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[helpful]

Did Thoreau have any descendents? If so, maybe they can sue Walden for taking the name?

[oldadjunct]

Did Thoreau have any descendents? If so, maybe they can sue Walden for taking the name?

Gary Trudeau is a more likely complaintant.

[helpful]

From Walden's website:

Walden celebrates the 150th anniversary of the publication of Walden by honoring The Thoreau Society. Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc., changes its name to Laureate Education, Inc., and acquires the remaining interest in Walden University as part of its new focus on higher education worldwide.


Ow. Sylvan? Sheesh!

[k___b]

I'm in agreement with most of the people here that attending Capella, Walden, Phoenix, etc., is not a good way to obtain a doctoral degree.  However, as a working professional and the bread-winner for my family, a traditional doctoral program is simply not an option. 

Are there any non-traditional doctoral programs that are legitimate?  I am primarily looking for a degree that is applicable in my profession (government), though I would like to leave the option open to teach.

Thanks in advance!

[helpful]

I'm in agreement with most of the people here that attending Capella, Walden, Phoenix, etc., is not a good way to obtain a doctoral degree.  However, as a working professional and the bread-winner for my family, a traditional doctoral program is simply not an option. 

Are there any non-traditional doctoral programs that are legitimate?  I am primarily looking for a degree that is applicable in my profession (government), though I would like to leave the option open to teach.

Thanks in advance!

What do you mean by 'non-traditional'? I know of lots of doctoral programs where you can continue to work while studying.

[k___b]

Due to work requirements I cannot be tied down to a daily or weekly schedule.  I could probably make monthly or quarterly weekend classes, but an online or distance education program would be the most suitable for my situation.  Are there any options outside of Capella et al?

[imawakenow]

A lot depends on where you want to end up, why you are pursuing the degree, etc..

I believe that considerably earlier in the thread I mentioned that I have a friend who did an Ed.D. at Nova and really liked it. The last I heard he was teaching full time at a religious SLAC.

So, based on my limited anecdotal evidence, you might check out Nova Southeastern.

[slipdisco]

Hello everyone!  This is Slipdisco.  I started this thread awhile ago and I see that it is still lively.

After much confusion and indecision, I'm scheduled to start at Nova Southeastern University in April for the summer session.  They have a Ph.D. program that fits my career and academic needs and wants.

I was scheduled to start at Capella but I was quickly turned-off by the way they operate.  This really began with my application to the Ph.D. program.  It was basic and simple and I didn't have to provide any references and I wrote a one paragraph essay stating my goals and intentions.  I was not required to submit my thesis or a wrting sample.  This seemed very odd.  I was accepted and they school transferred all of my master's credits, although I couldn't understand how they applied to a degree in education.  Also, I didn't want a degree in education.  At this point, Capella automatically registered me for my first classes and I was hounded by telephone and email.  I got the impression that my admission was tied to someone's sales commission and that Capella accepts anyone who is breathing.  Although I have colleagues who have completed their doctorates at Capella, my gut told me to move on.  Besides, the doctorate at Nova focused exactly on my topic of interest and master's thesis.

[octoprof]

Thanks for sharing that information, slipdisco. I hope you enjoy your studies at NSe!

[gourmand601]

Good luck on your studies, Slipdisco!

[slipdisco]

Thank you everyone.  I really appreciate the excellent advice that I received.

Slipdisco

[jonesey]

Walden recently made the news...

The U.S. Education Department’s inspector general is recommending that the agency require Walden University to repay about $270,000 to lenders and the federal government for funds it mistakenly paid to students because of administrative errors in processing their financial aid information. The inspector general’s office, in an audit it released last week, found that the for-profit graduate institution gave excessive loan funds to a mix of U.S. citizens and non-citizens, and that it had failed to ensure that the students were eligible for the aid they were requesting. The audit also suggests that the Education Department consider imposing fines on the institution.

Source:  Inside Higher Ed