Through our Communities of Practice experience, you’ll get an early start on your capstone project. Begin your doctorate in human services journey through a supportive, cohort-style series of companion courses led by a faculty advisor.
PERSONALIZE YOUR PATH
Focus your coursework with one of two specializations that provide the opportunity for advanced study in your area of interest.
BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE
Through immersive, interactive content, you’ll gain greater self-assurance by practicing skills and tools you’ll use in the field.
MASTER NETWORKING SKILLS
Explore networking best practices and build a professional portfolio with the Human Services Hub in Walden’s Career Center.
Immersive Learning Technologies
Walden’s Doctor of Human Services online program includes simulation technologies and other approaches to bring course content to life. Master critical skills in a safe and supportive environment.
Start Your Capstone Early
In our exclusive Communities of Practice experience, you’ll choose a research topic that aligns with your passion and gain key doctoral skills that prepare you for your capstone with confidence.
Make Change Happen
At the core of this program is the concept of force field analysis. Learn how to minimize opposing forces while increasing the favorable forces that make positive social change more likely and sustainable.
Doctoral Experience
How will I learn?
YOUR DOCTORAL JOURNEY
Earning your doctorate in human services won’t be easy, but Walden is here to provide support, resources, and encouragement at every stage of your journey.
DOCTORAL DEGREE COACH®
Map and track your doctoral program milestones, meet weekly targets, connect with faculty, and find support with this personalized digital resource.
FOCUS ON YOUR PASSION
Get help choosing a doctoral capstone topic that reflects your interests. Learn how you can use the findings to create meaningful change.
Tuition Breakdown
We want to put an elite academic credential within your reach. At Walden, you’ll find many ways to reduce your Doctor of Human Services online program costs, including:
Walden grants
Partnership-based savings
Federal and state grants for those who qualify
Program Savings
Program Savings
Receive up to a $5,000 grant when you start an eligible doctoral program.
| Curriculum | Requirements | Cost | Total * | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition-Coursework | 48 quarter credits | $670 per quarter hour for coursework credits | $32,160^ | |
| Tuition-Doctoral Study/Project | 20-120† quarter credits | $670 per quarter hour for dissertation credits | $13,400–$80,400* | |
| Program Fee | $180 per quarter | $1,440–$5,760* | ||
| Estimated Range: | 2-Year Minimum | 8-Year Maximum | ||
| $47,000* | $118,320*+ | |||
| (assuming completion in a 2-year time frame) | (assuming completion in an 8-year time frame) | |||
These are ranges of what a student can expect in terms of time and tuition cost to complete a degree. It does not include other fees, nor is it adjusted for tuition increases over time. Walden faculty has concluded that generally students who do not complete their program in eight years are unlikely to complete and only allow students to exceed that time frame when a student petitions for an extension and provides good reason for the delay and assurances that obstacles to completion can be overcome. Time is calculated using the time allowed for each semester or unit that the student completes. Students are encouraged to work continuously during the program so as not to extend the time needed to complete the degree as work can become stale and students lose focus. Students who earn two grades of “Unsatisfactory,” who repeatedly drop a course before a semester or unit has been completed or are unable to complete in the eight year time frame, should expect that they may be dismissed from the program. Walden believes that it is in the best interest of a student who is unable to complete the degree in the stated ranges to strongly consider withdrawal or obtaining a lesser degree.
Time to completion and cost are not estimates of individual experience and will vary based on individual factors applicable to the student. Factors may be programmatic or academic such as tuition and fee increases and/or the student’s transfer credits accepted by Walden; program or specialization changes; unsuccessful course completion; credit load per term; writing, research and editing skills; use of external data for their doctoral study/dissertation; and/or individual progress in the program. Other factors may include personal issues such as the student’s employment obligations; care giving responsibilities or health issues; part-time vs. full-time enrollment; leaves of absence; and/or other personal circumstances.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included. Students may incur additional costs for remedial writing assistance, if necessary.
^This assumes students successfully complete their coursework on the first attempt.
† Based on a 2-year minimum completion requirement and an 8-year maximum timeframe as outlined in Walden academic policy.
*Tuition and fees will be higher if students petition to extend the 8-year maximum timeframe or choose to take more expensive elective courses.
+Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition discounts. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-642-0198.
Career Opportunities
With a doctorate in human services, you can turn your passion for social justice and equity into tangible impact.
High Growth
Social and Community Service Managers
Coordinate and supervise programs and organizations that support public well-being.
Expected growth: 8%1
Estimated annual wage: $48,880–$98,7401
1Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)
No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls in the Doctor of Human Services program will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries. Wage estimates are based on the 10th–75th percentile.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of Walden’s Doctor of Human Services program will be prepared to:
Assess the needs of clients accessing human services programs using a variety of evidence-supported approaches.
Evaluate the effectiveness of the human service programs using a variety of evidence-supported approaches.
Develop strategies for working collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams of professionals to deliver support services to diverse populations.
Design research that contributes to positive social change related to human services.
Advocate for the needs of diverse populations in order to promote positive social change.
Develop an advanced human services practitioner professional identity.
Meet Your Academic Team
Learn about the accomplished Doctor of Human Services faculty at Walden who are committed to supporting your growth and success.
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Doctor of Human Services Online FAQ
The Doctor of Human Services program and the PhD in Human Services program both provide an in-depth understanding of the complex social issues impacting individuals, families, communities, and society. However, there are key differences. Walden’s Doctor of Human Services program provides practical knowledge you can apply directly to your work in the human services field, whereas our PhD in Human Services program is designed for those who prefer a more academic focus. If you like the idea of impacting change through human services practice, advocacy, or policy, our more professionally oriented Doctor of Human Services online program may be the best fit for you. If you want to conduct original research, analyze data, and evaluate theories, you will likely prefer Walden’s more academically oriented PhD in Human Services program.
Time to completion depends on a number of factors, including whether you choose to take a full-time or part-time course load. The Doctor of Human Services program can be completed in as few as 24 months.
The Doctor of Human Services can prepare you with the advocacy, program evaluation, and leadership skills to plan or direct the activities of social services programs or community outreach organizations. Some reported job titles include community services director, vocational rehabilitation administrator, and child welfare services director.
A Doctor of Human Services is designed for individuals working in a wide range of community service settings working with populations such as children, older adults, or veterans. They tend to be or plan to be in leadership positions managing and evaluating programs. They work with data to understand the effectiveness of their programs. They come from many professional and educational backgrounds.
A Doctor of Social Work is designed specifically for licensed social workers who want to expand their social work practice into leadership or teaching positions.
The type of capstone project you will complete in the Doctor of Human Services is related to your professional interests in demographic populations and types of services. Your capstone project is also closely tied to your specialization. In the Leadership and Program Evaluation specialization, your capstone will relate to the skills to provide evidence for human services programs in the field, assessing local needs, and evaluating program outcomes. The capstone project for this specialization is the research for development of program evaluation in the field. In the Prevention, Intervention, and Advocacy specialization, the capstone project is the research for development of a white paper advocating for recognition of a new human services need in a community and in society. You will have support throughout the doctoral journey, including a five-part course series where you will meet with your doctoral mentor and other students as discuss applied research, writing, and project planning for your capstone project.
The online Doctor of Human Services offers two specializations: Leadership and Program Evaluation or Prevention, Intervention, and Advocacy. In the leadership and program evaluation specialization, you can develop skills related to senior management positions in human services organizations, working with governance boards, and demonstrating evidence of program effectiveness. In the prevention, intervention, and advocacy specialization, you will explore how to support individual, family, and community needs, advocate with community leaders and decision-makers, and crisis management.