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Doctor of Philosophy in Human Services

School of Public Service Leadership

Social and Community Services specialization

Prepare yourself for community leadership by deepening your knowledge of contemporary societal issues and contributing to field through your own doctoral research. The curriculum for this Social and Community Services specialization offers in-depth study of major community and social work issues and social science research, along with elective courses that allow you to focus on areas that reflect your professional interests and career goals. People who choose this specialization are often pursuing higher education faculty positions, or advanced research, consulting or leadership positions in public or private organizations focused on serving community needs.

Read what others have to say about this specialization, or leave your own comment, and be sure to check back often to converse with others about their Capella experiences.

Total Program: 120 quarter credits
Up to 48 quarter credits may be transferred into this specialization
Next Start Date: March 5, 2012
Quarter - Coursework: $4,530
Up to 3 courses per quarter
Quarter - Comps/Diss: $4,062

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Residency requirements: Three 4-day weekend experiences

Learn about the residential colloquia experience.
In addition to your online courses, you will complete 3 residential colloquia, each of which includes a 4-day weekend experience, at specific stages in your program. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your PhD studies and beyond.

Doctoral colloquia each have 3 steps:

Step 1: Colloquium Courseroom (opens approximately 2 weeks prior to Weekend Experience)
Step 2: Weekend Experience (4-day residency)
Step 3: Colloquium Courseroom—Assessment and evaluation (completed the week after the Weekend Experience)

What is the cost to attend?

The price for each colloquium is $1,495 (pricing is subject to periodic adjustment), but doesn’t include costs for evening meals or travel. You’ll be responsible for making your hotel reservations and travel arrangements.
  • Learn more about residency requirements.
  • Get more detailed information and learn how the residency experiences will enrich your learning at Capella University. Speak with an enrollment counselor at 1.888.227.3552.

Gain more value from your degree

Expand your educational and career opportunities by choosing one of Capella's degree enrichment options.

  • Add a concentration to gain deeper expertise

    Delve more deeply into a specific knowledge area by earning a concentration that will be included on your transcript and can enhance your career opportunities. If you have elective courses in your degree program, 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 as part of this specialization include:
    • Fire Service Administration
    • Forensics
    • Health Policy and Management
    • Homeland Security
    • Public Administration
    • Public Health
    • Public Policy and Management
    • Nonprofit Management and Leadership

Core Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • HS8002 - Advanced Research in Adult Human Development and Behavior
  • HS8300 - Diversity in the Workplace
  • HS8415 - Advanced Professional Scientific Ethics
  • HS8106 - Epistemology of Practice Knowledge
  • HS8100 - Fundamentals of Social Science Research*
  • HS8122 - Quantitative Research Methods in Public Service*
  • HS8123 - Advanced Qualitative Research Methods in Public Service*
  • HS8124 - Advanced Study in Research Methods in Public Service*

Specialization Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • HS8103 - Principles and Practice of Social Work
  • HS8413 - Social Influences of Behavior
  • HS8447 - Applied/Clinical Sociology
  • HS8453 - Prevention and Causes of Child Abuse
  • HS8476 - Methods of Family Research
  • HS8478 - The Family in Social Context
  • HS8745 - Grief and Bereavement Counseling
  • HS8764 - Contemporary Issues in Compulsive and Addictive Behavior Treatment
  • HS9919 - Doctoral Comprehensive Examination*
  • HS9920 - Dissertation Courseroom* - non-credit
  • HS9921 - Dissertation Research 1* - 5 quarter credits
  • HS9922 - Dissertation Research 2* - 5 quarter credits
  • HS9923 - Dissertation Research 3* - 5 quarter credits
  • HS9924 - Dissertation Research 4* - 5 quarter credits

Eight Elective Courses

  • Choose any graduate courses.
* This course has a prerequisite. Contact an enrollment counselor for more information.

Course Descriptions

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PhD





Absolutely worth the work!

July 8, 2010Amanda Capella offered me the opportunity to pursue a PhD in a format that fits around my hectic family and full-time work schedule, and I am so thankful that I went after the opportunity. I still encounter people that question the idea of getting a PhD through an online program, and all I can tell them is that I am working just as hard, learning an enormous amount, and getting more out of this experience than I did in my "traditional" undergrad and MA programs. The experience has been wonderful so far, and I am looking forward to successfully finishing my program!

WOW!

July 8, 2010Sue I cannot adequately express what my Capella experience and Capella PHD did for me both personally and professionally. I consider it one of the wisest choices I have made in my life.

It's an exciting time at Capella!!!!

July 8, 2010Shirley I am a professional who has decided to get a Ph.D. in Public Service Leadership. I must say that I have thoroughly enjoyed every class that I have taken thus far. The professors are professional in every sense of the word and they have gone the extra mile to ensure that students excell in the course room. Coming to Capella is the wisest decision that I have made in a long time. I love the coursework, the excitement of my fellow class mates, the dedication of my proessors, and the outside readings. I look forward to progressing to the completion of my Ph.D. so that I can share the wealth of knowledge that I am receiving with other students and professionals in higher academia as well as conducting research and writing research articles. Shirley McM

PhD in Social and Community Services

March 18, 2011Georgia Hello to all. I have just completed the program for (MS)Human Services: Social and Community Services. I want to pursue a PhD in Social and Community Services and would be interested in hearing about someone who has or is dedicated to this endeavor. Thanks. Georgia

GREAT PROGRAM

July 31, 2010Nicola I have learned so much since beginning this program. The feedback that I have recieved from my professors are applicable and the professors have all been willing to work with me. The courses though they are demanding are very interesting and I have enjoyed them all so far. I am constantly boasting about the program.

Matching a school with my goals

September 5, 2010Greg Afternoon all, I would like some answers to a few questions if I may. I'm a U.S. Marine veteran/retiree who is pursuing his doctorate education. This school comes highly recomended, but I still have some questions. First off, for the field of psychology, typically most organizations will require that an individual have a doctorate which is accredited by the APA, I saw the accreditation status of this school, so how does it address this issue/requirement? Secondly, I'm assuming that there are veterans currently attending this school. As such, I see that this school is a participant in the VA's approved schools to receive "yellow ribbon" status, which hlps to pay for the tuition. Have any of those students also been eligible for the housing allowance? I ask because there have been past stipulations to those utilizing the "Post 911 G.I. Bill, that fuly online programs were ineligible for the additional housing allowance. Please verify or confirm for me if you could. Thanks in advance.

PhD in Social and Community Services

May 2, 2011Deb This advanced degree mirrors courses in a PhD in Sociology. Can this degree be used to teach university level sociology?

Is the program compatible with teaching undergrad sociology?

July 9, 2011Chaniece I currently have a B.A in sociology and M.A in urban education. I am pursuing this degree program with the hopes of teaching undergraduate sociology. Would this degree allow me to do that or would I have to obtain a M.A in sociology?

question

March 6, 2011Chris Could you teach undergraduate sociology with this PhD? Thanks!

new to PhD

August 22, 2011joyce Would like info from anyone who has taken any degree in this topic. I am thinking of doing my PhD. Please reply asap so I can register
Image of enrollment counselor from the team that specializes in Capella's human services degree programs
Image of enrollment counselor from the team that specializes in Capella's human services degree programs

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