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. Rhonda Paul received a BA from Michigan State University in Social Science. She has a master's degree in Counseling from Atlanta University with an emphasis on women. After completing her master’s degree, she obtained a clinical license as a professional counselor so that she could have the flexibility of going into private practice. Her Ph.D. degree is in Counseling with a cognate in Psychology from Wayne State University. Previous employment experience includes over twenty years of professional and leadership experience within institutions of higher education serving as a certified career counselor, clinical practitioner, consultant, professor and academic administrator. More specifically, Dr. Paul has taught graduate and undergraduate courses at colleges and universities. She has served as chair of Counseling, Psychology and Human Services at a university. Her academic/research interests include Multicultural/Cross-Cultural Counseling, Community Mental Health, Career Development and accreditation standards for Counseling and related programs. Over the span of these years, Dr. Rhonda Paul has acquired many successes and honored by the recognition she has received in various publications such as Who’s Who in the Human Services Profession, Who’s Who in American Education, Who’s Who among Women, and Who’s Who in America. Her successes include being appointed to important national leadership positions in the field of Counseling. She served as a member of the Professional Standards Committee and chair of the Professional Development Committee for the American Counseling Association. She has served as a former board member of the National Career Development Association. Additionally, Dr. Paul completed a 5 year term on the Board of Directors of the Council on Accreditation for Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). Dr. Paul currently serves as a contributing faculty member for Walden University.
BA, Michigan State University
MA, Atlanta University
PhD, Wayne State University
Alpha Kappa Alpha Foundation of Detroit, Board Member - Detroit
Legal Aid & Defender Association, Board Member - Detroit
Detroit-Workforce Development Board, Board of Directors - Detoit
Human Rights Commission, Other - Detroit
Detroit Public Schools Community District Transition Team, Committee Member - Detroit
Governor Granholm's Transition Committee- Detroit Public Schools, Committee Member - Detroit
Mayor Mike Duggan's Re-Election "Quality of Life" Transition Committee, Committee Member - Detroit
N. A. A. C. P., Other - Detroit
Distinguished Service Award, Council on Accreditation of Counseling and Related Programs (CACREP), 2014
Professional Achievement Award, Wayne State University, 1999
Recognition for Outstanding Achievement in Continuing Education, National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC), 2005
Who's Who Among Human Services Professionals 3rd Edition, , 1993
Who's Who in the Midwest 25th Edition, , 1996
Who's Who of America 53rd Edition, , 1999
Who's Who of American Women, , 1996
Paul, R. (2002). Barbara: The Case of the Uneasy Lawyer, .
Paul, R. (2008). Clinical Coaching: An Innovative Model for Teaching a Mental Health Counseling Course Using a Multicultural Approach.
Paul, R. (1998). Cultural Diversity and Career Development: Counseling Challenges for the 21st Century.
Paul, R. (2001). Cultural Diversity and Career Development: Issues and Challenges for Counseling Professionals.
Paul, R. (1997). Multicultural Counseling: Current Challenges for the 21st Century.
Paul, R. (1999). The Effects of Culture on the Career Choices of African American Students.
Paul, R. (2002). Urban Counseling Competencies and Standards: A Call to Action!.
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