The Addictions Concentration provides an interdisciplinary foundation to understand substance use, misuse, and addiction and to address the social and health-related costs of addiction. This concentration is designed to prepare MPH students for careers in addiction prevention, program evaluation, and research.

Addictions Concentration-Specific Competencies

• Explain how the misuse of substances impacts population health.
• Compare how different biopsychosocial models explain why individuals develop addiction.
• Analyze how social determinants affect vulnerability to addiction using the socioecological model.
• Appraise approaches to prevent harms from substance use.
• Synthesize evidence for the effectiveness of substance use disorder treatments
• Evaluate the impacts of substance use-related policies on population health.
• Produce an addictions science research product that demonstrates mastery of scholarly writing.

Addictions Concentration Courses

Foundational Courses – Students must complete both of the following courses:

• PHP1550, Substance Use and Vulnerability to Addiction (Fall)
• PHP1551, Substance Use Prevention, Treatment & Policy (Spring)

Perspectives on Addiction – Students choose one of the following courses:

• PHP1540, Alcohol Use and Misuse (every other Fall)
• PHP1610, Tobacco, Disease and the Industry: cigs, e-cigs and more (Spring)
• PHP1890, The Craving Mind (Fall)

Methods for Addictions Research – Students choose two of the following courses

• PHP2030, Clinical Trials Methodology (Fall)
• PHP2040, Survey Research Methods (Spring)
• PHP2060, Qualitative Methods in Health Research (Fall & Spring)
• PHP 2061, Qualitative Data Analysis in Public Health Research (Spring) (Prerequisite of PHP2060)
• PHP2300, Research Methods in Behavioral Science (Fall)
• PHP2340, Behavioral and Social Science Theory for Health Promotion (Fall)
• PHP2360, Developing + Testing Theory-Driven, Evidence Based Psychosocial and Behavioral Health Interventions (Spring)

Sample Schedule MPH Addictions Concentration - Fall Epi

Sample Schedule MPH Addictions Concentration - Spring Epi

Addictions Concentration Lead

Jasjit S. Ahluwalia, MD, MPH, MS
[email protected]

Addictions Concentration Thesis

Students in the Addictions Concentration must complete their thesis focused on an Addictions topic with an advisor approved by the Addictions Concentration Lead. See below for potential thesis advisors and a list of Centers that support addictions research.

School of Public Health Faculty with an Addictions Focus

(confirmed interest in serving as thesis advisors)

School of Public Health Research Centers and Institutes with Addictions Research Activities