Foundations Grad Study in Psyc-Summer 2025
Week One Discussion:
Hopes, Challenges, and Strategies
As you begin your studies at Walden, you have probably thought about what you hope to gain from the program of study you will complete. What are your hopes and aspirations as an emerging professional beginning graduate-level study? Apart from a degree in psychology, also think about what you will gain from engaging with the scholarly community at Walden University. Your Program of Study (POS) document can help you anticipate the topics you will learn about and perhaps the kinds of skills you will master as you complete your graduate degree.
This week, you will discuss potential challenges you and your classmates foresee in the coming weeks. Together, you can share strategies that could help you overcome these challenges, as a group and individually.
This dialogue through the Discussion Board is designed to connect you with your new colleagues so that you can develop community and engage with each other in a supportive manner as you begin the educational journey together.
Resources
Be sure to review the Learning Resources before completing this activity.
Click the weekly resources link to access the resources.
To Prepare for this Discussion:
· Locate and download your Program Progress Guide (PPG) from your DegreeWorks, found on your myWalden portal. Note: if you have difficulty, please contact your academic advisor to help you.
· Review Walden’s mission and vision statements and Walden’s goals and values in this week’s Learning Resources.
· Explore the web page “Social Change,” located in this week’s Learning Resources.
· Reflect on what you hope to achieve as a graduate student personally, professionally, and within the larger community.
· Consider factors that could pose a challenge to the successful completion of your chosen degree.
· Reflect on your values, ideals, and goals in relation to what you have learned about Walden.
· Think about how you will incorporate a commitment to social change, particularly as it relates to the area(s) of interest represented by your program/specialization, into your professional, personal, and academic goals.
· Review the
“Meet the Faculty” media programLinks to an external site.
found in this week’s Learning Resources and consider the inspiring messages from the faculty.
INSTRUCTIONS: With these thoughts in mind:
by Day 3
Post by Day 3 a description of at least two expectations that you have about your program (e.g., something you hope to get out of the graduate program, for yourself, your family, or your community). Apply those expectations and hopes to Walden’s mission, vision, and values. Then, describe at least two challenges or barriers you foresee in completing your degree. Share and explain at least one strategy you will use to help you overcome those challenges that might also be useful to your colleagues. Then explain why you chose this particular field of study at Walden and how you intend to use your degree.
Our Mission
Walden University provides a diverse community of career professionals with the opportunity to transform themselves as scholar-practitioners so that they can effect positive social change.
Our Vision
Walden University envisions a premier, inclusive online learning community where knowledge and professional competencies are valued for their contributions to solving critical societal challenges and advancing the greater global good.
Social Change
For more than 50 years, Walden has been empowering passionate people to make a difference—in their lives and in their communities.
Last month, I completed my Master’s degree in Psychology with a focus on Positive Thinking. I have decided to maintain the momentum and begin my PhD in Industrial-Organizational Psychology with a focus on Evidence-Based Coaching.
Merging the two psychology degrees will equip me to establish True North Coaching and Consulting with the primary focus of Coaching and/or consulting small- to medium-sized organizations, aiming to:
1. Develop positive and healthy work teams focusing on strengths and character.
2. To foster motivating and supportive organizational environments for individuals and teams.
3. Develop a comprehensive approach to organizational transformation and career fulfillment.
4. Provide an organization with the assessment tools and toolbox to maintain a positive and productive environment, even during periods of employee change.
5. Offer credible, high-level training and development workshops that enable organizations, individuals, and teams to define and communicate their “True North.”
I am excited about the journey ahead and the impact I can make in Coaching and consulting!
After reviewing at least five other schools, I chose Walden to pursue my PhD in Psychology with an emphasis on Industrial-Organizational Psychology and Evidence-Based Coaching due to its detailed curriculum and global renown reputation.
During my Master’s degree program, I faced many family health challenges that required my attention. I can see the possibility of these types of challenges arising again due to the age of my mom and my husband’s parents. What I learned from them during my Master’s program was to do my best to stay calm and focused and communicate effectively with my professors.
Although I am a well-organized and planned person, some challenges cannot be anticipated or planned for in advance. You have to accept that it’s okay to make adjustments in real time. It’s necessary to make the adjustments and keep going.
