Learning Model Comparison Chart

Classroom on Campus

Online at Walden

Fixed schedule; life must be arranged around class

Flexible schedule; class is arranged around personal and professional commitments

Networking opportunities with local students and faculty—a local perspective on course topics

Networking opportunities with students and faculty from around the world—an international perspective on course topics

Required to be on site for class

Can log in to course from anywhere—home, vacation, business trips

Parents must arrange for childcare during class time

Parents can arrange coursework around childcare

Commute

No commute

Some or most students participate in discussions

All students participate in online discussions

Students may participate in classroom discussions on the spur of the moment, without much forethought

Students must take time to formulate defensible ideas and responses in online discussions, which improves critical-thinking and writing skills

Students are often younger, with limited work and life experience

Students generally are adult professionals with a range of experiences to share

Syllabus and assignments are not always relevant to your interests or career

Assignments are tailored to your interests and your career experience

Students typically have to wait for specific office hours to interact with a professor, who is often under time constraints

Students can contact professors at any time, and receive a personal, thoughtful response in a timely fashion