Admissions and Financial Aid

General Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for Walden’s programs vary but generally include the following:

  • Official transcript(s)
  • Applicable test scores
  • Program goal statement
  • Completed online application
  • Work references
  • Employment history
  • List of transfer credits
  • Non-refundable application fee

Admission Considerations


Doctoral Degree or Specialist Program General Admission Requirements*

  • A master’s degree or equivalent
  • Three years of related professional or academic experience
  • Two professional references

Master’s Degree Program General Admission Requirements*

  • A bachelor’s degree or equivalent
  • Two professional references

Bachelor’s Degree Program General Admission Requirements*
Admission is considered for adult students who hold a high school diploma or its equivalent.

Applicants must also meet one of the following criteria:

  • Be 24 years old or older.
  • Be active in the military or a veteran.
  • Already have earned 90 college quarter credit hours.

*Additional exceptions and requirements may apply.

Start Dates

Walden University offers frequent start dates so that you can begin your program when it’s most convenient for you. For information about start dates in your degree program of interest, complete the information request form and a Walden University enrollment advisor will contact you.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees vary by degree because programs at Walden are tailored to the specific needs of professionals in each field. To learn more, complete the information request form, and a Walden University enrollment advisor will contact you.

Monthly Payment Plans

Walden University partners with Sallie Mae TuitionPay to provide students with an alternative to paying full tuition at the beginning of each term. Through TuitionPay’s monthly payment plan, you may spread the cost of your tuition over multiple months—interest-free. The TuitionPay plan is not a loan, and there is an enrollment fee.

Simplify your school expenses with:

  • Convenient monthly payments that allow you to pay tuition in manageable installments.
  • Multiple payment plan options, including some that can be combined with school loan programs (if available in your country of residence).
  • No-interest payments, which may eliminate your need for loans.

For more information, complete the information request form, and a Walden University enrollment advisor will contact you.

General Considerations for International Students


  • English is the language of instruction. Depending on the language in which you earned your previous degree(s), you may need to submit test scores showing your level of English proficiency.
  • Walden University is not authorized to grant student visas for study in the United States.
  • To be admitted, you need the equivalent of a high school diploma, associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree from an institution accredited by the country’s higher education authority.
  • You may have your transcript(s) evaluated free of charge by Walden. This evaluation will only be valid for application to Walden. This evaluation will not be valid for those requesting transfer of credit.
  • Applicants requesting transfer of credit must have their transcript(s) from outside the United States certified for equivalency to U.S. degrees or coursework by a credential evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
  • International applications are due at least 8 weeks before the U.S. application deadline, so please plan accordingly.
  • You will need regular access to a computer with an Internet connection (minimum speed: 56K).
  • If you live in Barbados, Canada, Cayman Islands, Jamaica, or Mexico, you can pay your Walden tuition in your home currency through our International Student Payment Plan.

Many countries have their own accrediting bodies, and degree recognition differs from country to country. Prospective students who reside outside of the United States are advised to review accreditation requirements for their own country to confirm recognition of their Walden program of choice.



To speak to an advisor now, call 1-877-868-1910
For required program disclosure information, please click here

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.ncahlc.org

© 2012 Walden University

Note on Licensure:
Walden University’s M.S. in Mental Health Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), which is a requirement for licensure in many states. The M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program is designed to prepare graduates to qualify to sit for licensing exams and to meet the academic licensure requirements of many state counseling boards. Because no graduate program can guarantee licensure upon graduation, we encourage students to consult the appropriate agency to determine specific requirements. For more information about licensure, students should visit the National Board for Certified Counselors at www.nbcc.org/stateboardmap and contact the appropriate licensing body. International students are encouraged to identify and contact their appropriate licensing body.