Social Sciences

Challenges that communities, organizations and societies face today are complex and demand interdisciplinary solutions.

The Doctor of Social Sciences responds to this need. It's a hybrid doctoral program that combines the rigour of research of a traditional PhD with applied, professional relevancy. You'll study across disciplines and focus on research with impact.

Through the program, you'll advance your applied research and leadership skills to tackle challenging issues and transform organizations.

This program is accessible if you're a mid-career professional. You'll study through a combination of online courses and two short residencies on campus with a group of other working professionals.

In addition to your coursework, you'll complete candidacy exams and a traditional or portfolio dissertation.

This program is ideal, if you're a policy analyst, senior administrator or executive from the public, private or non-profit sector.

Students and graduates include mid- to senior-level leaders from areas, such as natural resource management, health care, global security, professional communication, disaster relief, humanitarian aid, conflict management, values-based leadership, environmental sustainability, and learning and technology.

Research themes

Throughout your coursework, dissertation and research, you'll benefit from the academic and professional expertise of our faculty.

It's important for your program of study and research to connect with our academic program areas and align with Royal Roads University's strategic research themes, which include the following:

• innovative learning
• thriving organizations
• sustainable communities, livelihoods and the environment

Program outcomes

Once you have completed this program, you'll have developed skills in the following areas:

• applied research
• interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary analysis
• critical thinking
• scholar-practitioner orientation
• systems thinking

You'll be prepared for careers in the following areas:

• education
• health
• government and policy
• leadership
• any social science organization or community

Standard admission

• Normally, a master's degree in one of the social sciences, or related field;
• Evidence of experience related to the degree program;
• Normally a minimum of 10 years with senior-level decision-making authority;
• A competitive, interdisciplinary, applied research proposal that reflects current research foci in the Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences at Royal Roads University.

Flexible admission

No flexible admission process for this program. All applicants must have a recognized master's degree.

English language proficiency

If English is not your primary language, please review our English language requirements.

Application process

• Application documents to the DSocSci program are to be submitted to the RRU Admissions Office where files will be prepared for review by the DSocSci Adjudication Committee.
• Admission selection will reflect a number of factors, including the applicant's academic skills and ability, the alignment of the proposed dissertation topic with the applied and academic goals of the degree, available faculty expertise to supervise the proposed dissertation, and the desire to balance topic areas within the cohort across areas of research expertise within the Faculty of Social and Applied Sciences.
• A telephone interview may be required.

All applications to this program require submission of the following information and supporting documents before your file can be assessed for admission:

Application form

In order to apply online, you will be required to create a log-in account using your email address. You will be required to list all credit courses and/or programs you have completed or are currently enrolled in. An application fee will be required. If your application fees are being paid by a third party, review sponsored student information. Once submitted, you may check the status of your application at any time.

Official transcripts

Applicants are responsible for arranging for the submission of official transcripts from ALL post-secondary (higher education) institutions currently or previously attended, for all credit courses and/or programs. Transcripts are not required for non-credit programs or courses, though some programs may require proof of professional certifications or designations.

Transcripts are considered official only if submitted directly by the Registrar or other recognized authority of the providing institution in the institution's original, sealed envelope. If the envelope has been opened, the transcripts are no longer official and new (official) transcripts will be required to complete your application.

All international transcripts or credentials are subject to an international transcript and/or credential evaluation.

Statement of intent

The statement of intent should consist of a 500-1000 word essay addressing the following four questions:

• What influenced your decision to apply to the Masters of Global Management program at Royal Roads University?
• How have you gained the research, writing, critical thinking and numeracy/accounting skills necessary for success in this program?
• Students at the master's level learn from their instructors, from their readings, from their experiences inside and outside the classroom, and from each other. What do you hope to contribute to the educational experience of your fellow students while you are in the program?
• In 5-10 years, how do you anticipate this program will add value to your career?

Letters of reference

One reference letter should be based on work/life experience and the other based on either academic performance or community service. However, two work-related references are acceptable in certain cases.

The reference letters should confirm that an applicant is a suitable candidate for an MGM program. The writer(s) should articulate why they feel the applicant will succeed in such a program, whether they feel it will benefit the applicant (and why), the applicant's ability to work with others (in teams) and any other information about the applicant which could identify them as a good fit for the program. The context in which the referee has come to know the applicant should also be mentioned. Length and level of detail in the letters may vary; there is no set standard.

Detailed resume (or curriculum vitae)

A structured and detailed resume(or curriculum vitae) is one that provides us a comprehensive professional profile of the applicant. We are interested in knowing where an applicant has worked, for how long, and what they were responsible for in the positions held. Provide as much information as possible. Your detailed resume should include the following:

• Education: List all post-secondary education, degrees, diplomas, and certificates you have achieved.
• Work experience: Please include name of organization, length of service (month and year), and a brief description of duties.
• Training and professional development: List career related training and professional development programs completed with the past five years. Include the source of training, and the duration and year completed. List other training and personal development programs not already identified.
• Voluntary/unpaid work experience: List and describe any voluntary/unpaid post-secondary employment and/or community service experience. Please include name of organization, length of service and a brief description of duties.
• Information technology training and experience: Briefly describe your level of training and experience in the use of information technology including computers, software and telecommunications networks as tools for business, education, teaching and personal use.
• Professional memberships/affiliations: List memberships and positions you hold/have held in professional associations, service clubs, community/volunteer sector.
• Other relevant information

Standardized test results (optional)

• Scores on relevant standardized tests, such as the GMAT, are not required for admission to the program, but may be included in the application as evidence of important skills necessary to succeed in a graduate business program.  Applicants who have achieved a GMAT score of 500 or better will be deemed to have met the academic writing and numeracy skills requirement for the MGM program, and GMAT scores may be used as evidence to support flexible admissions.

If applicable:

• Applicants declaring permanent resident or Convention Refugee status in Canada, must submit a copy of their Permanent Resident Card (PR card) along with their application.
• Transcript evaluation fee or credential evaluation report, if submitting international transcripts.
• An official English language proficiency score report or other evidence of proficiency if English is not your primary language.
• Other information or documents as may be requested to determine your eligibility.

For information on how and where to send your supporting documents, please refer to the document submission guidelines.

Transfer credit or advanced standing

Programs offered at Royal Roads University are highly integrated and do not lend themselves to course by course transfer of credit for advanced standing. In exceptional cases, students who demonstrate an active professional certification and work experience in a particular field (such as a CPA or a law license in Canada), may be able to seek exemption from specific program courses such as accounting and international law. In these cases, students will need to demonstrate their currently valid Canadian professional certification, a list of academic courses completed in the subject area, demonstration of successful completion of the topics covered by the program course at Royal Roads University, and work experience in the applied professional area.