View our EdD Early Childhood specialization completion requirements
Minimum degree requirements:
60 quarter credits
- Core courses (50 cr.)
- Capstone (10 cr.)
PhD Completion Program
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REMOVING ROADBLOCKS
Supportive faculty and flexible, guided coursework help ensure life’s roadblocks don’t get in the way of finishing your PhD.
STRUCTURED DISSERTATION PATH
Focus on research, not administrative work, with a structured dissertation path offering schedules and goal tracking.
FINISHING FASTER
Earn your PhD in as few as 15 months by transferring credits you completed in your previous doctoral program.
How It Works?
From understanding your eligibility requirements to finding your faculty advisor to finishing your dissertation, learn the steps you’ll take to earn your PhD.
Requirements
PhD completion program students must have documentation of all-but-dissertation (ABD) candidacy and have left their previous institution in good standing.
Students must submit an official transcript from their previous institution that indicates completion of all requirements but a dissertation with a GPA of 3.0 to 4.0 and confirmation that the student left their previous institution in good standing.
Admission
An Enrollment Specialist will help you enroll in the ABD completion program.
Return to Doctoral Study
Our Preparing for Capstone course helps reorient students with doctoral-level academics and pairs them with a faculty advisor for guidance and support. Advisors may also identify up to two other courses that may be useful for students to complete before their dissertation.
Finish Your Dissertation in 15–36 Months
With courses dedicated to your dissertation, develop a research proposal, conduct your own original research, and write a comprehensive dissertation to be defended in front of a doctoral committee. You’ll be supported every step of the way, and once completed, your dissertation will be a significant contribution to your field.
Receive up to $5,000 when you start this program
Programs
These PhD programs offer the PhD completion program.
An Accredited University
Quality matters—especially when it comes to your education. Walden is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and committed to maintaining the highest standards of excellence.
Doctoral Completion Program FAQ
What does ABD mean?
An all-but-dissertation (ABD) student has completed all required coursework and exams for their PhD, but has yet to finish their dissertation and have it accepted by an institution. Our PhD completion program is designed to help these students finish their dissertation and earn their degree.
Can you earn a PhD without a dissertation?
Most PhD programs require the completion of a dissertation. Some doctoral programs—such as professional doctorates—may have an alternative project or capstone requirement rather than a dissertation.
Why do PhD programs require a dissertation?
Earning a PhD is one of the highest academic achievements a person can attain. Completing a dissertation demonstrates that you can create new knowledge that advances the field in a meaningful way. The dissertation is your contribution to scholarly knowledge and positions you as an expert in your area of study.