Colleges and Schools
The Social Policy Analysis and Planning specialization emphasizes the principles of social welfare and the use, development, and protection of human and societal resources within a community-oriented framework. Graduates in this field seek the best use of human, material, and economic resources to lead communities to more effectively organize their health and human service delivery systems. While covering an array of practice environments (urban, rural, community, regional, and national), the international focus on sustainable development is an integral part of this specialization.
Completion Requirements
- 134 quarter credit hours
- Foundation course (6 cr.)
- Core Knowledge Area Modules (KAMs) (42 cr.)
- Foundation Research Sequence (14 cr.)
- Specialized Knowledge Area Modules (KAMs) (42 cr.)
- Proposal, dissertation, and oral presentation (30 cr.)
- Professional Development Plan and Program of Study
- Minimum 10 quarters enrollment
- 20 days of residency (two 4-day and two 6-day residencies)
For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call your enrollment advisor at 866-492-5336.
Walden offers frequent start dates so that you can begin when it’s convenient for you. Next Start Date: December 1. Admission policies vary by program. Call 1-866-492-5336 or apply now.
Curriculum
Foundation Course
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| SBSF 8005 | Foundations for Doctoral Study | 6 |
Core KAMs
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
|
KAM I: Principles of Societal Development |
||
| SBSF 8110 | Breadth: Theories of Societal Development | 5 |
| SBSF 8120 | Depth: Current Research in Societal Development | 5 |
| SBSF 8130 | Application: Professional Practice and Societal Development | 4 |
| KAM II: Principles of Human Development | ||
| SBSF 8210 | Breadth: Theories of Human Development | 5 |
| SBSF 8220 | Depth: Current Research in Human Development | 5 |
| SBSF 8230 | Application: Professional Practice and Human Development | 4 |
| KAM III: Principles of Organizational and Social Systems | ||
| SBSF 8310 | Breadth: Theories of Organizational and Social Systems | 5 |
| SBSF 8320 | Depth: Current Research in Organizational and Social Systems | 5 |
| SBSF 8330 | Application: Professional Practice and Organizational and Social Systems | 4 |
Foundation Research Sequence
The first and second courses are online seminars, requiring students to participate in weekly, Web-based discussions. The third course combines online activities and a 12-hour, face-to-face meeting concurrent with a Walden residency. Faculty members guide discussions, require specific readings and written assignments, and evaluate assignments.
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| SBSF 8417 | Research Seminar I: Human Inquiry and Science | 4 |
| HUMN 8427 | Research Seminar II: Design in Human Services Research | 5 |
| HUMN 8437 | Research Seminar III: Data Analysis in Human Services Research | 5 |
Specialized KAMs
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| KAM V: Advanced Theory and Practice in Human Services | ||
| HUMN 8516 | Breadth: Theories and Models of Human Behavior for Professional Practice: Social Policy Analysis and Planning | 5 |
| HUMN 8526 | Depth: Contextual Evaluation of Contemporary Theories and Models in Human Services: Social Policy Analysis and Planning | 5 |
| HUMN 8536 | Application: Integrating Theory and Practice in Human Services: Social Policy Analysis and Planning | 4 |
| KAM VI: Intervention Strategies in Human Services | ||
| HUMN 8616 | Breadth: Advanced Theories of Intervention in Human Services: Social Policy Analysis and Planning | 5 |
| HUMN 8626 | Depth: Human Services Delivery Systems and Ethical Considerations: Social Policy Analysis and Planning | 5 |
| HUMN 8636 | Application: Integrating Intervention Strategies and Ethical Practice: Social Policy Analysis and Planning | 4 |
| KAM VII: Advanced Case Study in Human Services | ||
| HUMN 8716 | Breadth: Theories of Case Study Research and Applied Change in Human Services: Social Policy Analysis and Planning | 5 |
| HUMN 8726 | Depth: Relating Case Studies to Applied Change in Human Services: Social Policy Analysis and Planning | 5 |
| HUMN 8736 | Application: A Case Study of Applied Change in Human Services: Social Policy Analysis and Planning | 4 |
Course Descriptions (pdf)
