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.
Dinez Swanson is a nurse educator whose formal field of study is nursing education, with a focus on preparing future nurses for clinical practice through evidence-based teaching and learning strategies. She brings 28 years of professional experience in nursing and academic instruction, combining clinical knowledge with a commitment to student development and professional standards in healthcare education.
At Walden University, Swanson serves in an instructional role supporting nursing students in their academic and professional preparation. Her work involves guiding learners through course content, evaluating academic progress, and fostering the development of critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills that are essential for safe, effective nursing practice.
Her primary research and academic interests include nursing education, student success in online learning environments, and the integration of evidence-based practice into nursing curricula. She is particularly interested in strategies that improve learner engagement, support diverse student populations, and strengthen the connection between theory and real-world clinical practice.
Swanson’s professional background includes experience in clinical nursing as well as academic instruction. She has worked with diverse patient populations and healthcare teams, which informs her teaching and mentorship of nursing students. Her expertise reflects a combination of clinical practice, instructional design, and professional collaboration within the nursing and healthcare education community.
Among her key professional accomplishments is her ongoing contribution to preparing the next generation of nurses through higher education. Through her work in teaching, mentoring, and curriculum support, Swanson continues to promote excellence in nursing education and to support the development of competent, compassionate nursing professionals.
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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