Best Online PhDs in Social Sciences 2019

Our Applied Social Research Doctorate is designed to transform the way you think as a professional and ensure you can make a powerful impact in your field.

If you’re an experienced professional who wants to advance your expertise and broaden your career opportunities, this course is an ideal match. From the outset, you’ll gain high-quality research skills that can be immediately applied in the workplace and refined through access to seminars and advanced training opportunities. You’ll also benefit from the guidance of our expert staff and your interaction with fellow professionals and executives from a range of social science backgrounds.

The course is highly flexible and attendance is kept to a minimum to ensure you can fit your studies around your career. You’ll also have the opportunity to fine-tune your Doctorate based on your profession – choosing one of six pathways:... [-]

The Doctor of Psychology (Ph.D., DPsy) goal is to prepare students for the general practice of professional clinical psychology including education and training regarding the broader social and systemic factors that contribute to human dysfunction such as poverty, oppression, and marginalization. The program will help students develop evaluation techniques and assessment, psychological foundations, remediation and intervention procedures, and program evaluation and research. The Psychology program is designed to advance the professional development of experienced psychology graduates and professionals in the psychology arena by extending their knowledge and equipping them with broad research and process psychology skills, enabling them to make a key leadership contribution to their chosen fields.... [-]

Texas Tech University's online Doctor of Philosophy in Family and Consumer Sciences Education is offered by the Department of Family & Consumer Sciences Education in the College of Human Sciences. The Ph.D. degree program is designed to prepare individuals for faculty positions in higher education and other professional leadership roles. If you seek an academic career, Texas Tech's doctoral program provides you with the most advanced academic training, the most distinguished faculty, and the strongest professional foundation of any program in the country.

The EUCLID DSDD (Ph.D. in Sustainable Development and Diplomacy) is an online program which combined required coursework followed by the elaboration and presentation of the policy-relevant doctoral dissertation. Its goal is to prepare recognized experts for high-level positions in the vast realm of sustainable development policy-making and implementation, with successful careers at intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations, as well as multinational corporations. It is of particular interest to students holding a relevant Master's degree and aiming to achieve a doctoral level, which is increasingly necessary for academia and international institutions.

Conflict is present and destructive at all levels of life and society. Our still-new century is rife with inter-personal conflicts which are expressed and originated on various accounts: ethnic, religious, psychological, economic, etc. Because conflict is so damaging to society, mediation and conflict resolution has become a very important skill, one that can be applied to serve many organizations and government bodies. These are some of the critical topics covered in EUCLID's unique online Doctorate in Mediation and Conflict Resolution - unique because offered by an international intergovernmental organization committed to facilitating dialogue and conflict resolution, as well as unique for being delivered completely is distance / online format. The EUCLID online doctorate in mediation and conflict resolution is also unique for blending personal level psychology with high-level issues (diplomacy, inter-religious dialogue) and practical skills (negotiation), the purpose is to offer a comprehensive coverage of this broad topic.... [-]

EUCLID (Pôle Universitaire Euclide | Euclid University), an international intergovernmental organization with university mandate, offers to select students from the general public its flagship external (distance or online) degree program called the EUCLID Online Doctorate in Diplomacy and International Affairs (DDIA). (Note: This field of study or specialization is sometimes called "International Relations.") It is the only online Ph.D. program in diplomacy organized by an international intergovernmental organization and officially used by active diplomats over 4 continents.

In the application of international standards, EUCLID's Doctorate in Diplomacy and International Affairs represents 90 US credits (120 ECTS) of coursework beyond the Bachelor's. In practice, students typically enter the DDIA with a relevant Master's degree, complete 30 to 35 US credits of core doctoral courses, followed by the actual writing of the dissertation in 5 phases. The resulting thesis should be a publishable book offering a clear contribution to the field and establishing the author as a subject-matter expert. Among the suggested areas of focus are:... [-]

The DIRD (and DIFS) are unique programs in the sense that they are actually offered by an intergovernmental organization with a university charter and an additional mandate in inter-religious dialogue and diplomacy. Notably, EUCLID is the only university which has received the first prize of the UN World Interfaith Harmony Week, presented by H.M. King Abdullah of Jordan (photo below).

EUCLID offers several closely related but nevertheless distinct graduate programs:

This page focuses on the DIRD: EUCLID’s Ph.D. in Inter-Religious Dialogue and Diplomacy, the umbrella program designed to train diplomats, government officials and civil servants in this complex and specialized field. These programs, delivered 100% online, exist to prepare government officials, social workers, clergy, theologians and faculty members to successfully and constructively engage in inter-religious dialogue and diplomacy. This program assumes a strong interest in religion, spirituality, theology, critical thinking, academic research and global affairs. Furthermore, it is open to students from all religious backgrounds including non-believers, although its focus may be of special interest to Muslims and Christians since it was—to an extent—developed in response to the “Common Word” initiative. However, it does assume the following:... [-]

The Doctor of Social Sciences (DSocSci) program responds to the growing demand nationally and internationally for scholar-practitioners who can provide intellectual leadership in the workplace, and help build sustainable organizations, communities, and societies in an age of global interdependence.

An alternative to traditional doctoral programs, the Doctor of Social Sciences focuses on the interdisciplinary applications of the social sciences to complex, real-world problems of direct concern to organizations, communities, and society in general.

The program of study is designed to build your knowledge and understanding of a range of applied social research methodologies and their relevance to specific practical social purposes. The DSocSci program is based on the academic and professional expertise of the faculty at Royal Roads University. Doctoral programs of study should align with one of the university’s four strategic research themes and be linked to the subject expertise of the university’s academic programming.... [-]

Gain the specialized knowledge you need to advance in the exciting and diverse field of forensic psychology.

In this online program, you’ll acquire a deeper understanding of the criminal justice system as well as mental health issues that may drive criminal behavior. Explore ways to evaluate programs designed for forensic populations such as the incarcerated, recently released offenders, the mentally ill, and juvenile offenders.

Expedite your path through the program with our Fast Track Option, and choose from five specializations that allow for intensive exploration of the area of forensic psychology that aligns with your career goals. Prepare for a role as a teacher, researcher, or consultant in the law enforcement, government, education, or nonprofit sector.... [-]

With a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from Walden University, you can drive positive change in the lives of individuals, families, and communities.

In this timely, relevant program, you apply your understanding of human growth and development to current topics such as technology in the digital age and the needs of populations such as the LGBTQ community and refugees.

The Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology professional.... [-]

Walden’s PhD in Social Work program can prepare you for the next step in your social work career as a researcher, college-level educator, or administrative leader. A challenging curriculum enables you to analyze advanced theory and explore some of the most pressing and cutting-edge issues in social work today. Face-to-face academic residencies support the learning experience, allowing you to collaborate with professors and colleagues, build your social and professional community, and enhance your ability to effect positive social change. You will also gain skills in scholarly writing that can help you advance your role as a leader. Achieve the highest credentials in your profession with this PhD program in social work.... [-]

As an advanced social work professional, you are called upon to help society address its most pressing challenges. With Walden’s Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program, you can become a more authoritative advocate for social justice and gain the credentials to be recognized as a leader in your field. Choose from multiple specializations to align your studies with your interests, including Medical Social Work, Addictions and Social Work, and Clinical Expertise. One of the few offered online, the DSW program has a challenging curriculum that can help you acquire the skills to evaluate, design, and execute social welfare programs that make a positive difference. A Master of Social Work (MSW) is required to enroll in this program.... [-]

Make a positive impact in your community and your organization as you explore strategies to help those struggling with issues such as illness, addiction, violence, and poverty. Through virtual simulations, animated case studies, and an interprofessional approach, Walden’s PhD in Human and Social Services program can broaden your understanding of the human services field within a global context.

The program offers a range of specializations that are designed to meet your needs and interests. Learn how effective policy and practice can improve quality of life for underserved populations. Through original research, you can explore the theories, concepts, and strategies that are influential in the field today.... [-]

Walden University’s PhD in Psychology program combines rigorous academics and original research so that you can achieve the highest level of expertise in theories and best practices in psychology. This 100% online program follows a scholar-practitioner model that encourages you to integrate scholarly research with your practical knowledge. Taught by respected researchers and experts in the field, courses in this program will prepare you to make a difference in the lives of others as a practitioner, professor, consultant, or researcher for government, nonprofit, and private organizations.

As one of the first online doctoral programs in industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology, Walden’s PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology program allows you to deepen your knowledge of workplace and organizational behavior. As you develop advanced skills in change management, personnel psychology, and research theory and design, you can prepare to serve as a catalyst for change in higher education, corporate, government, and other workplace settings. Choose from a variety of specializations to tailor your studies to your specific career interests and career path.