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.
Christine Karper, Ph.D., LMHC, QCS (FL), obtained her master’s degree in mental health counseling and her Doctoral Degree in counselor education and supervision from the University of Central Florida. Dr. Karper has been serving the Central Florida Community as a Clinician and a Counselor Educator for over 20 years.
Karper is a member of the American Counseling Association, the Association for Mental Health Counselors, the Florida Mental Health Counselors Association and the Association for Counselor Education and Supervision.
As a clinician, Dr. Karper has experience working with a variety of individuals, including adults presenting with general anxiety, end-of-life issues, and depression. She has developed a specialty area in depression and anxiety disorders utilizing mindfulness and positive psychology techniques. She also enjoys assisting individuals in stress management and in developing means of coping with diverse life challenges and end-of-life issues utilizing alternative healing modalities and the gentleness of mind, body, and spirit methods.
She retired as the assistant program manager of the Integrative Medicine department at the Orlando Health Cancer Institute. In this role, Karper worked as an LMHC and helped screen patients’ psychosocial distress as they move through their treatments for cancer. She also led Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction classes and provided mental health counseling services at the cancer center while managing the integrative medicine department.
She is currently a program chair for the University of Phoenix in the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. She also serves as an adjunct for Palm Beach Atlantic University, Rollins College, The University of Central Florida, and Walden University.
Her primary Theoretical Orientation is Rogerian with a focus on the Positive Psychology Model.
In her work in academia, she has presented both nationally and internationally and has published articles in several journals in counseling, psychology, assessment, and technology.
Her specialty areas in teaching include clinical-based courses, technology in counselor education, counseling theories, and positive psychology. She enjoys teaching in blended formats, fully online and face-to-face. Karper also works in program development, faculty development and serves as a Subject Matter Expert in curriculum development.
In her free time, Karper enjoys riding her horses and spending time in nature. She also enjoys traveling, dining out, and spending time on the water.
PhD, University of Central Florida
PhD, University of Central Florida
PhD, University of Central Florida
MA, University of Central Florida
BA, University of Central Florida
UCF Counselor Education and Supervision Advisory Board., Board Member - Orlando
Karper, C. (2023). Support Group Training Manual for Chronic Pain Management of Cluster Headaches. . Cluster Busters, Inc.
Karper, C. M. (2013). Karper, C. (2013) Virtual role-play shows promise for addressing mental health. Featured Article in Counseling Today- a Publication of the American Counseling Association. http://ct.counseling.org/2013/09/virtual-role-play-shows-promise-for-addressing-mental-health/ September 13th, 2013.. Counseling Today
Karper, C. M. (2018). Karper, C., & Klein, K. (2018, October). Mindfulness for well-being. Subject Matter Experts Karper & Klein featured on the Healthy West Orange [Blog post]. Retrieved from https://healthywestorange.org/wellbeing/. Healthy West Orange [Blog post].
Karper, C. (2024). Preparing future counselors to deliver equitable mental health counseling services to a global society.. Mediterranean Region Counselor’s Association
Karper, C. M. (2023). The Art of Using Mindfulness for Well-Being. . Arizona Counseling Association
Karper, C. M. (2021). Assessing Cancer Patients’ Psychosocial Needs.. Orlando Health Cancer Institute
Karper, C. M. (2022). Dealing with Grief and Loss: Counseling Cancer and COVID-19 Patients with Empirically Supported Biobehavioral Programs and Integrated Care Models.. UCF
Karper, C. M. (2022). Managing the Stress of Chronic Illness During the COVID-19 Pandemic Utilizing Integrated Care. . University of Central Florida
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