Online Doctoral Psychology Programs
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Online Psychology Doctoral Programs

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Expand Your Influence With a Doctoral Degree in Psychology From Walden

Whether you want to improve mental health services delivery or influence the next generation of psychology professionals, a Walden doctoral psychology degree can help you attain it. Learn from the leader: Walden is the No. 1 granter of PhD in Psychology degrees in the U.S.¹

Our psychology PhD programs and professional doctoral program focus on the skills you need to make a difference—for your career, organization, and community. Gain practical knowledge you can use immediately to address real problems in this ever-changing field. You’ll find one-on-one faculty support and other resources at every step, including our Doctoral Degree Coach™.

 

Doctoral Psychology Programs

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Doctor of Psychology in Behavioral Health Leadership
Explore Our Online Doctor of Psychology Program in Behavioral Health Leadership Gain the leadership and cross-disciplinary skills to manage and improve the delivery of integrated mental and behavioral healthcare in this non-licensure program with…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    04/08/2024
PhD in Clinical Psychology
A PhD in Clinical Psychology Focused on Clinical Practice and ResearchPursue a path to licensure as a clinical psychologist with Walden’s PhD in Clinical Psychology program. Learn how to assess mental health and provide effective, evidence-based…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    05/27/2024
PhD in Developmental Psychology
Impact scholarship and your career with a PhD in Developmental Psychology. Prepare to investigate, apply, and teach innovative concepts in human development as a researcher, faculty member, administrator, or consultant. Walden’s doctoral program…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    04/08/2024
PhD in Developmental Psychology
Administration and Leadership
Specialization
Explore our PhD in Developmental Psychology Administration and Leadership specialization Prepare yourself as a leader and administrator in the field of human development. The Administration and Leadership specialization focuses on the latest…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    04/08/2024
PhD in Developmental Psychology
Child and Adolescent Development
Specialization
Explore our PhD in Developmental Psychology Child and Adolescent Development specialization In the Child and Adolescent Development specialization, you’ll learn to apply the latest theories and research on child development, abnormal psychology,…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    04/08/2024
PhD in Developmental Psychology
General Program
Explore our PhD in Developmental Psychology General Program Gain a broad understanding of developmental psychology and how you can apply its principles across the life span. In the General Program, you’ll develop an understanding of…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    04/08/2024
PhD in Developmental Psychology
Health and Human Development
Specialization
Explore our PhD in Developmental Psychology Health and Human Development specialization With the Health and Human Development specialization, you’ll gain an understanding of the relationship between health, health behavior, and human development…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    04/08/2024
PhD in Developmental Psychology
International Perspectives
Specialization
Explore our PhD in Developmental Psychology International Perspectives specialization This specialization focuses on how cultures impact human development. Coursework explores international perspectives on human development and how current…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    04/08/2024
PhD in Developmental Psychology
Research
Specialization
Explore our PhD in Developmental Psychology Research specialization Beginning with a core knowledge of developmental psychology and ethics, this specialization will provide you with advanced research skills related to methodology and analyses.…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    04/08/2024
PhD in Developmental Psychology
Self-Designed
Specialization
Explore our PhD in Developmental Psychology Self-Designed specialization The Self-Designed specialization lets you design your own program of study. This offering provides you with maximum flexibility to design a program that closely matches…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    04/08/2024
PhD in Developmental Psychology
Teaching
Specialization
Explore our PhD in Developmental Psychology Teaching specialization Do you have a passion to teach at the secondary or postsecondary level? In our Teaching specialization, you will apply developmental theories and the latest research in human…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    04/08/2024
PhD in Forensic Psychology
Crisis Leadership Management
Specialization
Explore our PhD in Forensic Psychology Crisis Leadership Management specialization Gain leadership insights that will prepare you to effectively manage crisis situations. You will explore definitions of leadership, major theoretical leadership…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    04/08/2024
PhD in Forensic Psychology
Crisis Response
Specialization
Explore our PhD in Forensic Psychology Crisis Response specialization Discover how you can work with police departments or other law enforcement agencies assisting in officer selection and training, stress management, critical incident stress…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    04/08/2024
PhD in Forensic Psychology
General Program
Explore our PhD in Forensic Psychology General Program Prepare to promote social change through the integration of forensic psychology principles in scholarly and/or professional activities. You will evaluate behavior, analyze seminal works in…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    04/08/2024
PhD in Forensic Psychology
Legal Issues in Forensic Psychology
Specialization
Explore our PhD in Forensic Psychology Legal Issues in Forensic Psychology specialization In today’s complex legal system, forensic psychology professionals are called upon to provide their expertise on issues that intersect with psychology and…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    04/08/2024
PhD in Forensic Psychology
Self-Designed
Specialization
Explore our PhD in Forensic Psychology Self-Designed specialization Gain a broad understanding of the forensic psychology field and how its principles are applied in a range of settings, from correctional institutions to court systems to…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    04/08/2024
PhD in Forensic Psychology
Victimology
Specialization
Explore our PhD in Forensic Psychology Victimology specialization While much of forensic psychology is focused on offender behavior, this specialization allows you to dive more deeply into the experience of the victim as well as that of first…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    04/08/2024
PhD in Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychology
Consulting Psychology
Explore our PhD in Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology Consulting Psychology specialization Combining advanced I/O theory, methods, and research with perspectives on the global business environment, this doctoral specialization can…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    04/08/2024
PhD in Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychology
Evidence-Based Coaching
Explore our PhD in Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology Evidence-Based Coaching specialization Prepare to meet the growing demand for professional certified coaches in corporations, health and wellness, general business, government…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    04/08/2024
PhD in Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychology
General Practice
Explore our PhD in Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology General Practice specialization Designed for students interested in careers in such areas as organizational consulting, organizational development, academia, training and…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    04/08/2024
PhD in Industrial Organizational (I/O) Psychology
Human Resource Management
Explore our PhD in Industrial and Organizational (I/O) Psychology Human Resource Management specialization In this specialization, you will enhance your scholarly and practical understanding of the relationship between industrial and…

Next Start Dates

  • Course Based
    04/08/2024

FAQ About Walden’s Doctoral Psychology Programs

What is a PhD in Psychology?

A PhD in Psychology is a terminal degree in psychology, meaning that it is the highest formal degree that can be earned in the field. In Walden’s non-licensure PhD in Psychology program, the emphasis is on research, preparing graduates to advance their psychology careers in academia and research.

What is a PsyD in Psychology?

Developed in the late 1960s as an alternative to PhD psychology programs, a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) is typically pursued by individuals interested solely in the hands-on, straightforward practice of psychology, without dedicating professional time to research or academia. Walden offers a non-licensure Doctor of Psychology in Behavioral Health Leadership that prepares graduates with the skills to manage the delivery of quality behavioral health and mental health services in an integrated care setting.

How long does it take to earn a PhD in Psychology?

The amount of time it takes to complete your doctoral degree will depend on your previous educational experience and how long you work on your dissertation.

The PhD in Psychology program at Walden offers a Track I for those entering with a master’s in psychology or a related field and a Track II for those entering with a bachelor’s degree or a master’s in an unrelated field. Students in Track I complete a minimum of 85 quarter credits and students in Track II complete a minimum of 110 quarter credits. There is also a Fast-Track option, in which students take additional courses and begin their dissertation early to expedite their path through the program.

Students have up to eight years to complete their doctoral degree requirements (see Enrollment Requirements). Students may petition to extend the eight-year maximum time frame, but an extension is not guaranteed.

An Enrollment Specialist can go over the options with you and discuss your individual time commitment.

What can you do with a PhD in Psychology?

A PhD in Psychology will equip you with the expertise to pursue a variety of professional opportunities and enjoy a purposeful career helping others. Potential roles for PhD in Psychology graduates include:

  • Educational consultant, such as in schools and hospitals

  • Researcher

  • Professor

  • Administrator

  • Director or manager in fields such as human resources, marketing, or career planning and development

Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

Can you skip earning a master’s degree and enroll in a PhD in Psychology program?

Yes. At Walden, candidates with a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher from an accredited school may enter the PhD in Psychology program in Track II.

What are the requirements for earning a PhD in Psychology?

All Walden PhD in Psychology students are required to complete:

  • Doctoral Writing Assessment

  • Foundation course (3 cr.)

  • Core courses (25 cr. for Track I; 40 cr. for Track II)

  • Research courses (10 cr. for Track I; 20 cr. for Track II)

  • Specialization courses (20 cr.)

  • 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 PhD residencies (four-day sessions)

DISCLOSURES

1Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) IPEDS database. Based on the most recent year of completions survey data available, using CIP code 42.01 “Doctorate degree - Psychology, General.” Available at https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/use-the-data. (Retrieved January 2021; may consist of or include provisional release data.)