Walden University

Accreditation

Since 1990, Walden University has been regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Some of Walden's degree programs are individually accredited. The University's M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs. Its Master of Science in Nursing is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

However, some of Walden's degree programs are notably not yet accredited. The programs in Walden's School of Health Sciences are not accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health. Similarly, the University's Clinical and Counseling Psychology Ph.Ds are not accredited by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards/National Register or the American Psychological Association.

Academics

Walden University offers Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Master of Business Administration, Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Health, Education Specialist (Ed.S.), Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Doctor of Business Administration (D.B.A.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in a myriad of academic fields. The University has five main colleges:

• Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership
• College of Management and Technology
• College of Health Sciences
• College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
• Center for Undergraduate Studies

Some of the most popular degree programs at Walden University are:

• Master of Science in Education
• Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
• Master of Science in Nursing
• Master of Science in Psychology
• Master of Business Administration

Admission

Students applying to Walden University must be adult students at least 24 years of age or older. They must hold a high school diploma, GED, or the equivalent. All of Walden's bachelor programs are continuation degrees. Thus, students are required to transfer at least one year of college-level work from another school reflecting a GPA above 2.0. Undergraduate students must also submit a goal statement.

Those applying for a masters-level degree must submit proof of a related bachelor degree with a GPA of 2.5 or higher. They must also provide contact information for two references and a goal statement.

Students applying for admission into doctoral programs at Walden must submit proof of a related master degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, proof of related experience, contact information for two references, and a goal statement.

Students must apply online. Additional information is available on the school's website.

Five Features that Make Walden Stand Apart

1. Resources. The university promotes its students success by making a variety of resources available such as Student Support Team, Online Librarians, Tutoring and Writing Help, Academic Advisors, Research Center and Career Services Center.
2. Flexible Start Dates. Since the university is fully online and courses are not structured in the traditional classroom based model, there are many start dates offered to students throughout the year.
3. Convenience Based Education. Walden caters its programs to meet the needs of busy adult students. Online courses are offered in 12-week and 16-week quarters with a week off between quarters. When face-to-face residencies are required by doctoral and masters degree programs, they are arranged at times and locations convenient to the student. This helps students further their education while being able to effectively balance work and family commitments.
4. Innovative Learning. Walden's MobileLearn-enabled courses allow you to learn online, offline, or on the go. Each of Walden's programs was developed with the adult learner in mind, in an effort to advance their knowledge and experience of the profession. Their curriculum is designed collaboratively using a unique process that draws upon the expertise of faculty who are practitioners from the field, and instructional designers who understand what works in the online classroom.
5. DATA. Walden University has a unique accountability and self-evaluation initiative called Demonstrating Accountability, Transparency, and Assessment (DATA). Through this program, the University demonstrates its dedication to creating and sustaining a "culture of evidence" in which data on student learning and the experiences that support student learning are continuously collected, analyzed, and shared within the university and with the public at large. Walden recognizes that such sharing of information will only lead to a betterment of the education provided by the online school.

DISCLOSURE: Find information on costs, occupation types, completion rates, and median loan debt for these programs at Walden Disclosures