When you hear the name Walden University, what comes to mind? I bet you immediately thought about online or distance-learning education for working professionals. If that was your thought, bravo! You do indeed know Walden University.

What if I asked you where the university is located? I bet you might stumble a little in giving me a response or quickly dash online to check it out. Well, it is common to not know the state where a university is located, especially when you are studying via online education and don’t need to come to the university for anything at all. Still, it is important for you to know where the university you’re attending is located because you might need it. That’s why I’m here for you.

The purpose of this article today is to answer the question: in what state is Walden University located? As usual, I won’t serve you the main course first. You’ll start with a set of appetizers before the main course. So, let’s begin.

Walden University is a for-profit university that offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and specialist degrees. It was purchased by Adtalem Global Education in August 2021.

Walden University was created by two individuals who saw the potential in long-distance education for adults who wished to pursue advanced education but had to work full-time. The university is known today for giving students across the United States and more than 145 countries in the world to acquire bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degrees through online distance learning. For over 50 years, Walden University has supported working people to achieve their academic goals.

History of Walden University

Walden University was founded in 1970 by two New York  teachers, Bernie and Rita Turner. Then, many working teachers had to postpone their doctoral degrees to concentrate full-time on their work.

Bernie and Rita Turner created a program for these working teachers to pursue their doctoral degree via distance learning. The first classes were held in Naples, Florida, in the summer of 1971, which allowed students to begin their dissertations with faculty partners and complete them after returning to their workplaces. The first degrees were conferred in 1972: 46 Ph.Ds and 24 EdDs.

Walden University implemented its formal curriculum in 1977 and in 1979, the Minnesota Higher Education Coordinating Board licensed Walden University to grant Ph.Ds and EdDs in the state and moved its headquarters from Florida to the state it currently is in 1982. The North Central Association of Colleges and Schools granted full regional accreditation to the university in 1990.

The Turners handed over the university to Don Ackerman, who became the owner and chair of the board in 1992. In 1995, Walden University began its first master’s degree, the Master of Science in Educational Change and Technology Innovation. The beginning of the online era at Walden University started in 1997 with the web-based Ph.D. in psychology.

In 2001, Sylvan Learning Systems Inc. purchased a majority (41%) interest in Walden University from Ackerman and in February 2002, the university began the transition from a graduate institution into a university offering both undergraduate and graduate degrees (bachelors, masters, and doctorates). In 2004, Sylvan Learning Systems Inc. became Laureate Education Inc. and Ackerman sold his remaining interest to them.

Walden University merged with another school owned by Laureate Education Inc., the National Technological University, to provide online engineering graduate school education to its students. Laureate Education Inc. in August 2021, transferred ownership of Walden University to Adtalem Global Education.

About Walden University

Every university has values, which are the principles upon which it operates. Walden University is no exception and has the following unique values, which I find very interesting and important.

Walden University Values

The following values are the blueprint and means by which Walden University achieves its goals and vision. They are also the unique identity of the university. They are: quality, integrity and student-centeredness.

• Quality

Walden University believes innovation and flexibility in delivering educational programs are very important to the quality of education and that different academic routes can be used to achieve this.

• Integrity

Walden University believes in the provision and maintenance of democratic principles through the education of its learners.

• Student-centeredness

Walden University believes academic programs should be learner-centered, focused on their needs and interests rather than the institution’s. The university also believes all adult learners should have access to innovative education.

Programs Offered in Walden University

Walden University has nine (9) colleges which offer six (6) types of degree. The programs are available for both offline and online students, depending on the choice you prefer. It is important to confirm if the course you require is available online before committing to it if you are a distance-learning student.

Programs by Degree

The following degree programs are offered at Walden University:

• Bachelor’s Degree

Walden University offers 17 bachelor’s degrees in the following courses:

• Bachelor of Science in Accounting
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration
• Bachelor of Science in Business Administration Dual Degree and Global Business Concentration Programs
• Bachelor of Science in Business Communication
• Bachelor of Science in Child Development
• Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems
• Bachelor of Science in Communication
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Management
• Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education
• Bachelor of Science in Health Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Human Services
• Bachelor of Science in Information Technology
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
• Bachelor of Science in Psychology
• Bachelor of Science in Public Health
• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

• Accelerate Into Masters (AIM)

The Accelerate into Master’s (AIM) program is designed to help undergraduate students acquire a master’s degree in the shortest possible time upon finishing their undergraduate degree.

It does not guarantee admission into a master’s program but it helps students meet the admissions requirement for a master’s degree. More information about the Accelerate into Masters program is available on Walden University website https://www.waldenu.edu/

• Master’s Degree

Walden University offers 46 master’s programs across different fields of study.

• Education Specialist (EdS)

Walden University offers 9 Education specialist programs in different educational courses.

• Doctoral Degree

Walden University offers 30 doctoral degree programs across different fields of study.

• Certificates

Walden University offers 3 undergraduate certificate programs, 50 graduate certificate programs, 20 post-master’s certificate programs, and 4 post-doctoral degree programs.

Programs by Colleges

• College of Allied Health

This college offers two doctoral degree programs and one master’s program.

• The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Human Sciences

This college offers one bachelor’s program, three master’s programs and two education specialist programs under its licensure program. Under the non-licensure program, it offers two bachelor’s programs, twenty graduate certificate programs, nine master’s programs, eleven post-master’s programs, four doctoral degree programs, one undergraduate certificate program, and seven education specialist programs.

• College of Health Sciences and Public Policy

This college offers two bachelor’s programs, one undergraduate certificate program, one AIM program, seven graduate certificate programs, three master’s programs and four doctoral programs.

• College of Management and Human Potential

This college offers six bachelor’s programs, three undergraduate certificate programs, one AIM program, twenty-two graduate certificate programs, twenty-one master’s programs, eight doctoral programs, one dual degree program, and three post-doctoral programs.

• College of Nursing

This college offers one bachelor’s program, one AIM program, one undergraduate certificate program, one master’s program, eight post-master’s programs, and two doctoral programs.

• College of Psychology and Community Services

This college offers three bachelor’s programs, one AIM program, one undergraduate certificate program, two graduate certificate programs, four master’s programs, one post-master’s program, five doctoral programs, and one post-doctoral program.

• College of Social and Behavioral Health

This college offers one bachelor’s program, one AIM program, one undergraduate certificate program, one master’s program, and two doctoral programs under Barbara Solomon School of Social Work. Under the School of Counseling, it offers four master’s programs and one doctoral program.

• School of Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Studies (SIUS)

This school offers two bachelor’s programs, one AIM program, and one undergraduate certificate program

• School of Lifelong Learning

This is the name given to the long-distance education arm of the university. The School of Lifelong Learning was created to support the needs and goals of working adults and give opportunities to grow and succeed through flexible non-degree courses.

This marks the end of my appetizer offering. Now that you’ve gained a better understanding of Walden University, let’s answer the major question that brought you here.

In What State Is Walden University Located?

Walden University is a well-known online university that offers an opportunity for working professionals to gain advanced educational qualifications and establish themselves in their profession.

Walden University began at The Cove Inn in Naples, Florida. They would soon outgrow their space. The quest for a permanent location took the university from Florida to Rhode Island, Delaware, Indiana and Minneapolis. The university finally settled in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where they were granted regional accreditation.

Therefore, Walden University is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Its administrative office, however, is located in Columbia, Maryland.