research questions, designs, methodologies, results and conclusions
8. Demonstrate an understanding of the strengths and limitations of qualitative and quantitative strategies in research and evaluation designs and analyses
9. Understand a range of analytic methods and select and apply the most appropriate ones to address specific research questions
10. Translate/operationalize components of a conceptual framework into variables that the student has developed and/or that has emerged from a critical evaluation of existing measures and instruments
11. Conceptualize a research problem or an evaluation issue and design and carry out a study to address that problem/issue using appropriate research and analytic methods
12. Present study/project findings and conclusions in a clear and concise manner in both oral and written forms
13. Identify and apply key aspects of "good" scientific writing for peer-reviewed manuscripts, oral presentations and in research grants
14. Demonstrate an ability to engage in critical thinking and discussion about the historical and conceptual roots of public health and health education
15. Analyze specific public health problems/issues in terms of their ethical and ideological underpinnings
16. Understand the effect and manifestations of institutionalized oppression (racism, sexism, and classism) and how these forces impact the health of populations.

Upon completion of the Doctorate Program, graduates will have a coherent body of knowledge and skills in, Health Sciences, Health Services Management and Units or other related academic field. They will also be familiar with scientific research methods and gain practical experience. It is noted that in recent years it has been observed that the need for research documentation and support for professional practice is increasing. All of this will allow them to have a wide range of career options in the following areas of employment in Cyprus:
- Public Sector: Employing agencies in the broader Cyprus Public Sector and / or abroad that design or provide health care at all levels (primary, secondary and tertiary health care). More specifically: centralized or decentralized units of the Ministry of Health, hospitals, health centers and other public services or health care units.
- Freelancers: Holders of a PhD in Health Sciences will be able to work as specialized freelancers in Cyprus and abroad. There is a need for specialized staff in the field of health, given the launch of the GHS, the operation of primary health care (eg Family Practitioners), the ongoing upgrading of Health Services..
- Participation in research programs and working groups: PhD graduates will either be able to participate in research programs as research partners or to claim funding for their own research proposals as Coordinators. Particular emphasis is given to the continued increase in research funding available from the Cypriot Government, the European Union and other international organizations which creates significant employment prospects in this field.

Application Form: Click here to fill in online and download (pdf)

Admission to the doctoral program is done after the announcement of doctoral positions by the Department, followed by an application by the interested applicant. Eligible applicants must hold a university degree, Bachelor’s and Master’s, granted by an institution recognized in the country where it operates. Applicants who do not hold their first degree at the time of application, but will hold such a degree before the commencement of the graduate program, are also eligible to apply but must submit a letter from their University’s Registrar verifying that they are indeed eligible to graduate. The decision on their admission does not become official until the degree has been successfully produced.

Each application for admission should include:
- A completed application form.
- A Curriculum Vitae indicating the student’s education, academic and research experience, any publications, awards, etc.
- A Research Statement. Candidates with prior graduate studies are required to submit a brief research statement (up to 600 words) stating the area in which they are interested in conducting research. Candidates with no prior graduate level studies do not need to submit a research statement.
- At least two letters of recommendation from academic or professional advisors.
- Certified copies of all degrees and transcripts.
- Copies of any other supporting material, such as exams, honours, awards, etc.
- Proof of English language proficiency, such as the TOEFL, the IELTS, or other equivalent language examinations. Candidates, who have completed an undergraduate or graduate program where the instruction language was English, satisfy the proof of English language proficiency requirement.

The application material must be submitted in English.

All applications for admission are evaluated by the Doctoral Program Committee. All applicants satisfying the admissions requirements are invited for a personal interview by the Doctoral Program Committee. The criteria for the evaluation of the candidates are the following:
- Academic background
- Research background
- Recommendation letters
- Additional qualifications

If necessary, the Doctoral Program Committee may invite a candidate for a personal interview.

The program is structured in six (6) semesters of 30 ECTS credits each. The minimum duration of the program is six semesters (180 ECTS).

A doctoral student is awarded the doctoral title after a successful completion of the requirements specified in the program structure. These requirements include the successful completion of the following:
- Doctoral Level Courses
- Comprehensive Exam
- Graduate Seminar Courses
- Defence of Research Proposal
- Paper Publications
- Doctoral Dissertation Submission
- Doctoral Dissertation Defence