PhD in Developmental Psychology Online
Research

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PhD in Developmental Psychology Online
Research

Ready to Get Started?

Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Current Step 1: About You
  • Step 2: Contact Information

Program Details

Choose the Path That Is Right for You

TRACK 1: For those entering with a master’s degree in developmental psychology or related field.

TRACK 2: For those entering with a GPA of 3.0 on bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in another field.

Curriculum

Minimum Degree Requirements

  • Doctoral Writing Assessment
  • Foundation course (3 cr.)
  • Core courses (25 cr.)
  • Research courses (10 cr.)
  • Specialization courses (15 cr.)
  • Completion of Doctoral Dissertation
    • Dissertation Support courses (7 cr.)
    • Dissertation Writing Courses (5 cr. per term for a minimum of four terms; taken continuously until completion)
  • Four 4-day PhD residencies

View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN.

Walden students have up to 8 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 844-398-6088.

Curriculum

Minimum Degree Requirements

  • Doctoral Writing Assessment
  • Foundation course (3 cr.)
  • Core courses (40 cr.)
  • Research courses (25 cr.)
  • Specialization courses (15 cr.)
  • Completion of Doctoral Dissertation
    • Dissertation Support courses (7 cr.)
    • Dissertation Writing Courses (5 cr. per term for a minimum of four terms; taken continuously until completion)
  • Four 4-day PhD residencies

View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN.

Walden students have up to 8 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 844-398-6088.

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.

Tuition and Fees

CurriculumRequirementsCostTotal *
Tuition-Coursework60 quarter credits $620 per quarter hour for coursework credits$37,200^
Tuition-Doctoral Study/Project 20–125 quarter credits$620 per quarter hour for dissertation credits$12,400–$77,500*
Program Fee $175 per quarter$1,925–$5,600*
Residency FeeFour Residencies$1,420 each (virtual) 
$1,520 each (in-person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional)
$5,680–$6,080
Estimated Range:  2.75-Year8-Year
   $57,205$126,380 *+
   (assuming completion in a 2.75-year timeframe)(assuming completion in an 8-year timeframe)

Effective February 24, 2025

CurriculumRequirementsCostTotal *
Tuition-Coursework60 quarter credits $630 per quarter hour for coursework credits$37,800^
Tuition-Doctoral Study/Project 20–125 quarter credits$630 per quarter hour for dissertation credits$12,600–$78,750*
Program Fee $180 per quarter$1,980–$5,760*
Residency FeeFour Residencies$1,420 each (virtual) 
$1,520 each (in-person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional)
$5,680–$6,080
Estimated Range:  2.75-Year8-Year
   $58,060$128,390 *+
   (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.

CurriculumRequirementsCostTotal *
Tuition-Coursework90 quarter credits $620 per quarter hour for coursework credits$55,800^
Tuition-Doctoral Study/Project 20–115 quarter credits$620 per quarter hour for dissertation credits$12,400–$71,300*
Program Fee $175 per quarter$2,275–$5,600*
Residency FeeFour Residencies$1,420 each (virtual)
$1,520 each (in-person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional)
$5,680–$6,080
Estimated Range:  3.25-Year8-Year
   $76,155$138,780*+
   (assuming completion in a 3.25-year timeframe)(assuming completion in an 8-year timeframe)

Effective February 24, 2025

CurriculumRequirementsCostTotal *
Tuition-Coursework90 quarter credits $630 per quarter hour for coursework credits$56,700^
Tuition-Doctoral Study/Project 20–115 quarter credits$630 per quarter hour for dissertation credits$12,600–$72,450*
Program Fee $180 per quarter$2,340–$5,760*
Residency FeeFour Residencies$1,420 each (virtual)
$1,520 each (in-person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional)
$5,680–$6,080
Estimated Range:  3.25-Year8-Year
   $77,320$140,990*+
   (assuming completion in a 3.25-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 3-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.

Program Savings

Speak with an Enrollment Specialist to learn about our current tuition savings.

Resources

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