College of Allied Health:

PhD in Clinical Psychology

The PhD in Clinical Psychology program is designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for psychology licensing exams in some states. This program is designed to meet the academic licensure requirements of some state psychology boards. However, Walden University’s PhD in Clinical Psychology is not accredited by the American Psychological Association (APA) and has not received designation by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards/National Register (ASPPB/NR), which are requirements for licensure in many states.

Walden enrollment specialists can provide guidance on licensure issues, state-by-state educational requirements, and internship and practicum requirements; however, it remains the student’s responsibility to evaluate and understand the licensure requirements for the state in which he or she resides, as requirements vary widely. Walden University enrollment specialists can provide general guidance on licensure requirements; however, it is the responsibility of each student to understand and comply with the most current psychology licensure information for his or her individual state. Walden makes no guarantee that its PhD in Clinical Psychology program will meet the licensure requirements in any state.

Prospective students should review the specific, detailed licensure requirements applicable to their state(s) of residency to see if the Walden program meets all of the requirements to sit for licensure as set forth in the state regulations. Additionally, some states have additional coursework, residency, or fieldwork requirements that students will need in order to be eligible for licensure as a psychologist in that state.

Prospective students enrolling in licensure-leading programs are advised that relocation to another state may impact the student’s ability to complete field experiences and/or to obtain professional licensure, certification, or other credential in another state. Prospective students are advised to carefully review, evaluate, and understand the requirements of the applicable licensure board in the state in which they intend to relocate.

• Doctoral Writing Assessment
• Professional Development Plan and Program of Study
• Foundation course (5 credits)
• Core courses (45 credits)
• Research courses (20 credits)
• Electives/Specialization courses (15 credits)
• Clinical practicum (6 credits)
• Internship (12 credits)
• Blended Academic Year in Residence (40 credits)
• Completion of the Doctoral Dissertation
  • Dissertation writing courses (5 credits per term for a minimum of 4 terms; taken continuously until completion)
  • Completion of a beginning-of-quarter, mid-quarter, and end-of quarter plan for each term
• Four PhD residencies

Foundation Course (5 credits)

Core Courses (45 credits)

Research Courses (20 credits)

Elective Courses (15 credits)

For the General program, select three courses from any of the PhD in Clinical Psychology specialization courses as electives. 

Clinical Practicum (6 credits)

Internship (12 credits)

Blended Academic Year in Residence (40 credits)

The courses associated with the Blended Academic Year in Residence (BAYR) must be completed consecutively within a 12-month calendar year. Students that stop the course sequence and do not complete in a consecutive calendar year will need to resume the BAYR course sequence again from the beginning.

Residency Requirements

• Residency 1 – Complete Residency 1 as soon as you begin your program; should be completed in Term 1 or Term 2.
• Residency 2 – Complete Residency 2 at the beginning of your second year, around the time of second research course (RSCH 8310).
• Residency 3 – Complete Residency 3 once you have a prospectus in Walden’s review system.
• Residency 4 –Complete residency 4 after your prospectus is approved as follows:
  • Residency 4 General (RESI 8404) OR
  • Residency 4 Proposal Writing (RESI 8404Q) OR
  • Residency 4 Methods & Data Collection: Qualitative (RESI 8404R) OR
  • Residency 4 Methods & Data Collection: Quantitative (RESI 8404S) OR
  • Residency 4 Publishing & Presenting (RESI 8404T) OR
  • an approved professional conference (RESI 8900 for select programs only. Contact Advising for information.) OR
  • a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during your 9000 course. Contact Student Success Advising to register. You must attend all sessions and advising throughout the entire intensive retreat in order to successfully complete the experience to satisfy residency 4 requirements. NOTE: Intensive Retreats are NOT included in Fast Track tuition.

Completion of the Doctoral Dissertation

Students take this course for a minimum of four quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval.

To complete a doctoral study, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.

Students undertake courses in the following sequence.

* The courses associated with the Blended Academic Year in Residence (BAYR) must be completed consecutively within a 12 month calendar year. Students that stop the course sequence and do not complete in a consecutive calendar year will need to resume the BAYR course sequence again from the beginning.

** Students take this course for a minimum of four terms and are continuously enrolled until completion of their doctoral dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation/doctoral study course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation/doctoral study course shell.

To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.