Walden University

Date: Dec 31 1969
Major: Public Policy (This Major's Salary over time)
While at the end, I am happy with my dissertation. That being said, I sufferred from the institutional growth experienced by this for-profit university between 2006 to now. My Chair and commitee were experts, however the support and advisement by my initial faculty mentor (primarly instructor) was poor. Too many students, not enough personal attention by advisors or faculty. Also, I am saddled with student loan debt; program length expectations were not consitant with the recruiter I spoke with at start of the program. The time to get through the program was poor given I already had 2 masters degrees. Total program completion for PhD - 6.5 years, 125K. The program has improved somewhat over the last year, the writing center staff are friendly and provide great expertise; but doesn't make up for the poor delivery of service/guidance experienced between 2007 and 2009. I also had to take a leave of absence for one year, when my funds ran out. Overall it has been 8 years since I started, but 1.5 years I was out of the program at various times. Think carefully about being able to complete the program you select, make sure you will have a return-on-investment. Keep faculty accountable for timelines if you are in a research based program.