phd forensic psychology walden university

College of Psychology and Community Services: PhD in Psychology

• College of Psychology and Community Services
• BS in Criminal Justice
• BS in Human Services
• BS in Psychology
• Graduate Certificate in Conflict Management and Negotiation
• Graduate Certificate in Criminal Justice
• MS in Criminal Justice
• MS in Criminal Justice Leadership and Executive Management
• MS in Forensic Psychology
• MS in Human Services
• Post-Master’s Online Teaching in Psychology Certificate
• Doctor of Human Services
• PhD in Criminal Justice
• PhD in Forensic Psychology
• PhD in Human Services
• PhD in Psychology

Note on Licensure

Learning outcomes, specialization courses (20 cr.), learning tracks, degree requirements, master of philosophy (embedded degree).

• Doctoral Writing Assessment
• Post-Doctoral Respecialization Certificate

Program Website  

The university’s mission includes broad access to high-quality postsecondary education through a distance-learning environment and preparation of its graduates to achieve professional excellence and to effect positive social change. Consistent with this mission, the PhD in Psychology program is designed to prepare scholar-practitioners to meet real-world challenges and facilitate positive change in individuals, groups, organizations, and local, national, and global communities.

Specifically, the program prepares lifelong learners to integrate psychological theory, research, established methods of scientific inquiry, and evidence-based practices that incorporate cultural and individual diversity. The School of Psychology training model encompasses an integrated, developmental, and sequential plan of study that includes web-based and face-to-face coursework; residencies that provide opportunities for knowledge and skill acquisition, ethical practice, and professional socialization; field training; and demonstration of research competency.

The Educational Psychology specialization in the PhD in Psychology is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology professional.

As graduates of this program, students will be able to:

• Apply principles of basic and advanced research methods to produce independent scholarly research.
• Apply relevant ethical codes (e.g., APA) to decision making with diverse populations in various settings.
• Promote social change through the integration of principles of psychology in scholarly and/or professional activities.
• Communicate effectively to a variety of stakeholders and audiences.
• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of psychology-specific knowledge and theory to improve the condition of individuals, groups, and organizations.
• Demonstrate proficiency in utilizing empirically supported models for teaching, consultation, and research.
• Develop a professional identity appropriate to one’s professional goals.

These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page.

Specialization in Educational Psychology

Specialization in health psychology, specialization in research in psychology, specialization in social psychology, specialization in teaching in psychology, specialization in self-designed.

There are two tracks in the PhD in Psychology:

• Track 1:  For Those Entering With a Master's Degree in Psychology or Related Field
• Track 2:  For Those Entering With a Bachelor's Degree or Master's Degree in Unrelated Field

Each track also offers a Fast Track option .  With our Fast-Track Option, you increase your course load each term and begin your dissertation early to expedite your path through the program.

Track 1: For Those Entering With a Master's Degree in Psychology or Related Field

Minimum degree requirements.

• Professional Development Plan and Program of Study
• Foundation course (3 credits)
• Core courses (25 credits)
• Research courses (10 credits)
• Specialization courses (20 credits)
• Dissertation support courses (7 credits)
• Dissertation writing courses: (5 credits per term for a minimum of four terms; taken continuously until completion)
• Quarter Plans
• Four PhD residencies

Foundation Course (3 credits)

Core courses (25 credits).

• Students may take this as a non-degree course.

Research Courses (10 credits)

• Students may take this a non-degree course.

Specialization Courses (20 credits)

Residency requirements.

• Residency 1 – Complete Residency 1 as soon as you begin your program; should be completed in Term 1 or Term 2.
• Residency 2 – Complete Residency 2 at the beginning of your second year, around the time of second research course.
• Residency 3 – Complete Residency 3 once you have a prospectus in Walden’s review system.
• Residency 4 General  (RESI 8404) OR
• Residency 4 Proposal Writing  (RESI 8404Q) OR
• Residency 4 Methods & Data Collection: Qualitative  (RESI 8404R) OR
• Residency 4 Methods & Data Collection: Quantitative  (RESI 8404S) OR
• Residency 4 Publishing & Presenting  (RESI 8404T) OR
• an approved professional conference (RESI 8900 for select programs only. Contact Advising for information.) OR
• a dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during your 9000 course. Contact Student Success Advising to register. You must attend all sessions and advising throughout the entire intensive retreat in order to successfully complete the experience to satisfy residency 4 requirements.  NOTE: Intensive Retreats are NOT included in Fast Track tuition.
• Optional:  Complete a  dissertation intensive  (DRWI 8500) during PSYC 9000. Contact Student Success Advising to register.  Note:  Intensives are  not  included in Fast Track tuition.

Completion of the Doctoral Dissertation

Students take this course for a minimum of four quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation course shell.

To complete a doctoral dissertation, 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 Dissertation Guidebook .

Course Sequence for Track I: Students Entering with a Related MS Degree

* Students take this course for a minimum of four quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation course shell.

Fast-Track Option Program of Study

Walden offers a Fast-Track Option. With the Fast-Track Option, students take additional courses and begin their dissertation early to expedite their path through the program.

( Note: There is no Fast-Track Option for the Self-Designed specialization [BS or MS entry].)

• Dissertation support courses (12 credits)
• Dissertation writing course (5 credits per term for a minimum of three terms; taken continuously until completion)

Students must also

• Pass a writing assessment.
• Submit an application essay.
• Maintain a 3.0 GPA.

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.

To complete a doctoral dissertation, 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  Dissertation Guidebook .

Course Sequence

The Fast-Track Option course sequences for students entering with an MS degree are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course sequence on each specialization page.

Track 2: For Those Entering With a Bachelor’s Degree or Master's Degree in Unrelated Field

• Core courses (40 credits)
• Research courses (20 credits)
• Dissertation writing courses (5 credits per term for a minimum of four terms; taken continuously until completion)

Core Courses (40 credits)

Research courses (20 credits), course sequence for track ii: students entering with a bs degree or an unrelated ms degree.

* See each specialization page for specific courses.

** Students take this course for a minimum of four quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation course shell.

• Dissertation writing courses (5 credits per term for a minimum of three terms; taken continuously until completion)

In addition, students must

In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation course shell.

The Fast-Track Option course sequences for students entering with a BS degree are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course sequence on each specialization page.

Walden awards the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree to recognize PhD students for academic achievement leading up to their dissertation. With an MPhil, students will be able to demonstrate to employers and others that they have an advanced knowledge base in their field of study as well as proficiency in research design and evaluation.

• All required PhD core courses (or KAMs)
• All required PhD specialization courses (or KAMs)
• All required doctoral research and advanced research courses
• Program prospectus development course
• Residencies 1, 2, and 3
• A minimum 3.0 GPA is mandatory.
• The MPhil requires a minimum of 45 quarter credits. Maximum transfer of credit varies by program but is not to exceed 50% of the overall, or embedded, program requirements. Students who previously completed a master's degree with Walden in the same discipline area are not eligible for an MPhil.

Students who start or readmit to doctoral programs at Walden University in the university catalog for academic year 2017 or later will complete the university’s required  doctoral writing assessment . Designed to evaluate incoming doctoral students’ writing skills, this assessment aims to help prepare incoming doctoral students to meet the university’s expectations for writing at the doctoral level.

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Walden Resources

Departments.

• Academic Residencies
• Academic Skills
• Career Planning and Development
• Customer Care Team
• Field Experience
• Military Services
• Student Success Advising
• Writing Skills

Centers and Offices

• Center for Social Change
• Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services
• Office of Student Affairs
• Office of Degree Acceleration
• Office of Research and Doctoral Services

Student Resources

• Form & Style Review
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• State Authorization
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Walden University is a member of Adtalem Global Education, Inc. www.adtalem.com Walden University is certified to operate by SCHEV © 2024 Walden University LLC. All rights reserved.

PhD Clinical Psychology Field Experience: Forensic Psychology

• Phd Clinical Psychology Practicum Timeline
• Plan for Field Experience
• Find a Supervisor and Field Site
• Application Process
• Course Success
• Supervisor Resources
• Forensic Psychology
• Previous Page: Supervisor Resources

M.S. in Forensic Psychology

Study criminal behavior, explore a new career path, or pursue doctoral-level studies when you earn your master’s in forensic psychology online at Walden.

Learn research methods to evaluate programs aimed at forensic populations, conduct forensic assessments, and work to enhance systems and programs for incarcerated and recently released offenders and other forensic populations, including juveniles. Walden’s Master’s in Forensic Psychology is one of the only online graduate programs of its kind.

• Field Experience

The Field Experience (FE) is one of your two options for your final course in your degree program.  The other final project course option is called the "Capstone Project" and your Student Success Advisor can tell you more about this class.

In regards to the Field Experience final class option, the FE is a capstone experience designed to provide students who have finished their course work with the opportunity to synthesize knowledge in the foundation areas identified by Forensic Psychology, to apply knowledge to the solution of forensic psychological issues, and also to develop a respect for and commitment to continued professional knowledge. The field experience exposes the student to possible career options as a Forensic Psychology professional, and typically provides opportunities for exposure to the job responsibilities of a forensic psychology professional or a professional working in a forensic-related field as indicated below. Your field experience will entail your observation/shadowing of a professional performing the tasks typical of a forensic psychologist or in forensic fields.

Acceptable field experience domains:

• Corrections -- Judiciary System -- Civil Law
• Criminal Law -- Public Policy -- Law Enforcement
• Government -- Health Care -- Research
• Family Law -- Non-profit -- Crime investigation
• Other types of agencies may be approved only if they demonstrate a clear nexus with forensic psychology.

You will be required to complete a total of 60 work hours of field experience within 11 weeks of the term. Field experience must take place within the 11-weeks of the term when you are enrolled in the field experience course (FPSY 6915).

Licensure Note: The M.S. in Forensic Psychology is not a licensure program and does not prepare an individual to become a licensed psychology professional.

Meditrek Note:  Students in this degree program do not use Meditrek, only students in our licensure-track programs with field requirements do, so you will not receive an account.

Application Process and Forms

Step one:   Secure a site

Step two:    Once you have a site secured, we request that you email Dr. Deanna Deaton,  field coordinator for this program ( deanna.deaton @mail.waldenu.edu ), and run your plan by her to make sure it sounds like a good fit.  Once you hear back from her, please reach out to the Senior Field Education Coordinator (SFEC), Jennifer Hanson ( [email protected] ), with Dr. Deaton's written approval.

Step three: MS Forensic Psychology Letter of Agreement Form

This form is required to begin your field experience.  Students will need to obtain the name and email address of the contact person at their proposed Field Experience site and send this to the field office ([email protected]).  The SFEC will then reach out to the site to obtain their signature on this contract between Walden University and the site.  Students are only involved in providing the contact information, not in obtaining the signature, which is solely done by the field office.  

Step four:    COVID-19 Acknowledgement Waiver

Student will need to review and sign this form if they are planning to complete their Field Experience on site. 

Step five:  The field office will register everyone who has submitted the two documents explained above.  Once registered, you will have access to your classroom where you will be an active student participating in discussions and coursework alongside your FE activity, whereby you are accruing your 60 required hours.  

Deadline:   There is no real deadline other than making sure you have communicated with both Dr. Deaton and Jennifer Hanson and received pre-approval for the site you have selected, and all paperwork has been submitted, before the quarter starts so that you are registered appropriately.

• Forensic Psych FE Setting Guide This guide gives an overview of the Field Experience option and provides everything a site and student needs to know.
• Forensic Psych Student FE Guide This guide is written for a student interested in choosing the Field Experience option for their final project in this degree program.
• COVID-19 Acknowledgement Waiver
• Forensic Psychology FAQ
• Office of Student Disability Services

Walden Resources

Departments.

• Academic Residencies
• Academic Skills
• Career Planning and Development
• Customer Care Team
• Military Services
• Student Success Advising
• Writing Skills

Centers and Offices

• Center for Social Change
• Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services
• Office of Degree Acceleration
• Office of Research and Doctoral Services
• Office of Student Affairs

Student Resources

• Doctoral Writing Assessment
• Form & Style Review
• Quick Answers
• ScholarWorks
• SKIL Courses and Workshops
• Walden Bookstore
• Walden Catalog & Student Handbook
• Student Safety/Title IX
• Legal & Consumer Information
• Website Terms and Conditions
• Cookie Policy
• Accessibility
• Accreditation
• State Authorization
• Net Price Calculator
• Cost of Attendance
• Contact Walden

Walden University is a member of Adtalem Global Education, Inc. www.adtalem.com Walden University is certified to operate by SCHEV © 2024 Walden University LLC. All rights reserved.