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Classes Start January 13th
Ready to get started? We’re ready for you. Chat with an enrollment counselor or apply now to take the first step on the journey toward your future.
$50 application fee (waived w/promo Fall19)
DHS—program highlights
Professionally aligned curriculum
Built by experts in the field, this DHS program is designed around
the Council for Standards in Human Services Education and National
Organization for Human Services.
Groundbreaking program
Capella University was one of the first universities to offer a
Doctor of Human Services program.
Real-world learning with virtual simulations
Courses in your DHS program include access to RiverBend City, an
interactive tool where you apply what you’re learning in a realistic,
multidisciplinary environment.
Transformational leadership skills
Apply advanced human services skills to collaboratively resolve
current issues in diverse communities and settings.
Scholar-practitioner faculty
Learn the latest in theory and practice from experienced faculty who
are actively engaged in the human services profession.
Flexible, engaging online learning
Participate in course discussions and activities as part of
demonstrating innovative and timely theory, research, and
practice.
25 years of online doctoral experience
With over 25 years of experience in online doctoral education, we understand the unique needs of doctoral students, and have designed our programs to meet those needs. We've structured our programs to help you reach your goals and obtain critical skills—with our expert faculty, support teams, and online resources to help guide you every step of the way.
Meet your DHS faculty
Our distinguished faculty members hold top credentials in their
fields. They’re here to teach you critical knowledge and skills and to
help enrich your education and career by bringing real-world relevance
to the courseroom. Your faculty will include:
Get the support you need for success
Our dedicated faculty and support teams guide and advise you through every step of your educational journey.
Enrollment counselors
These experts will set you up for success. They’ll help you find the right degree and program, and answer all your questions about Capella.
Doctoral advising
Doctoral programs are specific and challenging. That’s why you’ll have access to expert support at every step along the road to your degree.
Capstone mentors
For the culminating project of your doctoral degree, you’ll be paired with a mentor who can support and assist you along the way.
Cost & learning format
A more structured learning format with an active peer community and
faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the
deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1-3 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term
$710 per credit,
72 total quarter credits,
20 max transfer credits
Get the details
Speak with an enrollment counselor to get a personalized cost estimate for what you can expect to pay.
Ways to save
At Capella, we believe your education is an investment in your future. It’s also an investment within your grasp. Your goals are achievable—there are more ways to save than you might think.
$5K toward your doctorate
Apply for a $5K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your doctoral degree.
10% military discount
If you're an active-duty military service member, spouse, or veteran, discounts may be available.
Accredited & recognized
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide the assurance we meet
standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and
fiscal stability. See all of our accreditations and recognitions.
DHS sample courses
In your leadership and organizational management specialization,
you’ll focus on applying skills in effective negotiation and
mediation, conflict management, and creating effective collaboration
across an organization.
Keystone course
Work with a faculty member who can help you examine key support elements and identify potential project sites for your capstone topic.
Doctoral capstone
Develop your project, write your findings, and demonstrate your use of evidence to improve outcomes or resolve a gap in the field.
| HMSV8404 |
Leadership Theory and Practice in For-Profit, Nonprofit, and Government Human Services Programs
Learners in this course use a multidisciplinary lens to evaluate
leadership theories and practices in diverse cultures from a
historical and theoretical basis. Throughout the course, learners
develop expanded leadership perspectives and practices that enable
them to assure the viability of their organizations in for-profit,
nonprofit, and government human services programs. |
4 quarter credits |
|---|---|---|
| HMSV8406 |
Community Collaboration and Outreach in Human Services
Learners in this course examine a variety of social and professional
situations to build their skills in effective and creative
collaboration across organizations. In particular, learners analyze
and benchmark best practices from an organizational, team, and
individual perspective so that they may create inclusive and
collaborative environments. In addition, learners examine conflict
management, diversity management, group dynamics, cultural competence,
ethical decision making, followership, and social
responsibility. |
4 quarter credits |
| HMSV8304 |
Strategic Planning and Organizational Effectiveness for Human Services
In this course, learners practice increasing organizational
effectiveness through strategic planning. Using a leadership
perspective, learners examine the ways an organization’s effectiveness
is evaluated and use this knowledge to guide strategic planning
efforts in such organizational areas as advocacy, fund development,
and policy development. In addition, learners apply theoretical
approaches to program development and evaluation related to
for-profit, nonprofit, and government human services settings. |
4 quarter credits |
| HMSV8214 |
Funding and Grant Writing Skills for Human Services
This course offers a comprehensive examination of the process of
writing grant proposals and managing grant awards for programs or
projects in for-profit, nonprofit, and government organizations.
Learners research grant opportunities, align the program or project
goals to be funded with the purposes of the funder, develop effective
communication with prospective funders, analyze components of
successful grant proposals, develop a fundable proposal, and plan for
grant funding evaluation. |
4 quarter credits |
| HMSV8320 * |
Effective Negotiation and Mediation Skills for Human Services Leaders
In this course, learners gain an understanding of conflict management
as it relates to human services leaders. Learners build and apply a
working knowledge of evidence-based best practices and behaviors that
support conflict management in a variety of human services settings.
Throughout the course, learners apply strategies in negotiation,
conflict management, and mediation and integrate ethical interpersonal
communication skills necessary for positive multidisciplinary working
relationships.
Prerequisite(s): HMSV8404.
|
4 quarter credits |
What you’ll learn
The work you do in the leadership and organizational management
specialization can help you unlock your potential as a human services
leader.
- Apply leadership principles and strategies for effective management.
- Learn the essentials for leading for-profit, nonprofit, and government programs.
- Develop evaluation skills to predict what a given program may need within a defined cycle.
- Employ data and analytics tools to guide programs and meet target populations’ needs.
- Understand and use professional ethics and cultural competence as it applies to human services.
- Communicate with compassion and understanding in all professional interactions.
DHS in Leadership & Organizational Management – career insights
Find the Right Human Services Career for You
Jobs in human services range from working with clients to managing organizations to building infrastructures.
Why Collaboration is Key to Human Services
Collaboration is the new norm for human services. These three examples from the field demonstrate why.
Difference Between a Doctor of Human Services and PhD in Human Services
Find out which type of doctoral degree in human services is the best
match for your career goals.
DHS in Leadership & Organizational Management—professional paths
Your education can help you reach your goals, professionally and personally. Here are some of the job titles and employment settings to explore as you consider a DHS, Leadership and Organizational Management program.
Related job titles to explore*
- Adjunct or part-time human services faculty
- Full-time human services faculty
- Social services manager
- Social services director
- Executive director
- Program director, children and family services
- Program manager, children and family services
- Adoption services manager
- Director of child welfare services
- Vocational rehabilitation administrator
- Director
Employment settings to explore
- Land-based or online college or university
- Community college
- Individual and family services
- Continuing care retirement facility
- Government - local, state, federal
- Religious organization
- Grantmaking/giving service
- Nonprofit organization
- Private for-profit social service company
- Clinic
- Hospital
- Shelter
*These are examples intended to serve as a general guide. Some
positions may prefer or even require previous experience, licensure,
certifications, and/or other designations along with a degree. Because
many factors determine what position an individual may attain, Capella
cannot guarantee that a graduate will secure any specific job title, a
promotion, salary increase, or other career outcome. We encourage you
to research requirements for your job target and career goals.
Other programs to explore
Is this program close to what you need, but maybe not a perfect fit?
The programs below might be interesting. Check them out to find one
that suits your academic and professional goals.