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. Gregory E. Perkins has more than 15 years of experience as a provider of Mental Health, Intellectual Disabilities and Substance Use services and over 12 years engaging in higher education as a social work professor and program administrator. Dr. Perkins is a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers, a Licensed Advance Practice Social Worker, nationally Certified Sex Offender Treatment Specialist, Clinically Certified Trauma Specialist and Clinically Certified Crisis Intervention Specialist. He has extensive experiences in working with justice involved youth and families; has engaged in public mental health clinical practice with a child and family focus; has provided community engagement and psychosocial education training in support of managed-care entities; and continues to advocate for disadvantaged populations. He has served in consultation, collaboration and training with local, state and national organizations and agencies. Dr. Perkins has been nationally recognized through his presentations and workshops on child mental health, services for women, the needs of veterans and ethics in social work practice. He has served as a consultant and trainer to the National Resource Center for Children and Youth Services at the University of Oklahoma, Tulsa and visiting lecturer at the North Carolina Justice Academy. He has previously been featured in the local media regarding mental issues and served as host to “Focus on Mental Health”, a public affairs television program sponsored by the former mental health center. As a research scholar, Dr. Perkins has served as a minority student research mentor, has judged scholarly works of students at national research conferences and is a member of several national organization. In 2006, Dr. Perkins was selected to join the National Association of Social Workers and People to People as a delegate on the US-China Joint Social Work Delegation to Beijing China. He is a combat veteran and retired military service member with more than 22 years of active duty service.
EdD, American School of Professional Psychology Argosy University
MSW, University of North Carolina
BS, Methodist University
Living in the New Normal (LINN) Steering Committee, Committee Member - Fayetteville
Perkins, G. (2017). Secondary trauma in military families. (NASW) Specialty Practice Sections (SPS) on Mental Health
Perkins, G. (2017). Don't Re-traumatize me: ethical dilemma while serving some of the most vulnerable. National Association of Social Workers-NC Chapter
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 Covista https://www.covista.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 |