Colleges and Schools
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
- 134 total quarter credit hours
- Foundation course: SBSF 8005 (6 cr.)
- KAMs and/or courses and research sequence (98 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.
Walden offers frequent start dates so that you can begin when it’s convenient for you. Next Start Date: October 6. Admission policies vary by program. Call 1-866-492-5336 or apply now.
Core Curriculum
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| SBSF 8005 | 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 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 Development | 5 |
| EDUC 8233 | Application: Psychological Considerations in Application to Early Childhood Programs | 4 |
| KAM III: Principles of Social Systems | ||
| SBSF 8310 | Breadth: Theories of Organizational and Social Systems | 5 |
| EDUC 8323 | Depth: Early Childhood 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 |
| SBSF 8417 | Research Seminar I: Human Inquiry and Science | 4 |
| EDUC 8428 | Research Seminar II: Design in Educational Research | 5 |
| EDUC 8438 | Research Seminar III: Quantitative Research in Education | 5 |
| EDUC 8448 | Research Seminar IV: Qualitative Research in Education | 5 |
Specialized KAMs
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| KAM V: Theories of Intelligence, Learning, and Motivation in Early Childhood 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 Education Programs | ||
| EDUC 8613 | Breadth: Organization of Early Childhood Education Programs | 5 |
| EDUC 8623 | Depth: Critical Issues in Early Childhood Education Programs | 5 |
| EDUC 8633 | Application: Early Childhood Programs: A Comprehensive Approach | 4 |
Advanced Research Sequence
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| EDUC 8458 | Conducting Pilot and Field Studies | 5 |
| EDUC 8468 | Communicating Knowledge in Educational Research | 4 |
Dissertation
| Course Code | Course Title | Credits |
| EDUC 9000 | Dissertation | 30 |
Course Descriptions (pdf)
