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May 24, 2022
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2017-2018 Walden University Catalog (March 2018) [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
PhD in Psychology
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Return to: Program Data

“Walden University is the future of higher education.”
David Solot, PhD in Psychology Student
Return to: College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
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.
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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.
Specializations
Changing specializations may increase a student’s expected time-to-degree completion and cost.
Degree Requirements
- Professional Development Plan and Program of Study
- Foundation course (3 cr.)
- Core courses (67 cr.)
- Specialization courses (20 cr.; see each specialization for specific courses)
- Completion of the Doctoral Capstone
- Dissertation (5 cr. per term for a minimum of four terms; taken continuously until completion)
- Four Residencies
For Students Entering With a BS Degree
Foundation Course (3 cr.)
Completion of the Doctoral Capstone
Course Sequence for Students Entering With a BS Degree
*See each specialization page for specific courses.
**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.
For Students Entering With an MS Degree
Foundation Course (3 cr.)
Completion of the Doctoral Capstone
Course Sequence for Students Entering With an MS Degree
*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.
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.
Program Data
Walden is committed to providing the information you need to make an informed decision about where you pursue your education. Click here to find detailed information for the PhD in Psychology program relating to the types of occupations this program may lead to, completion rate, program costs, and median loan debt of students who have graduated from this program.
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Return to: Program Data
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