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. Berndt has taught in both the undergraduate and graduate levels in traditional and online nursing programs for the past ten years. Dr. Berndt has been involved with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing and Khan Academy NCLEX-RN project as the Lead Reviewer and has integrated the tutorials in her undergraduate teaching. Her scholarly work includes a lengthy list of presentations and publications at the national, regional, and local levels. As a result of her scholarly work and implementation of innovative pedagogies to enhance nursing education, she was awarded the Sigma Theta Tau, Kappa Phi Chapter, Star of Excellence Award, Minnesota Association of Colleges of Nursing Emerging Nurse Educator Award and Tom Creed Award for Effective Electronic Pedagogy at the College of Saint Benedict/Saint John’s University. In addition to teaching, her clinical expertise includes over 25 years of experience in medical/oncology and critical care nursing at the St. Cloud Hospital.
NURS 6003 - Graduate Study for Advanced Nursing Practice
NURS 6050 - Policy & Advocacy for Population Health
NURS 6052 - Essentials of Evidence-Based Practice
BSN, College of Saint Benedict
Master of Science in Nursing Education, Walden University
PhD, Capella University
Berndt, J. L. (2023). Using The ‘Do-Si-Do Simulation Model’ to Engage Learners. . Nursing Education Perspectives
Berndt, J. L. (2018). Innovations in Health Professional Education Teaching with Technology. University of Southern Indiana
Berndt, J. L. (2018). Engaging Learners Using Collaborative Classroom Simulation. Veteran’s Health Administration
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