WALDEN UNIVERSITY (Walden U)

Walden University, which is named for Henry Thoreau's "Walden Pond," was established nearly 40 years ago as an institution of distance learning for scholar-practitioners dedicated to making positive social change.  It has more than 50 online degree programs with 225 specializations and concentrations, offered with flexible scheduling and reasonable budgets to accommodate working professionals.  The university and its programs are timely and relevant, encouraging the cross-fertilization of ideas.

The mission of Walden University is to develop students into scholar-practitioners by challenging them to integrate scholarly research with professional expertise as skilled practitioners in the field.

History

In 1970, Walden University was founded by two teachers graduating from the New School for Social Research, with the goal of establishing an institute of higher learning that focused on the problems affecting society from a professional's perspective.  The founders also wished to create an opportunity for professionals to continue working while earning a college degree.

Initially, Walden University only offered a Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) degree for mid-career professionals. By 1977, Walden had a broader curriculum and offered doctoral degree programs for professionals in education, business and government who pursued degrees in related disciplines, such as health and human services. Walden received full regional accreditation status in 1990, and in 1992 the original founders turned over the ownership and administration of the university to Don Ackerman.  At this point in the university's history it emerged as an online institution that emphasized the model of the student as scholar-practitioner. 

By 1995, Walden University was offering its first Master's Degree - the Masters of Science in Educational Change and Technology Innovation.  Several more Web-based master's degree programs followed.  The ownership and administration of the university has changed several times over the years, and in each transition it has received additional accreditation, expanded its course offerings and degree programs.  Additionally, Walden University has established three online peer-reviewed journals with the goal of promoting research findings and encouraging dialogue between scholars and practitioners. 

Academics

Walden University offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degree programs that follow both the quarter-based academic calendar (Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer) and the semester-based calendar (Fall, Spring, Summer).

Walden's academic offices are in Minneapolis, while its administrative offices are in Baltimore.  These offices provide support services including student recruitment, admissions, outreach, finances and financial aid, program development, learning support, help desk, project management, human resources, web and software applications/support and information technology development and support.

Academic services for students include a digital library, career services center with online tools, Virtual Field Experiences^TM, and MobileLearn^TM, allowing students to download course content for use on mobile devices. Additionally, Walden University provides students with academic advisors and a full range of services for academic support and guidance.

Colleges / Schools

Walden University's degree programs are offered from the following colleges and schools within its academic structure:

Center for Undergraduate Studies

The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership

College of Health Sciences

• School of Health Sciences
• School of Nursing

College of Management and Technology

• NTU School of Engineering and Applied Science
• School of Management

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences

• School of Counseling and Social Service
• School of Psychology
• School of Public Policy and Administration

Student Life

Students receive a range of support services at Walden University that include academic advising, alumni relations, the centers for research support and student success, disability services, financial aid, an ombudsperson, registrar and a student support team.

All Walden students are expected to become familiar with the university's Code of Conduct, which is published in the Walden University Student Handbook.  The Code of Conduct outlines the university's expectations of students in four areas: non-discrimination, non-harassment, professional conduct and academic integrity.

For those students who show exceptional academic achievement and integrity, Walden University offers the opportunity to earn or apply for numerous awards, undergraduate academic recognitions and presentation honoraria.

Traditions

Walden University is dedicated to providing a diverse community of career professionals with the opportunity to become scholar-practitioners so they can effect positive social change. 

The university's goals are to:

• Provide multi-contextual educational opportunities for career learners.
• Provide innovative, learner-centered educational programs that recognize and incorporate the knowledge, skills, and abilities students bring into their academic programs.
• Provide its programs through diverse process learning approaches, all resulting in outcomes of quality and integrity.
• Provide an inquiry/action model of education that fosters research, discovery, and critical thinking and that results in professional excellence.
• Produce graduates who are scholarly, reflective practitioners and agents of positive social change.

Community Life

As an extension of its mission to develop scholar-practitioners, students and faculty members at Walden University form a collective and interactive learning community of people from diverse business sectors and industries, cultures and professional backgrounds.  All are encouraged to connect and collaborate online, during their studies and after graduation.