Walden University

Motto:	A higher degree. A higher purpose.
Established:	1971
Type:	Private, for-profit
President:	Jonathan A. Kaplan, J.D., President
Faculty:	Visit Website
Undergraduates:	1,440
Postgraduates:	25,082
Location:	Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Campus:	Online
Degrees:	23 degree programs
Mascot:	None
Website:	www.waldenu.edu

Walden University's headquarters in the Mills District of Minneapolis.

This article is about the for-profit university. For other uses, see Walden (disambiguation).

Walden University is a private, for-profit, specialized distance learning institution of higher education. 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, Ed.S. (Education Specialist), Ed.D. (Doctor of Education), D.B.A. (Doctor of Business Administration), and Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) degrees in a number of academic fields.

Walden is a part of a network of campus and online-based for-profit universities owned by Laureate Education Inc.

History

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, Florida.

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.

Colleges and Schools

Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership

College of Social and Behavioral Sciences (which encompasses):

- School of Public Policy and Administration

- School of Psychology

- School of Social Service

College of Management and Technology (which encompasses):

- School of Management

- NTU College of Engineering and Applied Science

College of Health Sciences

- School of Health Sciences

- School of Nursing

Accreditation

Walden University has been accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, a regional accreditation agency, since 1990.

Publications

• International Journal of Applied Management and Technology
• Journal of Social Change
• Journal of Social, Behavorial and Health Sciences

Reputation

Fast Company, in its 1999 review of five entirely online schools, gave its only A grade to Walden stating that they were "hard-pressed to give Walden any demerits".

Although they have not performed a comprehensive review of the university, U.S. News and World Report has been complimentary to Walden University. In 2001 they referred to Walden as "well regarded" and in 2000, a "respected virtual institution