Studies in Human Behavior
Doctor of Philosophy in Advanced Studies in Human Behavior

Advanced Studies in Human Behavior

Career exploration guide

This guide provides tools to help you explore careers related to this specialization. Use this information to start researching this field and the opportunities in it. This research can help you make a transition into positions related to this field. Start by gaining an overview of this program and learning about the field, jobs, and employment settings that are related.

About this Specialization

The PhD General Advanced Studies in Human Behavior specialization is designed for learners pursuing advanced educational, consultative, or leadership roles in institutional, public, or private settings. Throughout the specialization, learners develop breadth and depth of knowledge in contemporary issues in human behavior, including issues specific to children and adolescents, families, eating disturbances, addictive behaviors, and aging and grief. Learners also focus on the significance of ethics in working with diverse populations in social and behavioral settings. This specialization is not designed to meet licensure requirements for the counseling, psychology, or social work professions.

Skills gained through this specialization:

This specialization was designed to help you gain the following skills related to this field:

  • Evaluate relevant theories and best practices in the human behavior field
  • Conduct valid, reliable, and ethical research in the field of social and behavioral sciences
  • Integrate ethical and legal standards into professional practice within the human behavior field
  • Lead the design, development, and evaluation of interdisciplinary programs and services to address key social and behavioral issues
  • Evaluate factors that affect individual or group perception and response to social and behavioral issues and services
  • Integrate multicultural awareness and respect for diversity in professional service in the human behavior field
  • Communicate professionally through writing and effective interactions

Explore this Field

Professional associations, social networks, and other industry-specific resources can provide a wealth of information about a specific field or industry, including best practices, career overviews, trends, and access to industry professionals. By reviewing website information, attending events, and connecting with people in the field, you can deepen your knowledge about the field. 

Professional Associations

Industry Information

Explore Jobs and Employers

In addition to exploring the field, take some time to research specific jobs and employment settings related to this program. Consider how these jobs and settings fit with your experience, skills, interests, and values. This is a sample list of job titles and employment settings related to this field. To learn more, review job postings and talk with people who have these roles or work in these settings. You can find these professionals through LinkedIn, family, friends, schools, employers, and community groups. Spend time researching your industry and prospective employers to decide whether this type of degree will help advance your career.

Related job titles to explore*

  • Child services executive director
  • Family services executive director
  • Program executive director
  • Executive director
  • Social services executive director
  • Academic advising director
  • Adjunct or part-time faculty
  • Full-time faculty
  • Consultant
  • Court services supervisor
  • Juvenile justice program executive director
  • Victim services executive director

Employment settings to explore

  • City, county, state, or federal agency such as the department of health and human services
  • Nonprofit organization
  • Advocacy organization
  • Consulting firm or practice
  • Hospice program
  • Senior housing facility
  • Land-based or online college or university
  • Community college
  • Department of social services
  • Family preservation agency
  • Juvenile justice program
  • Family service agency

*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.

Job Boards

This is a sample of jobs boards with positions related to this field. Use them in your research to identify additional job titles, common hiring requirements, and local employers. 

Further Exploration

There are a lot of factors that influence whether a career is a fit or not. These can include monetary compensation, benefits, work environment, organization culture, work/life balance, etc. As you consider your career, think about what is important to you in your employer, role, and setting. These resources can help you perform this additional exploration.

For a more detailed guide on career exploration, review Capella’s Career Exploration YouTube series that helps you identify what is important to you in your career and how that aligns with the world of work. 

Accreditation

Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.