Walden University psychology programs span the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, including a BS in Psychology, an MS in Psychology, and a PhD in Psychology with multiple concentrations. Walden is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and delivers its psychology programs fully online, with academic operations based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Walden University began as a doctoral-only institution in 1970 and expanded into fully online bachelor’s and master’s programs over the following decade. Academic operations are based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Walden is part of Covista (formerly Adtalem Global Education), a Chicago-based education company.
Accreditation Details
Walden University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which authorizes the university to confer undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral degrees. Specialized programs carry accreditation from additional bodies, including the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) for counseling programs and the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) for programs that prepare teachers and school counselors. Other program-specific accreditors include the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, and the Project Management Institute Global Accreditation Center.
Walden’s online psychology doctoral programs don’t carry accreditation from the American Psychological Association (APA). The APA doesn’t accredit fully online doctoral programs or bachelor’s-level psychology programs at any institution, so this isn’t unique to Walden. Still, it can affect licensure and internship eligibility in some states. Prospective students should confirm requirements with their state psychology board before enrolling.
Application Requirements
Applicants work with a Walden enrollment advisor to determine eligibility based on their intended degree level. For undergraduate admission, applicants must hold a high school diploma or its equivalent and be at least 21 years old, or under 21 with at least 12 quarter credit hours already earned, or an active-duty service member or veteran. Enrollment materials typically include:
- A completed online application
- Official high school or college transcripts, or GED certification
- Documentation of military service for active-duty personnel or veterans
- Standardized test scores, if requested by a specific program, such as the SAT, ACT, or GRE
- Proof of English proficiency for international applicants
- Verification of a bachelor’s degree for master’s applicants, or a bachelor’s or master’s degree for doctoral applicants
- A written goals statement for master’s or doctoral applicants
Tuition and Financial Aid
Tuition varies by degree level and program. Current per-credit rates are $360 per quarter credit hour for the BS in Psychology, $610 per quarter credit hour for the MS in Psychology, and $645 per quarter credit hour for the PhD in Psychology, plus a $185 quarterly program fee. Walden students can apply for several forms of financial aid, including:
- Federal Work-Study and Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- Federal Pell Grants and TEACH Grants
- Federal Direct Stafford Loans and Direct PLUS Loans
- State grants based on residency
- Military and veterans benefits programs
- Walden University scholarships and fellowships
Psychology Programs at Walden University
Walden University psychology programs include one undergraduate degree along with multiple graduate and doctoral options, all delivered fully online.
Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Walden’s BS in Psychology can be paired with a concentration in a specific practice area, such as Child and Adolescent Development, addictions, or forensic psychology. The degree totals 181 quarter credit hours: 46 credits of general education, a 35-credit core, 25 to 35 concentration credits, and the remainder split between psychology and general electives depending on the concentration chosen. Coursework in the core covers personality theories, developmental psychology, learning theories, and research methods.
Master of Science in Psychology and Clinical Mental Health Counseling
At the graduate level, Walden offers an MS in Psychology with self-designed concentration options and an MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling accredited by CACREP. Graduate applicants should confirm which specific program and specialization meet licensure requirements in their state, since not all of Walden’s counseling programs qualify for licensure in every state.
PhD and Doctoral Programs in Psychology
Walden’s doctoral offerings include a PhD in Psychology with multiple concentrations, along with doctoral tracks in forensic psychology and related fields. Students weighing a master’s route first can review our forensic psychology master’s program overview. If you’re weighing a PhD against a PsyD track elsewhere, see our breakdown of PsyD vs. PhD in psychology before committing to a doctoral program. Doctoral programs combine online coursework with periodic residencies and require a dissertation or doctoral capstone project. Because Walden’s online doctoral programs aren’t APA-accredited, students pursuing clinical licensure should verify their state’s requirements before enrolling.
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