Walden U. Questions

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by GUNSMOKE, Feb 6, 2009.

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  1. GUNSMOKE

    GUNSMOKE New Member

    I'm considering pursuing a Masters Degree in Public Administration/

    <LI minmax_bound="true">Interdisciplinary Policy Studies <LI minmax_bound="true">Law and Public Policy<LI minmax_bound="true">Policy Analysis
    I would like to hear any comments general about Walden or the particular programs from your experiences with them.

    Did you find them responsive to your needs in attaining your goals? (Are they user friendly?)

    Did you find them to offer a good value?

    Any comments about competing programs?

    I don't know anything about Walden and because i am serious about making a major investment in time as well as financially, I'd like to hear anything any of you may have to offer in your personal experiences with them.

    Thank you very much in advance for sharing your knowledge and experience, all input will be greatly appreciated!
     
  2. mattbrent

    mattbrent Well-Known Member

    I'm a Walden alum, but I did their MS in Education program. I loved it. All of my professors were "real world" people who had tons of experience to share in the classes. The students in my classes were also quality, which I found to be a bonus because we could actually have a decent set of discussions. I'm not sure how the other programs relate to their education programs, but if they're anything similar, I would jump on it in a heart beat.

    I would love to do their new EdS program, but the money invested in it wouldn't be returned as a teacher. Bummer.

    -Matt
     
  3. twentyseven

    twentyseven Member

    I'm glad you mentioned this. I've looked at Walden in the past and I seem to get a very mixed opinion about their degrees. Some people seem to absolutely love them and others not so much. It could be the programs themselves, however. Maybe the education program is better than the others. Who knows.

     
  4. mattbrent

    mattbrent Well-Known Member

    I started out in UoP's education program. I hated it with a passion. They required so much group work, which was difficult when you're always placed in groups of idiots. I didn't understand how people could get into a graduate program without being able to write properly, but apparently some schools allow that. I was so tired of bickering with my classmates class after class, I simply took the courses I needed to get a basic license and then jumped ship. I didn't have much to say for UoP's education faculty either. The sad part is that now my wife is a UoP instructor, and having seen what she has had to go through to "train" for UoP, and continue with them, it amazes me that apparently I got all the lame ducks for instructors.

    After UoP, I tried a Instructional Technology MAED from Virginia Tech. Most of my instructors for those courses were recent PhD grads from the department. Not a big deal there, as they were knowledgeable. I don't think any of them were "in the field" so to speak, though. I ended up dropping that program because I realized it wasn't the field I wanted to specialize in. It wasn't going to help me improve in the classroom. I did like the courses though.

    After Tech I decided to try out Walden. I really liked their format. The tuition includes textbooks, readings and DVDs, which I found extremely helpful. Although I wasn't physically in class, the DVD's gave me insight into the minds of big name education people, like Robert Marzano and Lee Canter. (I believe Walden's programs may have started from Canter's ideas.) The 3 credit 8 week format was great, as opposed to UoP's 1 credit here, 2 credits there, length depends on credits format. (Now I have 1 and 2 credit classes that are basically worthless.) I ended up doubling up at Walden and taking 2 classes at once to get the degree done faster. It was intense, but I really wanted to finish before my daughter was born. Juggling classes now with her crawling around is a bit more difficult.

    Bottom line: I really enjoyed Walden and would recommend it to anyone. Heck, if I could get a doctorate and teach there, I'd totally do that too. The school's great!

    -Matt
     

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