PhD in Social and Community Services

Official Program Name:

Ph.D. in Social and Community Services

School Offering Program:

Capella University

Degree Level:

Doctoral

Program Prerequisites:

Possession of a master's degree in social work or counseling and professional licensure in one of these areas is preferred for prospective students of Capella University's Ph.D. in Social and Community Services program. Applicants to Capella University who are under 24 years of age must have completed at least two years of college or have active military status; some programs may have additional admissions requirements.

Program Description:

The Ph.D. in Social and Community Services at Capella University, offered as a specialization in the Ph.D. in Human Services program, addresses practices and theories in sociology, counseling, behavioral disorder treatments, and clinical research methods. Area of specialization courses address social change management, child abuse prevention and intervention methods, social psychology, family research practices, family structure influences, and psychological consulting techniques in the areas of bereavement, grief counseling, compulsive behaviors, and addictions. The program's core curriculum focuses on research practices in human development, social science, and human services. Dissertation research courses provide mentored support throughout the development and completion of each student's project.

Learning Format:

Online

Total Credits Required:

120 credits.

Financial Aid Available:

Students enrolled in Capella University have several opportunities to reduce their tuition costs, including employer reimbursement programs, veterans benefit programs, tuition discounts through corporate alliances, U.S. Armed Forces education benefits, and credit transfers. Federal and non-federal loans and grants are available to qualifying students.

Required Courses for a Ph.D. in Social and Community Services:

Degree program and course requirements are subject to change. Contact Capella University to confirm the most accurate information before enrolling in a program.

Core Courses

• HS 8002: Advanced Research in Adult Human Development and Behavior (4 credits)
• HS 8300: Diversity in the Workplace (4 credits)
• HS 8415: Advanced Professional Scientific Ethics (4 credits)
• HS 8106: Epistemology of Practice Knowledge (4 credits)
• HS 8100: Fundamentals of Social Science Research (4 credits)
• HS 8111: Quantitative Research Methods in the Human Services (4 credits)
• HS 8112: Advanced Qualitative Research Methods (4 credits)
• HS 8113: Advanced Study in Research Methods (4 credits)
• HS 9920: Dissertation Courseroom (0 credits)
• HS 9921: Dissertation Research 1 (5 credits)
• HS 9922: Dissertation Research 2 (5 credits)
• HS 9923: Dissertation Research 3 (5 credits)
• HS 9924: Dissertation Research 4 (5 credits)

Specialization Courses

• HS 8103: Principles and Practices of Social Work (4 credits)
• HS 8413: Social Influences of Behavior (4 credits)
• HS 8447: Applied/Clinical Sociology (4 credits)
• HS 8453: Prevention and Causes of Child Abuse (4 credits)
• HS 8476: Methods of Family Research (4 credits)
• HS 8478: The Family in Social Context (4 credits)
• HS 8745: Grief and Bereavement Counseling (4 credits)
• HS 8764: Contemporary Issues in Compulsive and Addictive Behavior Treatment (4 credits)
• HS 9919: Doctoral Comprehensive Examination (4 credits)
• HS 9920: Dissertation Courseroom (0 credits)
• HS 9921: Dissertation Research 1 (5 credits)
• HS 9922: Dissertation Research 2 (5 credits)
• HS 9923: Dissertation Research 3 (5 credits)
• HS 9924: Dissertation Research 4 (5 credits)

Post Graduation Opportunities

Career Paths:

Careers in higher education teaching or consulting are among the positions graduates could pursue after completing Capella University's Ph.D. in Social and Community Services program. They might also seek to become social or counseling program managers or administrators for community centers, clinics, rehabilitation facilities, or government agencies.

Positions graduates could pursue include:

• Community relations director
• Counseling program director
• Mental health policy analyst
• College or university instructor
• Clinical researcher