Shaping Social and Health Change

Content and Objectives of the Doctoral Program

The doctoral program ‘Shaping Social and Health Chang’e of the Department of Social and Health Affairs focuses on the study and analysis of services and opportunities for participation within health and welfare systems, in social work, and in social security structures — examined from the perspectives of various members of society.

At the center of attention are formal and informal care and support systems, analyses of social inequality, needs and impact assessments of service and organizational structures, the effects of professionalization in health and social professions, and questions of professional ethics.

Aligned with these areas of research, the Department of Social and Health Affairs is structured around four main research foci:

• Social and Health Policy Research
• Health and Social Care Research
• Professionalism and Professionalisation Research
• Inequality, Participation, and Inclusion Research

The program provides structured support for doctoral candidates and their supervisors, accompanying the candidates in their development into independent researchers. It also contributes to quality assurance within the doctoral process, fostering both subject-specific and interdisciplinary competencies.

Target Groups and Admission Requirements

The doctoral program is primarily aimed at graduates with a degree in a social or health science discipline who, in their doctoral projects, engage with the topics and research questions addressed in the program.

To be admitted as a doctoral candidate in the department and to be able to pursue a doctorate within the program, the following requirements must be fulfilled:

• a degree that entitles to pursue a doctorate according to § 67 (4) of the Higher Education Act, with a focus on social or health science subjects, completed with a grade of at least “good”
• a convincing doctoral project that fits the program, including a written proposal. Either a short or a full proposal may be submitted (see also the Guidelines for Writing a Doctoral Proposal)
• supervision by a professorial member of the department and proposals for a complete supervision team (see also Confirmation of Supervision),

Admission as a doctoral candidate is decided by the doctoral examining committee.

Structure of the Program

The three-year doctoral program is divided into a mandatory component and an elective component. While all requirements in the mandatory component must be completed, candidates are required to complete activities in at least three of the six listed areas within the elective component.

The indication of the year for the mandatory component serves as a recommendation; courses and activities may also be completed at different times. Participation in additional courses is possible. Some of the program’s courses are also offered as online formats.

Events Offered within the Doctoral Program

The department informs doctoral candidates about upcoming events via email and on the "News and Events” page.
The department regularly offers the following events:

Mandatory Component

Lecture Series

The lecture series “Shaping Social and Health Change” is offered each semester. As a rule, four sessions take place online each semester fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

Doctoral Colloquium

The department offers three doctoral colloquia per semester. Currently, two events take place online and one event takes place in person at PK NRW or at one of the participating universities of applied sciences. 

Methodology Courses

The department usually offers two courses per semester to deepen specific scientific methods. These can take place online or in person.

Elective Component

We regularly inform you about other courses that you can credit as elective component. These include, for example, cooperative events with professional associations in the form of symposiums.  

Other Events

In addition to the courses you need for the doctoral program, we offer a range of other courses that serve to promote networking and exchange.

• SuG Brown Bag Lunch on the first Monday of every month from 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. on Zoom (during the lecture period)
• Onboarding for doctoral students and professors (once per semester)
• Workshops on writing a cover letter or synopsis (or similar)

Documents for Enrollment and Admission