The Ph.D. program is comprised of four blocks of study:

• Block 1: Community Engagement core (15 credit hours);
• Block 2: Research and Practicum core (18 credit hours);
• Block 3: Proseminars/Electives (choose 6 credit hours) and;
• Block 4: Dissertation core (15 credit hours).

The following options can help you afford your Ph.D.:

• Tuition and Fees*
• Payment Plans
• Loans
• Employer Reimbursement

Learn more about tuition and fees. 

* With its already affordable cost, the Ph.D. program is not eligible for tuition discount programs.

What the Ph.D. in community engagement program offers:

• Gain a broad understanding of public policy, program development, community psychology and best practices in leadership and engagement.
• Be prepared to conduct research and build partnerships with civic, business and community organizations. 
• In this unique social lab, engage with communities as part of the coursework.
• Work with the Luma Institute, using human-centered design thinking for the greater good.
• Be part of a small student cohort from diverse sectors. 

Upon completion of your Ph.D. in community engagement, you will be able to:

• Explore sociological, business, communication and environmental factors that contribute to a community’s success.
• Demonstrate the ability to apply ethical leadership principles to community-based issues.
• Demonstrate the ability to utilize public policy to bring about social change.
• Develop and evaluate programs for use in business, government or nonprofit sectors.
• Explore the psychological and sociological factors that impact communities.
• Utilize theory and research to guide community change and progress.

In this active doctoral program, work closely with community partners on research and hands-on projects. Examples of the partners and projects our doctoral students have worked with include:

Partners

• Allegheny Conference on Community Development
• Allegheny County
• City of Pittsburgh
• Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank
• The Luma Institute
• Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education
• POISE Foundation

Projects

• Allegheny County and City of Pittsburgh 2020 Census
• Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement Classification
• Courageous Conversations Speaker and Service Series
• Point Park Pioneer Pantry
• Wood Street Communications
  

Research in Action

• Examining Housing Insecurity Among Pittsburgh Area College Students

The low-residency program allows working professionals to balance family, personal and career commitments while completing all required courses online - as well as a dissertation - in three to four years, depending on timing of dissertation work.

Take a look at our three-year program schedule. Courses in the program run year-round and are divided into eight-week sessions. Students will typically take one online course each eight weeks, earning you 18 credits per year for a total of 54 credits. Residency is met by participating in a four-day residency in Pittsburgh, Pa., every August for three years.