Walden University
You can change more lives, including your own. And you can
start today.
At Walden, we believe that knowledge is most valuable when put to
use in organizations, communities, and families. We offer over 40
online degree programs with more than 140 specializations and
more than 40 concentrations, all designed to help professionals
gain the knowledge they need to have a real impact in their lives
and the lives of others.
Our advanced degrees are intended to advance the quality of life
not just for the Walden graduate, but for everyone he or she
encounters. Whether it be in business, community and charitable
service or friendship, to make a difference in any life is to
serve the greater good. Doing so doesn't just make you a better
corporate citizen. It makes you a better corporate asset, a
better neighbor and friend, a better person.
As an accredited institution with 40 years of experience, Walden
has graduated over 34,500 alumni, all of whom now have the
credentials and desire to make a real difference and be a force
for good.
To learn more about Walden degree programs and how we're helping
adult learners make a positive change, submit your information in
the form on the right.
You can make a better future. And you can start today.
School of Counseling and Social Service
Fulfill your personal and professional goals in a flexible
learning environment where you'll enhance your capacity to act as
a social change agent.
- Focus on your interests in culturally and contextually
relevant specializations
- Learn in the scholar-practitioner model, integrating research
with your professional expertise
- Benefit from opportunities for interdisciplinary study and
research collaboration
- Use established methods of scientific inquiry and
evidence-based practice for the greater good
MS in Forensic Psychology - Online
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Apply current psychological theories and concepts as you identify
offenders in a wide range of forensic settings. Prepare for a
psychology career in a correctional institution, psychiatric
facility, community-based agency, mental health center, child
welfare agency, or forensic units in a mental health facility.
Graduate Degree Specializations
- Forensic Psychology in the Community
- General Program
- Mental Health Applications
- Program Planning and Evaluation in Forensic Settings
- Psychology and Legal Systems
Note on licensure
The MS in Forensic Psychology is not a licensure program and does
not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology
professional.
Forensic Psychology in the Community
Learn more about prevention, intervention, and consultation
programs for criminal offenders in their communities.
Understand the foundations of community crime prevention and
restorative justice for victims and offenders. Prepare to work
with crime prevention programs, early intervention youth
programs, victim advocate programs, and other programs to
reduce crime and recidivism.
General Program
Gain a broad understanding of the forensic psychology field.
Learn how its principles are applied in a range of settings
from correctional institutions to court systems to
community-based programs. Select electives that will build your
knowledge of how forensic psychology professionals work within
the legal system and in community-based programs with an
emphasis on preventing and reducing criminal behavior.
Mental Health Applications
Learn to evaluate and use traditional forms of intervention,
including individual and group psychotherapy, and recent
innovations in restorative justice. Gain the skills to work
directly with individuals in correctional facilities, community
mental health agencies, and through the court system.
Program Planning and Evaluation in Forensic Settings
Learn to conduct and apply forensic mental health research to
various legal settings and formulate research that applies to
psychology and public policy. Discover tools to evaluate
current programs and assess their effectiveness. Recommend
treatment alternatives for forensic populations in
community-based programs and correctional institutions.
Psychology and Legal Systems
Explore the many ways you can interact with the court system as
you gain a basic understanding of expert testimony, jury
selection, and eyewitness testimony. Discover how you can work
with police departments or other law enforcement agencies
assisting in officer selection and training, stress management,
critical incident stress debriefing, hostage negotiations, and
selection of special operations officers.
MS in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling (Online)
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Gain the experience to diagnose mental and emotional disorders.
Discover how to help resolve marriage and family conflicts
related to divorce, mediation, child rearing, school issues, and
family violence. This program can help prepare you to work with
families to address a range of issues, including the impact of
crises, disasters, and other trauma-causing events, as well as
family conflicts that must be resolved in the criminal justice
system. Developed according to national counseling standards and
Walden's mission of social change, Walden's M.S. in Marriage,
Couple, and Family Counseling program helps prepare you for the
evolving method of evidence-based counseling practice, the most
contemporary approach in the mental healthcare profession.
Specializations
- Forensic Counseling
- Trauma and Crisis Counseling
Note on Licensure
Walden University's M.S. in Marriage, Couple, and Family
Counseling is not accredited by the Council for Accreditation of
Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or the
Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy
Education (COAMFTE), specialized accrediting bodies recognized by
the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is a
requirement for licensure in some states. The M.S. in Marriage,
Couple, and Family Counseling program is designed to prepare
graduates to qualify to sit for licensing exams and to meet the
academic licensure requirements of many state counseling boards.
Because no graduate program can guarantee licensure upon
graduation, we encourage students to consult the appropriate
agency to determine specific requirements. Walden enrollment
advisors can provide guidance on licensure issues, however, it
remains the individual's responsibility to understand and comply
with all state licensure requirements. Walden makes no
representations or guarantee that completion of Walden coursework
or programs will permit an individual to obtain state licensure
or endorsement. For additional guidance on licensure issues,
please refer to www.waldenu.edu/educlicensure. For more
information about licensure, students should visit the National
Board for Certified Counselors at www.nbcc.org/stateboardmap and
contact the appropriate licensing body. International students
are encouraged to identify and contact their appropriate
licensing body.
Professional Accreditation
The M.S. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling is not
accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and
Related Educational Programs (CACREP) or the Commission on
Accreditation for Marriage and Family Therapy Education
(COAMFTE). However, the program was developed to be in line with
national standards for marriage, couple, and family counseling.
Since Walden's M.S. in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling is
a new program, the university is not yet able to apply for CACREP
or COAMFTE accreditation. Students will be notified at such time
if the program becomes accredited in the future.
MS in Mental Health Counseling (CACREP-Accredited) - Online
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Through a mix of research, practical application, and coursework,
Walden's newly CACREP-accredited MS in Mental Health Counseling
program can prepare you to integrate knowledge and skills into a
career as a successful professional counselor. Developed by
leading experts in the field, the CACREP-accredited MS in Mental
Health Counseling program is designed to meet the high standards
set by CACREP and to provide continuity throughout your learning
experience, with each course building upon key competencies.
Walden is one of the only schools that offers a CACREP-accredited
M.S. degree in Mental Health Counseling online.
Graduate Degree Specialization
- General Mental Health Counseling
- Forensic Counseling
MS in Mental Health Counseling - Forensic Counseling - Online
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Expand your ability to deliver mental health services to
populations served by the legal system. Build your knowledge of
mental health law, with a specific focus on juvenile justice and
delinquency. Enhance your skills in conflict management and
negotiation. Learn how those skills can be applied to resolve
conflicts in the criminal justice system.
Note on Licensure
Walden University's MS in Mental Health Counseling is
accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and
Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting
body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation
(CHEA), which is a requirement for licensure in many states. The
MS in Mental Health Counseling program is designed to prepare
graduates to qualify to sit for licensing exams and to meet the
academic licensure requirements of many state counseling boards.
Because no graduate program can guarantee licensure upon
graduation, we encourage students to consult the appropriate
agency to determine specific requirements. For more information
about licensure, students should visit the National Board for
Certified Counselors at www.nbcc.org/stateboardmap and contact the
appropriate licensing body. International students are encouraged
to identify and contact their appropriate licensing body.
PhD in Human Services (Online)
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Human services professionals are on the front lines in serving
and caring for those who are most vulnerable and in need.
Walden's Ph.D. in Human Services degree program is designed to
help professionals in a broad range of settings including social
services agencies, healthcare agencies, treatment facilities, and
more develop their leadership and management skills to better
support their communities.
Choose from two formats that best fit your learning style:
- A course-based program of study that may allow you to
complete your degree in less than 3 years.*
- A self-directed option that allows you to conduct research
independently while working closely with a faculty mentor on an
area of interest about which you are passionate.
*Time to completion may vary by student, depending on
individual progress and credits transferred.
Specializations
- General
- Clinical Social Work
- Criminal Justice
- Counseling
- Disaster, Crisis, and Intervention
- Family Studies and Intervention Strategies
- Human Services Administration
- Public Health
- Social Policy Analysis and Planning
- Self-Designed
School of Psychology
As a leader in distance learning for 40 years, Walden offers
advanced degree programs that serve the needs of more than 33,000
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
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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 as you
gain perspective in several 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:
Child Development - Infant/Toddler
The Child Development–Infant/Toddler concentration
examines the development of infants and the importance of
quality relationships to their emotional and social well-being.
Study to assess developmental delays at an early age and
identify treatment alternatives. Explore healthy living and
learning environments that foster infant/toddler growth
socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically.
Child Development - Preschool
The Child Development–Preschool concentration explores
the cognitive, language, social, emotional, and physical
development of the preschool child. Observe and assess the
learning needs of preschool children. Study best practices to
foster and enhance child development in the areas of learning
and social skills.
Criminal Justice
Through the Criminal Justice concentration, explore cognitive,
behavioral, and psychological theories of criminal behavior
from the serial killer to the terrorist. Discover and analyze
types of victimization and how to work with victims of crime as
you prepare for or grow your career in the fields of criminal
justice, social service, or law enforcement.
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.
MS in Psychology - Online
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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 builds
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 health care 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.
PhD in Psychology - Online
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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
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
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. These settings
include medical centers, medical research, business and industry,
government and military, and fitness. 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
Psychology Licensure - Online
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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 PhD 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
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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 two specialized learning certificates: 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
Information
If you are interested in this school and would like to find out more, please
Request Information from Walden University - Online.