Promote brighter outcomes for children and families while you take steps to move your career forward.
Next Start Dates
-
Course Based
Courses with a set schedule
April 10, 2023
Transfer Credits
Up to 22 Credits
Become an Early Childhood Education Specialist
Positive, meaningful learning experiences are a vital part of child development from birth through age 8. Play a pivotal role in healthy growth—as an influential educator and advocate for young children—with an Education Specialist (EdS) in Early Childhood Education (Non-Licensure) degree from Walden.
An early childhood education specialist degree empowers educators to improve the policies, programs, practices, and systems that affect the lives of young children. This non-licensure program is ideal for teachers, community college instructors, curriculum specialists, and early childhood support services professionals who are ready to make a positive and lasting impact on children’s lives.
Gain Actionable Tools
Develop skills you can use in various settings, such as program design, instruction, policy implementation, and family education.
Build Your Confidence
In the capstone, work with an early education provider to identify a challenge, make recommendations, and create an action plan.
Expand Your Options
Open a path to more than one future with research and leadership skills that can serve you both professionally and academically.
Program Savings
Curriculum
Completion Requirements
- 45 quarter credits
Education Specialist candidates must have access to a school or learning environment that has early childhood education programming.
View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN.
Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-768-0539.
Tuition and Fees
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 45 quarter credit hours | $640 per quarter hour | $28,800 |
| Technology Fee | Per quarter | $170 | $1,530 |
| $30,330* |
*This sequence represents the minimum time to completion. Time to completion will vary by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included.
Paying for Your Education
Our Enrollment Specialists can help you outline a plan and find resources for funding your education.
PROGRAM SAVINGS
Admission Requirements
Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply.
More information for international applicants.
Program Learning Outcomes
All EdS graduates will be prepared to:
- Apply discipline-specific knowledge to address issues in educational settings.
- Apply evidence-based practices to address a problem within the academic and/or work environment and propose a solution.
- Communicate information to a variety of stakeholders using oral and written formats.
- Practice ethically as a professional in the field of education.
- Collaborate with diverse stakeholders to promote continuous improvement in educational settings.
- Advocate for social change to make a positive impact in educational settings.
Specialization Learning Outcomes
In addition to the shared EdS learning outcomes above, Early Childhood Education graduates will be prepared to:
- Apply research-based skills in the areas of child development and learning to evaluate practices and policies.
- Apply effective leadership practices, including collaboration and advocacy, to promote positive outcomes for young children and families.
- Apply responsible assessment practices to support healthy development and positive learning outcomes for young children.
- Demonstrate an understanding of cultural responsiveness in interactions with children, families, community members, and early childhood professionals.
- Integrate professional resources, including technology, to create effective solutions to authentic problems in the early childhood field.
- Apply a variety of perspectives that are knowledgeable, reflective, and critical to promote professional growth and positive social change in the early childhood field.
- Design a scholarly response to address an early childhood education problem and contribute to the profession.
Lead the Way Toward Better Learning Outcomes
In our early childhood education non-licensure program, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the complex family, cultural, societal, and developmental influences that affect child growth and learning. Learn what it takes to build programs and experiences that foster positive outcomes for diverse populations of children. Examine techniques for evaluating program effectiveness so that they can be continually improved.
Meet Your Academic Team
Specialization Learning Outcomes
In addition to the shared EdS learning outcomes above, Early Childhood Education graduates will be prepared to:
- Apply research-based skills in the areas of child development and learning to evaluate practices and policies.
- Apply effective leadership practices, including collaboration and advocacy, to promote positive outcomes for young children and families.
- Apply responsible assessment practices to support healthy development and positive learning outcomes for young children.
- Demonstrate an understanding of cultural responsiveness in interactions with children, families, community members, and early childhood professionals.
- Integrate professional resources, including technology, to create effective solutions to authentic problems in the early childhood field.
- Apply a variety of perspectives that are knowledgeable, reflective, and critical to promote professional growth and positive social change in the early childhood field.
- Design a scholarly response to address an early childhood education problem and contribute to the profession.
A child’s early years lay the foundation for lifelong learning, success, and well-being. Help more children get off to a strong start in the world with an early childhood education specialist degree from Walden.
An early childhood education specialist degree can position you as an expert and leader within your school, district, or organization. Open the door to new professional roles and responsibilities. Earn a valuable academic credential, and at a lower cost, than it takes to earn an EdD or PhD in Education—and transfer seamlessly into a doctorate program later if you choose to.
An EdS in Early Childhood Education can position you to pursue career options such as:2
- Early childhood educator (non-licensure)
- Early childhood leader/administrator (non-licensure)
- Faculty, higher education
- Child and family services professional
An EdS in Early Childhood Education can position you to work in settings such as:
- Early childhood care and education centers
- Community colleges
- Private schools
- Government and nongovernmental organizations
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
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1Source: Walden University Office of Institutional Research and Assessment (OIRA), as of December 31, 2019.
2Source: (Burning Glass Technologies Labor Insights™). Industry Analysis, active selections "nationwide" and last 12 months” and “Industry: educational services.” AND “education: master’s.” Retrieved April 2020.
Note on Educator Licensure or Certification
This program does not lead to educator licensure or certification. Educators are advised to contact their individual school districts as to whether this program may qualify for salary advancement.