View our EdD Early Childhood specialization completion requirements
Minimum degree requirements:
60 quarter credits
- Core courses (50 cr.)
- Capstone (10 cr.)
Minimum degree requirements:
60 quarter credits
Courses
In the EdD Early Childhood Education specialization, you’ll build skills and progress toward your final capstone project in every course.
Disclaimers: Walden students have up to 8 years to complete their doctoral program unless they petition for an extension.
In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation/doctoral study course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation/doctoral study course shell.
To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the Chief Academic Officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.
For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-937-8785.
Courses
PhD completion program courses help you return to doctoral work, match with an advisor, and stay on track to finishing your dissertation.
Discover career opportunities in your area that match your interests.
Recognized Degrees
A degree from an accredited university is acknowledged by employers, educational institutions, and professional organizations.
Programmatic Accreditations
Walden has earned programmatic accreditations for several of its online degree programs.
Quality and Improvement
Accreditation indicates that an institution is committed to high standards of quality and continuous improvement.
As an HLC-accredited university, Walden lives its mission. This means operating with integrity, offering student-centered programs, hiring academically qualified faculty, and providing the resources and support to help our students succeed.
The Higher Learning Commission
230 South LaSalle Street,
Suite 7-500,
Chicago, Illinois 60604
1-800-621-7440
Walden University has been accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) since 1990. The HLC is an institutional accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Through the institutional accreditation process, both quality assurance and continuous improvement are evaluated.
In 2023, our institutional accreditation was reaffirmed by HLC.
Being accredited by the HLC validates that our institution lives its mission, operates with integrity, offers programs that focus on student learning, hires faculty that are academically qualified, and provides the resources and support necessary for our students to succeed.
Our accreditation status:
Many countries have their own accrediting and regulatory bodies, and degree recognition differs from country to country. If you reside outside of the U.S., please review the requirements of your country of residence to confirm recognition of your Walden degree or program.
Programmatic accreditation is granted to a college, school, or specific degree program within a university, most often for professional programs that lead to certification or licensure.
Walden has earned programmatic accreditations from the following organizations:
SOCIAL WORK
Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)
Walden University’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Master of Social Work (MSW)z, and Doctor of Social Work (DSW) programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA). Accreditation of a baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral social work program by the BOA indicates that it meets or exceeds standards of program quality evaluated through a peer review accreditation process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the BOA has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
EDUCATION
Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation
Walden University’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences has earned programmatic accreditation by demonstrating excellence in the areas of content and pedagogy, clinical experiences, selectivity, program impact, and capacity for continuous improvement from the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP, 1140 19th St NW, Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036 (202) 223-0077).
CAEP is a CHEA recognized national accreditor for educator preparation. CAEP accreditation is based on a review of The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences’ initial teacher preparation programs—the BS in Elementary Education and the Master of Arts in Teaching with a specialization in Special Education—and advanced educator preparation programs—the EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration and the MS in Education with a specialization in Educational Leadership and Administration. Three of these programs were reviewed by Specialized Professional Associations (SPAs), which defines content-area standards for programs, and achieved national recognition: Master of Arts in Teaching with a specialization in Special Education, EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration, and MS in Education with a specialization in Educational Leadership and Administration.
BUSINESS
Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP), which is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), is a leading specialized accreditation association that identifies and supports excellence in business education worldwide. Walden University’s BS in Business Administration (BSBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), MS in Finance, Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), and PhD in Management programs are accredited by ACBSP. Walden’s BS in Accounting and MS in Accounting programs are also accredited by ACBSP and have earned the organization’s separate accounting Accreditation.
PUBLIC HEALTH
Council on Education for Public Health
The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) Board of Councilors acted at its September 6, 2019, meeting to accredit the Master of Public Health (MPH) program at Walden University for a five-year term, based on an application for accreditation submitted on February 3, 2018. On June 5, 2020, the CEPH Board of Councilors accredited the Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) program at Walden University, after reviewing an accreditation application submitted on April 21, 2020. Based on CEPH procedures and the documentation submitted, the effective accreditation date of both of these programs is February 3, 2018.
CEPH is an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit schools of public health and programs of public health. CEPH accreditation provides assurance that the program has been evaluated and met accepted public health profession standards in practice, research, and service. For a copy of the final self-study document and/or final accreditation report, please contact the dean of the College of Health Sciences and Public Policy ([email protected]).
NURSING
Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing (BSN), master’s degree program in nursing (MSN), post-graduate APRN certificate program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Walden University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
COUNSELING
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
Walden’s PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision; MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling; MS in School Counseling; MS in Addiction Counseling; and MS in Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling programs are 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). CACREP accreditation ensures that the content and quality of counselor-preparation master’s and doctoral degree programs have been evaluated and meet standards set by the profession.
TECHNOLOGY
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)
The BS in Information Technology program is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, www.abet.org. ABET is the internationally recognized accreditor for college and university programs in applied science, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. This accreditation reaffirms the quality of Walden's information systems and technology programs and support services, as well as its commitment to continuous assessment and improvement.
healthcare management
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education
Walden University’s online Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program is proudly recognized as programmatically Accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) for an initial 3-year period. CAHME is the only organization recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation to grant accreditation to individual academic programs offering a graduate degree in healthcare management. For additional information, visit the CAHME website or call 301-298-1820.
Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME)
PO Box 911
Spring House, PA 19477
An accredited university is one that meets acceptable levels of quality established by an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.* When an institution undergoes the accreditation process, an institutional accrediting agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education evaluates the university and conducts peer reviews to assess whether it meets the accreditor’s academic program quality and continuous improvement criteria.
*U.S. Department of Education | Overview of Accreditation in the United States
Accreditation can be divided into two general categories: institutional and programmatic. Institutional accreditation applies to an institution as a whole, while programmatic accreditation applies to programs, departments, or schools within an institution.*
*U.S. Department of Education | Overview of Accreditation in the United States
Earning a degree or certificate from an accredited university is a smart choice for many reasons:
In order to receive federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education, you need to enroll in a college or university that has been granted institutional accreditation.*
*U.S. Department of Education | Overview of Accreditation in the United States
Walden’s Enrollment Specialists are trained to help you research, plan, and get started on your academic journey. We can:
Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.
DISCLOSURES
1For Washington State residents seeking information and resources about student loan repayment or seeking to submit a complaint relating to your student loans or student loan servicer, please visit www.wsac.wa.gov/loan-advocacy or contact the Student Loan Advocate at [email protected].
Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Walden University is a member of Adtalem Global Education, Inc. www.adtalem.com | Walden University is certified to operate by SCHEV
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