Admissions
Admissions requirements for the Doctor of Social Science degree:
1. Complete a Wilmington University Graduate Application with $35 application fee
2. Official transcripts of all accredited undergraduate and graduate earned degrees. Send official transcript(s) directly to Wilmington University Graduate Admissions Office from the identified institution.
3. Copy of a current Professional Resume or Curriculum Vitae.
4. Three letters of recommendation
5. Statement of Goals and Objectives
6. An interview is required.
Program Purpose
Prevention science is interdisciplinary, integrating theories and methodologies from the disciplines of public health, human development, developmental psychopathology, education, behavioral sciences (e.g., psychology, sociology, developmental neuroscience), economics, evaluation, epidemiology, and public policy and administration.
Program objectives and focus for the DSocSci include training in three primary areas: (1) the production or generation of research-based knowledge that focuses on increasing the understanding of risk and protective factors and processes related to prevention and health promotion in human populations; (2) the translation of evidence into effective programs and policies that positively impact the well-being of children, youth, adults, families, and their communities; and (3) the development of successful partnerships with community, county, state, and national organizations to disseminate effective programs into routine practice in local, regional, national, and international settings.
Program Competencies:
a. How to generate research-based knowledge focused on increasing the understanding of risk and protective factors and processes related to the prevention of problems in human populations;
b. How to translate evidence into effective programs and policies that positively impact the development and well-being of children, youth, adults, families, and communities;
c. How to develop successful partnerships with community, county, state, and national organizations to disseminate effective programs into routine practice in a variety of settings;
d. How to design interventions for vulnerable and unique populations, particularly members of racial and ethnic minority groups, children, and the elderly;
e. How to view individuals in the context of family, peers, community and society; and
f. How to build upon the strengths within the community to alleviate concerns defined by the community.
Additionally, graduates would demonstrate:
Analytical skills. Prevention specialists collect and analyze data in order to evaluate programs and to determine the needs of the people they serve.
Instructional skills. Prevention specialists should be comfortable with public speaking so that they can lead programs, teach classes, and facilitate discussion with clients and families.
Interpersonal skills. Prevention specialists interact with many people from a variety of backgrounds. They must be good listeners and be culturally sensitive to respond to the needs of the people they serve.
Problem-solving skills. Prevention specialists must think creatively about how to improve the health of individuals, families, and communities through prevention/intervention programs. In addition, they may need to solve problems that arise in planning programs, such as changes to their budget or resistance from the community they are serving.
Writing skills. Prevention specialists develop written materials to convey information. Prevention scientists also write proposals to develop programs and apply for funding.
Program Requirements:
This degree is a 39-48 credit degree. Nine (9) of the 48 credits could include credits taken by a student at the master’s level at Wilmington University or another institution. All individuals enrolling in the program with a master’s degree would be evaluated for possible credit transfers of up to 9 credits and may need to take additional credits. Also, students will have the opportunity to design an area of specialty through “Guided Study.” Students will have the opportunity to select six (6) credits at the doctoral level in an area of interest that may not be covered in the required coursework or is covered but they wish to explore in more depth. These credits may include selecting from courses already offered at Wilmington University or by creating independent study opportunities with a Mentor who is an expert/practitioner in that area. Students are not limited to Mentors locally but can choose to study with experts around the globe.
Course Requirements
This accelerated degree program is a professional doctorate designed to respond to the rapid changes taking place in the professional workplace. It also responds to the growing demand nationally and internationally for scholar-practitioners who are trained interdisciplinary and can provide intellectual leadership in the workplace and help build sustainable organizations, communities, and societies in an age of global interdependence.
Course Requirements
The completion of master's degree credits will be evaluated by the Chair of the program upon entrance to program. Students will complete all of the following courses:
| PSC 7000 | Introduction to Prevention Science | 3 |
| PSC 7101 | Human Development and Prevention Science | 3 |
| PSC 7102 | Families and Prevention Science | 3 |
| PSC 7103 | Community Well-Being and Prevention Science | 3 |
| PSC 7104 | Designing and Adapting Preventive Interventions | 3 |
| PSC 7201 | Applied Research Methods and Skills 1: Qualitative | 3 |
| PSC 7202 | Applied Research Methods and Skills 2: Quantitative | 3 |
| PSC 7203 | Applied Research Methods and Skills 3: Mixed Methods Research | 3 |
| PSC 7301 | Guided Study Course | 3 |
| PSC 7302 | Guided Study course II | 3 |
| PSC 8000 | Applied Inquiry Research | 3 |
| PSC 8001 | Applied Inquiry Research II | 3 |
| PSC 8002 | Applied Inquiry Research III | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 39 |