Walden University

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Walden University


Motto	A higher degree. A higher purpose.
Established	1971
Type	Private, for-profit
President	Paula E. Peinovich
Faculty	Unknown
Undergraduates	1,229
Postgraduates	20,939
Location	Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Campus	Online
Degrees	23 degree programs
Mascot	None
Website	www.waldenu.edu

Walden University is a private, for-profit, specialized distance learning institution of higher learning. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Walden University embraces a post-baccalaureate educational system. This university offers Bachelor of Science, Master of Science, Master of Business Administration, and Doctorate Ph.D. degrees in certain academic fields.

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

1 History
2 Accreditation
3 Publication
4 External links

[edit] 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.

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.