"My educational experience with Walden University was exceptional. I often share my experiences with other people who are matriculating with other institutions. One in particular is that my Chair worked through her personal medical issues to help ensure I completed my degree (PhD). I have shared my positive experiences on my Podcast: “ The Book of Dad Radio Show”. I am truly appreciative of Walden for helping mold me into the Professional I am today."

William Henry Riter, Jr.

Reviewed: 5/11/2022
Degree: Public Policy
Graduation Year: 2019

"At times classes and residencies seemed to be overwhelming, but I kept reminding myself that I was not going to be one of those students who gave up on their education because it got to difficult. I am proud that I attended Walden University and tell everyone how much I believe in social change for our communities that we live in. Even though I retired, I went back to work part-time and I am still involved in many other things that help our kids to grow up to be outstanding citizens."

Dr. O

Reviewed: 5/11/2022
Degree: Public Policy
Graduation Year: 2021

"Walden was a sound decision. I would never be able to obtain my Doctorate if Walden did not provide the access, particularly seeking it in Nonprofit Management. There were times that I felt they could be clearer about their resources but overall, I can it complain. I recommend Walden University. They have helped many African Americans with access to graduate education."

Kazeem

Reviewed: 8/20/2021
Degree: Public Policy
Graduation Year: 2021

"I will recommend Walden University to everyone who want to combine a balanced work, education and family life style. With the flexibility of course schedule and unmatched Walden University support, Walden University has been able to achieve this milestone by providing students with all the support to they need so that they can complete the degree successfully."

Evelyn Mangin

Reviewed: 8/5/2021
Degree: Public Policy
Graduation Year: 2021

"I began my Ph.D. journey at Walden University (Walden) in 2017 and was unsure about attending an online school and the quality of education. Walden provided continuous technical and excellent pedagogy support. I became quickly acclimated to the online environment. The resources at Walden are endless and include me using the library, the writing center, the research center, methodology appointments, the availability to chat online, speaking directly on the phone with librarians, writing coaches, and professors in my field of study, and in a timely manner. The course work and dissertation were challenging but prepared me for my profession and taught me how to research, critically think, write, and apply my knowledge. My dissertation chair and committee members were there with me every step of the way. I am excited that I can now share my academic experience with co-workers and the public. I highly recommend Walden and the numerous degree programs at this academy."

Monique C

Reviewed: 10/19/2020
Degree: Public Policy
Graduation Year: 2021

"My experience has been good overall. I started my PhD in Public Policy and Administration in 2011/12 and stopped near the end of my coursework due to personal life matters. After about a 4 year break, I was able to re-enroll fairly easily - only to find that the format and course requirements for my program had changed significantly. My student admissions and success advisors worked to get me back in my original program requirements and now I'm at the dissertation phase. Online school is self-directed and very much requires the student to be self-motivated. It's good for those who need flexible hours to do school work. I am an adjunct professor (face to face and online) at a different institution and online programs are generally the same across the board. I'll follow up after I complete my dissertation process. Best wishes to you all. (Oh, I received a $4,000 grant when I re-enrolled. Nice touch Walden)"

Uses

Reviewed: 9/15/2020
Degree: Public Policy
Graduation Year: 2023

"I have finished all coursework and I am at the stage to start writing my dissertation. Last March, my father died leaving me, the only sibling, all of the duties of burial, financial reorganization, and decisions of operating an additional household. When he was sick I continued to take classes when he was receiving home care. When he died the stresses caused me to request dropping a 9000 series class (dissertation creation), 14 days into the class. Walden said that I would be liable for 40% of the $3200 tuition. They continued to stall for the next three to four weeks as we played a bogus game of email tag. At last, they requested 100% and said that I should have acted sooner. I wrote to the school, including the president. No answer. I was referred to an obviously subcontracted collection agency that could not care less. I have refused to pay $3200 for a class that consisted of no assignments, just direction. Considering the grief of a for-profit institution, I have not been a student since 2019. My budget is already far exceeded. Unfortunately, research tells me that this is how the institution operates. I am far from alone. This school simply kicked me to the curb."

William W. Lovering

Reviewed: 10/23/2017
Degree: Public Policy
Graduation Year: 2018

"Walden University has been dynamic in their application of positive social change, connections to motivated program cohorts and professors; while being nothing short of amazing in exchanges with staff / faculty associated with the University. I am a small town individual who was not expected to attain a college education. Through amazing mentors in military (and at home), I am closing on a PhD; unheard of in the enlisted ranks of those serving in the military. Walden has pushed me to become a true scholar; more importantly, Walden University has challenged me to apply my research to improving conditions in my community and region. I highly recommend Walden University to individuals who are looking to bring positive social change to their career fields and communities."

Mike Pouraryan

Reviewed: 3/27/2017
Degree: Public Policy
Graduation Year: 2019

"For working professionals, Walden represents the perfect partner in pursuing a post graduate degree. Their commitment to social transformation is at the heart of their ability to have a worldwide community of scholar & learners backed by a world class faculty with practical expertise that is able to transcend the academic for the practical. This is just one of the many reasons I decided to join the Walden Academic Community that lives and breathes social change and works to be agents of change on a constant and consistent basis."

lkf5480

Reviewed: 1/23/2017
Degree: Public Policy
Graduation Year: 2013

"My employer, a large federal agency, covered my expenses to study at Walden. I had initially thought that an online degree program would be easier than the brick and mortar university programs that I was used to. I was completely wrong. The online degree program at Walden was more demanding, and most of my professors were practitioners in the fields that they taught. There was very little hand-holding by the professor or even other classmates that you would normally find in a brick and mortar university because you have to be very self-motivated to succeed in an online program. You will not get face-to-face interactions with the professor and other students who may provide a student with repeated reminders to complete his/her work and listen to his/her whining. To succeed at Walden, one must be self-motivated to complete the class work and work hard. If a student lacks self-motivation and maturity, an online degree program at Walden or even at another online university would not be right for him/her. I had learned a lot at Walden and would not hesitate to re-enroll in it again if I want to study for another degree program."

Steve McCullar

Reviewed: 12/30/2016
Degree: Public Policy
Graduation Year: 2017

"The Walden University School of Public Policy and Administrations development of scholar practitioners is evident in its commitment to theory-based knowledge and research. Recorded as the first fully online public administration school in the US, the school provides a working professional an opportunity to obtain a terminal degree while maintaining a career domestic or international. One of Walden's greatest successes is found in their international residencies, which affords students from around the world opportunities to work with fellow students. As a student with an international focus, I found this to be a five-star experience, as the countries and accommodations are always top-notch with Walden. Outside of the travel experience, the workshops are highly beneficial and recommended. It is often that you see students at workshops even after they have completed their required number of residencies. The workshops focus on individual stages of research and are categorized by years in the program. It is very easy to develop lifelong friendships thanks to the residencies. Courses students will be required to take include: Leadership and Organizational Change, Ethics and Social Justice, Governance and Public Policy, Research Theory, Finance and Budget, Strategic Planning, and a series of courses related to the qualitative and quantitative research. My favorite, PPPA 8465 Strategic Planning, provided a strong foundation and strategic planning for business. The instructor was well-versed in the subject matter, and required assignments that included field experience. The textbook is easy to follow, provides templates, and is an essential tool for professionals. My least favorite course was RSCH 8200 Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis, where I felt the instructor cared less about her students and at times provided unfair grading with little explanation. It is this type of experience that made me leery of an online education, with all of my previous education came from physically attending universities. Walden lacks in providing their students with doctoral funding in terms of opportunities or assistance. After applying for a Fulbright scholarship, I was told that Walden did not have a Fulbright advisor, which made be ineligible. Student Financial Services offer little support outside of loan options and a handful of scholarships. Unless a student has established external funding before starting a Ph.D. at Walden University, I will caution them. Like myself, most working professionals in the Walden because of the freedom to pursue their career while obtaining an education. As a veteran, there is also not much support outside of the G.I. Bill. Job placement has also been a major concern, as Walden University has been very little to assist with locating employment for their students. When contacting Career Services, I was offered assistance with my resume/CV and provided advice, but nothing further. There were no direct contacts made with alumni, but the advice to go on to LinkedIn and find alumni myself. There have been no career fairs offered to my knowledge to connect students with employers. While my review is based on my experience, my hope is that others have better experiences. I will not say that Walden University is a bad school; however, if I had a choice to do it all over again, I would go somewhere else. Unfortunately, I'm too far in the process to begin again."

Samuel Isaiah

Reviewed: 11/1/2016
Degree: Public Policy
Graduation Year: 2014

"The program was very comprehensive, rigorous, and very demanding. The faculty members, with academic and professional credentials of the highest caliber, are very well qualified with extensive knowledge in a wide range of disciplines. The required residency program, held throughout the country and abroad, allows face-to-face communications with many outstanding faculty members providing advice and counsel related to studies for achieving academic success, as well as fellow students across the globe. The coursework requires frequent communications with the instructor, always available for me by email or scheduling by telephone, as well as requiring discussion, along with feedback, between fellow students. The university library is very extensive, providing access to many publications and peer-reviewed journal articles in numerous fields. The university administrative staff were very helpful, both effective and efficient, responding in a timely manner to all questions and concerns. Prospective students may find this university as fully qualified in meeting their academic needs, particularly in public policy and administration, from my perspective. The program is challenging, and I have found it fulfilling. In depth discussions with my enrollment and later academic advisors were very important in my decision to enter the university program, pursuing and completing the coursework toward final completion. Finally, my dissertation committee and Chairman were instrumental in providing me guidance and direction in the completion of my dissertation, all resulting in my being conferred the doctorate of philosophy. I wish all students the best in pursuing advanced education whether at Walden University or other institution of their choice."

Walden U. PhD Candidate

Reviewed: 9/3/2016
Degree: Public Policy
Graduation Year: 2017

"Three reasons why I selected Walden University's PhD Public Policy program: 1) All faculty members have a PhD from other top tier universities. 2) Walden's PhD program is flexible & cost-effective. 3) A rigorous program that is 75% online / 25% traditional (four residencies)."

Frank Gallagher

Reviewed: 7/31/2015
Degree: Public Policy
Graduation Year: 2015

"I had a different experience than others who have posted. Getting started with the classes and financial aid was no problem. I finished all my course work and then I hit my dissertation. This was a complete joke. I had no support and didn't understand the process that they kept changing. There was no help in locating committee members and no one to explain the process. The classes before my dissertation were no help in preparing for this god awful process."

Catherine

Reviewed: 7/14/2015
Degree: Public Policy
Graduation Year: 2016

"Walden University has been great. I graduated Summa cum Laude from a major brick and mortar university and have 2 Masters degrees. At Walden, I have encountered wonderful, knowledgeable and caring professors, a professional and personable support staff, and excellent coursework. An online doctoral degree requires hard work and self direction--there is no-one there to hold your hand and nurse you through it. I often had to work 20-30 hours a week on my lit review, and plow through hundreds of scholarly articles--on my own. The professors expect you to be an adult because this is a program developed for professionals and individuals who can handle the pressure and work load. On the other hand, they are always there to encourage, support and instruct, so you're never alone. I am almost done, and am excited to have that degree in hand--knowing it was with the friendly, caring, and intelligent support I received at Walden University."

Bonnie Richards

Reviewed: 5/26/2015
Degree: Public Policy
Graduation Year: 2018

"The programs offered at Walden University online work well for students that can not attend a normal on campus program. The staff is generally very knowledgeable and respond to emails in a timely manner. In some cases the work load of classes is extensive, but they are typically research type classes. The discussion aspects of most classes is repetitive and can be time consuming with little additional information related to class progress. Overall Walden has provided me with an opportunity to obtain my Doctorate degree without having to sacrifice my current living arrangements. Walden is a great educational facility and should be considered when choosing an online university."

David Thomas

Reviewed: 9/30/2014
Degree: Public Policy
Graduation Year: 2016

"The Public Policy and Administration specializing in Nonprofit Management and Leadership PhD program has been challenging and life changing. The professors and academic advisors are dedicated to student success. The writing center, library, residencies and career services are top-notch, offer support and quality services. The emphasis on positive social change makes this university stand above others and its ranking and rating is superb,"

Christie Ross

Reviewed: 3/4/2014
Degree: Public Policy
Graduation Year: 2015

"The flexibility of the online program, the diversity of the students and the specializations within the public policy Phd program serve as strengths. However, the cost and isolation of the online learning environment can sometimes be a limitation."

Marsha Wilson Rappaport

Reviewed: 5/28/2013
Degree: Public Policy
Graduation Year: 2015

"I am a new PhD student in Public Policy Administration. I restarted my education after many years when I realized I could get my M.A. online after I barely survived Hurricane Ike. I made A's and I made the decision to go forward and get a PhD. I currently serve as a State Commissioner on the Texas Commission on the Arts in Texas. Public Service is serious work and your decisions affect the lives of a lot of people. I feel this degree will help me to make good decisions. I am proud to be a Walden Student and look forward to the future."