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Aug 24, 2026
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2026-2027 Academic Catalog and Student Handbook
Ph.D. Transformative Social Change
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Return to: Academic Programs
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Overview of Program
The Ph.D. Transformative Social Change (TSC) program focuses on preparing graduates to possess the skills and capacities needed for particular types of nonprofit organizations, those with a program focus in advocacy for human rights, community building, democracy, peace, the environment and social justice. To enable graduates to be successful participants and leaders in those types of NGOs, as well as to teach in higher education, we emphasize development of the skills and capacities for employment positions in the research, policy, education and outreach areas.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Design environments that reflect and support participatory, democratic, collaborative leadership skills.
- Formulate interventions that are congruent with ethics and values.
- Synthesize and design social system transformation strategies.
- Formulate and evaluate dialogues that are inclusive of global, multicultural, multi-generational social and environmental viewpoints.
- Appraise models of compassion and connectedness with the larger community.
Career Opportunities
The Ph.D. Transformative Social Change program focuses on preparing graduates to possess the skills to become successful advocates and leaders in nonprofit organizations and educational environments-focusing on human rights, community building, peace, the environment, and social justice. Guided by faculty with years of research and advocacy experience, transformative social change graduates will be able to:
- Design environments and processes that support participation and democratic collaboration
- Design strategies that will lead to social transformation
- Articulate global, multicultural, multi-generational, social, and environmental viewpoints
- Appraise models of compassion and connectedness with the larger community
Admissions Requirements
Applicants for Ph.D. Transformative Social Change must submit the following documents:
- Application for Admissions
- An official transcript from an accredited university demonstrating successful completion of a master's degree, with a 3.0 GPA or better;
- Professional resume or CV;
- Personal statement; and
- One Letter of recommendation
University Learning Experience
Virtual Learning Experience (VLE) - Required, Community Learning Experience (CLE) - Required
All new students begin their studies with a Welcome Week. Welcome Week activities, including a degree program orientation, are held online during the week ahead of the start of the fall and spring semesters. Participation is strongly encouraged.
All Transformative Social Change students are required to attend the Virtual Learning Experience (VLE) during week one in the fall and spring semesters of each academic year. They are also required to attend the biannual, in person, Community Learning Experience in the fall of odd calendar years. The University Learning Experience components (VLEs and CLEs) are academic requirements, and their completion is important for your successful academic progress: they allow you to meet with faculty and co-learners in a synchronous, stimulating, and supportive virtual environment. The University Learning Experience (ULE) nurtures intellectual and relational creativity, enriches the educational environment, and foster faculty and peer interactions. During the ULE, there are courses being launched, workshops, independent learning activities, peer learning opportunities, community events, and other hands-on experiences intended to nurture professional development, skill building, relationships, and transformative change. You can find the specific hour and track requirements on the Academic Commons University Learning Experience Program Requirements Page linked here. https://tcsedsystem.libguides.com/VLE_Requirements
Transformative Social Change Students are required to attend the VLE throughout their program along with the CLE (in-person) in the fall of odd calendar years.
Certain courses may have additional experiential, participation, or attendance requirements beyond those outlined for the program. Students should consult individual course descriptions for details.
Fieldwork
Students may choose to participate in an optional semester-long Practicum in Professional Practice (TSC 8151), where they participate in twenty hours each week in a nonprofit, educational, community or governmental setting, and write up a review of that experience at the end of the semester. Participation in fieldwork is subject to the student’s state of residence. Contact the Admissions Department for more information.
Credits/Hours
Total credits: 63
A credit hour for an online course represents 15 hours of instructional activity (e.g., engagement with web-based instructional materials) toward achieving specified student learning outcomes. For online courses, the 15 hours of instructional activity may include but are not limited to synchronous or asynchronous lectures or webinars, interactive tutorials, and online discussions. A credit hour also assumes an additional 30 hours of homework, studying, and/or research. Partial credits are not granted.
Mode of Delivery
Hybrid Online Learning Model
The Ph.D. Transformative Social Change degree program combines online learning with periodic in-person residential learning experiences.
For distance online or hybrid courses, the total hours of work typically required for any class of work reflects: 1) synchronous and asynchronous components that facilitate faculty-student and student-student interaction (virtual classrooms, discussion boards, and chats) and 2) independent learning components (readings, recorded lectures, written assignments, and quizzes).
Length of Program
The degree completion time for a full-time student enrolled in the Ph.D. Transformative Social Change program following the default course sequence will range from 4 -5 years. Any breaks in enrollment and/or reduced enrollment may impact completion time.
Research Course Sequence (taken in order):
Transformative Social Change Electives (Choose four):
Other Electives***: 12 Credit(s)
Unless otherwise stipulated by program, any other graduate-level coursework will apply toward Other Elective credit requirements.
Total Degree Requirements - Credits: 63
* Some courses may be waived if completed during the M.A. program at Saybrook University within the past five years. If waived, credits must be substituted with appropriate degree program electives.
*** May include up to 12 transfer credits completed during a graduate degree or certificate program in a related field from an accredited university within the last seven years. No transfer credit will be accepted from courses already applied toward another degree that was previously awarded. Transfer credits will be determined by the TSC degree program director and will be applied toward required electives.
**** Dissertation to be completed in a minimum of two semesters. Students registering for the Doctoral Dissertation with required degree coursework outstanding must complete all degree requirements within 10 consecutive semesters, inclusive of summer. Students registering for the Doctoral Dissertation with no outstanding degree requirements must complete their degree program within 9 consecutive semesters, inclusive of summer.
Specialization Options: 12 Credits
Teaching and Advanced Research Specialization (STAR) - 12 credits
Overview
The 12-credit Specialization in Teaching and Advanced Research (STAR) serves university learners interested in pursuing academic careers. Innovative, learner-centered, skill-based courses in teaching, grant writing, curriculum design, and academic publication prepare learners for professional and scholarly success in their field of interest. Over four core courses, learners develop a scholarly portfolio to promote academic success post-graduation. This academic dossier will include a written teaching philosophy, Curriculum Vitae, exemplar syllabi and course designs, grant proposals, research publications and presentations. Following completion of the core courses, learners then work with faculty research mentors to apply the dossier to professional academic goals: establishing and building professional networks, refining skills, and participating in academic opportunities. STAR learners are invited to present at the STAR Learner Research Symposium, an annual virtual academic conference featuring learner research presentations.
Any Saybrook student can enroll in RES4010, RES5010, RES5020, or RES5030 as elective courses if they meet the prerequisite requirements.
Total Degree Requirements with Specialization Option - 63 credits
M.A. to Ph.D. in Transformative Social Change
While in the MA program at Saybrook University, students may decide to apply to continue to the doctoral program. Once such students have completed the admissions process to the doctoral program, they may be accepted on the condition of completion of the MA degree requirements (i.e., successful completion of the thesis/project). Such students are allowed to enroll in up to an additional 9 credits of coursework while completing the thesis/project. If the student is admitted to the doctoral program, these 9 credits will be considered toward the PhD degree. If the student does not continue to the doctoral program, those additional credits completed are awarded toward the MA degree. That is, admission into the doctoral program does not commence until the MA is complete. Such students will be required to adhere to the catalog that is in place when they matriculate into the doctoral program (i.e., after completion of the thesis/project), not the catalog in place at the time of their conditional acceptance into the doctoral program.
The following requirements apply to students who 1) earn an MA in Transformative Social Change at Saybrook University or MA in Psychology at Saybrook University within the Transformative Social Change Specialization, and 2) are currently earning an MA degree and, wish to apply for entry into the doctoral program immediately following graduation. If the student is accepted into the doctoral program and matriculates within two semesters of receiving the MA, the following program requirements apply. If more than one year elapses between finishing the MA and beginning the PhD program, the student must adhere to the standard PhD course requirements as noted above.
Research Course Sequence (taken in order):
Transformative Social Change Elective (Choose one)
Other Elective*: 3 credits
Unless otherwise stipulated by program, any other graduate-level coursework will apply toward Other Elective credit requirements
Total Credits: 54
* Some courses may be waived if completed during the M.A. program in Transformative Social Change at Saybrook University within the past two years. If waived, credits must be substituted with Electives.
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