Doctoral Degree Programs
Position yourself as an expert in your field
PhD Doctor of Philosophy
Many higher education faculty positions require a PhD, which can also prepare you for leadership, research, or consulting positions in a variety of fields. Learn more.
Capella's online PhD programs offer advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in a choice of fields, including:
- Business.
- Business Management.
- Counseling.
- Education.
- Information technology.
- Human services.
- Organization and Management.
- Public safety.
- Psychology
Program features include:
- Original research designed to make a significant contribution to the theory and literature in your field, culminating in a written dissertation.
- Experienced advisors and faculty members to mentor and guide you through the process of choosing and developing an appropriate dissertation topic.
- Three, three-day residential colloquia at specific stages of your program—giving you face-to-face interaction with faculty, advisors, and peers, and offering valuable feedback on your research, comprehensive examination, and dissertation.
View Programs (36)
School of Business and Technology
Business
Business Management
Information Technology
Organization and Management
School of Education
Education
Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Department of Counseling
Advanced Studies in Human Behavior
Counselor Education and Supervision
Department of Psychology
Psychology
School of Public Service Leadership
Human Services
Public Safety
PsyD Doctor of Psychology
People with a PsyD may pursue leadership, consulting, research, program administration, or higher education faculty positions. Learn more.
The PsyD provides comprehensive training in the fields of clinical or school psychology, including:
- Psychopathology.
- Psychological testing.
- Psychotherapy.
- Psychological assessment.
- Child and adolescent development.
- Ethics.
Capella's PsyD is a rigorous program that requires:
- Online course work.
- Residencies.
- Field training experiences.
- Dissertation (Clinical Psychology).
- Final integrative project (School Psychology).
*Check state licensure requirements. The license to practice as a professional psychologist is regulated independently in each state or province. Learners who intend to seek licensure or certification should check the program requirements in the state or province in which they hope to practice. This program is not accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA).
View Programs (2)
Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Department of Psychology
Psychology
Doctor of Psychology in School Psychology
EdD Doctor of Education
An EdD can prepare you for academic or administrative leadership roles in P–12 or higher education, or education faculty, research, and consulting positions. Learn more.
Capella's EdD is a professional doctorate that features:
- Online course work as well as field experience, focused on advanced, practical knowledge in the education profession.
- Applied research that contributes to the solution of a recognized problem in the field of education.
- A defined sequence for your EdD courses, allowing you to learn and build professional relationships with the same cohort of students.
This degree program does not satisfy licensure requirements for P–12 public school teachers or administrators.
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DBA Doctor of Business Administration
Career paths for people with DBAs include business leadership, consulting, and teaching positions. Learn more.
Differentiate yourself in today's competitive business environment with Capella's online DBA, a professional doctorate that features:
- A defined course sequence and built-in checkpoints that allow you to accomplish a meaningful, applied dissertation project and successfully complete your program in three years.
- Online courseroom discussions, specially designed social networking sites, and three face-to-face weekend residencies that provide ongoing opportunities to build professional relationships and share knowledge with other business leaders around the globe.
- An optional international trip that provides in-depth experience on the effect of globalization in business.
View Programs (7)
School of Business and Technology
Business Administration
DHA Doctor of Health Administration
People with a DHA often pursue leadership or advanced practice positions in the health care industry or health advocacy organizations. Learn more.
Capella's offers one of few DHA programs in the country. Reasons to choose a DHA:
- You'll position yourself to meet the critical need for leadership skills in the fast-growing field of health care administration.
- A DHA focuses on practical contributions to the health care field, which allows it to be completed in less time than a research-focused PhD.
Capella's DHA features:
- A curriculum designed around the National Center for Healthcare Leadership (NCHL) Competency Model™.
- Simulations, group problem-solving, and real-time coaching sessions to strengthen the collaboration and communication skills needed by health care leaders.
- Field experiences instead of a comprehensive examination, giving you the opportunity to apply your newly gained knowledge in a professional health care setting.
- An action dissertation project that uses participatory research and reflective study to make a practical, evidence-based improvement in your organization or community.
Review of this program is pending ND.
View Programs (3)
School of Public Service Leadership
DNP Doctor of Nursing Practice
This DNP is designed for advanced practice nurses and nurse administrators who want to move into leadership positions. Learn more.
Reasons to consider a DNP:
- A DNP is the preferred credential for advanced practice nurses.
- A DNP focuses on practical contributions to the nursing field, which allows it to be completed in less time than a research-focused PhD.
Capella's DNP emphasizes administrative, organizational, and systems leadership competencies, unlike many DNPs that are more clinically-focused. Topics covered include:
- Leadership and ethics in health care.
- Health care management.
- Policy and advocacy.
- Health care information systems.
- Health promotion and disease prevention for global populations.
Capella's DNP also features:
- A curriculum that incorporates The Essentials of Doctoral Education for Advanced Nursing Practice established by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
- Field experiences that allow you to apply what you are learning and focus on your areas of interest. (Minimum of 1,000 field experience hours.)
- A final project that produces a practice- and evidence-based solution to a problem you encountered in the field.
- Convenient electronic textbooks for most courses, which lowers costs and provides immediate access to course materials.
- A five-day residential colloquium to work on your final project and participate in face-to-face collaborative experiences with peers and faculty.
The DNP degree program is not a clinical degree program and is not designed to prepare advanced practice registered nurses for roles as nurse practitioners, clinical nurse specialists, certified nurse midwives, or certified nurse anesthetists.
North Dakota residents are currently not eligible to enroll in this program.
Learn more about nursing programs at Capella
View Programs (1)
School of Public Service Leadership
Nursing Practice
DPA Doctor of Public Administration
Career aspirations for DPA graduates include leadership positions in government, public service, or politics; and public administration and political science faculty positions. Learn more.
Capella's online DPA is a professional doctorate that features:
- A blend of online course work, current case studies, advanced learning technologies, and field experiences.
- A multidisciplinary approach that deepens your understanding of the larger public service environment and builds your collaboration and communication skills.
- An applied research project that provides you an opportunity to address actual issues within your community.
- A rich, global network of experienced faculty and professional peers that provide ongoing opportunities to build professional relationships and share knowledge with other public service leaders around the world.
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School of Public Service Leadership
Public Administration
DrPH Doctor of Public Health
People who pursue a DrPH often aspire to leadership positions in government, private, or community-based public health organizations. Learn more.
Capella offers one of the few opportunities to earn a DrPH online. Features of this professional doctorate include:
- A curriculum designed around national public health education standards.
- Course work covering advanced public health theories and practices.
- A multidisciplinary approach that deepens your understanding of the larger public service environment and builds your collaboration and communication skills.
- An applied research project that provides you an opportunity to make an immediate impact in your field.
- All courses taken in sequence, allowing you to learn and build professional relationships with the same cohort of students.
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School of Public Service Leadership
DSW Doctor of Social Work
Prepare yourself for leadership as an administrator, teacher, or scholar in the growing field of social work. Learn more.
This professional doctorate is one of the very few online DSW degrees. Features include:
- A curriculum designed around national social work education guidelines
- An emphasis on critical thinking, action research, and the incorporation of theoretical knowledge with practical experience.
- A strong focus on the growing use of technology to advance the practice of social work, build awareness of important social issues, and expand the reach or effectiveness of social service programs.
- A program designed to be completed in three years, with all courses taken in sequence, allowing you to learn and build professional relationships with the same cohort of students.
View Programs (1)
Harold Abel School of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Department of Social Work
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Learning & Career Outcomes
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