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.
Nichole M. Arcaro received her Doctor of Nursing Practice at Chamberlain University in August of 2017. She currently serves as Program Administrator of Cardiovascular Research and Registries in the Heart Vascular and Thoracic Institute at Cleveland Clinic where she has worked with clinical registries and databases since 2008 applying her years of cardiovascular bedside nursing experience to the management of national registry data collected on these populations. Dr. Arcaro has been an educator since 2006 where on-ground she served as full-time faculty in a pre-licensure RN program. Moving to online adjunct faculty positions in 2008, she has taught at the RN-to-BSN, MSN, and DNP levels of nursing education. Joining Walden University as contributing faculty in May of 2024, Dr. Arcaro shares her experience and passion for nursing informatics in the RN-to-BSN program teaching Nursing Informatics and Healthcare Technology. Dr. Arcaro has presented at multiple national data manager meetings and maintains certifications as a Certified Nurse Leader (CNL) through the AACN and Certified Nurse Educator (CNE) through the NLN.
NURS 3111 - Nursing Informatics and Healthcare Technology
DNP, Chamberlain University
MSN, University of Phoenix
BSN, Cleveland State University
Ss. Robert & William Catholic Parish, Volunteer -
Cleveland Clinic Caregiver Excellence Award, Cleveland Clinic , 2019
Lake Hospital System Critical Care Nurse of the Year, Lake Hospital System , 2005
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