Online university awards degrees to more than 3,300 students

Online university awards degrees to more than 3,300 students

Walden University, an accredited online education provider, recently celebrated the graduation of over 3,300 students at a commencement ceremony in Dallas, Texas.

Former U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings delivered the commencement speech to graduates representing 49 states and 25 countries. This was also the first year that the university graduated students from its master of arts in teaching and bachelor of science in psychology programs.

"Walden alumni are distinguishing themselves in many fields and in many parts of the world," said Spellings in her speech. "We need that spirit of calling – of putting your whole heart and soul into active citizenship, engagement with the world, and innovation."

The university is celebrating its 40th anniversary as a distance learning provider in the higher education sector. To date, Walden has graduated more than 36,000 students.

Nearly one in four American students take at least some college courses online, up from one in 10 in 2002, Reuters reports. The online education sector grew 13 percent last year and had been growing at about 20 percent in previous years.

By Mark Danson