6 semester credits

Early childhood, as a field, refers to young children (prenatally through 8 years old) as well as those adults, programs, and agencies that have a significant impact on children's development and learning. It is a field ripe with current research and opportunities to contribute to positive social change. Educators explore the integrative and collaborative richness of the field from its history, values, and ethics to current issues and trends. As part of this foundational course, early childhood professionals learn the process of how to successfully complete their doctoral (EdD) or education specialist (EdS) degrees, understanding how Walden supports them in developing (a) facility with Walden University's online learning environment; (b) understanding the university's and the program's support systems, expectations, and outcomes; and (c) advanced graduate-level critical-thinking, research, and writing skills.