Walden University Receives North Central Association Approval to Offer Online Master's and Ph.D. Programs in Public Health

Business Wire, May 6, 2003

Business Editors

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 6, 2003

Programs to Begin in June Will Help Professionals Address Range of

Existing and Emerging Public Health Issues

Walden University, part of Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc.'s (NASDAQ:SLVN) expanding worldwide network of universities, announced today that it has received approval from the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association to offer the Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) and Ph.D. in Public Health degree programs.

These two new programs join Walden's existing Master of Science in Public Health program as offerings of the university's School of Health & Human Services. The addition of these programs makes Walden the only regionally accredited distance-education institution in the United States to offer a full range of graduate degrees in public health. The two new programs begin in June.

"We are faced with new and challenging public health issues on a global scale. At the same time, a National Academy of Sciences Institute of Medicine report recently said that less than one-fifth of our nation's public health professionals have received formal public health education," said Paula Singer, president of Sylvan Online Higher Education. "These new advanced degree programs from Walden will give working public health professionals the theoretical foundation and practical experience needed to address emerging problems around the world."

Walden's new M.P.H. program is designed to prepare students with little to no experience in community health to work with communities to map their public health assets and needs, and to develop and evaluate culturally relevant interventions to promote health.

The Ph.D. in Public Health is an online, course-based degree program that focuses on community health. Students will acquire strategies for developing solutions to significant public health problems, and apply and integrate new knowledge into public health research and practitioner settings.

The curriculum includes consideration of the medical, social, political, ethical and economic factors that contribute to the overall well-being of a public health system and the community it serves. The program offers two admissions tracks, including one for students with master's degrees in public health and one for students who have a bachelor's degree or non-public health master's degree.

"Together with the current M.S. in Public Health, our new online M.P.H. and Ph.D. in Public Health programs will reach individuals and organizations here and abroad who are responsible for improving the health of their communities," said Michael Graham, Ph.D., dean of the School of Health & Human Services at Walden University. "Our programs offer students a rich blend of education, training, and research, all of which are designed to improve professional knowledge and practice in this increasingly important field. Walden's unique online learning model not only enhances the reach of our program, but allows for extensive interaction and dialogue among students, instructors, and guest lecturers."

The M.P.H. and Ph.D. faculty is diverse in ethnicity, gender, expertise and locations. Many come from research universities, while others hold positions in direct public health practice. The faculty also includes individuals who have served in such positions as state epidemiologist, state director of health, and public health researcher.

"Walden University's mission is to support broad access to learning, and to encourage all students to seek social change within their respective communities or professions," said Walden University President and Provost Paula E. Peinovich, Ph.D. "These new programs encourage our students not only to seek solutions to public health problems that have plagued us for years, but to be prepared to take on new and emerging challenges."

For more information about Walden's new Master of Public Health or Ph.D. program in Public Health, visit www.waldenu.edu or call 1-866-4WALDEN (1-866-492-5336).

About Walden University

Walden University (www.waldenu.edu), America's premier online university, offers graduate degrees at a distance in education, management, psychology, and health and human services, as well as bachelor's degree completion programs in business administration and information systems.

Walden's student-centered e-learning model allows students to pursue career-enhancing, advanced degrees without sacrificing their personal and professional commitments. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, Walden University has graduated thousands of students from all 50 states and more than 30 countries.

Walden University is 51% owned by Sylvan Ventures, a research and investment arm of Sylvan Learning Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:SLVN).

About the North Central Association

The North Central Association (www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org) was founded in 1895 as a membership organization for educational institutions. It is committed to developing and maintaining high standards of excellence. The Association is one of six regional institutional accrediting associations in the United States.