Develop as a scholar-practitioner and prepare to teach and mentor the next generation of counseling professionals.
Expand Your Opportunities
Our standards-aligned PhD coursework prepares you to make a positive impact in teaching, clinical supervision, leadership, or research.
Balance Your PhD With Real Life
Offered fully online, our program gives you the flexibility to balance earning a doctorate with your other life commitments.
Be Immersed in Our Community
Small class sizes and plentiful opportunities for connection and collaboration help you build relationships with your peers and faculty.
Get Support at Every Step
Our robust suite of tools and support services help you build the skills and confidence you need to reach the doctoral finish line.
Program Details
Curriculum
Minimum Degree Requirements
For students who have graduated from a CACREP-accredited program:*
- 85 quarter credits
- Doctoral Writing Assessment
- Foundation course (1 cr.)
- Core courses (30 cr.)
- Research courses (20 cr.)
- Field Experience Courses
- Practicum (3 cr.)†
- Internship (6 cr.)
- Completion of Doctoral Dissertation
- Dissertation Support Courses (5 cr.)
- Dissertation Writing Courses (5 cr. per term for a minimum of four terms; taken continuously until completion)
- One face-to-face residency
- Two Pre-Practicum Labs (6 weeks online, 4 days face-to-face)
View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN.
*Learn more about completion requirements for students who are not licensed professional counselors with a master’s degree in counseling or who have not graduated from a CACREP-accredited master’s program.
†Due to the practicum requirements of this program, the applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States or a U.S. territory at time of admission and must reside in the United States or a U.S. territory at time of admission to be eligible for this program. United States military personnel stationed abroad should contact an Enrollment Specialist to determine eligibility.
Walden students have up to eight years to complete their doctoral program unless they petition for an extension. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation/doctoral study course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation/doctoral study course shell.
Please refer to Walden’s catalog for more information about degree requirements.
For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.
Admission Requirements
Program Admission Considerations: A master's degree or higher in counseling.
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 | 65 quarter credits | $605 per quarter hour for coursework credits | $39,325^ | |
| Tuition-Dissertation | 20–115† quarter credits | $605 per quarter hour for dissertation credits | $12,100–$69,575* | |
| Technology Fee | $170 per quarter | $2,380–$5,440* | ||
| Residency Fee | One Residency | $1,420 each (virtual) $1,520 each (in-person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional) |
$1,420–$1,520 | |
| Pre-Practicum Labs | Two in Program | $1,420 each (virtual) $1,520 each (in person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional) |
$2,840–$3,040 | |
| Estimated Range: | 2.75-Year | 8-Year | ||
| $58,065 | $118,900 *+ | |||
| (assuming completion in a 2.75-year timeframe) | (assuming completion in an 8-year timeframe) | |||
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 2.75-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 August 28, 2023. Contact one of our Enrollment Specialists to learn more.
Meet Your Academic Team
Testimonials
The best part of my experience has been the opportunity to come back to Walden to teach future school counselors and clinical mental health counselors.
My doctorate from Walden opened more professional opportunities for me and boosted my confidence to start my counseling practice, which became a group practice in less than a year.
My experience as a Walden CES student has been influenced by my relationship with my peers, the encouragement of professors, and the increased visibility of Black faculty.