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Re: Walden University - My Conclusion
Posted by Ms. T on 6/17/08

    On 6/17/08, Joy wrote:
    > 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:
    >>
    Hello!

    I just stumbled across this website and also had to add my perspective. I obtained
    my Master's from Walden and I teach in Illinois, which did accept the classes and
    the degree for my certificate renewal, however each state is different and I would
    implore anyone who is seeking a degree to do your research. From my understanding
    if you seek a degree outside your home state, then it doesn't automatically lead to
    licensure anyway.

    However, I am not seeking an administrative position (and I do agree that if that
    is what you want to do it is better to go to a more reputable school). I am however
    seeking an endorsement in reading which the degree does not completely cover. I
    will have to take additional classes (2 to be exact)in order to seek an
    endorsement. I did not realize this at the time, and I do blame myself for not
    researching further to see what acquiring the endorsement exactly entails. So that
    is the only downside to it, but I must say I did learn a lot from Walden. It is
    not "canned" classes and I was able to use the majority of what I learned in my
    classes with my students, and they learned!

    I do take offense to those whose opinions of having had one bad experience at
    Walden seems to negate everyone who had a good experience there, or those who have
    no experience with Walden period, trying to downgrade the school. We are adults,
    and I assume teachers as well. If this is the kind of attitude we take when someone
    chooses an alternative route, (at whatever school that seems best for them)to
    higher education, what kind of attitude do we have with our students when they make
    similar kinds of decisions? As someone said we are all entitled to our opinion, and
    this clearly is not a "one size fits all" school. I respect those who have attended
    Walden and gone on to do great things, and whether you want to believe it or not
    there are many from Walden who have done great things! As well as those who choose
    other educational routes, my final point is do what is best for you and don't
    disrepect or put down others who may not take the route "you" might think is best.
    I wish everyone long and happy teaching careers!
    >>
    >> 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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