Program Details
Curriculum
Minimum Degree Requirements
For students who have graduated from a CACREP-accredited program:*
- 100 quarter credits
- Doctoral Writing Assessment
- Foundation course (1 cr.)
- Core courses (30 cr.)
- Specialization courses (15 cr.)
- Research courses (25 cr.)
- Internship (8 cr.)†
- Completion of Doctoral Dissertation
- Doctoral Companion Courses (five courses, 1 cr. each)
- Dissertation Writing Courses (5 cr. per term for a minimum of three terms; taken continuously until completion)
- One residency (choose virtual or face-to-face, 1 cr.)
- Two Intensive 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 internship 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.
Doctoral Experience
How will I learn?
YOUR DOCTORAL JOURNEY
The path to your online doctoral program won’t be easy, but Walden is here to provide support, resources, and encouragement at every stage of your journey.
FOCUS ON YOUR PASSION
Get help choosing a doctoral research topic that reflects your interests. Learn how you can use the findings to create meaningful change.
ACADEMIC RESIDENCIES
Broaden your knowledge, engage with peers and faculty, and shape your professional identity during this valuable doctoral learning experience.
Tuition and Fees
Curriculum | Requirements |
---|---|
Curriculum | Cost |
Curriculum | Total * |
Tuition-Coursework | 85 quarter credits |
Tuition-Dissertation | 15–125† quarter credits |
Program Fee | |
Residency Fee | One Residency |
Intensive Labs | Two in Program |
Estimated Range: | |
Tuition-Coursework | $615 per quarter hour for coursework credits |
Tuition-Dissertation | $615 per quarter hour for dissertation credits |
Program Fee | $175 per quarter |
Residency Fee | $1,420 each (virtual) $1,520 each (in-person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional) |
Intensive Labs | $1,420 each (virtual) $1,520 each (in-person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional) |
Estimated Range: | |
Tuition-Coursework | $52,275^ |
Tuition-Dissertation | $9,225–$76,875* |
Program Fee | $1,750–$5,600* |
Residency Fee | $1,420–$1,520 |
Intensive Labs | $2,840–$3,040 |
Estimated Range: | 2.5–Year |
$67,510 | |
(assuming completion in a 2.5-year timeframe) |
Curriculum | Requirements | Cost | Total * | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tuition-Coursework | 85 quarter credits | $615 per quarter hour for coursework credits | $52,275^ | |
Tuition-Dissertation | 15–125† quarter credits | $615 per quarter hour for dissertation credits | $9,225–$76,875* | |
Program Fee | $175 per quarter | $1,750–$5,600* | ||
Residency Fee | One Residency | $1,420 each (virtual) $1,520 each (in-person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional) | $1,420–$1,520 | |
Intensive 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: | 2.5–Year | 8–Year | ||
$67,510 | $139,310 *+ | |||
(assuming completion in a 2.5-year timeframe) | (assuming completion in an 8-year timeframe) |
Effective February 24, 2025
Curriculum | Requirements | Cost | Total * | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Tuition-Coursework | 85 quarter credits | $625 per quarter hour for coursework credits | $53,125^ | |
Tuition-Dissertation | 15–125† quarter credits | $625 per quarter hour for dissertation credits | $9,375–$78,125* | |
Program Fee | $180 per quarter | $1,800–$5,760* | ||
Residency Fee | One Residency | $1,420 each (virtual) $1,520 each (in-person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional) | $1,420–$1,520 | |
Intensive 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: | 2.5–Year | 8–Year | ||
$65,435 | $141,570 *+ | |||
(assuming completion in a 2.5-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 2.5-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.
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