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Advanced Studies in Human Behavior
Doctor of Philosophy in Advanced Studies in Human Behavior
Make a difference in your community and advance your career with an online PhD in Advanced Studies in Human Behavior from Capella University. Prepare to teach, consult, or lead on issues related to mental health and wellness, risk and resiliency, addictive behaviors, and human relationships across the lifespan.
This program focuses on advanced research, interdisciplinary leadership theory, program development and evaluation, and social influences on human behavior. Upon graduation, you’ll be ready to create change for individuals, organizations, and communities through leadership, assessment and evaluation, and advocacy.
Classes start April 11
Use the code WINTER to waive the $50 application fee.
At a Glance
- Online and in-person
- 14 core courses
- 3 elective courses
- 3 Virtual Residencies
- Comprehensive examination
- Dissertation
Reduce your tuition by $5,000
Enroll in a qualified program and apply for a $5K Capella Progress Reward, a scholarship to help fund your doctoral degree. Eligibility rules and exclusions apply. Connect with us for details.
Applicants must provide the following information for admission to Capella programs and specializations:
- A master’s degree from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, or from an internationally recognized institution
- Your official master’s transcripts, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale
- A valid, government-issued form of photo identification
GRE and GMAT are not required for admission.
International Student Requirements
If you completed your most recent academic coursework, degree, or credential at an institution outside the United States, regardless of your citizenship or where you currently live, you are considered an international applicant.
In addition to the above admission requirements, you will need to submit these materials:
- Minimum score on acceptable test for proof of English proficiency
- Transcript evaluation
Learn more about international student admissions.
GuidedPath
A more structured learning format with an active peer community and faculty guidance. We’ll set the schedule, you meet the deadlines.
- Based on the quarter system; 1–2 courses per 10-week quarter
- 1 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits
- Weekly assignments and courseroom discussions
- Pay for what you take, price varies by courseload or term
$965 per credit, $4,900 quarterly tuition max, 77 coursework credits, 16 max transfer credits
Tuition breakdown
Program Phases
Comprehensive exam
$2,895 Per quarter
Comprehensive exam
$2,895
Per quarter
Dissertation
$2,895 Per quarter
Dissertation
$2,895
Per quarter
Fees
Resource kit fee
$175 Per quarter, coursework phase only
Includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, and other instructional materials
Resource kit fee
$175
Per quarter, coursework phase only
Includes eBooks, textbooks, interactive media, software, course packs, articles, and other instructional materials
Application fee
$50 One-time fee
Application fee
$50
One-time fee
Tuition and program length are unique to you
Your total tuition and program length depend on a variety of factors:
- The program specialization you choose
- Scholarships and finances
- Prior coursework
- Transfer credits
- Employer and/or military benefits
- Number of quarters spent working on dissertation
- Complexity of your dissertation
- Academic performance
- School/work/life balance
- Unexpected life events
About cost scenarios
The cost scenarios below are examples based on general program pricing and 2021–22 Capella tuition rates, and assume the average number of transfer credits a student brings into the program. Pacing information is current as of January 1, 2021. These rates are the same nationwide and may change depending on factors affecting program length and price.
To discuss whether the specialization you’re interested in has additional factors that may affect program cost and length, contact a Capella enrollment counselor.
Cost scenarios
Completes dissertation in 8 quartersComplete each milestone at the pace of the fastest 25% of students |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $965/credit 13 quarters |
$55,715.00 |
| Comprehensive Exam 1 quarter |
$2,895.00 |
| Dissertation: $2,895/quarter 8 quarters |
$23,160.00 |
| Subtotal
|
$81,770.00 |
| Est. Scholarship Savings*
|
$-5,000.00 |
| Est. Subtotal w/Scholarship Savings*
|
$76,770.00 |
| Resource kit fee: $175 13 quarters |
$2,275.00 |
| Application fee: $50 one-time fee |
$50.00 |
|
Est. Total w/Scholarship Savings* 22 quarters |
$79,095.00 |
Completes dissertation in 11 quartersComplete each milestone at the pace of the median 50% of students |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $965/credit 13 quarters |
$55,715.00 |
| Comprehensive Exam 1 quarter |
$2,895.00 |
| Dissertation: $2,895/quarter 11 quarters |
$31,845.00 |
| Subtotal
|
$90,455.00 |
| Est. Scholarship Savings*
|
$-5,000.00 |
| Est. Subtotal with Scholarship Savings*
|
$85,455.00 |
| Resource kit fee: $175 13 quarters |
$2,275.00 |
| Application fee one-time fee |
$50.00 |
|
Est. Total w/Scholarship Savings* 25 quarters |
$87,780.00 |
Completes dissertation in 14 quartersComplete each milestone at the pace of the slowest 75% of students |
|
|---|---|
| Coursework: $965/credit 13 quarters |
$55,715.00 |
| Comprehensive Exam 1 quarter |
$2,895.00 |
| Dissertation: $2,895/quarter 14 quarters |
$40,530.00 |
| Subtotal
|
$99,140.00 |
| Est. Scholarship Savings*
|
$-5,000.00 |
| Est. Subtotal with Scholarship Savings*
|
$94,140.00 |
| Resource kit fee: $175 13 quarters |
$2,275.00 |
| Application fee one-time fee |
$50.00 |
|
Est. Total w/Scholarship Savings* 28 quarters |
$96,465.00 |
*Eligibility rules apply. Connect with us for details.
Get the details
Connect with an enrollment counselor to further discuss the cost of the program and explore your eligibility for scholarships and discounts.
Your education is an investment in your future that’s within your reach. There are more ways to save than you might think.
In this program, you’ll develop programs and study issues specific to children, families, eating disturbances, and addictive behaviors.
| SHB8002 |
Advanced Research in Adult Human Development and Behavior
Learners in this course critically analyze theory and research in adult development and behavior with an emphasis on contemporary research and application issues. In addition, learners study adult development from biological, psychological, social, and multicultural perspectives and apply principles of adult development to professional practice. Must be taken by PhD learners during their first quarter. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
|---|---|---|
| SHB8101 |
Interdisciplinary Leadership in Social and Behavioral Sciences
In this course, learners evaluate historical, current, and emerging theories of interdisciplinary leadership that apply in social and behavioral sciences contexts. Learners assess the role and influence of leaders in complex and dynamic interdisciplinary environments and organizations that address human behavior issues. Learners also focus on developing doctoral-level skills in evaluating and synthesizing leadership research. Cannot be fulfilled by transfer. |
4 quarter credits |
| SHB8315 |
Advanced Program Design and Evaluation
In this course, learners gain an understanding of program design via needs-based approaches and models that inform those approaches. Learners examine needs assessment and program evaluation as fundamental tools in institutional, public, or private organizations to develop programs and assess their effectiveness at the leadership level. |
4 quarter credits |
| SHB8441 |
Advanced Ethics and Leadership in Studies in Human Behavior
The focus of this course is the ethical and leadership responsibilities of human behavior professionals. Learners synthesize ethical principles with leadership roles in public and private settings and evaluate the ways professionals apply ethics and leadership in their work with diverse client populations in the fields of education and social and behavioral sciences. |
4 quarter credits |
| SHB8661 |
Risk and Resiliency in Diverse Populations
In this course, learners demonstrate proficiency in human behavior studies through research-based application of multidimensional resilience concepts to diverse populations, in order to identify the means of maintaining well-being throughout the lifespan. Learners evaluate types of resilience in response to risks caused by psychosocial, environmental, and genetic stressors and analyze the impact of coping skills on post-traumatic growth by identifying the process of resilience and the historical factors influencing it. In addition, learners examine leadership approaches to addressing personal risk factors with an emphasis on different models of advocacy to generate informed decisions for successful collaboration with multiple providers and various populations. |
4 quarter credits |
Learning outcomes
This program is designed for counseling professionals pursuing advanced educational, consultative, or leadership roles in institutional, public, or private settings. It is aligned with external professional standards to provide the relevant expertise you need.
On successful completion of this program, you should be able to:
- 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
Review the Capella career exploration guide to learn more about this program and career paths to explore.
Your education can help you reach your professional and personal goals. Here are some of the jobs and employment settings to consider with a PhD in Advanced Studies in Human Behavior.
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.
Capella University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Accreditation and recognitions provide assurance that we meet standards for quality of faculty, curriculum, learner services, and fiscal stability. See all our accreditations and recognitions.
Support to reach the finish line
We designed our programs to meet the unique needs of doctoral students. Our programs help you reach your goals, with support from faculty, staff, and online resources along the way.
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