MS in Mental Health Counseling - Online

Addiction, depression, stress management, parenting, relationships-skilled mental health counselors have the opportunity to make a difference with individuals, families and groups in a variety of settings. Through a mix of research, fieldwork and courses taught by national experts, this program will prepare you to diagnose and treat behavioral disorders knowledgeably, ethically and with respect for diversity. You'll gain the confidence, qualifications and critical-thinking skills to seek licensure and apply best practices as a change agent in the counseling profession.

Mental Health Counseling Licensure - Online

The M.S. in Mental Health Counseling is designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for licensing exams. This program is designed to meet the academic licensure requirements of most state counseling licensure boards. Walden University's M.S. in Mental Health Counseling is not accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), which is a requirement for licensure in some states. Because no graduate program in counseling can guarantee licensure upon graduation, we encourage students to consult the appropriate agency to determine requirements specific to their state.

For more information about M.S. in Mental Health Counseling licensure and for state licensure board listings, visit the National Board for Certified Counselors (www.nbcc.org/stateboardmap). For any of these programs or specializations, you should also contact your appropriate licensing body. International students are encouraged to identify and contact their appropriate licensing body.

School of Psychology

As a leader in distance learning for 36 years, Walden offers advanced degree programs that serve the needs of more than 30,000 working professionals. Our progressive, online programs incorporate theory and practice to offer action-oriented research you can use immediately in your profession.

BS in Psychology - Online

Walden University's BS in Psychology provides you with a broad understanding of psychology and its relevance in today's society. You will apply psychological theories to current issues in as you gain perspective in three vitally important areas: social awareness, responsibility and civic engagement; cross-cultural competence; and evidence-based decision-making in an information-rich world. Take up to 70 percent of your courses in psychology or choose elective courses from other majors. As you move through the program, select the concentration that best matches your interests:

Psychology Applied to Everyday Life
If you have a general interest in psychology, consider the Psychology Applied to Everyday Life. Gain a solid foundation and knowledge of psychological principles and practices that relate to many different occupations. Build on your ability to relate to all types of people as you increase your understanding of life in a complex world.

Psychology Applied to the Helping Professions
For those interested in professions like counseling or social work who want to gain knowledge in psychology or help prepare for an advanced degree, Psychology Applied to the Helping Professions provides a foundation for advancement. Learn about psychological development at all stages of life. Study the most common psychological disorders and keys to effective diagnoses. Increase your abilities in research, statistics and data analysis.

Psychology Applied to the Workplace
If you want to apply knowledge of psychology to a nonprofit, government or business environment, Psychology Applied to the Workplace will help you handle all types of work situations as you identify various influences on behavior. Learn the basic principles of decision-making and factors that affect it. Apply principles of conflict management and peace building as solutions for individual and group issues.

Preparation for Graduate Studies
Begin preparing now for an advanced degree in psychology through Preparation for Graduate Studies. Expand your knowledge across all major areas from human development to professional ethics. Learn to conduct research, analyze data and present your findings. Increase your understanding of what influences social behavior as you develop the quantitative and qualitative analytical skills needed for graduate study.

PhD in Psychology - Online

Walden's PhD in Psychology is one of the only course-based distance-learning programs of its kind. It follows a scholar-practitioner model that encourages you to integrate scholarly research with your practical expertise. Taught by respected researchers and practitioners, this PhD program will prepare you to make a difference in a variety of settings.

The program includes the following:

• Online courses focused on real-world solutions
• Face-to-face residencies that prepare you for each phase of your program
• Challenging fieldwork (depending on your specialization)
• Faculty mentoring to support you through your dissertation

Degree Requirements

• 127-147 quarter credit hours
• Orientation activities
• Professional Development Plan and Program of Study (included in PSYC 8000 Professional Development)
• Minimum 12 quarters enrollment
• 3.0 GPA
• Dissertation (prospectus, proposal, dissertation and oral presentation)
• Full-time enrollment (with the exception of continuous enrollment options)
• Field Experience (practicum and internship) (licensure specializations only)

Residency units:

• Licensure specializations: 500-hour academic year in residence
• Other specializations: 32 units

Specializations include:

Clinical Psychology (Licensure)
The clinical psychology specialization prepares individuals to practice as licensed psychologists in health care settings, community mental health centers, group practice settings, inpatient psychiatric settings and private practice. Clinical psychologists promote psychological well-being, engage in prevention and early intervention of psychological difficulties, and provide treatment to clients experiencing severe psychopathology.

Counseling Psychology (Licensure)
The counseling psychology specialization prepares students to practice as licensed psychologists who work with clients to promote functional relationships, healthy lifestyles, and positive career choices and roles. Counseling psychologists facilitate growth and development by building on client strengths. Counseling psychologists work with clients of all ages in various therapeutic settings.

General Educational Psychology
This track prepares students to integrate psychological theory and practice, using scientific methods and evidence-based practice to inform undergraduate and graduate instruction that incorporates issues of cultural and individual diversity.

General Research Evaluation
This track prepares students to integrate psychological theory and practice, using scientific methods and evidence-based practice to apply their knowledge and skills about research and evaluation in a variety of settings.

Health Psychology
In this specialization, students plan to practice in a variety of health care settings and academic institutions, including medical centers, medical research settings, business and industry, government and military, and fitness settings. Others teach and engage in research at colleges and universities.

Organizational Psychology
This specialization prepares individuals to work within industry, government and university settings as practitioners, consultants and researchers. Specifically, this specialization focuses on issues related to organizational behavior, leadership and development; personnel staffing, development and well-being; and effective, ethical consultation and research practices. You may select one of three tracks offered in this specialization:

• Industrial Psychology
• Organizational Psychology
• Consultation Psychology

School Psychology (Licensure)

School psychology students develop the knowledge, attitudes and skills necessary to provide quality and contextually relevant educational and mental health services to children and their families. School psychologists practice in school settings and private practice, teach at the university level and conduct applied research. A specialization in school psychology provides training in both psychology and education and emphasizes preparation in mental health, child development, school organization, learning, behavior and motivation.

MS in Psychology - Online

This degree provides individuals with a background in the development and application of psychological theories, basic scientific methods and principles of psychological science. The program provides pre-doctoral training and build practitioner-oriented competencies.

Students will be able to do the following:

• Apply psychological knowledge and research to real-world situations
• Think critically and independently about psychological theory and research
• Conduct basic or applied research
• Apply psychological concepts in a variety of settings
• Prepare for further graduate study at the certificate or doctoral level

Degree Requirements
This degree consists of eight required courses and two electives, as well as the completion of a thesis. Required courses appear, for each specialization, in order of recommended sequence. Two elective courses, selected from identified graduate courses in the School of Psychology, may be added anywhere in the student's program provided that prerequisites are met. Additional courses may be taken to provide breadth and depth of learning.

• 50-quarter credit hours
• Orientation course (PSYC 6000)
• Program of Study (included in PSYC 6000 Success Strategies)
• Thesis (10 credit hours)
• 3.0 GPA

Specializations include:

Crisis Management & Response
Acquire the knowledge and multicultural skills required to work in the critical and fast-growing career areas of security, emergency management and public safety. In one of the first online, graduate-level crisis management and response programs, you'll have the opportunity to study psychological theories and learn conflict management and negotiation skills as you prepare to work with trauma and disaster victims. Demand for professionals trained in this relatively new discipline is anticipated to be high, as evidenced by the number of job openings in crisis management and emergency planning (Eduventures Inc. report, March 2008).

Health Psychology
From a multidisciplinary perspective, you will examine the biological, psychological, and social factors that influence health, allowing you to gain a broad understanding of the field of psychology while also focusing on the knowledge and skills required to work in the areas of illness prevention and health promotion. Apply psychology and public health theories and principles to your work as you increase your understanding of the effects of illness and stress. Prepare for a position such as a research assistant, project manager, or behavior specialist in a variety of healthcare organizations, from primary care settings and inpatient medical units to community agencies.

Leadership Development & Coaching
Expand your career options in one of psychology's emerging fields. In this specialization, you'll learn the psychological principles and theories of leadership development and better understand your own capacity for leadership. You'll also build the high-level skills to manage organizational leadership issues and create your own models of leadership coaching as you broaden your opportunities in such areas as industrial-organizational psychology and human resource management.

Media Psychology
Few areas of psychology are generating more interest or growing faster than media psychology and Walden offers one of the nation's first graduate programs in the field. Examine the role psychologists play in the media and explore the impact of media and technology on human behavior. Apply psychological theories and principles and increase your understanding of how marketing and communications impact modern media in a global society. This specialization gives you the opportunity to develop career options in such fields as media consulting, advertising and media research.

Organizational Psychology and Development
This specialization program prepares students to apply principles and theories, and conduct research and data management in a variety of settings and to work in organizations, corporations and human resource and personnel departments.

Organizational Psychology & Nonprofit Management
Expand your career opportunities in the nonprofit world as you apply the principles of individual and organizational psychology to nonprofit management. Broaden your understanding of the impact of organizational psychology in nonprofit settings with a focus on finance, budgeting, and the organization of nonprofit boards.

Program Evaluation & Research
With growing public scrutiny of many organizations comes the need for greater accountability and ongoing program evaluation. Gain the knowledge and skills to complete evaluations of a vast array of programs, including research projects, community-based projects, and assignments in various work settings. This specialization helps you develop the skills to pursue a career as a research assistant, data manager, data analyst, program evaluator, or project manager.

Psychology of Culture
Through discussion and case study applications, gain a broad foundation in the field of psychology with a focus on the impact of culture on human psychology. Understand and conceptualize human psychology from multicultural, cross-cultural, and global perspectives as you prepare for a career working with diverse populations locally, regionally, and internationally.

Psychology, Public Administration & Social Change
Learn to apply psychological theories and skills to management within public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Drawing from your own community experiences, integrate strategic planning and management with public policy as you explore examples of organizational change and its impact on social justice. Prepare for a career as a researcher, policy analyst, project director, or administrator in a socially responsible organization.

Social Psychology
Integrate knowledge about individual, group, and organizational processes as you study a range of social topics. Gain a broad understanding of the impact of social factors and situational variables that influence human development and social interaction and behavior. Apply principles and theories, conduct research, and manage data in a variety of settings. In addition, this specialization will help you prepare for doctoral-level studies.

Terrorism and Security
Use both psychological and public policy principles to understand the impact of terrorism and the countermeasures required to combat terrorist threats. Gain an understanding of the systemic approaches to the issues of public safety, emergency preparedness, and disaster/trauma management. Apply the findings of behavioral, social, and cognitive research to positions throughout the quickly expanding field of homeland security.

Psychology Licensure - Online

The Clinical Psychology, Counseling Psychology, and School Psychology specializations are designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for psychology licensing exams. These specializations are designed to meet the academic licensure requirements of most state psychology boards. Walden University licensure specializations in psychology are not accredited by the American Psychological Association, which is a requirement for licensure in some states. Because no graduate psychology program can guarantee licensure upon graduation, we encourage students to consult the appropriate agency to determine specific requirements.

For more information about Ph.D. in Psychology specialization licensure and for licensing boards contact information, visit the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards (https://www.asppb.org/about/boardContact.aspx). For any of these programs or specializations, you should also contact your appropriate licensing body. International students are encouraged to identify and contact their appropriate licensing body.

Post-Doctoral Psychology Certificate - Online

Individuals with doctoral degrees in psychology can pursue post-doctoral certificates at Walden University by two methods.

The first method, respecialization, allows students to gain theory and knowledge in a specialization other than the one they focused on in their degree work. Students complete a unique program of study that accounts for previous coursework and includes courses required to achieve essential knowledge in the new specialization. They may choose from any of the specializations offered in Walden's PhD in Psychology program.

The second method, specialized learning, provide students with advanced training in a focused area. The school of psychology currently offers three specialized learning certificates: clinical assessment, clinical child psychology and online teaching.

Certificate Requirements - Respecialization Certificate

• Foundation course: PSYC 6000 Foundations for Graduate Study in Psychology
• Specific coursework is determined by the student and the School of Psychology's faculty chair for the specialization chosen
• Field experience: Students choosing to respecialize into a licensure specialization (i.e., clinical, counseling or school psychology) must complete a practicum, an internship, and an academic year in residence
• Minimum 3.0 GPA