Social Policy Analysis and Planning–PhD in Human and Social Services

Return to: PhD in Human and Social Services

Creating sustainable social change requires knowing how to work effectively with legislators, lobbyists, and other stakeholders in a challenging public and political arena. In the Social Policy and Analysis and Planning specialization, students can learn the strategies used to shape and implement public policy today. They will study how they can impact the legislation that governs society, including legislation related to healthcare, hate crimes, and the environment. Students’ dissertations will focus on an issue related to shaping social policy.

Graduates in this specialization will be prepared for roles such as policy advisor to municipal and state governments; policy analyst for nonprofits, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and government organizations; and consultant to NGOs on policy implementation and social services delivery at local levels.*

*Note: Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

Specialization Courses (15 cr.)

Course Sequence for Students Entering With a BS Degree

Quarter	Course	Credits
1	HUMN 8000 - Foundations of Graduate Study in Human Services	3 cr.
1	HUMN 8150 - Helping Individuals, Organizations, and Communities: Introduction to Human Services	5 cr.
	RESI 8401 - PhD Residency 1
2	HUMN 8011 - Interviewing and Case Management in Human and Social Services♦	5 cr.
2	HUMN 8152 - Human and Social Services Administration	5 cr.
3	RSCH 8110 - Research Theory, Design, and Methods♦	5 cr.
3	HUMN 8100 - Introduction to Research and Evaluation in Human and Social Services♦	5 cr.
	RESI 8402 - PhD Residency 2
4	HUMN 8205 - Cross-Cultural Ethics in Human and Social Services	5 cr.
4	HUMN 8207 - Grant Writing♦	5 cr.
5	HUMN 8451 - Public Policy Analysis	5 cr.
5	RSCH 8210 - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis♦	5 cr.
	RESI 8403 - PhD Residency 3
6	RSCH 8310 - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis♦	5 cr.
6	HUMN 8237 - Advanced Program Evaluation	5 cr.
7	HUMN 8465 - Strategic Planning: Collaboration, Cooperation, and Coordination	5 cr.
7	HUMN 8809 - Fundamentals of Law and Public Policy	5 cr.
8	HUMN 8660 - Social Change, Leadership, and Advocacy for Human Services Professionals	5 cr.
8	RESI 8404 - PhD Residency 4
9	HUMN 8550 - Preparing for Dissertation	5 cr.
9	RSCH 8260 - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis OR RSCH 8360 - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis OR RSCH 8460 - Advanced Mixed-Methods Reasoning and Analysis	5 cr.
10–13+	HUMN 9001 - Dissertation *	5 cr. per term for a minimum of four terms; taken continuously until completion

*Students take this course for a minimum of 4 quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their Dissertation with final Chief Academic Officer (CAO) approval.

To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the Chief Academic Officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.

Course Sequence for Students Entering With an MS Degree

Quarter	Course	Credits
1	HUMN 8000 - Foundations of Graduate Study in Human Services	3 cr.
1	HUMN 8150 - Helping Individuals, Organizations, and Communities: Introduction to Human Services	5 cr.
	RESI 8401 - PhD Residency 1
2	RSCH 8110 - Research Theory, Design, and Methods♦	5 cr.
2	HUMN 8210 - Management and Leadership Development in Human and Social Services♦	5 cr.
3	HUMN 8451 - Public Policy Analysis	5 cr.
3	RSCH 8210 - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis♦	5 cr.
	RESI 8402 - PhD Residency 2
4	HUMN 8207 - Grant Writing♦	5 cr.
4	RSCH 8310 - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis♦	5 cr.
	RESI 8403 - PhD Residency 3
5	HUMN 8465 - Strategic Planning: Collaboration, Cooperation, and Coordination	5 cr.
5	HUMN 8237 - Advanced Program Evaluation	5 cr.
6	HUMN 8809 - Fundamentals of Law and Public Policy	5 cr.
6	HUMN 8550 - Preparing for Dissertation	5 cr.
	RESI 8404 - PhD Residency 4
7	RSCH 8260 - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis OR RSCH 8360 - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis OR RSCH 8460 - Advanced Mixed-Methods Reasoning and Analysis	5 cr.
8–11+	HUMN 9001 - Dissertation *	5 cr. per term for a minimum of four terms; taken continuously until completion

*Students take this course for a minimum of 4 quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their Dissertation with final Chief Academic Officer (CAO) approval.