Develop a robust leadership skill set essential to overseeing today’s human services agencies and nonprofit organizations.
Focus on Leadership
Explore how to effectively lead human services organizations and strategically evaluate programs in order to optimize outcomes.
Start Your Capstone Early
Through our Communities of Practice experience, you’ll start moving forward on your capstone project at the beginning of your program.
Learn by Doing
Through immersive, hands-on content, you’ll gain greater self-assurance by practicing the skills and tools you’ll use out in the field.
Build Vital Career Skills
Learn networking best practices and create a professional portfolio with the Human Services Hub of Walden’s Career Center.
Program Details
Curriculum
Minimum Degree Requirements
- 68 quarter credits
- Doctoral Writing Assessment
- Foundation course (3 cr.)
- Core courses (30 cr.)
- Specialization courses (15 cr.)
- Completion of the Doctoral Capstone
- Communities of Practice and Research (CPR) courses (5 cr.; continuously enrolled in 1 cr. per term for a minimum of 5 terms until CPR completion)
- Capstone writing courses (continuous enrollment in 5 cr. per term for a minimum of 3 terms until completion)
View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN.
For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.
Students are continuously enrolled in HUMN 9100D for a minimum of 3 quarters until completion of their doctoral capstone with final Chief Academic Officer (CAO) approval.
To complete a doctoral capstone writing project, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the Chief Academic Officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Doctoral Capstone/Dissertation Guidebook.
Admission Requirements
Program Admission Considerations: A master’s degree or higher. Some restrictions apply – ask your Enrollment Specialist for details.
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.
Tuition and Fees
| Curriculum | Requirements | Cost | Total * | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition-Coursework | 48 quarter credits | $640 per quarter hour for coursework credits | $30,720^ | |
| Tuition-Doctoral Study/Project | 20-120† quarter credits | $640 per quarter hour for dissertation credits | $12,800–$76,800* | |
| Technology Fee | $170 per quarter | $1,360–$5,440* | ||
| Estimated Range: | 2-Year Minimum | 8-Year Maximum | ||
| $44,880* | $112,960*+ | |||
| (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.
Paying for Your Education
Our Enrollment Specialists can help you outline a plan and find resources for funding your education.
PROGRAM SAVINGS
Looking to reach your potential with a doctoral degree? We want to support you by making your goals more achievable. Receive up to a $5,000 grant if you start this program on July 10, 2023. Contact one of our Enrollment Specialists to learn more.
Program Outcomes
Career Outlook
Earning your Doctor of Human Services degree can help you open the door to new career opportunities and greater influence in your field. Expand your options in settings ranging from universities and hospitals to social assistance organizations and government agencies.
Through the Human Services Hub of our Career Center, Walden is here to support your goals. Create a professional portfolio that you can share with employers to showcase your skills. Master the art of high-impact networking as well as job search best practices that can help you shape the future you want, whether you’re looking to teach in academia or start your own nonprofit agency.