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The term “social science” refers to a broad spectrum of academic disciplines, including law, education, geography, history and sociology. An online doctorate degree in social science is designed to provide students with extensive research across this field, which is then typically narrowed down to a specialization of choice. After earning an online PhD in social science, a student can pursue many different career paths that fit their concentration. An online doctorate program provides students with an opportunity to further their studies without interrupting current employment or family responsibilities, thus giving them additional marketable skills and job experience.

Online PhD in Social Science Degree Requirements

As opposed to a degree in the humanities, social scientists use math and the scientific method to prove their results. Online social science PhD students should be prepared to take advanced courses in statistics, qualitative and quantitative reasoning and mathematics. They should have some familiarity with methods of collecting information, such as using questionnaires or interviews, and interpreting the results. Social scientists use these results to develop theories which can assist others in making decisions on anything from social policy to predicting human movement and immigration. Students pursuing an online social science PhD will need to show effective “information literacy”, or the ability to analyze and evaluate information to use appropriately. In addition, online doctoral students will gain extensive academic experience in the areas of history, sociology, human geography and criminal justice, among others.

Online PhD in Social Science Education

Students considering an online doctoral program in social science will come to the program with a Masters degree. As social science is a wide-ranging field, these degrees can vary but are likely in the areas of:

• History
• Sociology
• Education/Education Leadership
• Anthropology
• Political Science

In addition, there is an extensive array of professional backgrounds of students earning an online doctoral program in social science, including teachers, parole officers, urban planners, psychologists or social workers.

Information on Social Science Courses

Students pursuing a top online doctorate in social science can expect the program to take 4-5 years to complete. During this time, students will take core courses relating to the field, such as economics, history and statistics. They will expand their research skills and develop theories to apply to real world subjects. The last 1-2 years of study will focus on writing an extensive doctoral dissertation using this research in a specialized area of study

Courses typically found in the best accredited online doctorate programs include:

• Urban Anthropology
  In this course, students study the effects of migration, urbanization and industry on human populations.
• Poverty and Policy
  Students will gain skills in policy evaluation during this course, focusing on trends and dynamics that correlate to poverty within the structure of the United States.
• Culture and Folklore
  Folklore and culture impact a society’s view of the outside world, their environment and others. Social scientists investigate the origins and significance of folklore within a community.
• Advanced Statistics
  This course explores more advanced models of statistics, including predictive and variable models, essential to the social sciences.
• Women’s Studies
  A comparative study of the ways that sex/gender transform societies, this course gives students the skill to look at common elements from a new perspective.

Specializations and Concentration

While all students in an online PhD program in social science will take the same basic courses, they will have an opportunity to concentrate on specific areas that interest them. Some areas of expertise include:

• Education Leadership
• Urban Planning
• Poverty Policy Planning
• Environmental and Resource Economics
• International Studies
• International Development
• Judicial Administration
• Cognitive Science
• Applied Behavioral Science
• Art History
• Psychology

Careers in Social Sciences

Due to the broad nature of an online doctoral program in Social Sciences, this degree offers a wide variety of career options. Some career options for PhD holders are:

• Social Worker
  Social workers assist those in crisis by providing guidance and resources. These individuals can range from those needing mental health facilities, homeless youth or foster children. Median pay for social workers is $49,420 per year.
• Market Researcher
  A market researcher will develop and interpret data on current trends in how and why people spend money. This data can assist a company in making decisions, such as how and when to launch a new product. A typical market research position earns between $44,600 and $85,230 per year.
• Lobbyist
  A lobbyist contacts and persuades members of public office to support legislation important to the client. This position may be required to testify at public hearings, draft press releases and secure meetings with top politicians. The median salary for a lobbyist is $96,933.
• Urban Planner
  An urban planner helps a community decide how to best use its resources from a future growth perspective. They may advise on such subjects as road or school construction, conservation of native growth or basic infrastructure issues. An urban planner earns an average of $62,400.
• Cultural Anthropologist
  Most anthropologists work in colleges and universities where they teach and research. Cultural anthropologists study customs and beliefs of certain segments of the population, and draw conclusions based on their research. Cultural anthropologists earn anywhere from $68,000 to $88,000 per year.
• Human Resource Director
  Human Resource Directors manage the needs and issues of a company’s employees. They follow state and federal regulations in developing programs such as compensation and annual performance reviews, manage labor union disputes and, in smaller companies, individual employee issues. Human Resource Directors earn a median of $88,000 per year.

An online social science doctorate can provide entry into a highly diverse set of career opportunities. This degree will give job seekers a strong competitive edge in the current general job market as well as in their individual concentration.