You can be a force for good for people at every age and stage of life. The Ed.D. in Human Services Administration from Nova Southeastern University equips you to make a real, measurable difference in human lives by leading and managing the services and organizations they depend upon.

In this leadership-focused doctoral program you'll learn how to apply inquiry and research, problem-solving, collaboration and communication, professional development, ethical behavior, and higher order thinking skills to become an ethical agent of change. You'll be prepared for roles in leadership, administration, management, and policy development of human services agencies and programs. 

Be the difference in one life. And another. And another.

Two Capstone Options for Completing Your Education

NSU’s Ed.D. program offers two capstone options for completing your education: the Applied Dissertation or the Strategic Research Project (SRP). Both choices are designed to help you formulate tough questions and learn how to begin answering them as you prepare for educational leadership. You must successfully complete one of these capstones in order to graduate.

 

Who Should Apply

Geriatric nurse with patient
  • 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 higher who wish to obtain a doctoral degree and increase their knowledge and skills in human services administration and leadership

Quick Facts

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Tuition
Visit the Tuition and Fees page for more information.
Curriculum icon
Curriculum
NSU’s Ed.D. in Human Services Administration is a minimum of 55 total credits to complete.
Delivery options icon
Delivery Options
Classes for the Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership are offered fully online. All doctoral students are required to participate in at least one Summer Institute.
application deadlines icon
Application Deadlines
Applications for admission are accepted online and on a rolling basis for all graduate programs throughout the calendar year. No entrance exam required.

Ed.D. in Human Services Administration Curriculum

Concentration Area Courses (21 credits)

Credits

(HSA 8600
Human Services Delivery Systems
/Credits: 3)
(HSA 8601
Administration, Management and Policy Development of Human Services Agencies and Programs  
/Credits: 3)
(HSA 8602
Developing Human Services in the Context of the Family and the Community
/Credits: 3)
(HSA 8603
Human Resource Development
/Credits: 3)
(HSA 8604
Human Services and the Law
/Credits: 3)
(HSA 8605
Human Services Organizational Theory and Behavior
/Credits: 3)
(HSA 8606
Special Topics in Human Services
/Credits: 3)

Elective Courses (3 credits)

Credits

( 
Any Ed.D. Program course (For DISR students)
/Credits: 3)
(ORGL 8750
(For SRP students)
/Credits: 3)

Summer Institute (1 credit)*

Credits

(FSC 8000
Summer Institute (Residency Requirement)
/Credits: 1)

Applied Dissertation or Strategic Research Project (12 credits)**

Credits

(DISR 8966
Applied Dissertation 1: Prospectus
/Credits: 3)
(DISR 8967
Applied Dissertation 2: Proposal Development
/Credits: 3)
(DISR 8968
Applied Dissertation 3: Proposal
/Credits: 3)
(DISR 8969
Applied Dissertation 4: Applied Dissertation
/Credits: 3)
(ESRP 9000
Strategic Research Project I
/Credits: 6)
(ESRP 9001
Strategic Research Project II
/Credits: 6)

 

Required Courses (12 credits)

Credits

(EDD 8100
Academic Writing
/Credits: 3)
(EDD 8200
Leadership, Communication and Technology
/Credits: 3)
( RES 8100
Nature of Knowing: Introduction to Research Methods
/Credits: 3)
( RES 8200
Research Methods II
/Credits: 3)

Quantitative Research Track (6 credits)***

Credits

( RES 8911
Quantitative Research Design  
/Credits: 3)
( RES 8921
Quantitative Data Analysis
/Credits: 3)

Qualitative Research Track (6 credits)***

Credits

( RES 8916
Qualitative Research Design
/Credits: 3)
( RES 8926
Qualitative Data Analysis
/Credits: 3)

Research Track for those completing the Strategic Research Project (6 credits)

Credits

( RES 8910
Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods
/Credits: 3)
( RES 8924
Data Visualization for Strategic Planning
/Credits: 3)

*Doctoral students are required to attend at least one Summer Institute as part of required coursework. During each day of the institute, students will attend sessions where they will learn valuable skills to help them be successful in the program. There will also be sessions offered specifically to assist with the understanding and completion of the culminating capstone option (applied dissertation or strategic research project) that all students are required to complete. The sessions offer a unique blend of direct instruction and time for students to ask questions and connect with NSU faculty and engage with fellow students. The overall goal of the institute is to immerse students in a learning experience that will provide students with the information and tools needed to be a successful Ed.D. student. For additional information, please visit the website at www.education.nova.edu/summer

**Students who complete all of their coursework and have registered for all of their dissertation benchmark courses (prospectus, proposal development, proposal, and applied dissertation) within the first three years will be required to register for ADS 8090 - Applied Dissertation Services I in order to receive dissertation services from their committee. Beginning with the fourth year (37th month/10th semester) following initial enrollment, and irrespective of remaining coursework, doctoral students are required to register for ADS 8091 - Applied Dissertation Services II, up to the point of degree completion, in order to receive dissertation services from their committee. Credits earned from ADS 8090 or ADS 8091 do not count toward the minimum credit hour requirement for the Ed.D. degree.

***For students completing the Applied Dissertation, you will select either the Quantitative Research Track or the Qualitative Research Track. 

Ed.D. in Human Services Administration Professional Licensure Disclosure (PDF)

Admission Requirements

Master’s Degree
Degree from a Regionally Accredited Institution
$50
Nonrefundable Application Fee (USD)
3.0
Or Higher GPA

Ready for the Next Step?

We’re thrilled you’re applying to this Ed.D. program at NSU.

This program opens opportunities in areas of research, academia, and management for those who are ready to advance as well as for individuals considering a career change.

Applications for admission are accepted online and on a rolling basis. No entrance exam is required. 

 

Apply Now

Have the following items ready to submit with your online application:

 

  • $50 application fee
  • Transcripts from all schools attended
  • Two professional letters of recommendation by two different individuals who can attest to the applicant's ability to succeed in a doctoral program

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