- 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
The university’s mission includes broad access to high-quality postsecondary education through a distance-learning environment and preparation of its graduates to achieve professional excellence and to effect positive social change. Consistent with this mission, the PhD in Psychology program is designed to prepare scholar-practitioners to meet real-world challenges and facilitate positive change in individuals, groups, organizations, and local, national, and global communities.
Specifically, the program prepares lifelong learners to integrate psychological theory, research, established methods of scientific inquiry, and evidence-based practices that incorporate cultural and individual diversity. The School of Psychology training model encompasses an integrated, developmental, and sequential plan of study that includes web-based and face-to-face coursework; residencies that provide opportunities for knowledge and skill acquisition, ethical practice, and professional socialization; field training; and demonstration of research competency.
Note on Licensure
The Educational Psychology specialization in the PhD in Psychology is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology professional.
Learning Outcomes
As graduates of this program, students will be able to:
- Apply principles of basic and advanced research methods to produce independent scholarly research.
- Apply relevant ethical codes (e.g., APA) to decision making with diverse populations in various settings.
- Promote social change through the integration of principles of psychology in scholarly and/or professional activities.
- Communicate effectively to a variety of stakeholders and audiences.
- Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of psychology-specific knowledge and theory to improve the condition of individuals, groups, and organizations.
- Demonstrate proficiency in utilizing empirically supported models for teaching, consultation, and research.
- Develop a professional identity appropriate to one’s professional goals.
Specialization Courses (20 cr.)
These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page.
Learning Tracks
There are two tracks in the PhD in Psychology:
- Track 1: For Those Entering With a Master's Degree in Psychology or Related Field
- Track 2: For Those Entering With a Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in Unrelated Field
Each track also offers a Fast Track option. With our Fast-Track Option, you increase your course load each term and begin your dissertation early to expedite your path through the program.
Degree Requirements
Track 1: For Those Entering With a Master's Degree in Psychology or Related Field
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 (20 credits)
- Completion of Doctoral Dissertation
- Dissertation support courses (7 credits)
- Dissertation writing courses: (5 credits per term for a minimum of four terms; taken continuously until completion)
- Quarter Plans
- Four PhD residencies
Curriculum
Foundation Course (3 credits)
Core Courses (25 credits)
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
OR
Research Courses (10 credits)
- Students may take this a non-degree course.
- Students may take this a non-degree course.
Specialization Courses (20 credits)
These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page.
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.
- 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.
- Optional: Complete a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during PSYC 9000. Contact Student Success Advising to register. Note: Intensives are not included in Fast Track tuition.
Completion of the Doctoral Dissertation
AND
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. 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.
Course Sequence for Track I: Students Entering with a Related MS Degree
| Quarter | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 |
PSYC 8004 - Foundations for Graduate Study in Psychology
|
3 credits |
|
PSYC 8762 - Teaching 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 |
PSYC 8412 - Research Foundations
|
5 credits |
| Specialization Course | 5 credits | |
| Quarter 3 |
RSCH 8360 - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis
|
5 credits |
| Specialization Course | 5 credits | |
| Quarter 4 |
RSCH 8260 - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis
|
5 credits |
| Complete Residency 2 at the beginning of your second year, around the time of second research course. | ||
|
PSYC 8214 - Consulting for Organizational Change
|
5 credits | |
| Quarter 5 | Specialization Course | 5 credits |
|
PSYC 8315 - Program Evaluation
|
5 credits | |
| Quarter 6 |
PSYC 8702 - Dissertation Literature Review Lab
|
2 credits |
|
PSYC 8920R - Research Practicum
OR
PSYC 8920T - Teaching Practicum
|
5 credits | |
| Quarter 7 | Specialization Course | 5 credits |
|
PSYC 8185 - Writing a Quality Prospectus
|
5 credits | |
| Complete Residency 3 once you have a prospectus in Walden’s review system. | ||
| Quarter 8+ |
PSYC 9000 - Dissertation
* |
5 credits per term for a minimum of 4 terms; taken continuously until completion |
|
Complete residency 4 after your prospectus is approved as follows:
|
||
| Optional: Complete a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during PSYC 9000. Contact Student Success Advising to register. Note: Intensives are not included in Fast Track tuition. | ||
* 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. 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 Program of Study
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.
(Note: There is no Fast-Track Option for the Self-Designed specialization [BS or MS entry].)
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 (20 credits)
- Completion of Doctoral Dissertation
- Dissertation support courses (12 credits)
- Dissertation writing course (5 credits per term for a minimum of three terms; taken continuously until completion)
- Quarter Plans
- 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/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.
Course Sequence
The Fast-Track Option course sequences for students entering with an MS degree are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course sequence on each specialization page.
Track 2: For Those Entering With a Bachelor’s Degree or Master's Degree in Unrelated Field
Minimum Degree Requirements
- Doctoral Writing Assessment
- Professional Development Plan and Program of Study
- Foundation course (3 credits)
- Core courses (40 credits)
- Research courses (20 credits)
- Specialization courses (20 credits)
- Completion of the Doctoral Dissertation
- Dissertation support courses (7 credits)
- Dissertation writing courses (5 credits per term for a minimum of four terms; taken continuously until completion)
- Quarter Plans
- Four PhD residencies
Curriculum
Foundation Course (3 credits)
Core Courses (40 credits)
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
OR
Research Courses (20 credits)
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this as a non-degree course.
- Students may take this a non-degree course.
- Students may take this a non-degree course.
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.
- 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.
- Optional: Complete a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during PSYC 9000. Contact Student Success Advising to register. Note: Intensives are not included in Fast Track tuition.
Completion of the Doctoral Dissertation
AND
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. 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.
Course Sequence for Track II: Students Entering with a BS Degree or an Unrelated MS Degree
| Quarter | Course | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter 1 |
PSYC 8004 - Foundations for Graduate Study in Psychology
|
3 credits |
|
PSYC 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 |
PSYC 8215 - Lifespan Development
|
5 credits |
|
PSYC 8701 - Culture and Psychology
|
5 credits | |
| Quarter 3 |
RSCH 8110 - Research Theory, Design, and Methods
|
5 credits |
|
PSYC 8762 - Teaching of Psychology
|
5 credits | |
| Quarter 4 |
RSCH 8210 - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis
|
5 credits |
| Complete Residency 2 at the beginning of your second year, around the time of second research course. | ||
| Specialization Course* | 5 credits | |
| Quarter 5 |
PSYC 8412 - Research Foundations
|
5 credits |
| Specialization Course* | 5 credits | |
| Quarter 6 |
RSCH 8360 - Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis
|
5 credits |
|
PSYC 8214 - Consulting for Organizational Change
|
5 credits | |
| Quarter 7 |
RSCH 8260 - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis
|
5 credits |
| Specialization Course* | 5 credits | |
| Quarter 8 |
PSYC 8315 - Program Evaluation
|
5 credits |
|
PSYC 8702 - Dissertation Literature Review Lab
|
2 credits | |
| Quarter 9 |
PSYC 8920R - Research Practicum
OR
PSYC 8920T - Teaching Practicum
|
5 credits |
| Specialization Course* | 5 credits | |
| Quarter 10 |
PSYC 8185 - Writing a Quality Prospectus
|
5 credits |
| Complete Residency 3 once you have a prospectus in Walden’s review system. | ||
| Quarter 11+ |
PSYC 9000 - Dissertation
** |
5 credits per term for a minimum of 4 terms; taken continuously until completion |
|
Complete residency 4 after your prospectus is approved as follows:
|
||
| Optional: Complete a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during PSYC 9000. Contact Student Success Advising to register. Note: Intensives are not included in Fast Track tuition. |
* See each specialization page for specific courses.
** 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. 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 Program of Study
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.
(Note: There is no Fast-Track Option for the Self-Designed specialization [BS or MS entry].)
Minimum Degree Requirements
- Doctoral Writing Assessment
- Professional Development Plan and Program of Study
- Foundation course (3 credits)
- Core courses (40 credits)
- Research courses (20 credits)
- Specialization courses (20 credits)
- Completion of Doctoral Dissertation
- Dissertation support courses (12 credits)
- Dissertation writing courses (5 credits per term for a minimum of three terms; taken continuously until completion)
- Quarter Plans
- 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.
Course Sequence
The Fast-Track Option course sequences for students entering with a BS degree are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course sequence on each specialization page.
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
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.