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.
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
Develop the skills and confidence you need to tackle complex managerial challenges, contribute new knowledge, or teach at the graduate level.
Courses
Develop the skills and confidence needed for complex managerial challenges and research with Walden’s ACBSP-accredited PhD program.
Discover career opportunities in your area that match your interests.
Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.
Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.
NEXT START DATE
May 25, 2026
Join Walden’s Eds in Special Education (Non-Licensure) online program and gain the skills and knowledge you need to help your students reach their full potential. Explore the latest issues impacting the special education field and gain confidence to drive meaningful change in your work environment. While not a pathway to licensure, this program’s curriculum is informed by the Council for Exceptional Children (CEC)’s Professional Preparation Standards.
An EdS in Special Education degree prepares educators to create unique, data-driven intervention models that support high-quality education for students with exceptionalities.
Create and download your comprehensive plan with scholarships, financial aid, credit transfer, and more!
Create and download your comprehensive plan with scholarships, financial aid, credit transfer, and more!
DISCUSS TODAY’S CRITICAL ISSUES
Explore topics such as special education advocacy, policy, and program development and assessment.
BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE
In the capstone, work with a K–12 school or organization to identify and mitigate real-world challenges.
EXPAND YOUR CAPABILITIES
Broaden your horizons with research and leadership skills that can serve you both professionally and academically.
Completion Requirements
Education Specialist candidates must have access to a school or learning environment that services students with special education approved educational plans.
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.
Work one-on-one with an Enrollment Specialist who’ll guide you through every step—from choosing the right program to paying for your education.
Pursuing your EdS in Special Education degree online is a major step forward in your education journey. To help you get started, we’ve streamlined the admissions process with:
No application fee
Easy credit transfer
No essay
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.
| Curriculum Component | Requirements | Cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition | 45 quarter credit hours | $695 per quarter hour | $31,275 |
| Program Fee | Per quarter | $185 | $1,665 |
$32,940* | |||
| BELIEVE & ACHIEVE® SCHOLARSHIP YOUR TUITION | -$3,475 | ||
*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.
In this non-licensure, online EdS in Special Education program, you’ll learn how to work effectively with families and school staff to enhance special education practice. Engage in relevant case studies that require collaborative problem-solving and the implementation of research-based strategies. Demonstrate your knowledge through a personalized capstone project that allows you to focus on a real problem of practice in a K–12 setting.
Your talent, compassion, and love for teaching have gotten you this far in your career. Now, strengthen your impact as an educator and advocate with an EdS in Special Education.
With an education specialist degree in special education, you can deepen your expertise and open doors to new professional opportunities. 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 doctoral program later if you choose to.
An EdS in Special Education can help prepare you to pursue career options such as:2
An EdS in Special Education can help prepare you to work in settings such as:
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
All EdS graduates will be prepared to:
In addition to the shared EdS learning outcomes above, Special Education graduates will be prepared to:
Fill out the form and we will contact you to provide information about furthering your education.
Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.
DISCLOSURES
1Source: National Center for Education Statistics, web page updated May 2020
2Source: Labor Insights (Burning Glass Technologies). Industry Analysis, Active selections "nationwide" AND last 12 months” AND “Industry: special education 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.
Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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