2017-2018 Walden University Catalog (March 2018) [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
PhD in Human and Social Services
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 Return to: Program Data
“I believe in Walden’s scholar-practitioner model and appreciate the care, concern, and dedication that Walden offers through enrollment advisors, academic advisors, 24-hour online support and overall responsiveness.”
Sha-Rhonda M. Davis, PhD in Human Services Student
Return to: College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
Social service practitioners face an increasingly diverse clientele, as delivery systems and client populations become more multicultural and include a broader range of complex issues. The PhD in Human Services program prepares students to excel within a diverse service-delivery system by equipping them with action-oriented research skills and context-sensitive knowledge for application within unique practice environments.
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Learning Outcomes
At the end of the program, students will be able to:
- Analyze theories, models, historical foundations, and conceptual frameworks related to the profession of Human Services through a process of scholarly inquiry.
- Appropriately apply ethical, social, multicultural, diversity, and political considerations to scholarly inquiry and professional practice.
- Evaluate qualitative, quantitative, and/or mixed methods research published in professional journals, textbooks, and other scholarly resources.
- Appropriately apply principles of quantitative, qualitative, or mixed methods to research design.
- Appropriately apply social change theories to human services practice and research.
- Evaluate social systems and organizational theories related to human service research and practice.
Specializations
Changing specializations may increase a student’s expected time-to-degree completion and cost.
The Advanced Customized Specialization (15 cr.) option gives students a unique way to meet specialization requirements. They can gain a deeper level of knowledge in a specific area of interest and benefit from an independent, self-directed learning experience under the guidance of a mentor.
For Students Entering With a BS Degree
Degree Requirements
- Professional Development Plan and Program of Study
- Foundation course (3 cr.)
- Core courses (50 cr.)
- Specialization or Elective (for General specialization) courses (15 cr.)
- Foundation Research Sequence (15 cr.)
- Advanced Research Course (5 cr.)
- Completion of the Doctoral Capstone (minimum of 20 cr.)
- Proposal, dissertation, and oral presentation
- Four residencies
Foundation Course (3 cr.)
Specialization Courses (15 cr.)
These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page.
OR
Elective Courses (15 cr.)
Students in the General specialization choose any three elective courses from any PhD in Human and Social Services specialization or the specialization courses (5 cr. each for a total of 15 cr.).
Foundation Research Courses (15 cr.)
Courses comprising the Foundation Research Sequence are conducted online and require weekly readings, participation in discussions, and assignment completion. Course instructors guide discussions and evaluate discussion and application assignments. RSCH 8110 is a prerequisite for Residency 2 of the academic residencies.
Advanced Research Course (5 cr.)
Those enrolled in this specialization are required to complete an advanced research course. The university offers three advanced research courses: quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods. When the prospectus is approved, students will take the advanced research course selected as the methodology approved for the dissertation.
Students are required to complete one of the following courses:
Residency Requirements
- Complete Residency 1 face-to-face as soon as you begin your program; should be completed within 90 days of completing your Foundations course.
- Complete Residency 2 as face-to-face or virtual within 18 months of your start date or linked to your registration for or completion of your first research course.
- Complete Residency 3 face-to-face by the end of your third year.
- Complete Residency 4 during your third year or beyond as:
- a face-to-face or virtual residency (RESI 8404) OR
- an approved professional conference (RESI 8900 based on program availability) OR
- a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during your 9000 course. Contact Academic Advising to register.
- Optional: Complete a PhD Dissertation Intensive retreat (DRWI 8500) face-to-face during your dissertation. Contact Academic Advising to register.
Completion of the Doctoral Capstone
- HUMN 9001 - Dissertation
Students take this course for a minimum of 4 quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their Dissertation with final Chief Academic Officer (CAO) approval.
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. Students can complete their doctorate in less time by taking advantage of this new path. With the Fast-Track Option, students take additional courses and begin their dissertation early to expedite their path through the program.
Requirements
- Professional Development Plan and Program of Study
- Foundation course (3 cr.)
- Core courses (50 cr.)
- Specialization courses (15 cr.)
- Foundation Research Sequence (15 cr.)
- Advanced Research Course (5 cr.)
- Completion of the Doctoral Capstone (Minimum 20 cr.)
- Proposal, dissertation, and oral presentation
- Four residencies
In addition, students must
- Pass a writing assessment
- Submit an application essay.
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA in the first term for full admission into the fast-track option.
Walden students have 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.
For Students Entering With an MS Degree
Degree Requirements
- Professional Development Plan and Program of Study
- Foundation course (3 cr.)
- Core courses (25 cr.)
- Specialization or Elective courses (15 cr.)
- Foundation Research Sequence (15 cr.)
- Advanced Research course (5 cr.)
- Completion of the Doctoral Capstone (minimum of 20 cr.)
- Proposal, dissertation, and oral presentation
- Four residencies
Foundation Course (3 cr.)
Specialization Courses (15 cr.)
These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page.
OR
Elective Courses (15 cr.)
Students in the General specialization choose any three elective courses from any PhD in Human and Social Services specialization or the specialization courses (5 cr. each for a total of 15 cr.).
Foundation Research Courses (15 cr.)
Courses composing the Foundation Research Sequence are conducted online and require weekly readings, participation in discussions, and assignment completion. Course instructors guide discussions and evaluate discussion and application assignments. RSCH 8110 must be completed prior to Residency 2 of the academic residencies. RSCH 8210 and RSCH 8310 must be completed prior to beginning the dissertation or attending Residency 3.
Advanced Research Course (5 cr.)
PhD students are required to complete one advanced-level research course that mirrors the methodology of their intended dissertations. The university offers three advanced courses. Students should refer to their specific programs of study to determine program-specific requirements.
One of the following three courses is required:
Completion of the Doctoral Capstone
- HUMN 9001 - Dissertation
Students take this course for a minimum of 4 quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their Dissertation with final Chief Academic Officer (CAO) approval.
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. Students can complete their doctorate in less time by taking advantage of this new path. With the Fast-Track Option, students take additional courses and begin their dissertation early to expedite their path through the program.
Requirements
- Professional Development Plan and Program of Study
- Foundation course (3 cr.)
- Core courses (25 cr.)
- Specialization or Elective courses (15 cr.)
- Foundation Research Sequence (15 cr.)
- Advanced Research course (5 cr.)
- Completion of the Doctoral Capstone (minimum 20 cr.)
- Proposal, dissertation, and oral presentation
- Four residencies
Students must also
- Pass a writing assessment
- Submit an application essay.
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA in the first term for full admission into the fast-track option.
Walden students have 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.
Doctoral Writing Assessment
Students who start their doctoral program at Walden University in 2016 or later will complete the university’s required doctoral writing assessment on a rolling basis. 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. For more information, click here.
Note on Licensure
The PhD in Human and Social Services program, including its specializations, is not designed to lead to professional licensure including licensure as a professional therapist, counselor, social worker, or psychologist.
In It Together: Balancing School and Life
 At Walden, we understand that you likely work full time and may care for children or other family members. Explore support services designed to help you balance family commitments with your work and school responsibilities. We’re all in it together.
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