Walden University Continues Tradition of Access for Adult Learners, Receives High Rankings from Diverse: Issues in Higher Education

Minneapolis—November 1, 2005—Walden University, an accredited online institution celebrating its 35th year of inquiry for social change, continues its proud tradition of diversity and access for working professionals according to a recent Diverse: Issues in Higher Education (formerly Black Issues in Higher Education) survey.

In the survey of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and traditionally white institutions (TWIs), the magazine ranked Walden University a top producer of master’s and doctoral minority graduates in the following disciplines:

• Psychology – African-American Doctorates – (No. 4)
• Business – African-American Doctorates – (No. 5)
• All Disciplines Combined – American Indian Doctorates – (No. 11)
• All Disciplines Combined – African-American Doctorates – (No. 13)
• All Disciplines Combined – TWIs – African-American Doctorates – (No. 13)
• Psychology – Total Minority Doctorates – (No. 13)

The survey data are based on degrees awarded during the 2003–2004 academic year and were obtained from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

“The Diverse: Issues in Higher Education rankings are a reflection of Walden University’s mission of expanding access to graduate education to ensure diversity among our student body and faculty, and to foster positive social change around the globe,” said Walden’s President and Provost Paula Peinovich, PhD.

“One of the major challenges facing graduate education in the next decade is providing a diverse group of individuals prepared with doctorates for an increasingly diverse and global society. Walden is not only fulfilling our mission of access, but also of social change, but leading the way on this issue,” Dr. Peinovich added.

According to the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, the number of doctoral degrees awarded annually will reach nearly 50,000 in 2012. Walden continues to expand doctoral opportunities in the social and behavioral sciences for those historically underrepresented in higher education and addresses specific needs of the helping professions by developing first-rate programs and specializations. Among Walden’s many opportunities are a PhD in Public Health, a PhD in Applied Management and Decision Sciences and a PhD in Public Policy and Administration.

About Walden University
Since 1970, Walden University has offered working professionals the opportunity to earn advanced degrees through distance learning. Today, this comprehensive, accredited online university offers master’s and doctoral degrees in education, psychology, management, and health and human services, as well as master’s programs in engineering and IT and bachelor’s completion programs in business. For more information, visit www.WaldenU.edu.

Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, www.hlcommission.org; 312-263-0456.