Online PhD in Social and Community Services
Online PHD Programs
Home
An online PhD in social and community services prepares students for community service leadership positions. An online social and community services PhD significantly increases the student’s awareness of current social issues; those who obtain an online doctorate in social and community service also have opportunities to enhance the field’s body of knowledge by performing their own research. The curriculum for online doctoral programs in social and community services helps students undertake comprehensive study of key community and social work topics, while also exploring social science research. At the same time, students enrolled in top online PhD programs in social and community services can follow their own professional interests by taking elective courses in line with their career goals.
Online PhD in Social and Community Services Requirements
Individuals who begin the program to obtain an online PhD in social and community services should have a deep concern with social issues that afflict our society. They should be detail-oriented and highly committed to community service. Online social and community service PhD candidates should also be prepared for a rigorous course of study. Those obtaining an online doctorate in social and community service will acquire a deeper knowledge of strategies and leadership skills they can use in community services through extensive study and research.
Those who enter accredited online PhD programs in social and community services typically hold master’s degrees in social work, counseling or public administration. These degrees provide an excellent foundation for online doctorate programs in social and community service.
Candidates for the best online doctorate programs in social and community services may already be working as school guidance counselors, social workers or public administrators. These individuals wish to expand their knowledge and leadership capacity with online doctoral degrees in social and community services.
Online PhD in Social and Community Services Education
The curriculum for students enrolled in programs offering online doctoral degrees in social and community services provides an exhaustive study of primary community and social work issues and research in the social sciences. Programs can typically be completed in 4-5 years. During their course of study, students seeking online doctorate degrees in social and community services focus on one or more specialty areas.
Information on Social and Community Services Courses
Coursework for those in social and community services PhD online programs is broad in scope and includes a considerable research emphasis. The following are sample courses students will typically complete while working towards online PhD degrees in social and community services:
- History and Philosophy of Social Welfare
This course reviews how social welfare systems have evolved from ancient times to the present while emphasizing how this history has impacted modern social welfare programs in the United States. - Social Theory
Students undertake a rigorous examination of multiple theoretical frameworks, and develop an analytical and critical approach to social theories. - Social Welfare Research
This course focuses on the elements of scientific inquiry; this includes theory and its relation to research design and the testing of hypotheses and multiple data collection models, sampling methods, and data analysis. - Policy Analysis
This course explores a range of methodologies in policy development and applies them to current social welfare topics. The subject matter focuses on policy research and analysis of governmental data. Areas covered include the role that sex, race and class play in policy formulation.
Specializations and Concentrations
Students who obtain an online social and community services doctorate can specialize in several areas, including:
- Counseling
- Therapy
- Rehabilitation
- Research
No matter what their chosen specialization, an online doctorate in social and community services will prepare graduates for leadership roles in their area of choice.
Careers in Social and Community Services
The Bureau of Labor Statistics anticipates that those associated with the field of social and community services will find that opportunities exhibit faster than average growth through 2018. Careers available for those with online PhD degrees include the following:
- Counselor, director level
These individuals are responsible for the planning and supervision counseling departments, whose services may include: career counseling services, academic counseling, special needs counseling, and personal counseling. Directors of counseling salaries average around $70,000 per year. - Health educator
Those who become health educators focus on promoting health and wellness through educating both the community and individuals about lifestyle changes that can prevent diseases and injury.
Health educator salaries range from $36,000-$78,000 per year. - Public health administrator
Public health administrators plan, oversee, coordinate, and manage health care delivery. These workers are either specialists in charge of a specific clinical department or generalists who manage an entire facility or system. Their annual salaries range from $71,000-$87,000. - Social work administrator, director level
Social work administrators create and help execute programs to address concerns such as homelessness, child abuse, poverty and substance abuse. These workers explore policies, programs and regulations that can assist groups and individuals in need. Social work administrators typically earn an average annual salary of around $71,000.
Professional service organizations can also assist prospective students in pinpointing areas of study aligned with their unique goals. For individuals drawn to working to bring about positive social change, completing an online PhD in social and community services can provide the skills and knowledge to help make a difference.
