Walden University

Date: Dec 31 1969
Major: Business - Management and Administration (This Major's Salary over time)
I applied to Walden University because there are only a few online schools that allow you to earn your PhD entirely online. There are residencies that you must attend but they are scheduled throughout the year so you are free to attend the one that fits your schedule. Overall, I think the program is quite impressive for an online program. You complete a series of KAMs which help you to complete your dissertation at the end of your program. However, I just don't think I was a good fit for the program. First, I could not get with the concept of the KAM. The KAM process is not very structured. It is a series of essays you must write based on the research you do for that particular KAM. The concept of the KAM is wonderful but I needed more face to face guidance. Secondly, the professors appeared to be non-responsive but I guess they have other priorities as most are only part-timers. Thirdly, in the first quarter they make you pay for a research forum in which you do not participate. The reason I was told was because it keeps the students full time and allows them full time status for financial aid purposes. That leads me to my final reason for leaving..MONEY!!!! There were so many times I heard about students having maxed out all of their money which in most times were financial loans. Then getting to the dissertation process and having to pay to wait on reviews, edits, etc by faculty. Unfortunately, time is money. Not to mention you also have to pay for the residencies you attend, lodging during the residency, and food to eat during that residency.

My advice to you is to make sure that an online degree is what you want and/or need to succeed because they are expensive. You pay for everything. I don't necessarily think that you are paying for a degree but I think that you are paying for the convenience of obtaining the degree. I would suggest you do your research, also look at traditional schools that offer online courses…they may not be as convenient..but they may be cost effective…because unfortunately online degrees don't carry as much weight in the workforce as degrees from traditional universities…that may change as time goes on but in this day and age…with the economy in the shape that it's in…I wouldn't take any chances…Good Luck in your decision!