Colleges and Schools
The Counseling specialization focuses on healthy life adjustment, biopsychosocial stress, human diversity, and a synthesis of social, behavioral, and developmental approaches to human growth. Graduates utilize a learning philosophy that emphasizes developmental theories and the broad application of these theories to promote positive, health-oriented growth with emphasis on helping others achieve greater psychological, social, academic, vocational, and ethical development.
Completion Requirements
- 134 quarter credit hours
- Foundation course (6 cr.)
- Core Knowledge Area Modules (KAMs) (42 cr.)
- Foundation Research Sequence (14 cr.)
- Specialized Knowledge Area Modules (KAMs) (42 cr.)
- Proposal, dissertation, and oral presentation (30 cr.)
- Professional Development Plan and Program of Study
- Minimum 10 quarters enrollment
- 20 days of residency (two 4-day and two 6-day residencies)
For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call your enrollment advisor at 866-492-5336.
Walden offers frequent start dates so that you can begin when it’s convenient for you. Next Start Date: December 1. Admission policies vary by program. Call 1-866-492-5336 or apply now.
Curriculum
Foundation Course
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| SBSF 8005 | Foundations for Doctoral Study | 6 |
Core KAMs
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|
KAM I: Principles of Societal Development |
||
| SBSF 8110 | Breadth: Theories of Societal Development | 5 |
| SBSF 8120 | Depth: Current Research in Societal Development | 5 |
| SBSF 8130 | Application: Professional Practice and Societal Development | 4 |
| KAM II: Principles of Human Development | ||
| SBSF 8210 | Breadth: Theories of Human Development | 5 |
| SBSF 8220 | Depth: Current Research in Human Development | 5 |
| SBSF 8230 | Application: Professional Practice and Human Development | 4 |
| KAM III: Principles of Organizational and Social Systems | ||
| SBSF 8310 | Breadth: Theories of Organizational and Social Systems | 5 |
| SBSF 8320 | Depth: Current Research in Organizational and Social Systems | 5 |
| SBSF 8330 | Application: Professional Practice and Organizational and Social Systems | 4 |
Foundation Research Sequence
The first and second courses are online seminars, requiring students to participate in weekly, Web-based discussions. The third course combines online activities and a 12-hour, face-to-face meeting concurrent with a Walden residency. Faculty members guide discussions, require specific readings and written assignments, and evaluate assignments.
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| SBSF 8417 | Research Seminar I: Human Inquiry and Science | 4 |
| HUMN 8427 | Research Seminar II: Design in Human Services Research | 5 |
| HUMN 8437 | Research Seminar III: Data Analysis in Human Services Research | 5 |
Specialized KAMs
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| KAM V: Advanced Theory and Practice in Human Services | ||
| HUMN 8515 | Breadth: Theories and Models of Human Behavior for Professional Practice: Counseling | 5 |
| HUMN 8525 | Depth: Contextual Evaluation of Contemporary Theories and Models in Human Services: Counseling | 5 |
| HUMN 8535 | Application: Integrating Theory and Practice in Human Services: Counseling | 4 |
| KAM VI: Intervention Strategies in Human Services | ||
| HUMN 8615 | Breadth: Advanced Theories of Intervention in Human Services: Counseling | 5 |
| HUMN 8625 | Depth: Human Services Delivery Systems and Ethical Considerations: Counseling | 5 |
| HUMN 8635 | Application: Integrating Intervention Strategies and Ethical Practice: Counseling | 4 |
| KAM VII: Advanced Case Study in Human Services | ||
| HUMN 8715 | Breadth: Theories of Case Study Research and Applied Change in Human Services: Counseling | 5 |
| HUMN 8725 | Depth: Relating Case Studies to Applied Change in Human Services: Counseling | 5 |
| HUMN 8735 | Application: A Case Study of Applied Change in Human Services: Counseling | 4 |
Course Descriptions (pdf)
