walden University

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by wfisher698, Dec 29, 2003.

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  1. wfisher698

    wfisher698 New Member

    I have researched and read through the threads about Walden. Walden is regionally accredited. Now what I need to know is what is its reputation? Is there anyone out there who is enrolled in Walden or knows anyone who is? I want some feedback on the quality of the classes.
    I was also looking at Northcentral University and after reading threads about NCU dec ided that although accredited it was not a very rigourous program for a doctoral program.
    So if anyone knows anything about Walden, I would appreciated the info.
     
  2. Jack Tracey

    Jack Tracey New Member

    Walden has been around longer than NCU and so has graduated more people and so is more well known and, in this case, it means that it probably has a better reputation (which, in this case means more people have even heard of it) Beyond that, my own personal sense of Walden is that it is a bit "crunchy granola" by which I mean they cultivate a more relaxed, accepting, open-minded work environment. This is my own perception and may not accurately the reality of the schools' identity among those who are more informed.
    Jack
     
  3. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    As with any distance learning program, examine the learning methodology carefully. I've had colleagues report that Walden's approach was different and sometimes difficult. (They were and remained students, though.)
     
  4. wfisher698

    wfisher698 New Member

    Did they say how it was different? I have talked with Walden and got an overview of how the program works, but was told I could not get a sample of a course sylabus.
    Would they enroll in Walden if they had to do it over?
     
  5. drwetsch

    drwetsch New Member

    Of a few Walden graduates I know they were very pleased with the rigor and the flexibility of the program. I had also considered the Walden program at one time but chose Nova because the degree program was specifically in my area of study. Walden would have been more of a side-door approach.

    John
     
  6. wfisher698

    wfisher698 New Member

    Thanks for the feedback.
     
  7. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    KPA's instead of courses, for one. There's a lot more placed on the individual student in terms of design and execution. Again, please do careful research into each school's methodology before deciding.
     
  8. -kevin-

    -kevin- Resident Redneck

    do a search in the forum for "teaching at a distance". Leslie responded and stated she was a faculty member at Walden. Perhaps she can lend some insight.
     
  9. oko

    oko New Member

    I have met great Walden graduates in high places within and outside the government. There is Walden alum at Johns Hopkins University as a faculty, National Defense University faculty, NIH and so on that I have met. They are great people and well regarded in their field. I considered Walden very seriously but decided to go Touro after analyzing their courses and fees. Walden is twice as high and I feel the fees were not justified since I probably will get same benefits out of each of them. More importantly, I wanted a degree in Health Science which Walden does not offer and it is more in line my kind of work. I am an apostle of accreditation especially RA or its equivalent. When you earn an accredited college degree and you are good, the sky is the limit regardless of what people say. I have seen too many examples of success stories to validate this statement. I think you need to consider what is good for you and what you can afford and then make your choices. You can never go wrong with an RA degree be Walden, Excelsior, Harvard or any other school. Good luck.
     
  10. GENO

    GENO New Member

    I believe you mean KAM (knowledge area modules) comprising 14 credit hours - 7 KAM's are required for a Ph.D. in programs offered. Each KAM has 3 related courses with which the student writes 3 papers of 30 pages or more according to depth,breath and application of the theme of the KAM to an everyday situation.
     
  11. Anthony Pina

    Anthony Pina Active Member

    A colleague of mine teaches for Walden and has taken DL courses at other universities (including Nova). He is extremely impressed by the quality of the instructional materials (they have a very good team of instructional designers to develop their courses).

    Walden has maintained a partnership with Indiana University, which gives its students access to Indiana's impressive library resources. My colleague informs me that Walden has undergone very healthy enrollment growth and that the institution is very viable financially.

    There are a number of good choices for someone looking to earn a degree via DL. Walden is one of the better ones.

    Tony Piña
    Faculty, Cal State U. San Bernardino
     
  12. Rich Douglas

    Rich Douglas Well-Known Member

    Yep, "KAM." Sorry. "KPA" relates to the Capability Maturity Model, and is quite irrelevant here.
     
  13. tesch

    tesch New Member

    Although I'm not particularly fond of for-profit schools, Walden is indeed a legitimate school with solid and credible PhD program.

    One of Walden's main facilities is located across the street from my office in Bonita Springs, Florida. The school is real and they have invested substantially in development of their programs. They have also been around for approximately 30 years and held accreditation from NCA since 1990.

    I've also had employees and a good friend graduate from Walden's PhD program in decision science. My friend, Gene Landrum, received his PhD from Walden approximately 10 years ago. He is quite well recognized in business and literature. Prior to receiving his PhD, Gene had a very successful business career as the founder of Chuck-E-Cheese pizza and worked with Noland Bushnell and Steve Jobbs during their startups (Atari and Apple). He has also published 10 books related to his dissertation topic "entrepreneurial genius and leadership", and is currently a tenured professor at a local college.

    Accordingly, I would not be ashamed of a degree from Walden, and I believe their degrees are generally well accepted in both business and academia.

    Tom
     

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