Walden University Online
 Program CatalogTuition | Starting Dates Admissions & Application |
Highlights
- Established in 1970
- Ranked by a major U.S. publication as having the largest enrollment for any online graduate program in education
- Over 40,000 students from 50 states and over 100 countries
- Recognized as a leader in providing advanced degrees to Hispanics by The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education Magazine
- G.I. Jobs placed Walden University in its 2011 list of Military Friendly Schools
- In 2010 identified by U.S. News & World Report as having the #2 largest online graduate nursing program by enrollment
- Latin Trade magazine included Walden's M.B.A., in its annual list of business schools with a global reach
- Offers unique dual programs
- Accredited since 1990 by the Higher Learning Commission, North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, one of the regional accreditation agencies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
About the School
From its founding in 1970 Walden University has focused on offering advanced degrees for working professionals through distance learning. Walden is now an accredited online university that provides bachelor's, master's, and doctorate programs in business, child development, education, engineering, information technology, psychology, management, public policy and administration, nursing, and health and human services.
Walden University is part of the Laureate International Universities Network, which operates more than 50 accredited online and campus-based universities throughout the world, serving more than 500,000 students.
Online Courses at Walden
A Promotional Video from the School
Students and the school's president talk about the benefits of choosing Walden for an online education. Includes discussion of online course formats and screen shots of learning materials. Created by Walden.
Academic Programs
Walden University academic programs apply what the university calls a Scholar-Practitioner Model. The model is designed to blend scholarly research with the knowledge that students have gained as practitioners in their fields.
The University's degree programs are organized by colleges and schools. These include:
- Center for Undergraduate Studies Provides core general education courses that form a foundation for Walden bachelor's degrees and offers a B.S. in Interdisciplinary Studies, which gives students the option to combine disciplines.
- The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership Delivers a focus on helping educators build new leadership skills in their fields. This College has over 37,000 students and alumni. Programs include master's and doctorates in education, bachelor's in child development, and preparation and graduate programs for teachers. Available specializations across these programs cover adult education, community colleges, early childhood, educational technology, K-12 educational leadership, higher education, mathematics, science, reading, special education, and more.
- College of Management and Technology This college's School of Management offers undergraduate and graduate degrees that emphasize practical expertise and skills. Programs include decision sciences, business administration, information systems, and computer systems. The college's NTU School of Engineering and Applied Science was founded in 1984 with sponsorship from Hewlett-Packard, IBM, Lockheed Martin, and Motorola. The curriculum emphasizes current research and industry-specific studies, draws upon scholars from universities such as MIT and Purdue, and uses multimedia technology to enhance classroom experiences. Programs offered include those for software engineering, systems engineering, project management, engineering management, and product management.
- College of Health Sciences Walden's College of Health Sciences is well established Walden has been ranked by a major U.S. publication as having the biggest online, graduate-level public health program enrollment. The college's School of Health Sciences has master and doctorate programs for those targeting careers in health services, public health, healthcare administration, and clinical research administration. The college's School of Nursing has been ranked as having the second largest online graduate nursing programs by enrollment. This school enables students to earn their Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited degree online without needing to visit a campus. Programs are available to all registered nurses and include those for education, leadership and management, and nursing informatics.
- College of Social and Behavioral Sciences This college has several graduate schools. Its School of Counseling and Social Service offers programs in human services and mental health counseling. The School of Psychology offers bachelor's, master's, and doctorate psychology degrees with many specializations available, including those related to professions, workplace, crisis management, media, organizational psychology, culture, public administration, social change, terrorism and security, clinical psychology, and counseling. The school also offers certificate programs for advanced training. The college's School of Public Policy and Administration was the first fully online school of its type in the U.S. Graduate programs offered include public policy, public administration, and nonprofit management. Specializations include criminal justice, health services, homeland security, public safety, knowledge management, health policy, interdisciplinary studies, law, local government, policy analysis, and more. The school has also introduced certificate programs for government and non-profit management.
Learning Options
Walden University is an online institution courses are presented entirely over the Internet. Programs which require onsite residencies, such as for doctoral and some master's, can be arranged at times throughout the year and locations across the United States that are convenient for students.
Walden's online classrooms are structured for asynchronous interactions, which means that students have the flexibility of participating and completing assignments at any time with assigned periods. The University designs its online classroom environment to encourage active discussions and supportive relationships between students and with faculty. The faculty aims to respond to student inquiries with 24 hours. Walden reports that its students typically spend 15 to 20 hours per week on each of their courses.
Each week instructors post the online syllabus that lists discussion subjects, readings, and assignments. Instructors also post their contact information and availability, online resources, and required books. The online environment features ongoing discussions with classmates and faculty for which all students are required to participate. A chat capability enables real time communication between fellow students. Quizzes, tests, exams, and gradebooks are online as well.
Walden's year-round start dates for its programs gives student's further convenience in when they get started. Online courses are scheduled in both 16 week semesters (with some having consecutive 8 week courses) and 12 week quarters (with some having consecutive 6 week courses). Courses start and end on specific dates with typically one week off between semesters or quarters.
Faculty
Walden University's faculty members are composed of scholars, researchers, and professionals that come from a wide range of geographies, experiences, and cultures. Members include those that are deans and tenured faculty at other institutions and business executives, educators, clinical professionals, and military leaders. Most faculty hold Doctor of Philosophy degrees or the highest available degree in their field of study. Many faculty members are involved in community service examples include advocacy for those with disabilities or creating counseling programs for children impacted by natural disasters such as hurricanes or tsunamis.
Student Life
Walden's community of online students is diverse it encompasses all 50 states and over 100 countries and includes many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds.
Each student has a broad array of available services that are available from their very first contact with Walden until graduation. These include:
- Admissions and Enrollment
- Orientation
- Undergraduate tutoring
- Academic Advising
- Research Library
- Textbook Service
- Writing Center
- Technical Support
- Career services
Students and graduates also have a large network of over 30,000 alumni to draw upon as a resource. Alumni are offered benefits for returning to Walden to continue their education further. There is an alumni online community to facilitate networking.
Admissions and Financial Aid
Minimum requirements for admission depend on the program. All candidates for admission must submit a goal statement that is assessed by Walden. Graduate students have minimum grade point average requirements but do not need standardized tests. Many programs need at least two to three years of professional working experience.
Walden admits students throughout the world with over 65 countries represented. The school is currently offering rapid responses for the following countries: Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Bermuda, Cayman Islands, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan.
Students at Walden can receive a wide range of financial assistance, including federal subsidized and unsubsidized loans, payment plans, and graduate fellowships. Merit and need based scholarships are also available. Other funding options include tuition reduction, private loans, and veteran benefits.
Note: This school offers rapid response to online requests:
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Student/Alumni Reviews of This School
Sort Reviews By:Walden University • Online
Studying Masters In Psychology (completion in: I didn't complete my degree)
• 8/31/2011
"I spent over $30,000, have two classes left, and they won't release a financial hold so that I can finish. I hate Walden."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | This school has terrible staff, disinterested faculty, and no accountability. Stay away. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 2 | The courses are easier than high school classes. All they want is to hear "your experiences" instead of teaching the basics of the program and sticking to the subject. Purely subjective learning. |
| Instruction | 1 | There is no responsibility from the professors when it comes to grading, and you can't reach them easily. I can honestly say that I learned very little during my tenure at Walden. Career preparation in this program is non-existent. |
| Cost | 1 | While it's nice to work from your bedroom, the school overall is terrible. The educational experience consists of answering simple questions and making sure you submit them on time. There is no back and forth. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | You can take classes at any time, even late at night. There is a lot of flexibility as you make your own schedule. The downsides are that procrastination is tempting and the fact that the deadlines can be very unforgiving to people who work full time. Why would you have 3 deadlines in a week? |
| Academic Facilities | 2 | The library access is pretty good. The academic advisers are terrible, and its worse than going through the Dell people in India. No one takes responsibility for anything. There is no support from other students, as all they offer you is a "chat room" that no one really uses. The professors are inaccessible. You are lucky if they answer an email. I had one professor claim she never got my final paper, even when I sent her a read receipt! |
| Social Life | 5 | This is an online program. You do not speak with anyone else. |
| Placement Services | 1 | Yet again, this school offers no support to students and terrible customer service. There are NO JOB PLACEMENT OPPORTUNITIES with this school. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | There is no alumni network that I know of. Maybe that's because it's an online program, but it is still terrible. |
Walden University • Online
Studying Doctor Of Education (completion in: 2014)
• 8/26/2011
"As a beginning student I am satisfied. My rating may increase or decrease as time progresses."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend Walden to my friends because of the customer service. If you don't have quality customer service you will lose a substantial number of clients. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 7 | I have just started the program, therefore I have not established an opinion on all aspects of it. I have been provided with an enrollment advisor who walked me through the process. My advisor ensured that my goal statements were adequate as was the documentation of my military experience. |
| Instruction | 6 | Ample opportunity was provided to ensure a clear understanding of the material. Students are given an opportunity to ask questions if the material is confusing. |
| Cost | 3 | The price tag for online classes is overrated. Although books are provided, over $700.00 per credit hour is ridiculous. I guess you pay for convenience. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | The online class schedule offers the opportunity to study and submit assignments on your own time. This method prevents some of the stress that a campus based classroom induces. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | Actual textbooks for my program were available, thus eliminating the need to download materials. If problems are encountered you can always call an academic advisor for help. |
| Social Life | 5 | Walden does keep you up to date on various activities through announcements, however I attend the online class. The only social experience will be within the virtual classroom. |
Walden University • Online
Studying Masters In Education - Math And Language Arts (completion in: 2010)
• 8/28/2011
"I was very satisfied, and feel that I received exactly what I was looking for in a master's program. The fact that I still use what I learned in the program daily at work shows me that it was the program that was right for me."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would recommend Walden to others. If they were working online, I would warn them that they would have to be self disciplined and willing to put in the time if they wanted to be successful. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 9 | I really enjoyed the online experience. I also learned a lot from the classes I took, and I use much of what I have learned daily in my teaching. |
| Instruction | 10 | I use what I have learned at Walden daily in my teaching. It helped me to become a better teacher by introducing me to different strategies, experts, and research in education. |
| Cost | 5 | I do feel like I received a great education, but I had to pay quite a bit to be in the program. I think it was worth it, but overall I think all continued education is way too expensive. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I took my entire program online, which was a very flexible option. While I did have due dates throughout the week, I was able to do the work on my own time. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The online library services were great. I was always able to find research to help me with my papers. There was an online writing support center, which seemed very accessible, but I never needed to use it. The professors were always willing to help with any questions or comments I had. There were also places I could go online to chat with other students in my program. |
| Social Life | 5 | I put average because I really don't know. I took all of my classes online, so I had no social experience. |
| Placement Services | 6 | I am not sure about career assistance at Walden. When I attended I was already teaching full time. |
| Alumni Network | 7 | I receive alumni stuff in the mail, but I don't really look into it. I have looked into taking a few other classes through Walden that I saw on a flier mailed to me. |
Walden University • Online
Studying Master Of Public Health (completion in: I didn't complete my degree)
• 8/27/2011
"I have mixed feelings about Walden -- on the one hand, its courses are surprisingly better than one would expect for an online university. On the other hand, the overall experience was somehow lacking -- there just wasn't much activity or support outside of the courses."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | I would recommend Walden University for its courses; I would, however, encourage all prospective students to check with employers, future employers, and/or future educational programs (if you know you'll be attending another school after Walden) to verify that future schools or employers will accept credits from Walden and and/or hire or promote you because of your efforts at the school. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 8 | I was pleasantly surprised by the high caliber of Walden University's courses. Far from being a degree mill, the instructors and students took their duties very seriously, more so than at certain traditional colleges I've attended. |
| Instruction | 9 | My course instructors were very knowledgeable and strict -- no slacking off was allowed in the online program. The courses I took were very well-organized and required A LOT of work. |
| Cost | 3 | I think the tuition and fees are a bit steep for the education the students receive. I, personally, would encourage students to consider other online opportunities with traditional schools that have online programs. For instance, in my major, Public Health, the University of South Florida offers an online program that's more credible than Walden's. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | As an online student, I found Walden University's class schedules to be exceptionally flexible -- I had no problems finding courses and enrolling in them. |
| Academic Facilities | 4 | I was an online student, so I can only speak to what was available to me online. Frankly, such resources were a little bit lacking, especially for a graduate student. There were no tutors or study groups, so it was a sink or swim situation. |
| Social Life | 2 | There were NO social opportunities for online students when I attended Walden. School was about courses and that was that. |
| Placement Services | 3 | This was a weak point with Walden. I was an online student and though I desperately wanted help with job placement and career services, Walden University didn't have any helpful online resources. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | I attended, but did not graduate from, Walden University 7 years ago and have heard nothing from their Alumni Office. At the time, the university didn't seem to be able to do much for their graduates (career placement, alumni networking events, online alumni groups, etc.) |
Walden University • Online
Studying Masters In Education (completion in: 2011)
• 8/27/2011
"I felt Walden really took an interest in me. It was a great place to further my career needs in Special Education and it allowed me to work with a group of teachers from around the continent."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I do recommend Walden to all my friends who are continuing their education. I feel Walden did an excellent job of preparing me for today's classroom. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 10 | I really liked the online format. I also felt the professors had real classroom experience and the work asked of me was relevant to my current teaching assignment. |
| Instruction | 8 | I really felt like Walden was very current in regards to relevance of what I am teaching in my classroom. I did learn a lot of new techniques and programs that I could immediately implement into my teachings. |
| Cost | 3 | Walden is a little pricey compared to other online schools. However, I feel it was well worth it considering the education you receive. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | I found the online schedule very flexible and accommodating. This was the case even within a class - if you wanted to work ahead or needed extra time, they were accommodating. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The library and research facilities were excellent, easy to use, and well organized. Academic advisors were great, as were the writing center tutors. |
| Social Life | 5 | I took classes online so this was not applicable to my experience at Walden. I did not participate in any social activities. |
| Placement Services | 5 | Again, this aspect of Walden I did not need to utilize so I really cannot speak to how well or poorly they did. They were helpful to me in other aspects of schooling, but not in job placement. |
| Alumni Network | 2 | I do not know of any network for online students so I must assume it is poor. I have attended Walden for 4 years now and have never been contacted by an alumni network |
Walden University • Online
Studying B.S. In Psychology And Criminal Justice (completion in: 2013)
• 9/11/2011
"It's been a good experience. I hope it helps me to get a better job."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Because I really enjoy it and I think it's not overly expensive. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 6 | I'd like to have more reading material and practice questions online. |
| Instruction | 8 | Although there is not enough material, the teachers are helpful. They helped answer my questions. |
| Cost | 5 | The price is high, but it is worthy. For some people it's too expensive. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | It's great because I can take my classes anywhere, anytime. The schedules are just right. |
| Academic Facilities | 6 | I need more reading material. On the plus side, the professor is easy to contact. |
| Social Life | 1 | I study online. I've made few friends, but the study groups are really good. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | I don't have many friends online. I have worked with colleagues but didn't bond too much. |
Walden University • Online
Studying MS In Psychology (completion in: 2007)
• 9/4/2011
"I expected to be challenged more by obtaining a masters."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | I would recommend getting a degree at a brick and mortar university. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 4 | Walden was what you made of it. I didn't feel like the instructors were very strict about their grading. I learned a lot but judging from the quality of other students' interactions, I think they put much less time into their work than I did, and I feel like they probably got passing grades. |
| Instruction | 3 | Instructors in many courses provided minimal feedback/input. Their grading was very easy, in my opinion, and I didn't have anyone pushing me to perform. |
| Cost | 5 | It wasn't extremely expensive, but I think you get what you pay for. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I took classes online, so there was no rigidity to scheduling at all. |
| Academic Facilities | 4 | We had some database accessibility for journal articles, but it was not as good as many larger universities. |
| Social Life | 1 | Since I had an online education here, there was very little social interaction. |
Walden University • Online
Studying MS - Psychology (completion in: 2007)
• 9/7/2011
"I didn't feel it was challenging enough. I could have been more stimulated to learn."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | I would recommend pursuing an on-campus education. Online degrees aren't worth it. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 3 | I didn't think the courses were challenging enough. The teachers were very easy in their grading. |
| Instruction | 3 | Some teachers provided minimal input. They didn't do much to stimulate the learning process. |
| Cost | 3 | I felt the education was too expensive for what I was provided with. I made the most of it, but could have gotten by with learning much less. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | The courses were online, so yes they were flexible. This is the nature of the program. |
| Academic Facilities | 3 | The online library system was sub-par. I was able to obtain books and articles but it doesn't match what you'd get at a major university. |
| Social Life | 2 | This was an online program so there wasn't much social networking to speak of. There was minimal communication between students. |
| Placement Services | 2 | Again, this was nonexistent for me. That makes me assume they don't have a strong structure in place. |
| Alumni Network | 3 | I didn't have much contact with the alumni network. So, I can assume it wasn't strong. |
Walden University • Online
Studying MS - Elementary Reading And Mathematics (completion in: 2010)
• 9/11/2011
"I thought that it was a good program, and I feel that I learned a lot."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | If somebody was looking for a way to earn a degree with some flexibility, I would. Not everybody is good at taking internet classes. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 8 | The classes were challenging. I felt that I learned a lot. |
| Instruction | 8 | Like most schools, there are good teachers and bad teachers. For the most part, I enjoyed the teachers that I had. |
| Cost | 5 | All colleges seem to be overpriced. This was about on par with other schools. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 5 | I felt since they were online classes, there would be a bit more flexibility. We were expected to take classes in the order that they wanted us to, and hey didn't let us double up at all. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | We had access to whatever assistance we needed. The library was great! |
| Social Life | 1 | It is an online school. Obviously there isn't any real getting together or anything like that. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I would like to see more job placement services. In this economy it would be great for them to give us more help. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | I am always hearing from the school (and not just to hit me us for money like other schools I have attended). I feel that they like to keep alumni connected. |
Walden University • Online
Studying Psychology (completion in: 2013)
• 9/13/2011
"Most teachers are fair. The work load is not too heavy or too difficult. The schedule is easy to follow."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I have tried another online school and my husband has been to two. This is by far the better school. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 8 | It's a good program, but many of the classes are so much alike that it gets boring. Some of the text books are very expensive or hard to use. |
| Instruction | 7 | Because so many classes are the same, the repeats feel like a waste of time. The courses are so fast I'm not sure my brain has time to process all the information. |
| Cost | 5 | It's a bit pricey. I wish books were included! |
| Schedule Flexibility | 4 | While there are options on when work is due, there are some instructors that draw a hard line at late work. Being able to do work in my free time and work ahead is great. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | I have not used any of the school's facilities. However, they seem good and are easy to find. |
| Social Life | 1 | I think it's because it's online. I'm not sure how you could fix it. |
| Placement Services | 6 | Personally I don't know much about it. Statistics on it look good, though. |
| Alumni Network | 2 | I'm not sure there is much. It doesn't seem like it's important to the online crowd. |
Walden University • Online
Studying Business (completion in: 2014)
• 9/18/2011
"Other than the server issues, I really like studying here. I would really like to transfer to campus someday to get a master's degree."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | It is a really great opportunity. Online classes are great since not everyone has the resources to go to campus or to travel to school. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 8 | I liked studying at Walden online, but sometimes there were problems with the server or something because I wasn't able to access some videos or classes. |
| Instruction | 8 | I liked my classes very much I feel way more prepared than my peers. |
| Cost | 10 | At first I thought I was going to regret enrolling into this program, but I've liked it so far. I thought online school wasn't for me but Walden has made the experience good. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | As I said, I am taking the course online so I have no problem with the schedule, even though sometimes I have to take live classes. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | I can't really talk about this since I'm not on campus. I go there only about twice a year, but the facilities seem good. |
| Social Life | 5 | We do have online study groups and blogs, and people are quite interesting. |
| Placement Services | 5 | |
| Alumni Network | 7 | As I mentioned before the server wasn't very good, so sometimes when I needed help I wasn't able to contact the people I was trying to reach. |
Walden University • Online
Studying MS In Education (completion in: 2013)
• 9/25/2011
"As I am still attending, I am not sure. However, there are definitely some things I think could be improved on. For example, the MSED program prides itself on being one that someone can do while teaching full-time. The work load, however, is too much for most who actually do this."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | As mentioned above, the work load is high. However, it is possible that things will get better. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 5 | As I have only taken two of my classes so far, I do not have much to compare it to. However, the classes do not seem to help with actual lesson planning. It seems as though we are just padding a lesson instead of making realistic plans. |
| Instruction | 5 | For the most part it is the same as above. However, the professors do not seem to have been instructed in the material for the newly revised class. |
| Cost | 7 | The price seems pretty good in comparison to others. However, I cannot tell yet if it will be worth what I have learned. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | As I am taking it online, I feel it is decently flexible. However, it requires a lot of work. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | There are a decent amount of online resources. Accessibility of professors could be improved. |
| Social Life | 5 | As I only participate in online classes, these things are not evident. It does seem, however, like the school does do things for the good of others. |
Walden University • Online (Live In Eugene, OR)
Studying Mental Health Counseling (completion in: 2012)
• 9/27/2011
"I am so impressed by the school. I really feel like they support me in many different capacities. I am confident that I will be as prepared as any brick and mortar school student when I graduate."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | Highest recommendations to anyone who is able to keep themselves focused and for anyone who doesn't need someone standing over them reminding them when things are due. It is a lot of very hard work, but it is worth it. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 10 | School is incredibly tough, but I really feel like I am learning and being held to a higher academic standard. Admission was also selective, which made me feel like the school cares about more than making a profit. |
| Instruction | 10 | The curriculum is solid and it is accepted by my state for licensure. The courses are very challenging, but I am really learning. |
| Cost | 10 | My graduate degree is costing me far less than it would at the local brick and mortar universities. There is plenty of wiggle room to get a great education at a great price. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | There is a lot of work, but you can work on your own schedule. There are weekly deadlines, but they are consistent that there is never any question. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | Amazing writing center. There are tutors who will work with you to make sure that your papers are at their absolute best. The library has so many great offerings as well. |
| Social Life | 5 | Outside of the E-campus where you can recruit other students for research, there really aren't school spirit activities. During residencies, it is really fun to meet other students from around the world. |
| Placement Services | 10 | I haven't used these services yet, but I am constantly receiving announcements of job opportunities. The school really cares about seeing their students be successful. |
| Alumni Network | 10 | The school's alumni network is closely connected with the ACA (American Counseling Association) and PsiChi, the psychology honor society. Both of these connections lead to a lot of opportunities and support options. |
Walden University • Online
Studying Mental Health Counseling Master's Program (completion in: I didn't complete my degree)
• 10/21/2011
"The quality of the students admitted seemed to be very poor. It seemed that they accepted anyone."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | It was a waste of time and money. I would recommend that they attend classes in person for this type of program. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 1 | I found that the writing skills of the students in my class were deficient. They needed a lot of remedial work. It was very difficult to understand the ideas they were trying to convey because the grammar was so poor. |
| Instruction | 5 | The instructions were average but many of the students were below average in terms of their research and writing skills. |
| Cost | 1 | It was too expensive. After taking several classes, I realized that it wouldn't pay to continue taking classes because there were few jobs in my area. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 8 | Since the program was online, the schedule wasn't a problem. It was flexible. |
| Academic Facilities | 5 | Online students had access to the school's online library that made it easy to do research. I enjoyed using their online library to research articles. |
| Social Life | 5 | I can't address this question because I attended classes online. However, we were required to attend a session in Bloomington, MN. They wanted us to meet our classmates in person at the sessions during the weekend visit. |
| Placement Services | I didn't graduate so I don't know how good the placement services are. However, I was going to have to seek an internship locally as part of the program. | |
| Alumni Network | I can't really address the support issue because I didn't need any. Also, I didn't interact with any alumni since my classes were online. |
Walden University • Minneapolis, MN
Studying B.S. In Public Health (completion in: 2014)
• 11/16/2011
"I have not yet graduated, but so far the experience has been amazing. Good classes, good teachers, good friends -- a great combination."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The faculty/staff is extremely supportive. The courses are tailored specifically to emulate real-world job experiences. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 7 | The professors are amazing so far. Each class is very engaging. |
| Instruction | 7 | I have not yet encountered a bad professor. Each one has a very efficient manner of teaching. |
| Cost | 8 | Unbelievable financial aid. Without such a good package I would not have been able to attend the university. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 6 | I was able to take a class online for credit. This was very helpful considering my full work/course load. |
| Academic Facilities | 7 | The labs are centrally located and have many state of the art utilities. It is helpful to be able to use the labs even during non-lab times. |
| Social Life | 8 | I have made the best friends of my life at Walden. The parties and social events were always in good taste and were very fun. |
| Placement Services | 10 | I have already had many internships, all as a result of career planning. They are very flexible and accommodating. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I only had one interaction with an alum. There definitely is a broad network, though, if one cares to find it. |
Walden University • Decatur, IL
Studying Accounting (completion in: 2011)
• 12/27/2011
"I found that the program was enjoyable to attend. However, it didn't help me further either my career or life goals."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | no | Again, it hasn't helped me get a better job then the current one I am at now. In general I don't think I would recommend anyone go back to college. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 8 | My school had instructors with real world experience. Also, the program had classes that allowed me to both go to school and work at the same time. |
| Instruction | 7 | The instructors were very knowledgeable. The only thing that I didn't like was that there wasn't more online coursework/interaction. |
| Cost | 7 | It was cheaper than regular tuition and I graduated with no debt. I would have liked to find a better paying job upon graduation. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | My school currently offers both day and night classes. It made it possible for me to work a full time day job and then go to school at night. |
| Academic Facilities | 3 | The computers always seemed to be broken and in need of repair. The library, on the other hand, was helpful in doing research for the several papers that I had to write. |
| Social Life | Since I was a night student I didn't attend any social events. I often was working or with family when these events took place. | |
| Placement Services | 1 | I still don't have a job after graduating. I have found that the career center at my school isn't very helpful with finding one. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | I just recently graduated so I don't have a real good idea of the network, but it appears to be adequate. I do find it nice that I get discounts to all school functions and facilities. |
Walden University • Online
Studying Bachelor Of Science (completion in: 2009)
• 1/9/2012
"I got my degree. I am now the first in my family to have gone to college."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | If you want a social life, you should go to a real college. It's okay for an online college. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 4 | I felt isolated since I wasn't at an actual campus. The material I learned wasn't anything that I couldn't have learned from wikipedia. |
| Instruction | 5 | I don't have a lot to compare it to but I did learn a little bit. I talked to some friends and they saw what I was learning and they thought it was better than the University of Phoenix. |
| Cost | 8 | I am very satisfied with the price I paid. I would probably not have been able to afford going to a large state university. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | It was very self directed and you could schedule your own time. I had to work night shifts while in school and I never had any issues with completing my degree. |
| Academic Facilities | We didn't have any buildings to go to. It was all online. | |
| Social Life | 1 | I never met anyone else from my school. Obviously, there were never any social gatherings or anything like that. |
| Placement Services | 2 | There isn't anyone to talk to and discuss your problems with. There is not a physical place to meet either, and the online options were very limited. |
| Alumni Network | 1 | At no point have a met a fellow graduate. There are no good resources for meeting other people who also attended Walden University. |
Walden University • Online
Studying MS - Psychology Of Culture
• 1/9/2012
"I was very hesitant to take classes online, but at the time this was my only option. I was blown away by how much I learned and how professional the program was."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I think this was a great program, and the flexibility made it very possible even with a busy schedule. I finished my degree really feeling like I had learned so much more about my area of interest. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 9 | I learned a lot more than I expected. I found the courses to be very challenging. I feel like I really accomplished something by taking those classes. |
| Instruction | 10 | Many instructors had very good backgrounds. They often had a lot of experience in the areas they were teaching. They graded very fairly and provided very interesting resources. |
| Cost | 8 | The cost was very competitive compared to other masters programs. They also made it possible to pay monthly fees for your tuition if grants or loans were not an option for you. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | The reading assignments and video lectures made it possible to prepare for discussions at any time during the week. The nature of the discussion forums meant if you needed you could turn in discussions early to manage your time. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | The library and online resources were amazing. I was incredibly impressed with the thousands of very recent research papers available to me. |
| Social Life | I was not involved socially. | |
| Placement Services | I have not yet taken advantage of this as I am currently employed. However, I plan to use their assistance to find a job more suited to my studies. | |
| Alumni Network | 8 | Walden provides a variety of alumni activities and help for those looking for a better career. I am very impressed at the resources I have available since I've finished. |
Walden University • Online
Studying Master Of Public Administration - Specialization In Nonprofit Management And Leadership (completion in: 2011)
• 1/16/2012
"I am happy with the knowledge I gained through my education at Walden due to the content of the classes and quality of the professors and coursework. However, I wish that there was more career support through the school; there should be support through internships, externships, or just networking events in cities around the country sponsored by the university."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | It depends on each person; this program is difficult and expensive in the long run and if it does not help one to get a job in the field, it may not be worth it. If someone had a job in this field already and wanted to simply increase his or her knowledge base to help with their career, then yes, I would recommend the school. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 8 | My knowledge base on the topic and major is much larger than it was when I started the program. The content in the classes and the professors helped me to graduate feeling confident in the field. |
| Instruction | 8 | There was not much career preparation in terms of networking or events of that sort due to it being an online program. However, the quality of content, classes, instruction, and professors was high. |
| Cost | 6 | I believe that it was a good price for the education I received. It was much cheaper than a normal MPA program, but you also give up some things, such as career placement and job support. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Due to the fact that it is online education, there was great flexibility. Assignments were due every Thursday and Sunday most of the time, but other than these dates, everything else was flexible. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The online database I used during my research and studies at Walden was extensive and resourceful. It had many different types of libraries to choose from and many different fields of study to research from. |
| Social Life | 1 | There was no attempt to connect the students through school spirit events in anyway. Only recently have they started selling t-shirts and other items with the school's name on it. Overall, the student body is very disconnected. |
| Placement Services | 1 | There was no career support or job placement support in this program. At no time do they offer help with job placement. |
| Alumni Network | 5 | There has not been much connection to the alumni network as of now. I have been invited to join, so I did, and since I have not heard anything from them, nor have I received any support. |
Walden University • Online
Studying Public Health - Community Health Education (Ph.D.) (completion in: 2009)
• 1/19/2012
"Though I wish the alumni outreach was stronger, I hope that it will continue to mature. The professors were extremely knowledgeable and are leaders in their fields. They were also very receptive and encouraging and could always be reached."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | The cost/benefit ratio is similar or better than traditional schools, and Walden has a better image compared to many other online universities. The staff is exceptional. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 9 | My professors were extremely competent in their fields. The course work was relevant to my field of study. |
| Instruction | 9 | The course work was relevant and up to date. I was required to complete a field study to acquire my degree and the study connected me with others in the field. |
| Cost | 7 | I think the cost was relatively inexpensive compared to the cost of traditional schools. The cost was equal to traditional universities and since I could do it online I did not have to pay for housing, transportation, or other costs associated with brick and mortar schools. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 9 | I could work on my class work at any time during the week. There were weekly assignments and quizzes that I could fit into my schedule. Classes were self-paced - you did not have to be online at any certain time. |
| Academic Facilities | 8 | There was an extensive online library and my academic adviser was always there to answer questions. There were also study groups, though I rarely participated due to lack of time. |
| Social Life | 2 | Being an online university precludes any parties or social events. However, the school does encourage students to participate in and reach out to potential students. They also hold a graduation ceremony each semester than can be viewed online for those not able to be present. |
| Placement Services | 5 | Though the school has just started a job board on their alumni site, it is not functioning correctly for me. Being an online university, they tend to focus more on jobs in larger cities, which is not where I want to be. |
| Alumni Network | 6 | The alumni association sends regular emails and has just updated their alumni site. However, the new job search function on their site is not working. |
Walden University • Online
Studying Master Of Science In Education - Reading And Literacy (completion in: 2006)
• 1/22/2012
"I thought the learning experience through Walden was fine. It wasn't the best school I've attended, but I did learn enough to become a reading specialist."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | maybe | It would depend on the field he or she was planning on entering. I think the program is fine for a masters degree, but I would not recommend the doctoral program. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 6 | The overall program was fine. I didn't really care for all of the videos we were required to watch. They seemed outdated. |
| Instruction | 7 | The instructors were fine, but not excellent. I did have a few instructors that really took the time to interact with students in the discussion setting. |
| Cost | 7 | Overall, I thought Walden was fairly affordable for an online school. I attended another online school previously and it was more expensive. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 7 | I took online courses. I only took one at a time, but the opportunity to double up or take a break was available. |
| Academic Facilities | 9 | The online library was excellent. My academic counselor was also very helpful. I was not in a regular classroom, so I can't comment on the actual ground facilities. |
| Social Life | 5 | Once again, as an online student, there wasn't an opportunity to attend on ground activities. However, I did have a strong learning team that I socialized with online. |
| Placement Services | 5 | I already had a job, so this wasn't an area of interest from me. I know the provision was there if needed. |
| Alumni Network | 8 | Walden frequently provides information for alumni. There is a quarterly magazine with lots of information about the school and ways for alumni to connect. |
Walden University • Online
Studying MS In Mental Health Counseling (completion in: 2012)
• 1/24/2012
"Walden is an amazing school. For an online education, it doesn't get any better than their academic model."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I recommend the school to anyone looking for a real education. I won't recommend it to anyone looking for simply a degree or title. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 10 | Walden is amazing. It is really directed at giving you the same high quality of education that you would get from a brick and mortar school, meaning it is far more challenging than other online programs, but you get more out of it as well. They really promote student initiated community projects and social advocacy as priorities and they require you to attend at least two residencies as well. |
| Instruction | 9 | Some of the courses have been very difficult to keep up with and the expectations are extraordinarily high, but the professors are really dedicated. It is a great program for anyone who is really willing to put in the work and those that aren't as focused on getting a degree. |
| Cost | 5 | It is one of the lowest priced online programs, but that said, it still costs more than many traditional settings. A brick and mortar program would have likely cost me less, but I needed the flexibility of an online program. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | Being an online program, the time you actually do your coursework and studying is extremely flexible. That said, the expectations are very high for success, so this program isn't for those looking for an easy way to get a pay raise. |
| Academic Facilities | 10 | There are videos in every class with real lectures and instruction. This, combined with the easy to use library, the great support, and being able to quickly reach the professors, has been very nice. |
| Social Life | 6 | The residencies are great for school spirit and the school is great at organizing community service events. The Walden student community has social activities as well. |
| Placement Services | I haven't graduated yet, so I haven't been able to experience these services. In 9 months I should be able to give a valid rating. |
Walden University • Online
Studying Educational Technology (completion in: 2007)
• 1/26/2012
"I was very satisfied. I was able to get my degree and do what I needed to do."
Ratings are on a 1-10 scale
| Characteristic | Rating | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Would Recommend? | yes | I would definitely recommend the school to people who need the online experience. |
| Satisfaction With Major | 10 | It was a tough but not overwhelming program. I enjoyed being able to stay at home and be with my kids while working. |
| Instruction | 10 | I thought the professors were fair, but tough. There was always a lot to learn. |
| Cost | 2 | Going to grad school is super expensive. I feel like it could have been cheaper. |
| Schedule Flexibility | 10 | I could work on assignments whenever I wanted. As long as I had assignments in on time, it was all good. |
| Academic Facilities | I did my program online. | |
| Social Life | I attended online. I do not know about social events. | |
| Placement Services | I am not familiar with it. I never had to use it. | |
| Alumni Network | I've never had to use the alumni support. |