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Capella University
SCHOOL OF PUBLIC SERVICE LEADERSHIP

PHD Doctor of Philosophy in Human Services Social and Community Services specialization

Courses

Total program credits needed for graduation: 120

Core Courses

32 course quarter credits.

PSL8002
Collaboration, Communication, and Case Analysis for Doctoral Learners (4 quarter credits)
HS8300
Diversity in the Workplace (4 quarter credits)
HS8415
Advanced Professional Scientific Ethics (4 quarter credits)
HS8106
Epistemology of Practice Knowledge (4 quarter credits)
HS8100
Fundamentals of Social Science Research* (4 quarter credits)
HS8122
Quantitative Research Methods in Public Service* (4 quarter credits)
HS8123
Advanced Qualitative Research Methods in Public Service* (4 quarter credits)
HS8124
Advanced Study in Research Methods in Public Service* (4 quarter credits)

Specialization Courses

28 course quarter credits.

HS8103
Principles and Practice of Social Work (4 quarter credits)
HS8413
Social Influences of Behavior (4 quarter credits)
HS8453
Prevention and Causes of Child Abuse (4 quarter credits)
HS8476
Methods of Family Research (4 quarter credits)
HS8478
The Family in Social Context (4 quarter credits)
HS8745
Grief and Bereavement Counseling (4 quarter credits)
HS8764
Contemporary Issues in Compulsive and Addictive Behavior Treatment (4 quarter credits)

Nine Elective Courses

36 course quarter credits. Choose any graduate course(s).

Recommended elective course:

HS8447
Applied/Clinical Sociology (4 quarter credits)

Comprehensive Examination and Dissertation Courses

24 course quarter credits.

HS9919
Doctoral Comprehensive Examination* (4 quarter credits)

Learners must enroll in HS9960 a minimum of four times to fulfill their specialization requirements.

HS9960
Dissertation Courseroom* (5 quarter credits each)

*This course has a prerequisite. Contact an enrollment counselor or refer to the course descriptions for more information.

Residency Requirement

To support your academic and professional success, residential colloquia provide learning and community-building experiences in a stimulating scholarly environment. For this specialization, you must complete three four-day colloquia (PSL-R8921, PSL-R8922, PSL-R8923).

To learn more, call 1.866.933.5976 or email an enrollment counselor.

Transfer Credits

There are many ways to reduce tuition costs, including transferring credits which can help save time and money. You can transfer up to 48 credits into this specialization.

Sign Up for a Free One-Week Mini Course

Learn more about our online learning experience with a free one-week mini course.

Take a Single Course

You can enroll in any of our online courses without committing to a degree program. Simply sign up for a single course today — whether you're interested in a specific topic or just want to see if online learning is right for you. We recommend speaking first with an enrollment counselor to discuss your goals and ensure the credits you earn now can be applied to a degree program later.

To learn more, call 1.866.933.5976 or email an enrollment counselor.

Concentrations

If you have elective courses in your specialization, you may be able to use them to fulfill both your degree and concentration requirements at the same time. However, completing a concentration may extend your total credits beyond the requirements of your degree. Concentrations available for this specialization include:

  • Fire Service Administration
  • Forensics
  • Health Policy and Management
  • Homeland Security
  • Public Administration
  • Public Health
  • Public Policy Management and Collaborative Governance
  • Nonprofit Management and Leadership

To learn more, call 1.866.933.5976 or email an enrollment counselor.