Doctor of Education Concentration in Human Services Administration
The doctor of education with a concentration in human services administration is designed for practicing human services professionals working with individuals across the life span, families, communities, and/or organizations. This concentration fosters the development of leadership skills towards becoming proactive, ethical agents of change in systems and organizations that provide individual and community based social services and affect quality of life. Through self-reflection, analysis, and practical application of best practices, these skills are then used to solve real problems in the workplace. The doctoral program with a concentration in human services administration focuses on developing practitioners that can respond to current issues and trends in human service settings, as well as predict, prepare for, advocate for, and shape the future of services for the benefit of diverse populations of stakeholders.
Who Should Apply?
- Practicing human services professionals in schools, hospitals, universities, skilled nursing facilities, private practice, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, not-for-profit organizations, or government agencies
- Individuals with master's degrees or above who wish to obtain a doctoral degree and increase their knowledge and skills in human services administration and leadership
Entrance Requirements
- Completed admission application packet, including $50 nonrefundable application fee made payable to Nova Southeastern University
- Official transcripts indicating conferral of a master's degree by a regionally accredited institution (minimum 3.0 grade point average required) or the completion of one of the alternative admission requirements
- Official transcripts from all previously attended postsecondary institutions
- Two professional letters of recommendation by two different individuals who can attest to the applicant's ability to succeed in a doctoral program
- Employment in or access to professional field(s) appropriate to applicant's selected concentration
- A test score report showing that the applicant received a raw score of 37 (scaled score 391'396) on the Miller Analogies Test (MAT) or a combined score of 1000 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The test must have been taken within the past five years. If the score falls below the minimum requirement, the applicant must submit a rationale, in essay format, providing an explanation of why scores do not reflect the applicant's academic potential.
For Non-Native English Speakers
Applicants whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate English proficiency by providing proof of a minimum score of 213 on the computer-based or 550 on the paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam or 6.0 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam.
For International Applicants
Students taking classes in certain FSEHS international clusters may be exempt from submitting MAT, GRE, and TOEFL scores. Please contact a FSEHS enrollment representative regarding requirements for your international cluster.
Course Requirements
Convenient Delivery Options
Coursework for the doctor of education is offered in a variety of formats'completely online or in a combination of on-site and online (blended). This allows busy professionals to complete their degrees without leaving their jobs or traveling great distances. Students may elect to take their core seminars at the sites or completely online. Concentration and elective courses will be delivered completely online.
- Online courses allow students to interact in a virtual classroom.
- Blended programs combine on-site and online instruction. On-site courses are offered periodically over weekends and supplemented with online study.
- In addition to coursework, all doctoral students are required to participate in the Conference on Global Leadership, Learning, and Research in their first year of studies.
Doctoral Studies Orientation
The Doctoral Studies Orientation is an online course that provides students with an overview of six distinct areas related to doctoral studies: program overview, student services, applied research, technology, distance library services, and debt management. Completion of this non-credit course is a mandatory requirement for all students entering a doctoral program at the Fischler School. Students should complete DSO 8000 prior to beginning their first doctoral course.
Conference on Global Leadership, Learning, and Research
The Summer Conference is a mandatory program component for all first year doctoral students. The experience includes conference sessions, applied dissertation workshops, the face to face portion of the summer term trends and issues, and research courses, as well as the opportunity to meet one on one with dissertation chairs. Equally important, students have the opportunity to network and interact with their doctoral peers and meet with their field associates.
Completion Requirements
- Completion of the Doctoral Studies Orientation
- Participation at the Conference for Global Leadership, Learning, and Research within the first year of admission into the program
- Satisfactory completion of all required courses
- Successful completion of an applied dissertation
- Cumulative maintained grade point average of 3.0 or higher
- Completed application for degree