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 to speak with an enrollment specialist.
Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.
NEXT START DATE
Aging populations with special needs require professionals who can facilitate the integration of services for the older adult, including issues related to health, home care, and day-to-day life. The Studies in Aging specialization prepares you to meet this need. In this program, you will explore the impact of societal expectations on the elderly and demographic trends, including global cross-cultural issues in aging. You will study the factors that affect the quality of life for the geriatric population, including the physiological changes of aging, effects of chronic disease, and challenges of independent living.
With this specialization, you could pursue a number of roles, including elder residence administrator, activities and activation coordinator, housing placement advisor, community care coordinator, capacity assessor, policy advisor, financial advisor, elder program developer, manager for elderly and elder mediation, elder care case manager, or an Elder Services Coordinator designation under Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR).1
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!
PROGRAM DETAILS
With a choice of two learning tracks, Walden’s PhD in Human Services online program meets you where you are in your education journey.
Track 1: Choose this track if you have a master's degree from an accredited university in human services, counseling, social work, or psychology. The PhD in Human Services curriculum is aligned with Council for Standards in Human Service Education (CSHSE) guidelines.
Eligibility
This program of study is for students who hold a master’s degree in human services, counseling, social work, or psychology from an accredited university. To recognize your past academic progress, you may be eligible to apply previously earned credits toward your doctoral program, significantly reducing your time to completion and total cost.2 Contact an Enrollment Specialist for details.
Minimum Degree Requirements
View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN.
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.
Please refer to Walden’s catalog for more information about degree requirements.
For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-937-6657.
TRACK 2: Choose this track if you hold a bachelor’s (in any field) from an accredited university or a master’s from an accredited university in a non-related field of study (any discipline other than human services, counseling, social work, or psychology).
Minimum Degree Requirements
View the COMPLETE CURRICULUM PLAN.
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.
For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-937-6657.
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.
Are you ready to take a major step forward in your academic and professional journey? To help you get started, we’ve simplified the PhD in Human Services online application process to include:
No application fee
Easy credit transfer
No essay or SAT/ACT requirement
General Admission Program 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.
We believe you can achieve your goals—and we are here to support you along your journey. Request information to learn more about scholarships and financial aid for those who apply and qualify.
Walden offers tuition savings options that can make your goals more attainable. Discover savings opportunities through:
Tuition savings
Transfer credits
Grants and scholarships
Receive up to a $5,000 grant when you start an eligible PhD program.
| Curriculum | Requirements | Cost | Total * | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition-Coursework | 63 quarter credits | $685 per quarter hour for coursework credits | $43,155^ | |
| Tuition-Dissertation | 20–130† quarter credits | $685 per quarter hour for dissertation credits | $13,700–$89,050* | |
| Program Fee | $185 per quarter | $1,850–$5,920* | ||
| Residency Fee | Four Residencies | $1,420 (virtual) $1,520 (in-person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional) | $5,680–$6,080 | |
| Estimated Range: | 2.5-Year | 8-Year | ||
| $64,385* | $144,205*+ | |||
| (assuming completion in a 2.5-year timeframe) | (assuming completion in an 8-year timeframe) | |||
These are ranges of what a student can expect in terms of time and tuition cost to complete a degree. It does not include other fees, nor is it adjusted for tuition increases over time. Walden faculty has concluded that generally students who do not complete their program in eight years are unlikely to complete and only allow students to exceed that time frame when a student petitions for an extension and provides good reason for the delay and assurances that obstacles to completion can be overcome. Time is calculated using the time allowed for each semester or unit that the student completes. Students are encouraged to work continuously during the program so as not to extend the time needed to complete the degree as work can become stale and students lose focus. Students who earn two grades of “Unsatisfactory,” who repeatedly drop a course before a semester or unit has been completed, or are unable to complete in the eight year time frame, should expect that they may be dismissed from the program. Walden believes that it is in the best interest of a student who is unable to complete the degree in the stated ranges to strongly consider withdrawal or obtaining a lesser degree.
Time to completion and cost are not estimates of individual experience and will vary based on individual factors applicable to the student. Factors may be programmatic or academic such as tuition and fee increases and/or the student’s transfer credits accepted by Walden; program or specialization changes; unsuccessful course completion; credit load per term; writing, research and editing skills; use of external data for their doctoral study/dissertation; and/or individual progress in the program. Other factors may include personal issues such as the student’s employment obligations; care giving responsibilities or health issues; part-time vs. full-time enrollment; leaves of absence; and/or other personal circumstances.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included. Students may incur additional costs for remedial writing assistance, if necessary.
^This assumes students successfully complete their coursework on the first attempt.
† Based on a 2.5-year minimum completion requirement and an 8-year maximum timeframe as outlined in Walden academic policy.
*Tuition and fees will be higher if students petition to extend the 8-year maximum timeframe or choose to take more expensive elective courses.
+Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition discounts. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-642-0198.
| Curriculum | Requirements | Cost | Total * | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tuition-Coursework | 88 quarter credits | $685 per quarter hour for coursework credits | $60,280^ | |
| Tuition-Dissertation | 20–115† quarter credits | $685 per quarter hour for dissertation credits | $13,700–$78,775* | |
| Program Fee | $185 per quarter | $2,220–$5,920* | ||
| Residency Fee | Four Residencies | $1,420 (Virtual) $1,520 (in-person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional) | $5,680–$6,080 | |
| Estimated Range: | 3.25-Year | 8-Year | ||
| $81,880* | $151,055*+ | |||
| (assuming completion in a 3.25-year timeframe) | (assuming completion in an 8-year timeframe) | |||
These are ranges of what a student can expect in terms of time and tuition cost to complete a degree. It does not include other fees, nor is it adjusted for tuition increases over time. Walden faculty has concluded that generally students who do not complete their program in eight years are unlikely to complete and only allow students to exceed that time frame when a student petitions for an extension and provides good reason for the delay and assurances that obstacles to completion can be overcome. Time is calculated using the time allowed for each semester or unit that the student completes. Students are encouraged to work continuously during the program so as not to extend the time needed to complete the degree as work can become stale and students lose focus. Students who earn two grades of “Unsatisfactory,” who repeatedly drop a course before a semester or unit has been completed, or are unable to complete in the eight year time frame, should expect that they may be dismissed from the program. Walden believes that it is in the best interest of a student who is unable to complete the degree in the stated ranges to strongly consider withdrawal or obtaining a lesser degree.
Time to completion and cost are not estimates of individual experience and will vary based on individual factors applicable to the student. Factors may be programmatic or academic such as tuition and fee increases and/or the student’s transfer credits accepted by Walden; program or specialization changes; unsuccessful course completion; credit load per term; writing, research and editing skills; use of external data for their doctoral study/dissertation; and/or individual progress in the program. Other factors may include personal issues such as the student’s employment obligations; care giving responsibilities or health issues; part-time vs. full-time enrollment; leaves of absence; and/or other personal circumstances.
Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included. Students may incur additional costs for remedial writing assistance, if necessary.
^This assumes students successfully complete their coursework on the first attempt.
† Based on a 3.25-year minimum completion requirement and an 8-year maximum timeframe as outlined in Walden academic policy.
*Tuition and fees will be higher if students petition to extend the 8-year maximum timeframe or choose to take more expensive elective courses.
+Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition discounts. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-642-0198.
>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
1Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
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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