Key Takeaways
- Walden has offered distance education for more than 50 years to students across the U.S. and around the world.
- Walden University student support services include enrollment assistance, advising, career planning, and 24/7 technical help.
- Walden University alumni benefits include career services, library access, and exclusive discounts at numerous retailers through the Alumni Advantage Program.
- When comparing universities, prospective students should weigh accreditation, reputation, and program offerings, alongside personal goals and budget.
- Walden’s online format can help working professionals earn a degree while maintaining work-life balance.
There seems to be no shortage of higher education institutions. Students in bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and certificate programs can learn online, in person, or in a hybrid format. If you’re looking to go back to school to earn your degree, narrowing down your options can be a daunting task. To help you in your search, here are four great reasons why Walden has been the university of choice for so many individuals all over the world.
1. Walden Is a Pioneer in Distance Education
The prevalence of online education continues to grow. For more than 50 years, Walden has supported working professionals pursuing their academic goals by providing distance education. Today, students from across the U.S. and around the world are pursuing their bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees online at Walden. That’s because, when it comes to distance learning programs, Walden has the experience and knowledge students look for when choosing a high-quality university that offers a flexible online learning platform.
2. The Support Services Offered by Walden Are Well-Established
One feature of earning your degree at Walden is the support available along the way. As a student, you will have access to a range of services, from Enrollment Specialists and federal financial aid support for those who apply and qualify to academic tutors and Career Planning and Development. Walden also provides comprehensive support to military students. The Office of Student Disability Services works to provide students with barrier-free access to Walden’s programs and services. Additionally, throughout your time at Walden, you will have access to 24/7 technical assistance to help you navigate the online learning environment.
3. Walden Has Nationally Recognized Accreditations
Walden University holds institutional accreditation as well as programmatic accreditation for certain programs. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC)—a U.S. Department of Education-recognized institutional accreditor—first granted accreditation to Walden in 1990 and reaffirmed Walden’s institutional accreditation in 2023. The university’s HLC accreditation, also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA), validates that the university upholds rigorous standards for quality assurance and engages in continuous institutional improvement.
Walden also has programmatic accreditation for programs across multiple fields:
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP): BS in Business Administration, Master of Business Administration (MBA), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), and PhD in Management programs
- Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME): Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program
- Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE): Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) programs
- Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP): MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, MS in School Counseling, and PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision programs
- Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH): Master of Public Health (MPH) and Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) programs
- Council on Social Work Education (CSWE): Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Master of Social Work (MSW), and Doctor of Social Work (DSW) programs
Additionally, Walden’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences is accredited by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), a recognized national accreditor for educator preparation providers.
Accreditation reflects an institution’s commitment to academic quality and helps support the recognition of its degrees by employers, licensing authorities, and other higher education institutions.
4. Students Benefit From a Thriving Alumni Community
The Walden experience doesn’t conclude at commencement—the university offers resources and benefits to alumni, including:
- Career Services: Access to professional development webinars and individualized career support.
- Walden Alumni Library: Complimentary access to an extensive collection of research databases, peer-reviewed journals, industry publications, and doctoral dissertations.
- Walden Alumni Advantage Program: Exclusive discounts at numerous retail locations nationwide.
These resources give Walden alumni continued access to career, research, and other university-related services after graduation.
Begin Your Educational Journey at Walden—an Online University Designed to Support You
A lot goes into the decision-making process when determining which school is right for you. During your search, it’s important to be mindful of your goals, schedule, and budget, as well as a university’s accreditation status, financial assistance options, reputation, and program offerings. At Walden, an HLC-accredited university, you can earn your degree online, studying at whatever time of day works best for you and from wherever you happen to be in the world.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long has Walden offered online education?
Walden has supported working professionals with distance education for more than 50 years, serving students across the U.S. and around the world.
Is Walden University accredited?
Yes. Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission (HLC), which first granted accreditation in 1990 and reaffirmed this status in 2023. Walden also holds multiple programmatic accreditations from bodies such as ACBSP, CCNE, CACREP, and CSWE.
What support services does Walden offer students?
Students at Walden have access to a broad range of student support services, from Enrollment Specialists and financial aid advisors to academic tutors, a Career Planning and Development Center, an Office of Student Disability Services, and 24/7 technical assistance.
What alumni benefits does Walden University offer?
After graduation, Walden alumni can take advantage of benefits such as career services with professional development webinars, complimentary access to the Walden Alumni Library, and exclusive retail discounts through the Walden Alumni Advantage Program.
What should prospective students consider when choosing a university?
Prospective students should consider their goals, schedule, and budget, along with a university’s accreditation status, financial aid options, reputation, and program offerings.
Walden University is an HLC-accredited institution offering online bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree programs. Earn your degree in a convenient, flexible format that fits your busy life.
Walden’s BS in Business Administration (BSBA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), and PhD in Management programs are accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).
Walden University’s online Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) program is recognized as programmatically accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Management Education (CAHME) for an initial three-year period. CAHME is the only organization recognized by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) to grant accreditation to individual academic programs offering a graduate degree in healthcare management. For additional information, visit the CAHME website or call 301-298-1820.
The baccalaureate degree program in nursing (BSN), master’s degree program in nursing (MSN), post-graduate APRN certificate program, and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program at Walden University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (www.ccneaccreditation.org).
Walden’s PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision, MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, and MS in School Counseling programs are accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CACREP accreditation ensures that the content and quality of counselor-preparation master’s and doctoral degree programs have been evaluated and meet standards set by the profession.
The Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH) Board of Councilors acted at its June 9-11, 2025, meeting to accredit the Walden University Public Health Programs - Master of Public Health (MPH) and Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) for seven-year terms. The accreditation term extends until July 1, 2032, pending continued documentation of compliance required by the Council. CEPH is an independent agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to accredit schools of public health and programs of public health. CEPH accreditation provides assurance that the program has been evaluated and met accepted public health profession standards in practice, research, and service. The five-year graduation rate for the MPH 2018-2019 academic year cohort was 44%. The eight-year graduation rate for the DrPH 2017-2018 academic year cohort was 23%. For a copy of the final self-study document and/or final accreditation report, please contact the dean of the College of Health Sciences and Public Policy ([email protected]).
For any questions about Walden’s accreditation, please visit our accreditation page.
Walden University’s Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), Master of Social Work (MSW), and Doctor of Social Work (DSW) programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) Board of Accreditation (BOA). Accreditation of a baccalaureate, master’s, or doctoral social work program by the BOA indicates that it meets or exceeds standards of program quality evaluated through a peer review accreditation process. An accredited program has sufficient resources to meet its mission and goals and the BOA has verified that it demonstrates compliance with all sections of the Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). Accreditation provides reasonable assurance about the quality of the program and the competence of students graduating from the program.
The Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) accredits Walden University’s Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences. CAEP promotes excellence in educator preparation through quality assurance and continuous improvement.
CAEP accreditation is based on a review of The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences’ initial teacher preparation programs—the BS in Elementary Education, the Master of Arts in Teaching – Elementary Education, and the Master of Arts in Teaching – Special Education—and advanced educator preparation programs—the EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration and the MS in Education with a specialization in Educational Leadership and Administration. The principal licensure-leading programs, EdS in Educational Leadership and Administration and MS in Education with a specialization in Educational Leadership and Administration, were reviewed by a Specialized Professional Association (SPA), which defines content-area standards for programs, and achieved national recognition. Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP, 1140 19th St NW, Suite 400, Washington, DC 20036, (202) 223-0077).
Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (www.hlcommission.org), an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
