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Which Doctoral Degree Program Is Right for Me?
Online graduate degree programs, specifically online doctoral programs, can give you the experience and knowledge you need to become a leader in your field.
The Doctoral Journey
Request InformationReady to reach new heights professionally or personally? Walden has the doctoral program for you.
Why Earn a Doctorate From Walden?
You have the passion and the drive to achieve something bigger for yourself and those around you. We see your potential, and we want to help you pursue it with a doctoral degree from Walden.
The path to your doctorate won’t be easy—as of 2018, just 3.2% of people in the U.S. held this coveted credential.1 At Walden, we’ll guide you every step of the way with a comprehensive suite of support resources designed to help you confidently pursue the finish line, including our Doctoral Degree CoachTM. Since being founded in 1970 for working professionals who want to make a difference, our university has grown to become the No. 1 granter of doctoral research degrees in the U.S.2
Are you ready to reach a higher level in your field? Let’s help you get started.
How a Doctoral Degree Turns Passion Into Power
What Are the Different Types of Doctoral Degrees?
Earning a doctorate is important in an increasingly complex world where more and more employers, policymakers, and government agencies are turning to experts to help them build the future. A doctorate is the highest academic credential you can achieve, enabling you to develop both personally and professionally. It can empower you to increase your influence, amplify your voice, and bring about meaningful change for yourself and your organization. There are two different types of doctorates you can earn. Both will allow you to put the title “Dr.” in front of your name and can propel you toward your goals, but each is designed for a specific intent.
Academic Doctorate
The academic doctorate is the most common type of doctoral degree, usually denoted by “PhD” after someone’s name. “PhD” is short for “Doctor of Philosophy.”
While a PhD can qualify you for academic teaching and research jobs, today’s PhD holders also work in private, nonprofit, and government organizations. This degree is most applicable in roles that require research, knowledge synthesis, and thinking about a challenge from a broad perspective.
If your greatest ideas are at the big-picture, theoretical level, a PhD can help you gain the skills and credentials you need to make the most of your talents.
Professional Doctorate
A professional doctorate—also known as an applied doctorate—focuses on applying the highest levels of knowledge to solve real-world problems. You’ll still learn to do research, just like in a PhD program; however, a professional doctorate program prepares you to go beyond the theoretical to drive innovation in your profession or field.
If you want to take the lead in confronting real issues facing organizations and communities, a professional doctorate may be right for you.
Walden Online Doctoral Programs
Business
Criminal Justice
Education
Health Sciences
Nursing
Psychology and Counseling
Public Policy and Administration
Social Work and Human Services
What Will My Doctoral Journey Look Like?
Whether you choose an academic or professional doctorate, the steps you’ll take to earn your degree will be the same. During the first phase, you’ll take classes, start to formulate potential research topics, learn essential research skills, and interact with faculty and fellow students.
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Foundation courses
Gain a broad overview of your field based on the latest research and advancements. -
Core courses
Explore various key aspects of your field in more depth. -
Specialization courses
Engage in rigorous study of one or more focused topics in your field.
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Research methods courses
Learn fundamental concepts necessary for conducting research at the doctoral level. -
Capstone preparation courses
Define and explore a topic for your capstone. The capstone is a dissertation for PhD students and a doctoral study for professional doctoral students.
“Every instructor I had was a subject matter expert.”
Stella Onuoha-Obilor ’17, Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
Academic Residencies
In most Walden doctoral programs, you’ll attend one or more residencies. Although all are virtual now due to COVID-19, we typically schedule a combination of virtual and in-person residencies across the U.S. These events bring students together with faculty and academic support services to help brainstorm topics, learn research techniques, and polish writing skills.
The few days you spend at your residency will allow you to connect with faculty, forge friendships with other students, and immerse yourself in academic culture. Many graduates look back on their academic residencies as one of the most inspirational aspects of their program.
Confront a Real Problem in Your Field
After completing your coursework, you’ll focus on the capstone—the final stage of your doctoral journey. While it will take a great deal of time and effort, it’s an exciting experience that allows you to examine a specific problem in your discipline.
Learn moreAm I Ready to Pursue a Doctorate at Walden?
Make no mistake: Earning a doctoral degree will be challenging. It takes focus, dedication, and perseverance. Now that you know more about the process and what’s involved, the next step is to determine how prepared you are to begin your program. You can start by taking inventory of your academic skills and program prerequisites.
Academic and Skills Requirements
Good Time Management Skills
Having ample time to dedicate to your doctoral studies is important. But more essential is knowing how to use that time wisely. By strategically prioritizing your workload, you can focus your hours and energy in ways that matter most.
Strong Analytical Skills
Whether you’re pursuing a PhD or a professional doctorate, you’ll need to be able to absorb a lot of new knowledge and make sense of it in the context of your field.
Solid Writing Skills
Earning a doctorate requires a significant amount of writing— it will be the primary way you communicate with faculty and fellow students. Unlike most business or creative writing, academic writing requires you to think critically about what you’ve learned and then articulate those insights while supporting them with additional sources.
Self-Discipline
Succeeding in a doctoral program demands a great deal of self-control as well as some personal sacrifices. You must be able to outline a clear and manageable path to achieving your goals, create and stick to a routine, and avoid distractions along the way.
Fitting Doctoral Study Into Your Life
Earning a doctorate is no small undertaking—it will consume a substantial amount of your time over a period of years. Before you commit your time and resources to entering a doctoral program, you should be able to confidently answer “yes” to the following questions.
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To be successful, you have to be able to do the work. If you don’t have a dedicated space where you can focus without distraction, completing your degree will be difficult. Your workspace doesn’t have to be where you live—coffeehouses with Wi-Fi or a nearby public library work well—but it does have to be easily accessible and quiet.
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Before you enroll, you should talk with your family, friends, or anyone else you live with. Throughout your program, they will have to make sacrifices—your doctorate will be your priority and you may not be able to focus as much time on other areas of your life. If you don’t have support, you may face competing priorities that will complicate your ability to finish your program.
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While it’s not a requirement that your employer or supervisor supports your doctoral pursuit, it helps. If they don’t understand the time commitment you’re making, you may struggle to find the time you need to complete your assignments or the research and writing your degree will require.
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You’ll need a certain level of technology to attend class and complete assignments (see Walden’s list of minimum technology requirements). However, the requirements are minimal, and we provide technical support to guide you through any issues you may encounter.
Paying for Your Doctorate
Earning a doctorate will require a significant financial investment. If you need help funding your degree, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there are a number of ways to help manage the cost of your education. Understanding all of your options can help you make an informed financial decision.
Federal Student Loans
If you have not already exhausted your federal loan eligibility at other institutions, you can apply for federal unsubsidized student loans. Check with our Office of Financial Aid for more information.
Private Student Loans
Private lenders can play an important role in funding your graduate study. Do your homework to find the lender that best meets your needs.
Scholarships
Some programs offer scholarships to qualified students. There are also private scholarships available. Take some time to research your options.
Tuition Grants and Subsidies From Walden
We want to make doctoral education accessible and offer opportunities for students to make additional income in various programs through tutoring, mentoring, and fellowships. Check with an Enrollment Specialist to learn more.
Employer reimbursement/tuition remission
Talk to your HR team—some employers will pay some or even all of the costs of an advanced degree. Walden also partners with many organizations to provide savings opportunities. Ask your Enrollment Specialist for details.
We Support You at Every Step of Your Journey
We believe in you—and we want to empower you to create meaningful change. Your success is our mission. That’s why when you enroll in one of our doctoral programs, you’ll find extensive support at every step of your journey. This includes:
- Doctoral Degree Coach™: Your guide along the doctoral path, offering interactive checklists, a progress tracker, and reminders.
- Office of Research and Doctoral Services: Your one-stop shop for help with research and the research ethics review process.
- Writing Center: A valuable resource for honing your writing skills and receiving feedback and guidance on papers.
- Doctoral Peer Mentor Program: Where you can connect with an experienced doctoral student who will provide advice, tips, and guidance during your program.
- Office of Student Experiential Learning Services: For those interested in field research experiences, study abroad, and other experiential learning opportunities.
- Academic Skills Center: A resource for help with everything from writing your dissertation to passing your advanced statistics class.
- Walden Library: A comprehensive online hub featuring research materials, research databases, full-text journals, electronic books, videos, and dissertations.
- Disability Services: Support to help students with disabilities access Walden resources and achieve academic success.
- Military Services: Provides support to military students and their families through collaboration, education, and advocacy.
My doctoral journey has made me a better person, and I approach life with a different perspective now.
Alexander Buelna ’16, PhD in Public Health Graduate
The first time that someone called me Doctor Williams, I felt very proud. I felt very honored.
Michelle Williams ’16, Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Graduate
I really enjoyed the ability to network with students and faculty from around the world at the residencies.
Demarcus Marshall ‘14, PhD in Public Policy and Administration Graduate
What Happens After I Graduate
Once you earn your doctoral degree, you will
join the elite ranks of scholars and scholar-practitioners.
But even after graduation, we
will still be here to support you:
- Walden alumni network: Walden has more than 147,000 alumni in more than 165 countries. Our Office of Alumni Relations sponsors regular events that bring graduates together for fellowship and networking. Alumni chapters all over the globe also regularly host events to promote lifelong learning and provide opportunities for professional networking.
- Career services: The Walden Career Planning and Development team can help you navigate the job marketplace, enhance your professional skills, and stay up to date on the latest career trends in your field.
- Walden magazine: This biannual publication is packed with inspirational stories, news about alumni achievements, career advice, and more.
- Walden University Alumni Library: This online resource provides access to the kind of world-class scholarship you need to keep learning and growing.
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Whether looking for information on programs, admissions, or financial aid, we're here to help.
Talk to your personal Enrollment Specialist for more information today.
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