What is Prevention Science?
Prevention Science is an interdisciplinary field that applies basic research on individuals, families, and their communities to the development, evaluation, and dissemination of scientifically based programs to promote the physical, social, and psychological well-being of individuals and their families. Students in our program are trained to:
- Conduct basic research on risk and protective factors.
- Design research-based prevention programs, practices, and policies.
- Evaluate programs under natural and controlled conditions.
- Make recommendations for social policy and the improvement of existing programs.
Faculty research and labsProgram objectives and requirements
What can you do with a PhD in Prevention Science?
Students with a PhD in Prevention Science are well qualified for a range of careers in many professional settings. Our graduates work as:
- Program evaluators, research analysts, and administrators in government for private research institutions (e.g., Rand Corporation), 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, sociology, and social work.
- Research associates and program coordinators for grant funded projects.
“The human development program prepared me for the wide variety of positions I’ve held since graduating from WSU Vancouver. Throughout my career I’ve held positions in student recruitment, program management and senior level administration. Currently, I’m the assistant vice chancellor for strategic partnerships here at WSU Vancouver”
—Narek Daniyelyan
Contact us
For more information: Contact the program director, Sammy Perone, at WSU Pullman