MINNEAPOLIS, May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Walden University announced today that it has formed educational partnerships with six additional associations to provide more than 70,000 employees and members nationwide with higher education opportunities. Currently, Walden partners with more than 150 domestic and international organizations, including hospitals, health systems, nonprofits, businesses and education organizations and institutions to provide educational opportunities to their employees and members.

Employees and members of the new partner organizations now have the opportunity to pursue a bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree online at Walden. They can choose from more than 65 online degree programs with more than 330 specializations and concentrations, including health sciences, counseling, human services, management, psychology, education, public health, nursing, public administration and information technology. Walden's degree programs are designed to provide critical-thinking and problem-solving skills that students can apply immediately in their workplace as well as to challenges facing their communities.

Walden's six new educational partners are:

Association of California Nurse Leaders (ACNL)—The Association of California Nurse Leaders is a professional nursing organization that develops nurse leaders, advances professional practice, influences health policy and promotes quality care and patient safety.

Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting (ALPFA)—The Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting is a national association for business professionals and students dedicated to enhancing opportunities for Latinos and building leadership and career skills.

FBI National Academy Associates, Inc. (FBI NAA)—The FBI National Academy Associates is a nonprofit, international organization of senior law enforcement professionals dedicated to providing communities, states, countries and the profession with the highest degree of law enforcement expertise, training, education and information.

National Sheriffs' Association (NSA)—The National Sheriffs' Association is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising the level of professionalism among those in the criminal justice and public safety fields.

New Hampshire Nurses' Association (NHNA)—The New Hampshire Nurses' Association is a membership association that advocates for all nurses regardless of specialty or practice setting. It promotes the practice of professional nursing, advances the development of professional nurses and improves the health standards and availability of health services for all people in New Hampshire.

Virginia Head Start Association (VAHSA)—The Virginia Head Start Association is a state affiliate of the National Head Start Association. Head Start is a child development program for children from birth to age 5. VAHSA has 51 Head Start programs throughout Virginia that provide services to promote academic, social and emotional development for income-eligible families.

Through Walden's educational partnerships, organizations can help their employees excel personally and professionally. Walden offers relevant, state-of-the-art degree programs that focus on real-world challenges and inspire positive social change. For more information about Walden, its programs and its educational partnership opportunities, visit www.WaldenU.edu/partnerships.

About Walden University

For more than 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 48,500 students from all 50 states and more than 140 countries are pursuing their bachelor's, master's or doctoral degrees online 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 55 campus-based and online universities in 28 countries.

Walden offers more than 65 degree programs with more than 330 specializations and concentrations. Areas of study include health sciences, counseling, human services, management, psychology, education, public health, nursing, public administration and information technology. 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.

SOURCE Walden University