Walden University
OVERVIEW
Walden University is a private higher education institution in the United States. As a university owned by Laureate Education Inc., it has an enrollment of more than 47,400 students now, with relationships with a range of well-known organizations including UNICEF, YMCA of the USA, and Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
The university was founded in 1970 by two New York teachers, and was partly purchased by Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc., in 2001, which became Laureate Education, Inc. in 2004. It is situated in the Mills District in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and has a high reputation with the online education programs it offers.
Walden University offers degrees in terminal-associate, bachelor’s, post-bachelor’s certificate, masters, post-master’s certificate, doctorate programs. With about 47,456 students now, Walden has a freshman retention rate of about 80 percent.
The mission of Walden University is:
Walden University provides a diverse community of career professionals with the opportunity to transform themselves as scholar-practitioners so that they can effect positive social change.
ACCREDITATION
Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and the North Central Association, which is one of the six regional accrediting associations recognized by the U.S. Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
ACADEMICS
Walden University comprises five colleges:
- Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership
- College of Management and Technology
- College of Health Sciences
- College of Social and Behavioral Sciences
- College of Undergraduate Studies
The most popular majors and course of study for students are as follows:
- Business Administration and Management
- Psychology
- Human Resources Management/Personal Administration
- Management Information Systems
- Finance
According to Webometrics, Walden University ranks 2882 among more than 20,300 post-secondary institutions around the world, besides, its Master of Business Administration program is ranked in the list of distance MBA degree programs offered by 48 top business schools.
The university is one of the leading distance learning providers in the States. Adult students, who cannot attend classes in person are provided the best convenience in the distance programs, with Bachelor, Master and Doctorate degrees offered. The materials provided include online, electronic, and print formats, which makes it possible for the students to learn whenever it is convenient with them.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
To be considered for admission to most Walden colleges and schools, you need to provide a complete online application, official transcripts from high school, employment history if you have working background before, applicable test scores, and the list of transfer credits, together with the nonrefundable application fee.
COSTS AND FINANCIAL AID
The tuition and fees vary by degree, as the programs provided are designed to specific, various needs of professionals. On average, the tuitions and fees for the 2011-2012 academic year is USD 12,810.
A variety of financial aids are available at Walden. About two thirds of the full-time students receive certain kind of financial aids, which vary in types including Federal Pell Grants, TEACH Grants, State Grants, Federal Direct Loans, Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans, Private Loans, etc.
