The School of Social Change (New Update 02/2009)
Written: Jan 06 '07 (Updated Feb 03 '09)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: 35 year history, supports their students, education good, and wishes to make change.
Cons: Expensive and Live Chat is not very useful at least not anymore.
The Bottom Line: Walden U is a decent online school that may offer degree programs that is ideal for the prospective student.
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| amira717's Full Review: Walden University |
Updates are at the bottom of this review. For questions please feel free to contact me.
Summary:
Walden University established in the 1970's has been educating for over 35 years and has expanded their graduate program to touch and change the lives of people around the world. Walden U. is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. It is listed under the U.S. Department of Education Accrediation Database meaning it is a well-established and well known. It offers over 26 undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs and has over 9 schools. Walden's Corporate Administration is Laureate Online Education.
Schools:
-College of Education (Master's and PhD)
-College of Social and Behavioral Sciences includes human services, health services, public health, nursing, mental health counseling, and psychology (Masters and Phd)
-School of Management, includes business administration, applied management for (Bachelors, Masters, and PhD)
-School of Public Policy Administration (Master and PhD)
- NTU College of Engineering and Applied Science, includes computer science, electrical engineering, engineering management, (Masters, and Certificates)
-Nursing
Admissions:
Requires qualification to each program. Students will have to:
-Provide official transcripts from their prior school.
-A resume
-References both professional and academic
-Write a goal statement
-Fill out an application
If accepted it is usually a conditional admit. Meaning you have to meet certain requirements to be considered fully admitted.
Walden U. also offer non-degree programs one needs to show a high school diploma or GED and apply.
Walden U. accepts students on a rolling basis. Which means you can apply at anytime depending on the school you apply to. Some schools do have deadlines.
Financial Aid:
Walden U. offers financial aid through FASFA. This can be completed online and can take up to 5-8 weeks for approval. You may receive grant and student loan money.
Walden U. also has scholarship and fellowship programs. These programs are mainly for master-level or doctoral students. They also offer new scholarships for newly admits and also has a database to offer money to current students.
Cost:
Walden U like most schools cost money. Most students are eligible for financial aid but for those who decide they do not need financial aid may find Walden a bit costly. Depending on what school you are in will determine how much more or less you will pay. For more information please go here: http://www.waldenu.edu/c/Tuition/8331.htm This is the current tuition fees for all schools for 2006-2007.
It is recommended that all students apply for federal aid and student loans. And to register for free scholarship searches.
Student Life:
Walden U. is an on-line university however uses its residencies as a way to help students network, receive face-to-face academic and faculty advising. Residencies are often four to six days and located nationally and internationally (London, Spain, and Chile). At a residency students attend Milestone Seminars (seminars specifically for their program), advising, and can receive help with computer technology, writing, and library skills. The price range is between $800-1300 and is included with the cost of your financial aid. Discounts are given to students who stay on-site and many residencies include all or some meals.
When students are not attending residencies they still have access to Walden staff through e-mail, telephone, and LIVE chat. Turnaround is usually within minutes and sometimes take a day for e-mail. Staff are professional and helpful.
Walden U also have their own library, bookstore, and computer store. The bookstore and computer store offers students substantial discounts on products needed for their courses.
Most school programs have their own honor society and organizations/clubs in which students can join and become inducted members.
Courseroom:
Walden U uses ECollege for their classroom. Which is a very easy format. Students access their courseroom through there MyWalden Page, this gives the student access to the bookstore, libraries, transcripts, course registration, and financial aid. Once the student clicks on their course a new window opens and the student enters their courseroom. On the left is all the information the student needs to understand about the course itself and the requirements. The student can click on each tab and read anything they want about the course for example the syllabus, course requirements, weekly assignments, study assignments, and so forth.
Students are usually required to post assignments within 3-5 days for the given week. Courses are usually by quarter (12 weeks) or by semester. Students must also respond to 1 or 2 students within 3-4 days as well. Students are to write all assignments in the language format (APA, MLA) for their given program and reference their work properly for full credit. Some courses also have quizzes, midterms, and homework. Quizzes are usually accessible for 7 days but can only be entered into once. Students have about 1 hour to complete the test.
Course Instructors often make announcements and give students feedback on their written work. Instructors respond to e-mail within 24 hours and must do so within 48 hours. Students can see the their grades posted at the end of each week with comments and track their progress. Sometimes the instructor require students to submit homework assignments or a paper. They will also post articles and important information needed for a student.
Technical support is always available to all students should problems arise within the courseroom or in correspondence through e-mail.
Students may also e-mail their Instructor and fellow students by using the Course E-mail tool.
Classroom size range from about 15-20 students.
Students who attend residencies also have a Courseroom as well which gives important information about travel, rides, lodging, and allows student to ask questions from the given program.
University Services:
Academic Advising
Bookstore
Concierge Customer Service
Library
Research Center
Writing Center
International Students
Alumni
U.S. Military
Students with Disabilities
Walden Publications:
Walden Ponder- cover updates and news on Walden U.
Walden Magazine- is for Alumni or anyone who wishes to read news from Walden.
Each school may have their own organization and magazine.
Reflections and Suggestions:
I joined Walden and it took me a year to feel comfortable enough to write this review. My experience thus far has been positive. I feel like a real student and I prefer this environment because I am getting support. I also feel I have been given the motivation to continue towards my doctoral goals. I like the fact that this school has some history and has been around for awhile. I like that when you say Walden University- people know it and respect the name. Many students are real and many of them do go on to jobs and fields that they enjoy and love.
Like with any school you should do your homework. Ask a lot of questions, research, request information, and then ask more questions. Find the school that is best fitted for you- whether that may be a community college, online university, technical college, or traditional school. Walden may not be for you. It may. You decide for yourself.
Should you want more information you can always contact Walden U http://www.waldenu.edu. Should you wish to speak to me about anything I wrote here or my other reviews please contact me in the comment section or e-mail me. Please note, it may take up to 72 hours before I respond to your e-mail.
Updates
- (New) MS in Mental Health Counseling is CACREP accredited.
- (New) BS is Nursing is being offered as an evidence-base program
-(New) BS in Psychology offered
-(New) BS in Child Development, Post-Baccalaureate Prepartion Programs, new MS degree clinical research administration,
-Financial aid has improved in customer service and providing information.
-PSP has been changed to MyPage which is much better and allows the student to access much more information.
-Live Chat there is a extremely long wait
-The new tuition has been posted on the website. It has increase.
-WaldenU is offering Live conferences and workshops online. And now you can also attend information sessions about the school. Hmm.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
amira717
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Location: The World Above
Reviews written: 23
Trusted by: 2 members
About Me:
Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates visions for tomorrow.
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