School of Counseling DATA

A primary responsibility of the faculty within the School of Counseling is to regularly assess aspects of all counseling programs to ensure accurate evaluation of student development, both academic and professional, as well as continued efficacy of program offerings.

Each year, the School of Counseling makes available a report that outlines key assessment efforts throughout the year and actions decided upon and taken to make improvements to the program based on data gathered. Below is the Annual Report for all our CACREP-accredited programs.

School of Counseling CACREP Program Evaluation Outcome Report 2024–2025

Below are specific program outcomes and a link to the annual School of Counseling CACREP Program Evaluation Outcome Report (PEOR) for our four CACREP-accredited programs: MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in School Counseling, and PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision. As required by CACREP, these reported outcomes highlight the past year’s number of graduates, employment rates, degree completion rates, and certification/licensure pass rates.

• MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling CACREP Vital Statistics Outcome Reporting (Fall 2024 through Summer 2025)
  There were 974 students who graduated from the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program during this time. Of those who indicated they were actively seeking employment (via the graduation application around the time of program completion), 57% reported being employed or admitted to a doctoral program.*** In 2024–2025, 63% of eligible MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling students, who sat for the National Counselor Examination that was administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors, earned a passing score. Of the students who started the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in the 2019–2020* academic year, 40% have graduated, which is an improvement over the previous several years.*
• MS in School Counseling CACREP Vital Statistics Outcomes Reporting (Fall 2024 through Summer 2025) 
  There were 209 students who graduated from the MS in School Counseling program. Of those who indicated that they were actively seeking employment (via the graduation application around the time of program completion), 67% reported being employed or enrolled in a doctoral program.*** In 2024–2025, 91% of eligible MS in School Counseling students who sat for the Praxis Exam earned a passing score. Of the students who started the MS in School Counseling in the 2019–2020 academic year, 38% graduated, which is an improvement of five percentage points over the previous year.*
• PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision CACREP Vital Statistics Outcomes Reporting (Fall 2024 through Summer 2025)
  There were 45 students who graduated from the PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program. Of those who indicated that they were actively seeking employment (via the graduation application around the time of program completion), 95% reported being employed.*** Of the students who started the PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision program in the 2016–2017 academic year, 24% graduated, which is an improvement over the previous year.**

*Includes all degree-seeking students with a starting cohort within the reported academic year. The graduation rate is calculated from the matriculation term to degree conferral term within the same degree level. Our typical student is a working professional already in their field of study and attending Walden part-time. Because of this, the 150% graduation rate best represents our student body's achievement rate, and it aligns with the IPEDS Right to Know reporting period methodology, which is an industry standard.

*Represents a 5-year graduation rate.

**Represents an 8-year graduation rate.

The data shown above is the 150% graduation rate for those who have a cohort within the Academic Year 2016–2017 of PhD and Academic Year 2019–2020 for Masters.

Non-degree seeking students and step-out awards are excluded from this data.

*** Source: 2024-2025 Graduation Application Survey. The Graduation Application Survey is distributed to every student upon program completion. During the reporting 2024-25 period, approximately 82% of graduates from the MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and MS in School Counseling programs and 87% of graduates from the PhD in Counselor Education program answered the Graduation Application Survey employment questions.