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.
Dr. Alyse M. Anekstein is an Adjunct Faculty Member in the College of Social and Behavioral Health. Her professional identity as a counselor educator is firmly rooted in the CACREP standards and she has been teaching and supervising graduate students for about 16 years. She earned her Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Counseling from Idaho State University, a dual M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Professional School Counseling from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and her B.A. from the University at Albany. She is also a Nationally Certified Counselor, Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified School Counselor. Her research agenda is primarily focused on counselor education students, creative methods of supervision, play therapy, sandtray therapy, wellness, research mentorship, complimentary techniques, holistic supervision, and spiritual experiences in counseling. Her clinical experience has included school counseling at all developmental levels, substance abuse counseling with adults, and academic advising in multiple university settings.
PhD, Idaho State University
MS, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
BA, University at Albany, State University of New York
Chi Sigma Iota Leadership Fellow, Chi Sigma Iota International Honor Society, 2013
Outstanding support within the Omega Alpha Chapter, Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic & Professional Honor Society International, Omega Alpha Chapter. University of Nevada, Las Vegas, 2011
Anekstein, A. M., Gille, D., Hannor-Walker, T. (2025). Individuals and Families of Jewish Descent. In Bohecker, L., Philip, S., Hannor-Walker, T., & McGinnis, G. (Eds.).
Anekstein, A. M. (2021). Research mentorship: Pretenured faculty and doctoral student productivity. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision
Anekstein, A. M., Wells, P. C., Cleveland, R., Hill, N. R., Kerwin, A. K., Wagner, H. H. (2019). The perceived stressors and coping skills graduate students: A development and validation study. Journal of Counseling Research and Practice
Anekstein, A. M., Vereen, L. G. (2018). Research mentorship: Implications for the preparation of doctoral students. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision
Anekstein, A. M., Vereen, L. G. (2018). Research mentoring experiences: An exploratory study of doctoral student experiences and research productivity. Journal of Counselor Preparation and Supervision
Anekstein, A. M., Bohecker, L., Nielson, T., Martinez, H. (2018). Godspeed: Counselor education doctoral student experiences from diverse religious and spiritual backgrounds. The Qualitative Report
Anekstein, A. M., Hoskins, W. J., Astramovich, R. L., Garner, D., Terry, J. (2014). “Sandtray Supervision”: Integrating supervision models and sandtray therapy. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health
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