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. Teresa Christensen received a BA in both Psychology & Sociology from Adams State College (now University) in 1993. In 1996, she earned a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling and in 1999 a Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision from Idaho State University. Teresa has been a Licensed Professional Counselor for the past 24 years in Colorado, Virginia, Louisiana, and Idaho. She is also a Nationally Certified Counselor and a Registered Play Therapist-Supervisor who has counseled children, adolescents, and families. In 2020, Teresa became a contributing faculty member in the School of Counseling at Walden University. Teresa has been a full-time professor for the past 21 years and has taught at Regis University, where she served as the coordinator for the Counseling Children and Adolescents Post-Graduate Certificate. In 2010, Teresa developed the 12th Center for Counseling and Play Therapy, approved by the Association for Play Therapy. Teresa has also taught as a full-time professor at Old Dominion University and the University of New Orleans. Additionally, she has taught as a contributing faculty member at East Tennessee State University, Montana State University, Purdue University, and the University of Oregon. For the past 20 years, Teresa has been a faculty member for an International study abroad program in Italy. In 2010, she started the Italy Play Therapy Institute which takes place in Tuscany, IT every Spring. Teresa is a member of various professional organizations, has published several articles and book chapters, and presented at various national and international conferences. She has served as the methodologist and chair for over 40 doctoral dissertation committees and her research interests include play therapy and counseling with children and adolescents, child abuse and trauma, clinical supervision, group work, and qualitative research methods.
BA, Adams State College (Univeristy now)
MA, Idaho State University
PhD, Idaho State University
Evergreen Play Therapy Institute , Other - Evergreen
Best Group Research Article of the Year Award, Association for Specialists in Group Work, 2007
Faculty Excellence Award, Regis University , 2011
My Favorite Professor , University of New Orleans, 2005
Christensen, T. M., Rebecca, B., Luke, C. Play Therapy .
Christensen, T. M., Corey, G., Corey, M. (2013). Group Counseling with Children Affected by Abuse. .
Jennifer, C., Christensen, T. M., Sondra, B., Stratton, J., Lonneman-Doroff, T., Reynolds, J. (2013). Using Play Respectfully: Engaging children in family therapy. . Family Therapy Magazine
Christensen, T. M., Levingston, K. B. (2020). Pandemic Play Therapy: Focus on the Parents . Irish Counseling Association
Christensen, T. M. (2020). Play in Family Therapy . University of Holy Cross and National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC)
Christensen, T. M. (2019). Play in Family Therapy . University of Holy Cross and National Board for Certified Counselors
Christensen, T. M. (2018). Play in Family Therapy . University of Holy Cross and National Board for Certified Counselors
Christensen, T. M. (2018). Principles of Play Therapy . University of Holy Cross and National Board for Certified Counselors
Christensen, T. M., Arman, J., Reynolds, J. (2018). Training Students to Work Effectively with Children and Adolescents. . Rocky Mountain Association for Counselor Education and Supervision
Christensen, T. M., Reynolds, J., Arman, J. (2018). Technology and Administration of a College Counseling Clinic. Rocky Mountain Association for Counselor Edcuation and Counsleing
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