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. Ricks began her career in higher education in 2015 and she has been teaching at Walden University in 2019. Prior to starting in higher education, Dr. Ricks worked as school counselor for over 5 years. She also worked as a career couch for two year. Dr. Ricks is a licensed School Counselor (preK-12), a National Certified Counselor (NCC), and a National Certified School Counselor (NCSC). Dr. Ricks has presented at state, regional, and national levels in the areas of poverty, disabilities, Narrative Therapy, identity development, advocacy, and diversity. Her primary research foci are poverty and diversity. Dr. Ricks is and has been an active member of many professional counseling organizations and served on local, state, and national counseling associations.
BS, Georgia Southern University
MEd, Georgia Southern University
EdS, Valdosta State University
PhD, Auburn University
ASCA Research Grant , American School Counselors Association, 2018
College of Education Seed Grant , University of West Georgia, 2017
Ricks, L. (2019). Child Abuse Reporting Model for Novice School Counselors. The Professional Counselor
Ricks, L., Tuttle, M., Land, C., Chibbaro, J. (2019). Trends and Influential Factors in Child Abuse Reporting: Implications for Early Career School Counselors. Journal of School Counseling
Chibbaro, J., Ricks, L., Lanier, B. (2019). Digital Awareness: A Model for School Counselors. Journal of School Counseling
Ricks, L. A., Babel, K., Kitchens, S. (2020). Using Creativity in School Counseling: Supporting Students with Acquired Disabilities. Journal of School Counseling
Perryman, T., Ricks, L. A., Cash-Baskett, L. (2020). Meaningful Transitions: Enhancing Clinician Roles in Transition Planning for Adolescents with Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities.
Ricks, L., Hancock, E., Goodrich, T., Evans, A. (2014). Laughing for acceptance: A counseling intervention for working with families. The Family Journal: Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families.
Ricks, L. A. (2019). Advocating for Individuals with Disabilities: Understanding the Counselors Role.
Ricks, L. A., Kitchens, S., Hannor-Walker, T., Schmitt, E. (2019). Counselors’ Multicultural Counseling and Poverty Beliefs: Implication for School Counselors.
Chibbaro, J., Ricks, L. A. (2019). Digital Awareness: A Model for School Counselors.
Kitchens, S., Ricks, L., Hannor-Walker, T. (2019). Identifying the Impact of Poverty and Helping Students Overcome Barriers.
Ricks, L. A., Kitchens, S., Hannor-Walker, T. (2019). Thinking Outside of the Box: Infusing Creativity into Group Counseling and Classroom Guidance.
Ricks, L., Hancock, E. (2018). Innovative Practice in School Counseling: Meeting Student Trends. Association for Creativity in Counseling (ACC)
Hannor-Walker, T., Kitchens, S., Ricks, L. (2019). Unveiling the Mask: Sexual Trauma’s Impact on Academic Achievement, Behavior, and Self-Identity.
Ricks, L., Tuttle, M., Land, C., Chibbaro, J. (2018). Novice School Counselor Level of Self-Efficacy in Child Abuse Reporting. Georgia School Counselors Association (GSCA)
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