Online university forms strategic alliance with the YMCA

Online university forms strategic alliance with the YMCA

Walden University has recently announced that it has created a new partnership with the YMCA that will give the organization's employees, volunteers and their families access to the university's online degree programs.

"We are pleased to join forces with Walden University to continue the YMCA's commitment to supporting the professional development and personal growth of our staff," said Terri Radcliff, YMCA of the USA's vice president of training and leadership development.

"This alliance with Walden gives our employees and volunteers a convenient format to earn a degree and immediately apply what they learn on the job and continue to advance their career at the YMCA," she added.

Through the alliance, nearly 2.5 million YMCA workers and their family members will have access to more than 40 online degree offerings.

Potential areas of study include human services, psychology, education, public administration as well as technology and engineering.

Currently, nearly 4 million students are taking online courses and earning online college degrees. At the secondary school level, more than 700,000 high school students are taking one or more courses online and nearly 40 states have established state-led virtual schools.

By Mark Danson