View our EdD Early Childhood specialization completion requirements
Minimum degree requirements:
60 quarter credits
- Core courses (50 cr.)
- Capstone (10 cr.)
CONTEXTUALIZED CTAs
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Follow Your Calling to Help Others With Our Bachelor of Social Work Online
Are you passionate about creating a better world? Make an impact on people’s lives while shaping the career you want with Walden’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program.
Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), Walden’s program meets the industry’s rigorous standards to prepare you for today’s social work field . Engaging instruction, realistic simulations, and hands-on experiences help you grow as a practitioner and social change agent. Chart a clear course to your future with a program designed to ignite lifelong learning.
Walden’s online BSW program also helps you prepare to pursue your Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. As a BSW graduate, you’ll have the opportunity to move seamlessly into our CSWE-accredited MSW program.
Questions about Walden's BSW program? Our Enrollment Specialists are here to give you answers.
Admission Requirements
Admission is considered for adult students who hold a high school diploma or its equivalent. Applicants must also meet one of the following criteria:
- You are 21 years of age or older.
- You are less than 21 years of age with at least 12 quarter credits.
- You are an active member of the military or a veteran with documentation of service.
Career Outlook
Advance social welfare in your community and serve those in need by earning your Bachelor of Social Work online degree. With a BSW, you can open the door to a rewarding and in-demand field2 while laying the foundation for your master’s degree.
A Bachelor of Social Work online degree can academically prepare you to pursue career options such as:4
- Mental health social worker
- Case worker
- Family protection specialist
- Family resource coordinator
- Youth services specialist
Questions about how earning a BSW could advance your education path?
Our enrollment specialists are here to give you answers.
Program Details
Admission Requirements
General Admission Requirements: Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. More information for international applicants.
What’s the Career Impact of Earning a DBA?
Become the Visionary Leader You’re Meant to Be
Now more than ever, organizations need experienced leaders who can assess situations, understand current and potential business issues, and put bold solutions into action. They want confident, proactive problem-solvers who can serve as a force for real change.
A Doctor of Business Administration online degree not only shows that you’re knowledgeable in your field; it signals your readiness for senior-level leadership roles. Expand your opportunities within your own organization or in other companies and industries.
An online DBA program can prepare you to work in settings such as:
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Educational services
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Finance and insurance
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Public administration
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Healthcare and social assistance
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Self-employed professionals
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
Earn your online DNP from a leader in doctoral nursing education.
An online DNP degree program prepares nurses to influence patient outcomes and advance clinical practice in various types of leadership roles. Walden’s DNP program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), with curriculum aligned to the latest standards from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) and National League for Nursing.
Questions about Walden's DNP program? Our Enrollment Specialists are here to give you answers.
Admission Requirements
To be considered for this doctoral program, you must have a current, active RN license, a Master of Science in Nursing, or equivalent from an accredited school, and meet the general admission requirements. All applicants must submit a completed online application and transcripts. Depending on program specialization, additional requirements may apply. More information for international applicants.
A Personalized Guide to Completing Your Doctorate
Earning your online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) requires commitment, perseverance, and hard work. You can do it, and Walden is here to help—with our Doctoral Degree Coach™.
- Map and track milestones: Break your research down into manageable, sequential steps. See where you are, what’s ahead, and what you’ve already accomplished—all in one place.
- Meet weekly targets: No more guesswork. Set prompts based on your to-do list and receive reminders and updates directly to your inbox.
- Connect with faculty: Stay on the same page and keep your progress on track. With shared access to your dashboard, your chair can easily guide you through your checklists, goals, and timelines.
- Access helpful resources: Quickly find support from the right person at the right time. Our comprehensive resource guide points you in the right direction—no more frustrating searches.
Program Outcomes
Impact Patient Care at a Higher Level
You are a nurse and an advocate–you're a champion of more affordable, equitable, and accessible patient care. You’re a passionate problem-solver and innovator who’s always thinking three steps ahead. Earning your doctorate in nursing from Walden can help you maximize your talents and lead much-needed change in an evolving field. Improve your practice and your community through practical learning experiences and a curriculum focused on making a social impact.
Career Impact
Expand Your Possibilities. Inspire Change.
In an era of preventive healthcare and growing patient populations, advanced practice nurses play a vital role in improving patient care and outcomes. According to a report by the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine), expanding roles and responsibilities for nurses with advanced degrees is essential to changing the trajectory of U.S. healthcare delivery.1
Earning a doctorate in nursing practice empowers you to unlock your inner leader—so you can have a stronger voice in how healthcare is delivered. Forge a clear path to new opportunities in administration, management, and policymaking. Use your unique educational perspective and experience to empower new nursing professionals to shape a brighter future for the industry.
A Doctor of Nursing Practice degree can academically prepare you for a variety of roles, including:
- Chief nursing officer (CNO)2
- Nurse administrator3
- Clinical director3
- Nursing informatics specialist4
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this DNP program.
A Doctor of Nursing Practice degree can academically prepare you for career opportunities in settings such as:
- Hospitals
- Offices of physicians
- Nursing and residential care facilities
- Government agencies
- Outpatient care centers
Increase Your Earning Potential
Since high-level roles in healthcare typically come with more responsibilities, earning a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree can potentially lead to a greater salary. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average median pay for a chief executive in healthcare and social assistance industries is $160,950 per year. However, the salary range for chief executives typically falls between approximately $62,780 and $208,000.5
Salary ranges can vary widely for individuals, depending on prior education, certifications, additional skills, the number of years spent practicing, geographic location, place of employment, and other applicable factors.
A Personalized Guide to Completing Your Doctorate
Earning your online Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) requires commitment, perseverance, and hard work. You can do it, and Walden is here to help—with our Doctoral Degree Coach™.
- Map and track milestones: Break your research down into manageable, sequential steps. See where you are, what’s ahead, and what you’ve already accomplished—all in one place.
- Meet weekly targets: No more guesswork. Set prompts based on your to-do list and receive reminders and updates directly to your inbox.
- Connect with faculty: Stay on the same page and keep your progress on track. With shared access to your dashboard, your chair can easily guide you through your checklists, goals, and timelines.
- Access helpful resources: Quickly find support from the right person at the right time. Our comprehensive resource guide points you in the right direction—no more frustrating searches.
Program Outcomes
Go Boldly Forward With Our DSW Program
Walden’s Doctor of Social Work online program provides an immersive and engaging learning experience that fosters your growth as a social work leader. Build a powerful doctoral skillset you need to complete your capstone with confidence. At every step, our faculty are here to support you based on more than 50 years of serving doctoral learners at a distance.
Career Outlook
Social workers help empower those who may be struggling, stand up for social justice, and make a profound impact on people’s lives. With a Doctor of Social Work degree, you can help create real, sustainable change for your clients and community.
Whether you want to start your own non-profit organization, move into leadership, or get to the next level as a practitioner, earning your DSW can light your way forward. Expand your career options while commanding new respect from employers and peers.
Learning Outcomes
As a graduate of our DSW program, you will be prepared to:
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Identify social work practice gaps through the use of theory, current research, and best practices.
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Demonstrate the ability to employ a variety of research approaches to understand or address social work practice problems.
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Synthesize research related to social work interventions, social programs, and the social work practice knowledge base.
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Critically evaluate social problems and social work practice gaps from a culturally aware, ethical, and empirically-driven perspective.
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Demonstrate the ability to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders to advocate for social change.
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Demonstrate the ability to collaborate with a variety of stakeholders to advocate for policies and practices that advance the economic and social well-being of culturally diverse clientele.
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Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skill in a specialized area of social work practice.
Questions about how earning a DSW could advance your education path?
Our Enrollment Specialists are here to give you answers.
Choose an Online Master of Social Work Program Grounded in Experiential Learning
Do you have a calling to help shape a more inclusive and equitable world? Start your journey as a social change-maker at Walden. Accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), our online Master of Social Work program is designed to turn your passion into the knowledge, skills, and confidence you need to be an effective social worker.
You’ll be guided through your program journey with support at every stage. Start with foundational knowledge and build on it through a variety of hands-on learning experiences. Gain fresh perspectives working closely with Walden’s diverse faculty and fellow students from a variety of backgrounds. You’ll also prepare for state licensure in our robust licensure module.
Finally, you’ll emerge from your online social work program feeling inspired, knowing you can make a real difference for people who need help the most.
Questions about Walden's MSW program? Our Enrollment Specialists are here to give you answers.
Focus Areas and Embedded Certificates
Focus Areas
Walden’s online Master of Social Work program allows you to customize your studies by filling the two open elective slots with courses from various relevant focus areas. Choose courses from different areas—or focus your electives by choosing both courses from a single area. Our five MSW focus areas are:
- Addictions
- Child and Family
- Healthcare
- Military
- Trauma
Embedded Certificates
If you want to take your studies a step further, you can add a third course (5 credits) from a single focus area and earn an optional embedded certificate along with your MSW degree.
Questions about Walden's online Master of Social Work program?
Our Enrollment Specialists are here to give you answers.
Admission Requirements
Program Admission Considerations: A bachelor's degree or higher. For the Advanced Standing option, students must have a BSW from a CSWE-accredited program with a GPA of at least 3.0.
General Admission Requirements: Completed online application, transcripts, and Acknowledgement Statement. Speak to an Enrollment Specialist who will guide you through the application process. More information for international applicants.
Program Outcomes
What’s the Career Impact of Earning an MSW Online?
Pursue your passion for helping others live better lives while you build a career for yourself. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for social work professionals is expected to increase 12% by 2030—faster than the national average for all occupations.2
Earning your master’s degree in social work can give you the knowledge and skills you need to increase your impact and expand your career options. Social work professionals are sought by employers nationwide, especially in industries such as healthcare, substance abuse treatment, and mental health care.2
An online MSW degree can help prepare you to pursue career options such as:2
- Child, family, and school social workers
- Healthcare social workers
- Mental health and substance abuse social workers
- Social workers, other
An online MSW degree can prepare you to work in a variety of settings, including:
- General medical and surgical hospitals
- Offices of other healthcare practitioners
- Individual and family services
- Insurance companies
Career options may require additional experience, training, licensure or other factors beyond the successful completion of this online Master of Social Work program.