Early Childhood and Primary Education
As the demographics of the family and workforce change, the nation is increasingly turning its attention to the critical need for early childhood development and education. At Walden, you will gain the expertise to lead in the creation and implementation of new program practices, to apply emerging research on development in the early years, and to conceptualize new paradigms for early learning. Graduates attain key positions in college teaching, research endeavors, leadership positions, and advocacy roles addressing the young child, birth through age 8. Other positions include director of kindergarten, curriculum specialist, and director of a Head Start program.
Completion Requirements
- 127 total quarter credit hours
- Foundation course: EDUC 8008 (6 cr.)
- KAMs and/or courses and research sequence (91 cr.)
- Proposal, dissertation, and oral presentation (30 cr.)
- Minimum 8–10 quarters enrollment
- 20 days of residency (two 4-day and two 6-day residencies)
For a personalized estimate of your time to completion, call your enrollment advisor at 1-866-492-5336.
Core Curriculum
| Course Code |
Course Title |
Credits |
| EDUC 8008 |
Foundations for Doctoral Study |
6 |
|
KAM I: Principles of Social Change |
|
| SBSF 8110 |
Breadth: Theories of Social Change |
5 |
| EDUC 8123 |
Depth: Theoretical Foundations of Early Childhood and Primary Program Practices |
5 |
| EDUC 8133 |
Application: Theory to Practice: Curriculum Contrasts and Implementation |
4 |
|
KAM II: Principles of Human Development |
|
| SBSF 8210 |
Breadth: Theories of Human Development |
5 |
| EDUC 8223 |
Depth: Current Research: Psychological Foundations of Early Childhood Growth and Primary-Level Growth and Development |
5 |
| EDUC 8233 |
Application: Psychological Considerations in Application to Early Childhood and Primary-Level Programs |
4 |
|
KAM III: Principles of Organizational and Social Systems |
|
| SBSF 8310 |
Breadth: Theories of Organizational and Social Systems |
5 |
| EDUC 8323 |
Depth: Early Childhood and Primary Education: Implications for Social and Organizational Systems |
5 |
| EDUC 8333 |
Application: Professional Practice in Organizational and Social Contexts |
4 |
Core Research Sequence
| Course Code |
Course Title |
Credits |
| RSCH 8100D |
Research Theory, Design and Methods |
4 |
| RSCH 8200D |
Quantitative Reasoning |
4 |
| RSCH 8300D |
Qualitative Reasoning |
4 |
Specialized KAMs
| Course Code |
Course Title |
Credits |
|
KAM V: Theories of Intelligence, Learning, and Motivation in Early Childhood and Primary Education |
|
| EDUC 8513 |
Breadth: Theories of Intelligence, Learning, and Motivation: Birth to Age 8 |
5 |
| EDUC 8523 |
Depth: Early Childhood Program Delivery in a Multicultural/ Multifaceted Society |
5 |
| EDUC 8533 |
Application: Professional Practice Using Learning and Motivational Theory in Context |
4 |
|
KAM VI: Critical Issues in the Organization and Planning of Early Childhood and Primary Education Programs |
|
| EDUC 8613 |
Breadth: Organization of Early Childhood and Primary Education Programs |
5 |
| EDUC 8623 |
Depth: Critical Issues in Early Childhood and Primary Education Programs |
5 |
| EDUC 8633 |
Application: Early Childhood and Primary Programs: A Comprehensive Approach |
4 |
Advanced Research Sequence
| Course Code |
Course Title |
Credits |
| EDUC 8458 |
Advanced Research: Conducting Pilot and Field Studies |
5 |
| EDUC 8468 |
Advanced Research: Communicating Knowledge in Educational Research |
4 |
Dissertation
| Course Code |
Course Title |
Credits |
| EDUC 9000 |
Dissertation |
30 |
Course Descriptions
