Ph.D. Residencies

Face-to-face residencies in convenient locations give you important opportunities to

• Meet with faculty members for individual advising sessions
• Enhance your writing, research, and critical-thinking skills
• Share experiences and insights with hundreds of students who share your interests
• Participate in Milestone seminars focused on the doctoral degree process
• Work directly with student support staff

Timing*

Residencies are timed to enhance your learning at key Milestones in your development as a scholar-practitioner.

• Milestone 1: Orientation - Socialization into the Walden Community
  Goals: Socialization, skills and support for meeting first-year expectations in Walden’s Ph.D. programs, community-building
  Components: Orientation, team-building, critical thinking, library skills, and scholarly writing in courses and KAMs
• Milestone 2: Beginning Research - Skills for Doctoral Research Residency attendance is expected within 18 months ofstart date and more than 60 days after attending Milestone 1.
  Goals: Introduction to research skills, self-assessment, and continued skill development for meeting second-year expectations in courses and KAMS
  Components: Forming research questions, developing research skills for advanced courses and KAMs, networking, and professional development
• Milestone 3: Dissertation Work - Scholarship at a Doctoral Level
  Residency attendance is expected by the end of the third year or when needed to support the prospectus or proposal writing.
  Goals: Dissertation conceptualization and writing
  Components: Prospectus/proposal writing and dissertation processes
• Milestone 4: Scholar-Practitioner * - Social Change Through Research
  Goals: Dissertation writing, research presentation, and publishing
  Components: Advanced dissertation skills and skills in presenting research

*Students in the Ph.D. in Psychology professional psychology (Clinical Psychology and Counseling Psychology) attend only the Milestone 1 residency before completing their residency requirements through the Academic Year in Residence. The AYR includes attendance at three consecutive two-week sessions associated with Walden University’s Summer and Winter Sessions.

For more information about how residencies enhance your academic experience, call 1-866-492-5336.