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. Rhea Hill is a licensed clinical social worker and doctoral-level practitioner with over twenty-five years of professional experience in clinical practice, behavioral health, and social work education. Her formal field of study is social work, with specialized expertise in trauma-informed care, addiction counseling, and culturally responsive clinical practice. She has extensive teaching experience at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, including online instruction, where she emphasizes critical thinking, ethical practice, and the integration of theory into real-world application.
At Walden University, Dr. Hill serves as an adjunct instructor, supporting students in the development of advanced clinical skills, professional identity, and evidence-informed practice. Her instructional approach prioritizes inclusivity, accessibility, and the cultivation of a reflective and socially conscious learning environment.
Dr. Hill’s primary research interests include mental health accessibility among underserved and historically marginalized populations, particularly first-generation college students of color, as well as the intersection of trauma, substance use, and systemic inequities. Her subject matter expertise encompasses clinical assessment, trauma treatment, addiction, and supervision within behavioral health settings.
Professionally, Dr. Hill has spent over fifteen years providing mental health services within a large federal healthcare system, where she has worked extensively with veterans experiencing complex trauma, depression, and substance use disorders. In addition to her clinical work, she is the founder of a private counseling and consulting practice, where she provides psychotherapy, clinical supervision, and professional development services. She is also actively engaged in community work and advocacy efforts focused on mental health awareness, voter registration, and support for underserved populations.
Her work reflects a sustained commitment to advancing equity, improving access to care, and preparing the next generation of social work professionals.
Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
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