Doctor of Philosophy in Prevention Science

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Program Link:
https://hd.wsu.edu/preventionscience/
Program Handbook:
https://s3.wp.wsu.edu/uploads/sites/2211/2023/08/Prev-Sci-Grad-Handbook-vPosted-080823.pdf
Student Learning Outcomes:
https://hd.wsu.edu/program-objectives-and-requirements/
Total Graduate Faculty in Program:
50
Total Core Graduate Faculty in Program:
50
Graduate Students in Program:
43
Students Receiving Assistantships:
23
Priority Deadlines:

  • Fall Applications are due December 1

Campus:

  • Pullman
  • Spokane
  • Vancouver

International Student English Proficiency Exams

International students may need to surpass the Graduate School’s minimum English language proficiency exam scores for this program. If the graduate program has unique score requirements, they will be detailed below. Otherwise, please refer to the Graduate School’s minimum score guidelines.

  • 550 TOEFL Minimum score

Additional Degree Program Admission Requirements

  • GRE Optional

Degree Description:

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, Implementation, 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.

Admission Requirements:

We use a holistic review approach in the admissions process, which means that we evaluate each applicant according to all materials submitted. Because each applicant is unique, the materials submitted may include different sources of evidence to support each applicant’s qualifications. We assess applications based on the evidence applicants provide about their academic and scholarly potential, alignment with the program, examples of relevant non-traditional learning, leadership/outreach/community involvement, and/or professional products. This approach allows the admissions committee to consider the “whole” applicant, rather than disproportionately consider any one factor alone.

 

Only completed applications will be evaluated. An application is not complete until the following information and items are on file with WSU Graduate School:

  • Application form
  • Application fee
  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • In the section of the online application entitled “Statement of Purpose” please provide a maximum-1000 word written statement detailing your: 1) reasons for applying; 2) research interests; 3) relevant research and professional experiences; and 4) career goals. The statement is where to describe examples of relevant non-traditional learning, leadership/outreach/community involvement, and/or professional products. In your statement, list the faculty member(s) with whom you are interested in working. When listing faculty members, note their location, and only list faculty members at the location to which you are applying. The Prevention Science program is offered at the Pullman, Spokane, and Vancouver campuses.
  • A writing sample which could include student-driven research sample (e.g., publication, presentation, class assignment, research paper, research or policy report, poster). You may also choose to create a new writing sample, such as a research paper or literature review of an area of your interest.
  • Supporting materials. The following are examples of acceptable supporting materials that provide evidence for potential success in graduate study:
    • Analysis, presentation, report, or campaign produced for a work assignment.
    • Graduate Record Examination (G.R.E.) scores on the verbal, quantitative, and analytic aptitude tests. For students applying to enter the program for the next academic year, we are not requiring GRE scores. If they are submitted, they will be considered during the application review process in context with additional materials that the student elects to submit for consideration.

Admission to the graduate program in Prevention Science is determined by the Prevention Science Graduate Committee. Decisions are based on careful appraisal of the material submitted in the application process. Following is a list of considerations when making the selection for admittance to the program.

  • An undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 (B) on a 4.0 scale is required by the Graduate School.
  • Admittance to the Prevention Science Graduate program is competitive. Students admitted to the program typically have GPAs between 3.5 and 4.0.
  • The Graduate Committee considers letters of recommendation, the letter of intent, and other information relevant to the applicant’s chances of successfully completing the Ph.D. program.
  • Performance in an advanced degree program elsewhere may be taken into account by the Graduate Committee.
  • The minimum undergraduate GPA requirement applies even in situations where an applicant with a lower GPA has been admitted to another graduate program, and/or has completed an advanced degree elsewhere. However, performance in an advanced degree program elsewhere may be taken into account by the Graduate Committee.
  • Substantive course work in prevention science related areas is strongly recommended (e.g., communication, educational psychology, human development, nursing, psychology, sociology), but an undergraduate major in one of these areas is not required. Transcripts will be reviewed carefully, and the committee will make recommendations regarding coursework necessary prior to admission. The department requires the prospective student to have had a least one undergraduate course in research methodology. A course in basic statistics is highly recommended.

 

Student Opportunities:

Students have opportunities to engage in prevention research and outreach activities on the WSU Pullman campus and throughout the state of Washington through partnerships with Health and Wellness Services and with WSU Extension.

Career Opportunities:

Graduates of the program will be qualified for positions, such as program evaluators, research analysts, and administrators in government, private research institutes, social service agencies, and consulting firms; foundation program officers and grant evaluators; tenure-track faculty members in departments of child development, communication, developmental psychology, educational psychology, family studies, human development, public health nursing, rural sociology, and social work; and other university positions such as extension faculty, research associates, or program coordinators for grant-funded projects.

Career Placements:

Faculty at colleges and universities, research institutions, state agencies

Contact Information: