Laureate Education Announces Transfer of Ownership of Walden University

Dear Walden University Students,

Laureate Education, the parent organization of Walden University, has announced an agreement to transfer the ownership of Walden University to Adtalem Global Education. You can read the press announcement here. The Board of Walden University, the governing body of the University that is charged with maintaining its accreditation and academic standards, supports the decision of Laureate Education to transfer ownership of Walden University which requires regulatory reviews and approvals, including that of the U.S. Department of Education and the Higher Learning Commission. We expect the review and approval process will take between 12 and 18 months.

I want to make sure you know that this announcement does not change anything about your educational experience at Walden: both Walden and Adtalem have made it a priority that you continue to have the same strong academic programs and experience you have come to expect from our university. The transfer of ownership does not affect your financial aid or Walden’s Title IV financial aid authorization. Walden will retain its current accreditations with the Higher Learning Commission, as well as all of its current programmatic and national accreditations. There will not be any changes in your curriculum or additional time to graduation due to the change in ownership.

Once approved, Adtalem will complete its acquisition of Walden University as an institution with all programs and assets, and Walden University will continue as a stand-alone institution owned by Adtalem. Walden will retain its same name, current students will continue in their degree programs, and the university will continue to provide outstanding student-centered services and support.

Adtalem Global Education is the parent organization of Chamberlain University, Ross University School of Medicine, Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Association of Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialists, Becker Professional Education, EduPristine, and OnCourse Learning. They have 6,700 employees and operate 26 campus locations.

One area where there is strong alignment is in health sciences, particularly nursing. With this transfer of ownership, Walden joins Adtalem’s extensive network and becomes part of a family of on-ground and online educational institutions.

Walden and Adtalem also share a mission of providing access to education that transforms lives, careers, and communities. Both Walden and Adtalem have a long-standing commitment of serving lifelong learners who can, in turn, make real and lasting change that improves the world. And, Walden and Adtalem believe that education empowers students to achieve their goals, find success, and drive positive social change in our global community. Because of this, I believe that together Walden and Adtalem will build on a shared commitment to deliver the highest quality education and student support services.

Your continued success is the single most important thing to all of us at both Walden and Adtalem. To assist with a smooth transition, the upcoming weeks will include opportunities for you to learn more. You have my commitment to communicate consistently and with transparency throughout the transition. If you have questions in the meantime, please reach out to your academic advisor or contact [email protected]. If you are interested in becoming a Walden University student, our Enrollment Specialists stand ready to answer any questions you may have and look forward to hearing from you.

All of us at Walden are pleased that this agreement will provide you – and the entire Walden community – with continued access to innovative and rigorous higher education opportunities with an organization that shares our values, mission, and focus on providing adult learners with the quality education needed to achieve career and life-changing goals.

Sincerely,

Dr. Ward Ulmer
President
Walden University