- College of Psychology and Community Services
- BS in Criminal Justice
- BS in Human Services
- BS in Psychology
- Graduate Certificate in Conflict Management and Negotiation
- Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice
- MS in Criminal Justice
- MS in Criminal Justice Leadership and Executive Management
- MS in Forensic Psychology
- MS in Human Services
- Post-Master’s Online Teaching in Psychology Certificate
- Doctor of Human Services
- PhD in Criminal Justice
- PhD in Forensic Psychology
- PhD in Human Services
- PhD in Psychology
- Post-Doctoral Respecialization Certificate
Students in Walden’s PhD in Forensic Psychology program will explore the systems and programs that strive to create positive change in the legal system and community settings. Students can broaden their understanding of advanced forensic psychology and examine ways to evaluate programs designed for populations such as the incarcerated, recently released offenders, the mentally ill, and juvenile offenders. Walden’s PhD in Forensic Psychology program offers a variety of specializations to help students meet their personal and professional goals. Students may choose from the General Program or the following specializations: Criminal Justice Self-Designed, Crisis Leadership Management, Crisis Response, Legal Issues in Forensic Psychology, Self-Designed, or Victimology.
Note on Licensure
The PhD in Forensic Psychology is not a licensure-leading program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology professional.
Learning Outcomes
As graduates of this program, students will be prepared to:
- Evaluate behavior using psychological theory and research from a forensic psychology perspective.
- Analyze seminal works in forensic psychology.
- Analyze advanced legal concepts pertaining to forensic psychology.
- Apply advanced research methods to produce independent scholarly research related to forensic psychology.
- Evaluate assessment elements within forensic psychology settings.
- Apply relevant ethical codes to decision-making in forensic work settings.
- Integrate principles of forensic psychology and professional activities to promote social change.
Specializations
Learning Tracks
There are two tracks in the PhD in Forensic Psychology:
- Track 1: For Those Entering With a Master's Degree in Forensic Psychology
- Track 2: For Those Entering With a Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in Unrelated Field
Degree Requirements
Track 1: For Those Entering With a Master's Degree in Forensic Psychology
Minimum Degree Requirements
- Doctoral Writing Assessment
- Foundation course (3 credits)
- Core courses (20 credits)
- Research courses (15 credits)
- Specialization courses (15 credits)
- Completion of Doctoral Dissertation
- Dissertation support courses (7 credits)
- Dissertation Companion courses (5 credits; continuously enrolled in 1 credit per term for a minimum of 5 terms until completed)
- Dissertation course (15 credits; continuously enrolled for a minimum of 3 terms until completed)
- Four PhD residencies
Course Sequence for Students Entering With an MS Degree
| Quarter | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 |
FPSY 8002 - Foundations of Graduate Study in Psychology |
3 credits |
|
FPSY 8316 - Interviewing and Observation within a Forensic Setting |
5 credits | |
| Complete Residency 1 as soon as you begin your program; should be completed in Term 1 or Term 2. | ||
| Quarter 2 |
FPSY 8XXX - Specialization Course 1 |
5 credits |
|
FPSY 8991 - Dissertation Companion Course 1: Welcome to the Dissertation Journey! |
1 credit | |
|
RSCH 8310F - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis |
5 credits | |
| Quarter 3 |
FPSY 8992 - Dissertation Companion Course 2: Building Knowledge and Skills |
1 credit |
|
FPSY 8314 - Program Evaluation |
5 credits | |
|
FPSY 8XXX - Specialization Course 2 |
5 credits | |
| Complete Residency 2 at the beginning of your second year, around the time of second research course. | ||
| Quarter 4 |
RSCH 8260F - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis |
5 credits |
|
FPSY 8993 - Dissertation Companion Course 3: Establishing Research Questions and Frameworks |
1 credit | |
|
FPSY 8400 - Advanced Issues in Forensic Psychology |
5 credits | |
| Quarter 5 |
FPSY 8994 Dissertation Companion Course 4: Developing Methods and Maintaining Alignment |
1 credit |
|
RSCH 8360F Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis |
5 credits | |
|
FPSY 8700 Dissertation Literature Lab |
2 credits | |
| Quarter 6 |
FPSY 8XXX Specialization Course 3 |
5 credits |
|
FPSY 8185 Writing a Quality Prospectus |
5 credits | |
| Complete Residency 3 once you have a prospectus in Walden’s review system. | ||
| Quarter 7 |
FPSY 8995 Dissertation Companion Course 5: Transition to Candidacy |
1 credit |
|
FPSY 8214 Consulting for Organizational Change |
5 credits | |
| Quarter 8+ |
FPSY 9000 - Dissertation* |
5 credits per term for a minimum of 3 terms; taken continuously until completion |
|
Complete Residency 4 after your prospectus is approved as follows:
|
||
| Optional: Complete a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during FPSY 9000. Contact Student Success Advising to register. | ||
* Students take this course for a minimum of three quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation 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.
Fast Track Option - Not Currently Accepting New Students
Walden offers a Fast-Track Option. With the Fast-Track Option, students take additional courses and begin their dissertation early to expedite their path through the program.
Minimum Degree Requirements
- Doctoral Writing Assessment
- Professional Development Plan and Program of Study
- Foundation course (3 credits)
- Core courses (25 credits)
- Research courses (10 credits)
- Specialization courses (15 credits)
- Completion of Doctoral Dissertation
- Dissertation support courses (7 credits)
- Dissertation writing courses (continuously enrolled until completion)
- Four PhD residencies
Students must also
- Pass a writing assessment.
- Submit an application essay.
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Walden students have up to 8 years to complete their doctoral program unless they petition for an extension.
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 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.
Fast Track Course Sequence
Note: PhD in Forensic Psychology Fast-Track Option courses are identified with an APSY course prefix for enrollment purposes. APSY course descriptions align with corresponding FPSY courses, as listed below.
Students undertake courses in the following sequence.
| Quarter | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 |
FPSY 8002 - Foundations of Graduate Study in Psychology
|
3 credits |
| Complete Residency 1 as soon as you begin your program. | ||
|
FPSY 8102 - Intersection of Crime, Psychology, and the Law
|
5 credits | |
|
FPSY 8412 - Research Foundations
OR
RSCH 8210O - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis
OR
RSCH 8310O - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis
|
5 credits | |
| Complete Residency 2 around the time of second research course. | ||
|
FPSY 9000 - Dissertation
* |
1 credits | |
| Quarter 2 |
APSY 8XXX Specialization Course 1 | 5 credits |
|
RSCH 8360 - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis
|
5 credits | |
| APSY 8XXX Specialization Course 2 | 5 credits | |
|
FPSY 9000 - Dissertation
* |
1 credits | |
| Quarter 3 |
FPSY 8126 - Understanding Violence, Risk, and Threat Assessment
|
5 credits |
| APSY 8XXX Specialization Course 3 | 5 credits | |
|
RSCH 8260 - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis
|
5 credits | |
|
FPSY 8700 - Dissertation Literature Review Lab
|
2 credits | |
|
FPSY 9000 - Dissertation
* |
1 credits | |
| Quarter 4 |
FPSY 8910 - Legal Issues and Social Change in Forensic Psychology
|
5 credits |
|
FPSY 8400 - Advanced Issues in Forensic Psychology
|
5 credits | |
|
FPSY 8185 - Writing a Quality Prospectus in Psychology
|
5 credits | |
| Complete Residency 3 once you have a prospectus in Walden’s review system. | ||
|
FPSY 9000 - Dissertation
** |
2 credits | |
|
Complete Residency 4 while in the development stage of your Proposal:
|
||
| Quarter 5+ |
FPSY 9000 - Dissertation
|
5 credits per term for a minimum of 3 terms; taken continuously until completion |
| Optional: Complete a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during FPSY 9000. Contact Student Success Advising to register. Note: Intensives are not included in Fast Track tuition | ||
* FPSY 9000 aligns with APSY 9000A Dissertation Prep.
** FPSY 9000 aligns with APSY 9000B Dissertation Prep.
Track 2: For Those Entering With a Bachelor’s Degree or Master's Degree in Unrelated Field
Minimum Degree Requirements
- Doctoral Writing Assessment
- Foundation Course (3 credits)
- Core courses (40 credits)
- Research courses (25 credits)
- Specialization courses (15 credits)
- Completion of Doctoral Dissertation
- Dissertation support courses (7 credits)
- Dissertation Companion courses (5 credits; continuously enrolled in 1 credit per term for a minimum of 5 terms until completed)
- Dissertation writing courses (5 credits per term for a minimum of three terms; taken continuously until completion)
- Four PhD residencies
Course Sequence
| Quarter | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 |
FPSY 8002 - Foundations of Graduate Study in Psychology
|
3 credits |
|
FPSY 8252 - Themes and Theories of Psychology
|
5 credits | |
| Complete Residency 1 as soon as you begin your program; should be completed in Term 1 or Term 2. | ||
| Quarter 2 |
FPSY 8XXX - Specialization Course 1
|
5 credits |
|
FPSY 8135 - Criminal Behavior
|
5 credits | |
|
FPSY 8991 - Dissertation Companion Course 1: Welcome to the Dissertation Journey!
|
1 credit | |
| Quarter 3 |
RSCH 8110F Research Theory, Design and Methods
|
5 credits |
|
FPSY 8126 - Understanding Violence, Risk, and Threat Assessment
|
5 credits | |
|
FPSY 8992 Dissertation Companion Course 2: Building Knowledge and Skills
|
1 credit | |
| Complete Residency 2 at the beginning of your second year, around the time of second research course. | ||
| Quarter 4 |
FPSY 8316 - Interviewing and Observation within a Forensic Setting
|
5 credits |
|
RSCH 8210F - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis
|
5 credits | |
|
FPSY 8993 - Dissertation Companion Course 3: Establishing Research Questions and Frameworks
|
1 credit | |
| Quarter 5 |
FPSY 8720 - Abnormal Behavior |
5 credits |
|
FPSY 8XXX - Specialization Course 2
|
5 credits | |
| Quarter 6 |
RSCH 8310F - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis
|
5 credits |
|
FPSY 8994 - Dissertation Companion Course 4: Developing Methods and Maintaining Alignment
|
1 credit | |
| Quarter 7 |
RSCH 8260F - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis |
5 credits |
|
FPSY 8314 - Program Evaluation
|
5 credits | |
| Quarter 8 |
FPSY 8995 - Dissertation Companion Course 5: Transition to Candidacy
|
1 credit |
|
FPSY 8400 - Advanced Issues in Forensic Psychology
|
5 credits | |
|
RSCH 8360F - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis
|
5 credits | |
| Quarter 9 |
FPSY 8700 - Dissertation Literature Review Lab
|
2 credits |
|
FPSY 8214 - Consulting for Organizational Change |
5 credits | |
| Quarter 10 |
FPSY 8185 - Writing a Quality Prospectus in Psychology |
5 credits |
|
FPSY 8XXX - Specialization Course 3 |
5 credits | |
| Quarter 11+ |
FPSY 9000 - Dissertation*
|
5 credits per term for a minimum of 3 terms; taken continuously until completion |
|
Complete Residency 4 after your prospectus is approved as follows:
|
||
| Optional: Complete a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during FPSY 9000. Contact Student Success Advising to register. | ||
* Students take this course for a minimum of three quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation 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.
Fast Track Option - Not Currently Accepting New Students
Walden offers a Fast-Track Option. With the Fast-Track Option, students take additional courses and begin their dissertation early to expedite their path through the program.
Minimum Degree Requirements
- Doctoral Writing Assessment
- Professional Development Plan and Program of Study
- Foundation course (3 credits)
- Core courses (45 credits)
- Research courses (20 credits)
- Specialization courses (15 credits)
- Completion of Doctoral Dissertation
- Dissertation support courses (7 credits)
- Dissertation writing courses (continuously enrolled until completion)
- Four PhD residencies
In addition, students must
- Pass a writing assessment.
- Submit an application essay.
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Walden students have up to 8 years to complete their doctoral program unless they petition for an extension.
In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation 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.
Fast Track Course Sequence
Note: PhD in Forensic Psychology Fast-Track Option courses are identified with an APSY course prefix for enrollment purposes. APSY course descriptions align with corresponding FPSY courses, as listed below.
| Quarter | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 |
FPSY 8002 - Foundations of Graduate Study in Psychology
|
3 credits |
| Complete Residency 1 as soon as you begin your program; should be completed in Term 1 or Term 2. | ||
|
FPSY 8252 - Themes and Theories of Psychology
|
5 credits | |
|
FPSY 8720 - Abnormal Behavior
* |
5 credits | |
| Quarter 2 |
FPSY 8135 - Criminal Behavior
|
5 credits |
|
FPSY 8116 - Understanding Forensic Psychology Research
|
5 credits | |
|
FPSY 8126 - Understanding Violence, Risk, and Threat Assessment
|
5 credits | |
|
FPSY 9000 - Dissertation
** |
1 credits | |
| Quarter 3 |
FPSY 8762 - Teaching of Psychology
|
5 credits |
|
RSCH 8210 - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis
|
5 credits | |
| APSY 8XXX Specialization #1 | 5 credits | |
|
FPSY 9000 - Dissertation
** |
1 credits | |
| Quarter 4 |
RSCH 8310 - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis
|
5 credits |
| Complete Residency 2 at the beginning of your second year, around the time of second research course (RSCH 8310). | ||
|
FPSY 8314 - Program Evaluation
|
5 credits | |
|
RSCH 8260 - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis
|
5 credits | |
|
FPSY 9000 - Dissertation
** |
1 credits | |
| Quarter 5 |
APSY 8XXX Specialization #2 | 5 credits |
|
RSCH 8360 - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis
|
5 credits | |
|
FPSY 8700 - Dissertation Literature Review Lab
|
2 credits | |
|
FPSY 8400 - Advanced Issues in Forensic Psychology
|
5 credits | |
|
FPSY 9000 - Dissertation
** |
1 credits | |
| Quarter 6 |
FPSY 8214 - Consulting for Organizational Change
|
5 credits |
| APSY 8XXX Specialization #3 | 5 credits | |
|
FPSY 8185 - Writing a Quality Prospectus in Psychology
|
5 credits | |
| Complete Residency 3 once you have a prospectus in Walden’s review system. | ||
|
FPSY 9000 - Dissertation
** |
1 credits | |
|
Complete Residency 4 while in the development stage of your Proposal:
|
||
| Quarter 7+ |
FPSY 9000 - Dissertation
|
5 credits per term for a minimum of 3 terms; taken continuously until completion |
| Optional: Complete a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during FPSY 9000. Contact Student Success Advising to register. Note: Intensives are not included in Fast Track tuition. | ||
* FPSY 8720 aligns with APSY 8722 Abnormal Behavior.
** FPSY 9000 aligns with APSY 9000A Dissertation Prep.
Master of Philosophy (Embedded Degree)
Walden awards the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree to recognize PhD students for academic achievement leading up to their dissertation. With an MPhil, students will be able to demonstrate to employers and others that they have an advanced knowledge base in their field of study as well as proficiency in research design and evaluation.
- Students are eligible to apply for this credential while continuing their PhD program once they have completed:
- All required PhD core courses (or KAMs)
- All required PhD specialization courses (or KAMs)
- All required doctoral research and advanced research courses
- Program prospectus development course
- Residencies 1, 2, and 3
- A minimum 3.0 GPA is mandatory.
- The MPhil requires a minimum of 45 quarter credits. Maximum transfer of credit varies by program but is not to exceed 50% of the overall, or embedded, program requirements. Students who previously completed a master's degree with Walden in the same discipline area are not eligible for an MPhil.
Doctoral Writing Assessment
Doctoral Writing Assessment
Students who start or readmit to doctoral programs at Walden University in the university catalog for academic year 2017 or later will complete the university’s required doctoral writing assessment. Designed to evaluate incoming doctoral students’ writing skills, this assessment aims to help prepare incoming doctoral students to meet the university’s expectations for writing at the doctoral level.
Doctoral Writing Assessment
Students who start or readmit to doctoral programs at Walden University in the university catalog for academic year 2017 or later will complete the university’s required doctoral writing assessment. Designed to evaluate incoming doctoral students’ writing skills, this assessment aims to help prepare incoming doctoral students to meet the university’s expectations for writing at the doctoral level.
8-Year Maximum Time Frame
Students have up to 8 years to complete their doctoral degree requirements (see Enrollment Requirements in the student handbook). Students may petition to extend the 8-year maximum time frame, but an extension is not guaranteed.