July 19, 2010 18:15 ET

Walden University Adds New Bachelor's Degrees in Educational Studies and in Healthcare Management

New Programs Increase Options for Growing Undergraduate Student Population

MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwire - July 19, 2010) -  Earning a bachelor's degree can enable a person to make a potential of 30 percent more income on average over his or her lifetime, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. For people looking to remain competitive in their industries, Walden University, one of the leading providers of online degrees, continues to expand its portfolio by adding two new bachelor's programs. Designed to meet the growing demands of the professional workforce, the B.S. in Educational Studies and the B.S. in Healthcare Management help students expand their career options and prepare them for key roles in these fields.

Education Outside of the Traditional Classroom
The Richard W. Riley College of Education and Leadership is now offering a B.S. in Educational Studies, a degree program designed for professionals who are interested in education but not currently interested in becoming a licensed teacher at the bachelor's level. Individuals in this program can build a broad base of knowledge and skills needed for a future in a variety of roles in education, including careers in workforce development and training, nonprofit agencies, community programs, tutoring and support services for children and adults, education-business partnerships and educational policy.

With the opportunity to transfer more credits into the B.S. in Educational Studies program than other more specialized programs, students may potentially earn their degrees at an accelerated pace, adding to their competitive advantage in the marketplace.

Learn to Navigate the Complex Healthcare Industry
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, an increasing need for medical services over the next eight years will result in growing job opportunities in the healthcare industry. Walden's College of Health Sciences has created the B.S. in Healthcare Management program to help address the demand in the healthcare industry for qualified professionals to manage and evaluate healthcare programs, organizations and services and provide innovative solutions for evolving healthcare systems.

In this degree program, students can gain the knowledge and skills needed to manage, organize and evaluate healthcare programs, organizations and services in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, retirement communities, ambulatory care centers, rehabilitation and long-term care facilities, home healthcare and physicians' offices.

The B.S. in Healthcare Management program also includes a bachelor's plus option, in which students can take select graduate courses to earn credit toward a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.). This option may allow students to earn a master's degree in 18 months once undergraduate coursework is completed.

Walden is accepting applications for its new educational offerings. For more information on these new undergraduate programs, go to www.WaldenU.edu/bachelors.

About Walden University
For 40 years, Walden University has supported working professionals in achieving their academic goals and making a greater impact in their professions and their communities. Today, more than 42,500 students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries are pursuing their bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees at Walden. The university provides students with an engaging educational experience that connects them with expert faculty and peers around the world. Walden is the flagship online university in the Laureate International Universities network -- a global network of more than 50 online and campus-based universities in 21 countries.

Walden offers more than 45 degree programs with more than 195 specializations and concentrations. Areas of study include health sciences, counseling, human services, management, psychology, education, public health, nursing, public administration, technology and engineering. 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.ncahlc.org.