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.
Jessica A. Russo, Ph.D., LPCC-S, NCC, is a core faculty member of Walden University’s College of Social and Behavioral Health in the School of Counseling. She started out with Walden University in 2010 as a contributing faculty before becoming a core faculty member in 2017. She is a licensed professional clinical counselor supervisor in Ohio, a national board-certified counselor, and a school counselor. Dr. Russo has over 15 years of clinical experience with individuals, couples, and families. Her areas of practice include working with couples and families, disadvantaged youth, and adolescent groups. She has presented at local, regional, and national professional conferences, such as the Association for Counselor Education, Supervision (ACES), the American Counseling Association (ACA), and the Law and Ethics Conference, as well as numerous professional development workshops to mental health clinicians, school counselors, teachers, and college faculty. Among her written contributions are co-author of Mental Health in Our Schools: An Applied Collaborative Approach, co-editor of DSM 5 and Family Systems, co-editor of DSM 5-TR and Family Systems (2nd ed.) and chapters to books including, The DSM-5_TR and Family Systems- Interdisciplinary Applications, Future Trends and Directions with DSM-5-TR and Family Systems, Applying systems to anxiety disorders, Assessment of families and Family Systems, DSM-5: Diagnosis and Treatment Planning, Casebook for the DSM-5 and The Group Therapist’s Notebook.
PhD, The University of Akron
MS, Walden University
MA, The University of Akron
MA, The University of Akron
BA, Cleveland State University
Russo, J. (2023). DSM 5 and Family Systems. (2nd Ed.) .
Russo, J. (2023). DSM-5_TR and Family Systems- Interdisciplinary Applications.
Russo, J. (2023). Future Trends and Directions with DSM-5-TR and Family Systems.
Russo, J. (2023). Applying systems to anxiety disorders.
King, J. H., Russo, J., Coker, K. (2019). An interview with Jessica Russo, Kelly Coker, and Jason King: Mixing oil & water – The DSM-5 and Family Systems. North American Journal of Psychology
Russo, J. A. (2019). Mental Health in our Schools: An applied collaborative approach.
Russo, J., Coker, K., King, J. H. (2017). DSM 5 and Family Systems.
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 | Cookie settings