Human Development, PhD (with optional concentrations)

Required Coursework:

Effective date: 09/01/2016

Total Semester Credits: 84

Optional Concentrations

Students matriculated into the Fall 2016 catalog or later in the HD program can concentrate their elective studies in the HD/OD&C concentrations listed below, or from any concentration offered in other School of Leadership Studies doctoral degrees. In this way, students can individualize their doctoral program and expand their professional expertise. Each concentration typically includes a minimum of three tailored courses and access to a community of scholar-practitioners who are passionate about this specialized field of study.

Creative Longevity & Wisdom Concentration

The goal of the Creative Longevity & Wisdom concentration is to enhance knowledge and practice in areas concerning mid-life and older adults.

Somatics, Phenomenology & Communicative Leadership Concentration

This concentration combines and integrates scholarly theory and mastery of embodied mindful awareness (somatics) with substantial grounding in transformative phenomenology (consciousness and deep personal reflection) along with the interpretive and practical dynamics of social constructionism (Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM), Symbolic Interactionism, and related communication and social construction disciplines). The impact of the artful blending of these three disciplines and bodies of theory is to: (1) reinforce the validity of “essence-based evidence” available through the phenomenological lens, (2) provide insights into improved research and practice through lifeworld analysis (3) improve practice skills through somatic awareness and practices (4) intensify and enhance leadership skills through increase communication practices such as CMM, (Communicative Management of Meaning) which was developed and perfected by the late Barnett Pearce, HOD Professor Emeritus, and (5) increase contemplative skills as related to research and practice based.

Community College Leadership for Change Concentration

The doctoral concentration in Community College Leadership for Change addresses the most current issues in community colleges and builds students’ knowledge and skills as scholar-practitioners.

Dual Language Concentration

The Dual Language Concentration offers an academic program to guide teachers, administrators, and scholar-leaders in examining the research, theory, and practices needed to develop effective K-12 dual language programs.

Evidence Based Coaching Concentration

The doctoral concentration in Evidence Based Coaching offers an interdisciplinary approach to integrating research-based coaching theory with professional practice in organizational and individual coaching. Participants will study the core theories that underpin principle practices of individual and organizational coaching and undertake individual research to integrate theory with practice in individual and organizational settings.

Inclusive Leadership for Social Justice Concentration

The doctoral concentration in Inclusive Leadership for Social Justice is designed to develop more inclusive scholar-leaders who are knowledgeable about and sensitive to the complex ways that power and injustice manifest in organizations and communities in order to co-create a more just society.

Leadership of Higher Education Systems Concentration

The doctoral concentration in Leadership of Higher Education Systems focuses students’ doctoral study on the knowledge and skills needed to become leaders and change agents in higher education institutions, such as 4-year colleges, universities, and graduate schools

Leadership for Social & Ecological Sustainability Concentration

The objective of the doctoral concentration in Leadership for Social & Ecological Sustainability is to produce leaders in businesses, nonprofits, governments, and educational institutions.

Media, Technology, & Innovation Concentration

The doctoral concentration in Media, Technology, & Innovation is focused on the ways in which media, technology, and knowledge networks are transforming our societies, organizations, and ourselves by becoming the dominant driving force for innovation and organizational change.

Organization Development Concentration

A doctoral degree with a concentration in Organization Development (OD) prepares students to become scholar practitioners, thought leaders, and change agents in a variety of organizations-profit, non-profit, and public sectors.

Reflective Practice/Supervision Concentration

The doctoral concentration in Reflective Practice/Supervision is designed to teach students the theory of reflective practice/supervision and how to apply it to their professional work experiences in clinical, educational, administrative, or organizational systems.