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Re: Walden University - My Conclusion
Posted by Joy on 6/17/08

    The clear fact is that Walden (and other on-line universities like it) have a very mixed reputation with
    extremes at both ends: some say it was an extremely challenging program while others say it is the lowest
    of an accredited school you can get. In my view, with all the competition for limited jobs as it is, I want to
    give myself the best help that I can. I want to get into the most well-respected university program that I
    can to help my career along.

    As one poster mentioned, s/he was able to use the Walden degree to move up a salary lane. If that's your
    goal and your district accepts the degree, then by all means get the on-line degree and keep on teaching.
    If, however, you think you may want to move into administration or higher education, I would consider a
    more highly respected program. I was part of a selection committee for our new Assistant Principal (2
    months ago). For better or for worse, we automatically tossed all resumes that contained higher education
    degrees from on-line schools. In eastern Massachusetts (where I am) there are so many teachers with
    degrees from Harvard, BC, UMass, etc. that there's no reason to bother with applicants from on-line
    schools unless their cover letter and experience warrants it (and believeyoume, the teachers from the
    brick and mortar schools had the experience too, so there was no question about who to call in for
    interviews).

    My final word is this: No matter how great or horrid Walden's degree programs, as long as prospective
    employers may look down on it, why give yourself that additional obstacle to overcome if you can avoid it?

    Take this as you will -
    Joy

    On 6/17/08, OP wrote:
    > To people on BOTH sides of the issue...
    >
    > You have all helped to make my point. Clearly there are those of you who feel
    > Walden is a quality school and you received a quality education. In fact,
    > when researching masters programs the practical courses Walden offered seemed
    > as if they were something I could use and apply right away and were what drew
    > me to the program (as well as the online convenience). However, because there
    > is that attitute 'out there' that some question the validity of the program -
    > from all walks of life, whether you agree with it or not, it DOES exist. Thus
    > my hesitancy with going through with the program.
    >
    > The REAL clincher was the fact that NO ONE could tell me that it was an
    > approved program with the DOE that would lead to professional licensure...not
    > even the DOE!
    >
    > So...for those of you resorting to using TOOTS and whatnot...how about you
    > agree to disagree. Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion. Let's remain
    > respectful of one another. (o:
    >
    >
    > On 6/17/08, Some Proof! LOL wrote:
    >> On 6/12/08, Kate Williams wrote:
    >>> I can see that some of you are very protective of your school, but that does
    >>> not necessarily mean that it is a good school. It is the lowest possible
    >>> option for your graduate degree that is still accredited. A simple search on
    >>> Google for diploma mills comes up with everything from the definition of
    >>> Walden University being a new style diploma mill on
    >>> http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Walden+University&page=2 to a
    >>> multitude of ex-students lamenting about how no one takes their degree
    >>> seriously. So it is hard to buck the seemingly overwhelming bad reviews
    >>> online without taking those into consideration.
    >>>
    >>> Just my two-cents.
    >>>
    >>> Kate Williams
    >>
    >>>Ummmmm... and urban dictionary is a really RELIABLE source when it sounds
    >> like it was written by a high school student, and a FEW disgruntled students
    >> ( so where are those MULTITUDES???) compared to the THOUSANDS who have made
    >> their degree work for them is a reflection of this school? Yeah right...try
    >> again Toots...next time find some CREDIBLE proof( i.e U.S News & World
    >> Report, Time, etc. these are credible resources!!! Still waiting!!!
    >>
    >>
    >>> On 1/20/08, MasterTeacher wrote:
    >>>> Once again...your OPINION! Surely someone who is going for their 2nd
    >>>> Master's has the intelligence to know fact from opinion! Just to say this
    >>>> and then I'm done with this topic because it's like beating a dead horse!
    >>>> I know what my degree has done for me and where it has taken me. It IS
    >>>> accepted by academia..(if it isn't show me PROOF where it SPECIFICALLY
    >>>> says Walden University is not accepted and then MAYBE you will have a leg
    >>>> to stand on...until then your OPINION is null and void!!)I don't have to
    >>>> justify or explain the rigors of what I went through in my program
    >>>> because it SHOWS in my classroom with my students when I teach!! That, my
    >>>> friend is where the real RESPECT comes in when you earn an advanced
    >>>> degree....NOT the name on the degree!! If your degree knowledge doesn't
    >>>> show in what you do it doesn't matter if it's from Harvard or a community
    >>>> college. Sooo... I'm happy with my degree as well as thousands of others
    >>>> whose accomplishments I have read about from Walden..and trust me I can
    >>>> go toe to toe with anyone from a "traditional" school ANY DAY if need
    >>>> be!! Good luck with your degree program! :)
    >>>>
    >>>>
    >>>> On 1/17/08, diploma mill wrote:
    >>>>> I'm not knocking online programs - I'm in one now for my 2nd master's!
    >>>>> I actually did plenty of research on the subject before committing to my
    >>>>> current program. There was a news story fairly recently (within the
    >>>>> past few years) about people who have gotten degrees from online schools
    >>>>> to further their career and/or salaries. Many of these advances in
    >>>>> careers/salaries were revoked when the employers found out how easy it
    >>>>> was to get the "degrees." If I can find the article, I'll post a link
    >>>>> to it.
    >>>>>
    >>>>> I wanted to caution the original poster because these online schools do
    >>>>> NOT have the same clout as a regular brick-and-mortar school. When I
    >>>>> worked outside academia, my companies would trash resumes that came with
    >>>>> degrees from schools like UoP, Walden, Regis, etc. They are not
    >>>>> respected by the general public. Good, bad, or indifferent, that's the
    >>>>> reality. You may have gone through a legitimate program, but most
    >>>>> people wouldn't understand the rigors of what you accomplished. I'm
    >>>>> just saying that if you are starting a new program from the beginning,
    >>>>> why not go to a school that will be more respected, recognized locally,
    >>>>> and automatically lead to certification in your state? There are local
    >>>>> schools with online programs! You'd save yourself headaches later.
    >>>>>
    >>>>> As for the "are you sure you didn't receive your undergrad degree from a
    >>>>> "diploma mill"??? Hmmmm...." comment, thank you so much for resorting to
    >>>>> 3rd grade name-calling tactics. Kudos to you!
    >>>>>
    >>>>>
    >>>>>
    >>>>>
    >>>>>
    >>>>> On 1/16/08, MasterTeacher wrote:
    >>>>>> I beg to differ about Walden being a diploma mill. First of all is
    >>>>>> it ACCREDITED by one of the national accreditation boards, and it is
    >>>>>> an acceptable degree when it comes to academia. You do have to check
    >>>>>> with your state about licensure though for particular programs. I
    >>>>>> recently completed my Master's in Reading/Literacy from Walden and it
    >>>>>> not only was accepted by my district but it also increased my salary!
    >>>>>> Sooo..that kind of deflates the "diploma mill' theory!
    >>>>>> The only bad part about it is, is that it does not lead to a reading
    >>>>>> endorsement. So if you are a practicing teacher looking for an
    >>>>>> endorsement, it may or may not lead to one in your state.
    >>>>>>
    >>>>>> People love to throw around that "diploma mill" phrase when it comes
    >>>>>> to online schools, when in actuality they are completely CLUELESS
    >>>>>> when it comes to the facts!! Do your research(and use your
    >>>>>> intelligence) along with stating confirmed FACTS and not OPINIONS
    >>>>>> when you make a comment! That is what "REAL" teachers do....are you
    >>>>>> sure you didn't receive your undergrad degree from a "diploma
    >>>>>> mill"??? Hmmmm....

     
     

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