Psychology

Each class is 6 weeks.  Actually 2 six week courses are one semester.  I am trying to figure exactly time and cost at Walden.  From everything I have read, when it comes to your Thesis, that is when you spend more time at Walden than anticipated.  

When do you have to take the statistics class?  I was told my first 6 weeks that everyone is required to take 2 communication courses.

I am trying to find out how many weeks are each class at Walden. I have not been able to find it on their website.

Walden University has top professors from: Penn State, Yale, Harvard, Oklahoma State, Cornell, Berkeley, etc...Teaching statistics online is a great application. Matter of fact Penn State offers whole master's degrees and certificates in statistics online. I received an A in my statistics classes at Walden University. I can use ANOVA one way and two way just fine from the online modality. I am sorry to hear you had trouble learning statistics. There are, however, tutors at Walden for just those kinds of problems. Outside tutors can help too. Students who graduate from Walden work very hard for those degrees.

I'm in the Walden Master of Psychology program; 4.0 average, very succsesful student. However, I'm leaving Walden and go to another university for the following reasons: I agree with some of the negative posts. Walden is too expensive for what they offer; and as many people have noted, about half of their professors are very arrogant and don't like criticism. In fact, if they violate policy and you point it out, expect that noone cares and their double standards between what they teach and what they live is what you will experience. No one seems to care if the teachers are unprofessional or don't do their job. While the students pay the professor's salary, they are not treated very well; Walden is a money machine. While most of the curiculum is good, some of it like the statistics class is not good at all. This was my last class and it was terrible; from course material to the teacher, actually, did I say teacher? There was no teacher. Had to study on your own, and there was no help and noone explained anything. Email request remained ununswered for days, student services don't care if you are treated unfairly or unethically and always side with the teacher, no matter how he violates their own rules and is wrong, they simply don't care about you but your money, I'm leaving. Go somewhere else where the program is cheaper; don't pay $ 400 per credit hour, it is not worth it.

Pardon the misprint. Of course not "the don't have", but "they don't have".

It has been educational to read, especially the comment(s) of ToGraduate2013 (does it mean you're set to graduate in 2013?).
It is understandable that there are the good, the bad and the ugly sides (like in every business).
The only thing I could not get myself in peace with is the tuition cost. The don't have huge brick and mortar campus for students. The don't have tenure professors. The don't have overhead staff (salespersons - "advisors", instructors and minimal administration). Why so pricey? Greed?

Let me give you the very good about Walden, it is online, they do foster global social volunteerism and community improvement, which drew me to this school along with the opportunity to remain at home to work on other avocations.  Walden hires some incredibly impressive professionals.  There are professors who have their own institutes, are well-known forensic therapists, and even health psychologist (two of which actually work regularly with Olympic teams!)  They have wonderful people associate with their scholarship like Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton and many others.  If there is a school that will bring about APA online accreditation, mark my words, Walden University will do it.  Overall, the bumps in this academic journey with Walden are no different from experiences I have had at brick and mortar Universities.  I believe that Walden will eventually get a handle on errant inept instructors, because most students really let them have it during evaluations at the end of a course.  It does not affect grades (other wise I would have received an F from my first Statistics instructor).  

I do not find the classes too difficult, but I am a writer, I love research, and I come from a family where anything less than an "A" is the same as an "F.”  I have those two "B"'s, but never again.  I don't submit late anymore, and I make sure to ask for feedback or clarify when I do not understand something.  Ask your classmates for assistance.  DON'T CHEAT.  Someone cheated off my writing and I suppose it resulted in expulsion from school.  The instructor caught it and alerted me.  I believe that Walden started out as a great teaching institution that took incorporated online services as way of shifting to the future of education.  I have had great classmates transfer to other online schools because they require less scholarship and difficulty.  I prefer the ideal that Walden is still trying to preserve that harkens to the name of Walden (read the book).  Just like our loved ones, and ourselves, Walden is not perfect, and if handholding is necessary for you to thrive, reconsider this school, or any online school for that matter.  This school will take work, and your ability to adapt and forge ahead in the manner that suits what you are trying to achieve there.  There is no shame, despite some of the comments by those who denigrate online academia, in attending online or on campus.  My sister attended online a couple quarters, but found it too difficult and returned to campus.  She has better grades than I do normally, so I say to those considering weigh out your needs with your personality and especially your ability work independently in research and writing.  Success to you whoever you are, however you choose to achieve it.

I think the information given to students is not always clear.  I also think that these experiences I have highlighted probably points out that you can only get out of Walden what you put into it.  You cannot attend this school as if you're a "Pollyanna" thinking all the instructors "CARE" about you as they say in their advertisements.  Some do, some are only there to get a paycheck, and you represent work, as if a janitor sees people as causing dirt for them to clean up.  That may sound a bit harsh, but let's be real.  If you suspect your teacher is slightly strange in the first couple of days, drop, and register for another class.  I think Walden purposefully does not release the names of the teachers of their classes until the last week or so before class starts so they can fill classes with teachers no one wants to take.  As I have said, their names are getting around.  Do ask your classmates about teachers they have had for previous classes.  DO FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES of submission times.  Many online students initially lose points because they do not take it seriously.  Sometimes it is better to turn in on time even if you are not completely done.  Gauge this by the instructor's grading technique.

Do not assume anyone's going to call you and say, "How are you doing?  Is there something you need?  How can I help?"  That just has never happened to any student I've talked to in the past couple years.  If you can, send emails for everything, it's harder for someone to refute what they said if you have the documentation, which Walden cannot ignore as they sometimes do with phone calls.  If there is an instructor you trust cc them the email so that Walden is aware someone is also seeing any nonsense that may be written to you.  KEEP ALLL EMAILS of correspondence.

As far as licensing, you must must MUST find out the requirements for your state, print and keep them handy for residencies and classes that you take to make sure it will be met, or keep asking how it can be met.  You must look out for yourself.  It is not like University of Vermont or U of Washington that looks at you as a potential asset and nurtures you as thus throughout your academic journey. (Continued below)

I couldn't believe an adult, let alone someone put in the position of teaching graduate students would even write such dribble as if they were all "picking on her."  Where's the professionalism?  Thank God, I got out before I did need to get legal counsel.  When I asked her to stop sending emails, since I was no longer in her class, she claimed she couldn't, as if I were to be punished with her nonsense for signing up with her in the first place.  I reported it as complaint and amazingly, she stopped.  I keep the names of instructors who behave in such ridiculous ways and their emails should I ever need them.  I have gone as far as questioning instructors about their perspectives and the classes they teach before I'll take their course, just as if I'm interviewing them for a job, which I am.  I have heard responses like:

1. Student are responsible for their grades entirely I have nothing to do with it
2. I won't babysit a student, they're graduates, and if they can't handle a class maybe they're not ready for graduate school.
3. I believe a student's grade reflects more on the student, but also on the instructor as long as they follow the instructions and request help early.

I chose the instructor who gave response # 3.  I never required his help, but the point is he was more approachable.  Any instructor who believes a student's success depends entirely on the student is short-sided, and that's putting it mildly.  I have taken statistics I & II and they were particularly tough.  My mindset is what dropped my grade.  The first instructor was never available when she said she'd be even though the whole class was calling.  At one point when I asked her to explain something she had written, she literally said to me "If you and your study group are confused maybe the rest of the class is.”  As if she had never considered how convoluted her instructors were.  When she corrected herself, everyone became more upset, realizing she had written the instructions incorrectly, but had already submitted their work!  By Statistics II, I assumed that it was going to be another class of nightmare and barely applied myself.  That teacher was actually very good and my grade wouldn't have been so bad if I hadn't figured I was whipped.  I literally didn't turn in assignments on time because I was so freaked out from the first statistics teacher.  I ended up getting a "B" in both classes, but the second one, was due to my attitude and fear.  I missed an "A" by merely a couple points, which turning in more than one assignment late caused. (Continued below)

It has been interesting to read these.  Although this school works for me now, I agree there are inconsistencies in support and teachers.  Consequently, I have learned to wait until the last week before school starts to register for classes.  I research each teacher of the classes I intend to take.  There are some horrendous teachers that I would find amazing for a farmer to hire to feed their pigs.  There have been a couple who are available when they say they will be and actually seem "Human,” but not as many as I would prefer.  If you find your teacher is whacko, you'd best drop the class within the 1st 3 days of class or it is counted against you.  They have policies I have documentation they do not honor.  I keep all emails and document contact with them.  Quite honestly I don't trust them completely because I have caught them in lies and found the people they use for student support (many students--yes, students, confused and lost when it comes to the very programs they have been charged with knowing and assisting students).

I have gone all the way to the top to complain about problems with teachers, that apparently were not following policy, but to keep from legal action they try to pass you around to a myriad of supposed division heads that have literally shoved me back to the original person who did nothing.  Students talk and that's where Walden misses out.  During study groups, the ill-begotten teachers' names keep coming up.  I had a teacher once tell me my writing was nonsense.  I have been writing scholarly for years, graduated summa cum laude in Psychology, and took the same piece that was written to several scholars who found not even one problem with it.  They immediately suggested that take it up with the accrediting agencies.  I dropped her class, but she was so strange she kept sending me emails.  Apparently, other students called her on her lack of understanding of grammar, and apparently scholarly writing.  She responded like a spoiled idiot to the people left in class what she meant by a passage, then sent subsequent emails trying to defend her mistakes.  (Continued below)

I am not here to take side or judge which one is right. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. I, on the other hand, think that Walden University has helped a lot in developing my skills as a scholar-practitioner to effect social change in my career as an assessment officer in special education. Though most of the things I am learning from my master's program @ Walden appear to be a review of the things I learned in my undergraduate years on school campus in Honolulu, I do not discredit the fact that the knowledge I am gaining is beneficial to me personally and professionally. Walden is accredited and that should put a closure to that subject. Regarding time delay on dissertation approval, Walden should answer for themselves. However, one should question one's skills as a scholar-practitioner whether or not one is well equipped to serve people and effectuate social change. I admire what one commenter wrote - that is, you make your education, not the university. Like any online university (e.g., Phoenix, Liberty), Walden exists as a tool you can use to achieve your goals and make your dreams a reality. The talk about time and money being wasted on Walden is nothing but an attempt to devalue Walden's integrity in serving their students to become social agents that can make a difference in their own world and the world around them. Walden has standards to uphold and a reputation to maintain, just like any educational institutions. I got my BA degree in psychology from UH @ Manoa in 2002. Prior to enrolling in Walden's social psychology master's program, I felt that most of what I learned was the life of living in the dormitory, getting lots of sleepless nights, drinking lots of coffee, and trying to cramp up a 2-month load of materials two nights before the exam day. The school in and of itself was great, but my life as a college student did not take advantage of such learning opportunity. With Walden, I have come to realize the essence of online learning while I attend to other things that matter in my life (e.g., my family, career). I appreciate Walden while I am enrolling in the social psychology master's program and I will strive to make the best of the knowledge I am gaining to being a social agent of change.

Also the master's level Psychology and Forensic Psychology courses are just outstanding by any University standards. The Stat-2001 course is a great introduction to statistics and the Statistics I course is great for social science majors of any caliber.

The state of California APA boards accepts candidates to  be licensed from a PhD program not APA accredited. Walden University's PhD program in psychology does, however, follow APA guidelines and offers all the pre-requisite classes necessary to become eligible for licensure.


psychboard.ca.gov/faq.shtml

psychboard.ca.gov/lawsregs/2009lawsregs.pdf

The individual states do vary in requirements, however, and the internships and practicums must be APA accredited. 

Also Walden publishes a page where they answer many APA requirement questions and why Walden chooses not be APA accredited but in line with APA guidelines and quality education standards. What matters most in many states is the APA accreditation of the training programs: 1500 hours a year for two years.

I just completed a Masters of Science in Clinical Research Administration at Walden. I have to say I am completely satisfied with my experience at Walden. With the exception of one instructor, the professors were excellent and very knowledgeable in their individual fields. I was even surprised how the academic advisor would periodically call you to see how things were going. Courses were well structured and taught and my writing ability has improved 100%! If you think an online program is a cake walk or if you have no drive to finish material and readings on time and in an accurate manner, this school is not for you. I have already received the raise at my current place of employment because of this degree which was my main focus.

I enrolled in my program (Doctor of Education) in 2007.  Reading, researching, writing, reading, researching, writing is what has been required of me since I finished my formal courses.  The curriculum and the requirements have NOT been EASY!  I will tell you that I have been NOTHING but SATISFIED with my learning experience through Walden.  

It had been 10 years since I had a math course, and I breezed through statistics (online) because the professor and the textbook were awesome! I was able to understand the weekly assignments fine by reading the material provided with the course.  

I have noticed over the time that I have been in my program, that there are those who "drop out" or are "dropped out" because the standards set by the University are too much for them.  Many who wrote poorly are no longer around.  I believe that when you get to the proposal stage, you either have it or you don't, and that is where the weeding out process begins.
My opinion is that a doctorate is a doctorate, and I have the knowledge and skill to back up that title once it is bestowed upon me, through Walden! It takes hard work, dedication, and commitment.  If you don't have that, I suggest that you don't go to Walden.

This information, is very disturbing, as it confirms my fears about Walden and similar schools. I desire to work in the High School setting as a Psychologist, and Walden appears to the be the best logical choice for my life style and availability. They however will not provide absolute confirmation, regarding the true value of their PhD courses.
They simiply say it is up to the student to verify if thier state will honor the Walden Degree. How difficult would it be for them to research this informtion and post it. That would clearly define thier position. However they avoid the opportunity to demonstrate leadership, because its about the money. Millions in Federal Dollars, of which they have no access to unless they are able to enroll me and other like myself. So...I called the Az department of Psychology, and they simply said that we have certifiied Walden Grads, however was unclear to the details of the process of my course. So...I said can I speak to an expert on the matter, and she said I am the expert! What >>>>> If there is a problem with Walden U and other schools like them, there should be laws regulating their false position as a Useful Univeristy. Is there a list of succesfull graduates? Where are the stats on employment? Are you a Walden Grad working in Az. I need to talk to someone before I get to far into this process. kingspawn777@yahoo.com

My wife is towards the end of her PHD program, and has been working with the University on her dissertation now for 2 years.  Each time she submits it, it's returned with more comments and corrections -- Always new stuff that has never even been mentioned before.  The stalling tactics are becoming OBVIOUS, and the University seems only interested in keeping you on the hook longer and longer, so they can earn more money.  We've exausted student loans at this time, and have had to resort to putting tuition on credit cards.  We're holding out hope that she can graduate before we lose everything, and end up completely bankrupted by these scam artists!

I am currently a PhD student at Walden University. Although there were some issues getting initially started (student services was not very helpful with course downtime questions, etc.), I still believe I have acquired an immense amount of information to use in my professional role. Does anyone know if Indiana accepts the Clinical Psychology requirements in order to take the board exam? The information I have received thus far from the state board has been vague, or inconsistent.

I am currently a doctoral student in the clinical psychology program and have found the Walden learning environment exactly what I was looking for. Not only do I get to interact with students from around the world, I am challenged to be self-motivated. I attended a traditional school for my undergraduate program and am so thankful that I no longer have to fight traffic to get a good parking spot and deal with all of the obstacles you might find at a traditional school. After attending my first residency, I said to my husband "Wow, this is a real school and one with class"... I was impressed with my peers and the presenters. Looking back to when I began the Masters program at Walden, the process of applying is not as easy as it appears and the courses are not as easy as I thought they were going to be. I told myself that I would give the school a chance and measure the level of difficulty. After two quarters, Walden had proved that they were legitimate and offered real-world applications and opportunities. Growing up with both the school of hard knocks and book smarts, Walden's online learning environment helped shape and pave the way for a solid education. I can truly say I have grown in so many areas. Oh and did I mention that the professors are from around the world as well. As a science-practitioner I value diverse perspectives and opinions, and that is exactly what I get at Walden U.

I am considering the MSCRA program at Walden. 
Do any posters have experience with this program?

Walden has not lived up to it's promises to me as far as their PhD in Human Services program.  After nine months I have NEVER spoken with an academic advisor that understood the program I am in, which requires that you complete KAM's rather than courses.  The Academic advisor assigned to me never returned multiple calls and emails, and when I called or emailed the on call advisors, all they could do was read information out of the student catalog, as they had no information in the KAM progran either.
I was assigned a faculty mentor that did not have a PhD, She had an EdD, did not return emails in a timely manner so that I could progress in my work, and then at the end of the quarter commented that my work seemed rushed.  I was eliminated from cohort phone calls due to work constraints and no effort was made for alternate calls or updates, and when I attended milestone 1, she was consistently late for presentations and scheduled meetings.  
During milestone 1 I heard many many complaints from students about mentors who never had any contact with their mentees, and a general lack of student support.  This is unacceptable, as Walden charges one of the highest tuitions in all of the online schools.  
If you can complete a PhD without any support, Walden is the school for you!

Can anybody tell me anything about the Industrial/Organizational Psych program?

I appreciate all of your postings.  I am smack down in the middle 50-50 in officially attending this school.  I am undecided now and have been very excited.  Something told me to look up this school for positive/negative comments and now I am totally undecided.  I just may take my time with this school.  Thanks to all posters and your comments; I will look else where and see what's out there before making my final decision.

It is quite interesting how the defensive comment from "Another Walden Student" used the first person to explain "why we have standards".  Obviously the defensive postings are from Walden administration or faculty.

As a student of Walden unable to attend a typical university because I am overseas on a foreign assignment, I would like to offer the facts for the undecided.  True, the support on the administrative end is very inconsistent.  There are always two or three incompetent people per one truly helpful one.  The professors put in varying degrees of effort with students, depending.  Of course, the degree and quality of your learning is directly proportionate to what you put in.  

I personally know two math professors, and both of them agreed the math curriculum was quite rigorous.  Each course at Walden is five credits, and the degree takes proportionately more credits.  It costs more, as a result, and the student much work much harder for the larger number of credit hours.  Walden has full accreditation, and does have a good reputation overall.  

I agree 100% it appears something unethical is occuring with the thesis process there, and I would encourage any student to be extremely wary.

There are definite pros and cons.  But make no mistake, the material itself is more challenging than posters at this forum have let on. While I agree with some concerns about Walden posted here, and feel they are quite justified and legitimate, there is no issue regarding whether the education received is the "real thing".  I have to say this for Walden: the modern applications for education are put to excellent use, and the classes will teach you the abilities and disciplines you want to learn.  It is a benefit to the both the value of the student's degree and the quality of education that the courses require a great investment of time and effort. Don't enroll at Walden if you are looking for an easy degree.

Walden is a good school overall. I received my M.S. in General Psychology through Walden. The work was challenging; more challenging than my undergraduate work in psychology (I received my B.S. in psychology through Illinois State University). There is much more research and writing, which is what a graduate education is supposed to be; standard exams that one studies for, the information is easily lost.

I did have a nightmare with my thesis, however, only because the reviewer of the abstract was totally vague about what needed changed. The committee chairperson was totally sympathetic and on my side (tenured at a different, brick-n-mortar university), however, and with my raising a stink about it, I ended up finishing my thesis within two quarters. So, there is definately something unethical going on in the thesis process to prolong the thesis; well, I did not let them do that to me. I even threatened going to the accrediting agency with my complaint.

This is my only big complaint about my experience at Walden. The academic advisors were not very helpful either, but I relied on my own wits anyway in researching the requirements for program completion.

I have read with interest all the postings.  And agree with most all, except one who downs professors but does not know how to spell the word.
  I am entering the program and have spent many hours considering professional and academic credulity, having gained my prior training at prestigious universities.  And, this is my shot at PhD, there is no other way for me. I am over 50 and cannot afford the time, as I am employed full time as a licensed therapist with bills, to say nothing of the fact that most schools do not accept a terminal master degree and if they do it is if you apply less than 4 years after graduation.  I do not have time, or desire, to double my master's work before going on.
     As with any school you take out what energies you give to the process in the presence of adequate scholarly instruction.  I am hoping this experience will help my personal and professional being.  I will post when I have learned if it does. I do wish I could have obtained my doctorates at a "real" university.  If you have a real choice, take it.

Could not agree with you more, if you are under 40, don't waste your time in Walden, go to a real school and leave Walden for the rest of us who have no where else to go and cannot meet the admission standards for other schools. Here at Walden, everyone gets in, all you need to do is to apply on line and guess what: they contact you and the next thing is the admission email you will get. oh well, no wonder the average age of the students is about 50

I am currently toward the end of my degree( clinical psychology), to be honest, had I known what I know now, I would have gone to a REAL school and do the driving, public opinion is hard to change, and there is a reason for people looking down at Walden, although it is accredited, the admission has absolutely without standard, any one who applies gets in. The quality of the papers some of the students write is unbelievable (guess knowing English is not a requirement), so the bottom line: don't waste your time and money if you can go somewhere else, but if you really need - and not want- an advanced degree and have nowhere else to go, I guess Walden is for you.

Real PhD...

It IS an accredited program.  Do your homework.

CACREP is recognized by the CHEA and the Dept of Education.

Walden is a joke in the academic community. Graduates are looked down upon because of the lack of academic rigor in the program. There are no qualifying examinations for PhD's and GRE scores are not required for admission. This program is for persons who cannot get into a real school or an accredited program.

I just completed my MS in Education and found the program to be very challenging and beneficial. Like any class you can have "good teachers" or you can have "better teachers". This was my experience at Walden. The program has helped me within the educational enviornment and was worth the work and effort. In order to be sucessful in the program you must be self motivated.

(CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS POST)
The program must also include a practicum or internship as follows:
a. For individuals who completed the 
practicum/internship before September 1, 1995 the 
practicum/internship must have been from an 
approved educational program.
b. For individuals who completed the 
practicum/internship after September 1, 1995, the 
practicum/internship must have included a minimum 
of 300 clock hours of direct client contact of which
150 clock hours must be face-to-face in a work 
setting, under the supervision of a qualified 
supervisor as defined in 172 NAC 81-002. Any 
artificial situation where a person presents a 
problem, such as role playing, is not acceptable; or
2. Other Programs: If the program is not accredited by the agencies identified in section 1 above, the Graduate course work, must have an emphasis on the provision of mental health practice, and include coursework in each of
the following...
www.sos.state.ne.us/rules-and-regs/regse........
----------------------------------------------------------
Walden is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, which is recognized by the CHEA (this is one of the State of Nebraska's requirements). The M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program itself recently received CACREP accreditation. This satisfies the State of Nebraska's requirement 1.b. regarding accreditation of the degree program. The internship and residency requirements of the M.H. Counseling program at Walden also far exceed those required by my home state for certification. Walden requires 900 hours of internship to graduate while Nebraska only requires 300.
Not related to these requirements, Walden University is also accredited by the North Cental Association which accredits countless post-secondary education institutions (including the University of Nebraska). And if that wasn't enough, they are recognized by the Federal Government and are able to provide students with accessibility to federal aid. Some private institutions I researched (both online and traditional brick-and-mortar schools) are not able to offer federal funding to their students.
All in all, I feel I have made a good decision in choosing Walden. The program appears to be good prep tool for providing the necessary education and experience required to seek licensure to begin a career as a mental health practitioner.
I can't speak for the relevancy or applicability of Walden's degrees towards careers in education, but i wanted to share my findings on this specific program if it might help anyone else out in making their decision on continuing their education at Walden.
If anyone has any comments or questions, I'm always open for discussion. My email address is: hatchtopher@earthlink.net

I am currently applying to Walden to the M.S. in Mental Health Counseling Program. I hold an A.A.S. in Business Administration from Central Community College (Lincoln, NE) and will finish my B.S.B.A. in Management from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln (UNL) with a minor in Psychology.
I engaged in many classes at both CCC and UNL and am a big proponent of online/remote learning and experienced success in all online courses I've engaged in.
The comments on here make it really hard to discern exactly whether Walden is right for me. I am not looking to use my degree to go into education, rather to enter into a career as a mental health practitioner. It seems the majority of these posts seem to focus on people obtaining degrees related to careers in education. I have deliberated long and hard on my decision to choose Walden University. Whether or not this place is a "diploma mill" was a heavy factor.
Each state sets there own standards as to the certification requirements to practice in this field. Since I live in Nebraska, I wanted to benchmark the program requirements of the M.S. in Mental Health Counseling at Walden versus the certification requirements for the State of Nebraska (in regards to what they define as an acceptable degree). The following is taken from the State of Nebraska's Health and Human Services Department's documentation on "LICENSURE OF MENTAL HEALTH PRACTITIONERS AND THE CERTIFICATION OF MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS,PROFESSIONAL COUNSELORS AND SOCIAL WORKERS":
Approved Mental Health Practice Program means an approved educational program consisting of a master's or doctoral degree, with the focus being primarily therapeutic
mental health, from an institution of higher education approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or its successor; and must meet either subsection 1 or 2 as follows:
1. Accredited Programs: The program must be accredited by one of the following accrediting agencies (a program in candidacy does not meet this section):
a. Commission on Accreditation for Marriage and Family 
Therapy Education(COAMFTE);
b. Council for Accreditation of Counseling and related 
Educational Programs(CACREP);
c. Council on Social Work Education (CSWE); or
d. American Psychological Association (APA).
(CONTINUED.....)

Walden University is a total joke, i wonder what type of Profesors they have, you have committee members that sucks and are not qualified, then you have an academic reviewer that is a total dummie that wants to act as If he or she knows what he or she is talking about.  Phd program online is a joke and I will never recommend it to anybody, how can one teach statistics online.


Please close that junk called Walden University, this is a total mockery.

If you are contemplating attending Walden Univ. be prepared to work and work hard.  It is one of the finest programs you will ever find but you have to be willing to earn your graduate degrees.  I maintain a 3.8 GPA and am in the PhD psychology program.  I have only three courses left to complete before starting dissertation. It has been the most wonderful experience of my educational career but believe me, I had to study, research, study, research, and research some more!  When you complete a Walden degree, you have truly earned it and you know exactly what you are talking about when it comes to your chosen profession. It is easy to tell Walden graduates from their peers.  Walden not only holds you to a higher standard, you are expected to take what you have learned out into the world and promote social change.  Funny thing is, you will want to do just that.

I recommend Walden University to anyone serious about obtaing a graduate degree.  By the way, I hate statistics and detested taking the courses.  However, the professors know what they are doing and will help you all the way. It was still the most difficult class I have ever taken!!!

Accreditation: North Central Accreditation.  However, I have read that they are "looking into" APA accreditation.

Math Background: I have a very strong math background having an undergraduate and master's degree in computer science.  15 credit hours of calculus and lots of logic courses.  This is way overkill from Walden's expectations.  It's great for me because it makes stats easy (I'm taking stats 3 as an elective because it comes easy)  I know the other students struggle because of the lack of a math background, but they all seem to say that they just keep working and the instructors are very helpful.

PhD length: It will take me 4.5 years from start to finish, but I am in the clinical area.  This is the longest program.  I typically take 2 courses per quarter, but took 3 last quarter and 3 this summer to get on the "year in residency" schedule that only starts in the summer or winter quarters.  The 3 classes in a quarter was tough, especially because I have 3 children and teach full time at a local college.  But, it definitely taught me some time management skills the hard way.

User-Friendly: I like the class atmosphere online.  You really do feel like you know the other students by the end of the term.  I also believe that when everyone must participate by posting discussions, there is much more feedback than in a traditional classroom.  Even the most quiet person can get across their points of view.  I also love the idea that you are learning from people who have already been working in the field.  Many of the other students already have practices, working in health care, prisons, etc.  It's a great pool of experienced people discussing topics that have relevence across different fields.

Overall, I'm very happy with the program.  It's a lot of work.  Depending on the quarter, it's around 20 to 30 hours per week.  But, it's an interesting way to learn and in courses that are interesting, it does not even seem like "work".

Good luck with your decision

I am not a student YET, but have a few concerns before committing to the program:
1. Accreditation. 
2. I'm not an excellent Math student but a hard worker. Is 
   that enough?
3. How long can earning a Phd actually last if you are a 
   committed student? What is the official completion 
   time?
4. Is the on-line experience set up by Walden 
   'user-friendly'?

I wholeheartedly agree and endorse the previous post.  Online learning employs a constructivist approach to learning, whereby the learner constructs his or her own learning.  If this does not play to your strengths as a learner, then don't do it.  If you cannot discipline yourself to do the research necessary to properly write a thesis, then you should expect mediocre results.  

That also goes to the point of having standards; Walden has set the bar and you are barely achieving them with a 3.0 GPA.  I am sorry that the first poster (2-8-2008) spent so much money only to be thwarted in their effort, but that's why we have standards.  Obviously, there is some reason why your Thesis keeps getting rejected, hence re-write after re-write.  

People need to start realizing that just because a person enrolls in an online program does not guarantee success.  Walden, Capella, AIU, and the like are competing against other legitimate schools such as Penn State Global Campus (an online program), and Harvard Online. They cannot afford to just "hand out" a diploma because "you paid for it".

Walden is a good school. The coursework is challenging. If you think that you are paying money for a piece of paper, you will find that you have to earn it. 

For example, the statistics and test/research classes require a math background. 

If you were cheating your way through high school and college...well boys and girls you have come to the place where the mice are sifted from the men. 

A 3.0 is "just about doing it" on this level. 
It's kind of like the old question they ask pot smokers. "How would you feel if you were brought into the ER and your physician was stoned?"

Well in turn, how would you to be on the edge of events in your life and talking to some cheater who really doesn't know his or her profession.

A Thesis paper must show originality of thought. Cheaters can't do that...and you know who you are.

I was skeptical about attending an online university, but a Masters degree program in I/O Psychology was not represented in any college with-in driving distance of me.  I work 8-5 M-F and part time on the weekends just to get by so long road trips were out of the question.  I was sucked in by lies and deception by Walden University Reps.  I was promised that I would graduate in the Summer of 2007 if I followed my counselors curriculum.  Then in the Summer of '07 I was told that I would have to take another class that my counselor messed up the credits.  That is a $2,500 dollar mistake that i have to pay for.  That was when I should have known Walden was not the right choice and got out when I could.  Next the Thesis program, I was told that the Thesis Program would take two semesters, thats $5,000 just to write a paper, $2,500 a semester.  Well I am in my third Semester now for this Thesis paper and was just told I need to take another semester and that getting out now would be foolish of me because my classes would not transfer.  Can you believe that?  I will have to pay out of my own pocket now $10,000 for a freaking Thesis Paper.  I have been done with classes and cannot graduate because they keep declining my Thesis paper and are forcing me to pay another $2500 for another semester.  I am so upset by this that I cry at night while I am trying to rewrite my paper for the fourth time to meet their forever changing criteria.  Walden University was a horrible choice, everything is based off of a Thesis paper, one paper is costing me $10,000 dollars, and there is nothing I can do I am at the will of the professor's.  Take my advice and do not attend Walden University, the convenience is not worth the price you pay.  If they decline me again I am going to forward this email unto the press, and see what kind of media news I can generate...They are ripping me off and whats worse is that they know they are doing it....and doing nothing to change it.  I have given them over $40,000 and have a 3.0 G.P.A. I do not deserve this, nobody does!!!!!