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.
In today’s competitive job market, a master’s is the new bachelor’s degree. When you decide to go back to school to earn your master’s degree, you position yourself to tap into an array of new opportunities—many of which can impact your career. So, what exactly can you do once you obtain your advanced degree? Below, we go over some of the benefits of earning a master’s degree.
Hiring professionals and corporations are looking for candidates who have earned their master’s degree to fill important roles within their organizations. And often, an advanced degree may mean you qualify for a higher salary. According to the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ 2019 Salary Survey, Master of Business Administration graduates were projected to earn $84,580 in 2019, versus bachelor’s in business administration graduates who were projected to earn $57,133.1 That’s a salary difference of roughly $27,000 per year. And this increase in pay isn’t unique to business professionals—industries such as education, healthcare, and nursing are also likely to offer bigger salaries to individuals who have obtained their master’s, professional, or doctoral degree.
An increasing number of entry-level positions are beginning to require that candidates have a master’s degree. And often, jobs will have provisions in place that qualify workers for a promotion much faster once they earn a more advanced degree in the field. Not only can getting your master’s position you for an increase in compensation, but it can also allow you to achieve career advancement at a quicker pace. Whether you’re looking for a promotion within your current organization or hoping to secure a senior-level position elsewhere, earning you master’s degree can put you on the right track.
In addition to getting on-the-job training and experience, earning a master’s degree is another way to bolster your résumé and expand your credentials. By taking the time to further your education and skills, you demonstrate to potential employers that you are committed to your professional development—and have the graduate degree to prove it. It serves as a mark of your dedication and is something you will be able to use to your advantage as you move throughout your career.
Earning your master’s degree doesn’t have to mean giving up your current pursuits—including your job. A master’s degree can increase your earning power, advance your career, and help you stand out in the crowd. “There are a lot of things you can do with a master’s degree,” says Cory Cregg, a graduate of Walden’s online MS in Higher Education program. “Become a scholar practitioner, become published, move up in your field, become licensed as a professional counselor, become a certified teacher, be an executive within a Fortune 500 company.”
If you’re a working professional hoping to get a promotion or raise, or simply gain additional credibility in your field, an online master’s degree program might be what you need. And at Walden, an accredited university, you can earn your master’s while you continue to work full time. That’s because with online education, there’s no need to rearrange your schedule or commute to campus—you can take classes at whatever time of day works best for you as gain the experience and credentials you need to excel in your field.
Walden University is an accredited institution offering high-quality online degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, as well as online certificate programs. Expand your career options and earn your degree using a convenient, flexible learning platform that fits your busy life.
1Source: www.naceweb.org/job-market/compensation/the-difference-a-masters-degree-can-have-on-starting-salary
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, www.hlcommission.org.
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.
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
© 2026 Walden University LLC. All rights reserved.
Legal & Consumer Info | Website Terms and Conditions | Cookie Policy