Walden University
| File:Walden u.jpg | |
| Motto | A higher degree. A higher purpose. |
|---|---|
| Type | Private, for-profit |
| Established | 1971 |
| President | Jonathan A. Kaplan, J.D., Interim President |
Academic staff | Unknown |
| Undergraduates | 1,440 |
| Postgraduates | 25,082 |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | Online |
| Degrees | 23 degree programs |
| Mascot | None |
| Website | www.waldenu.edu |
- This article is about the for-profit university. For other uses of the name, see Walden (disambiguation).
Walden University is a private, for-profit, specialized distance learning institution of higher learning. Headquartered in the Mills District in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Walden University embraces a post-baccalaureate educational system. This university offers Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Master of Business Administration, Master of Public Administration, Master of Public Health, and Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) and Ed.D. (Doctor of Education) degrees in certain academic fields.
Walden is a part of a network of campus and online-based for-profit universities owned by Laureate Education Inc.[1], and has been accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since 1990. [2]
History
For a full timeline of the University's history, click here for Walden University's website
Walden was established in 1970 by two New York teachers, Bernie and Rita Turner, who created a program for working adults to pursue doctoral degrees. In the summer of 1971, the first classes took place at a hotel in Naples, Florida, focusing primarily on school administrators. These initial classes were to allow the students to form dissertation topics with their faculty partners before returning home to work at their respective schools while also working on their dissertations. In 1972, Walden conferred its first degrees: 46 Ph.D.s and 24 Ed.D.s at its first commencement in Naples. Among the first doctorate recipients in education was Carolyn Pollan of Fort Smith, both the longest serving woman and the longest serving Republican member of the Arkansas House of Representatives in history.
In 1979, the Minnesota Higher Education Coordinating Board licensed Walden to grant Ph.D.s and Ed.D.s in the state and in 1982 the school moved its headquarters to Minneapolis. In 1990, the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools accredited the University. In 1995, the school expanded its offering with the nation's first fully online master's program in education, offering a Master's in Educational Change and Technology Innovation.
Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. purchased 41 percent of Walden University in 2001, gaining a controlling interest in 2002. In 2004, Sylvan Learning Systems became Laureate Education, Inc.
Accreditation
Walden University has been accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools since 1990.[3]
Walden's PhD program in Psychology is not accredited by the American Psychological Association. [4][5]
Publication
Reputation
Fast Company, in its 1999 review of five online schools gave its only A grade to Walden, ranking it ahead of Baker College Online, the City University, the Open University of the U.K. and the University of Phoenix. In their review, they stated: "Fast Company is hard-pressed to give Walden any demerits".[1]
Although they have not performed a comprehensive review of the university, U.S. News and World Report has been complementary to Walden. In 2000 and 2001 they referred to Walden University as "well regarded" [2] and a "respected virtual institution"[3]
In a 2007 Financial Times listing of the top 32 online and distance learning Master of Business Administration, Walden placed tenth. The rankings were based on number of enrolled students.[4]
References
- ^ Do These Online Schools Make the Grade? A point-by-point look at five institutions that offer programs entirely on the Web. Issue 24, April 1999, Page 264, Heath Row, Illustrations by Jonathan Carlson
- ^ U.S. News & Reports, Money & Business - So where's the beef? There's high quality online, but it takes real work to find it, Rachel Hartigan Shea and Ulrich Boser, October 7, 2001
- ^ U.S. News & Reports, Money & Business - Best Graduate Schools - More people are getting degrees without stepping onto a university campus., Carolyn Kleiner, April 2, 2000.
- ^ Financial Times listing of top online and distance learning MBA programs.