As a Walden University student I just came to the realization of the low-quality education I am receiving, and I am deeply disappointed on this institution. I recently enrolled in a college algebra class, which cost me $1550 plus the “Walden Technology Fee.” The problem is not the cost; the problem is that the Math class that Walden University considers college-level algebra is in reality a foundation of algebra class in any other college.
In the fall of 2012, I took a Math96 (Intermediate Algebra & Geometry) class at my San Diego City College. The Math96 is a pre-requisite for other math courses such as Calculous, College Algebra Matrix, Statistics and more. All this time I knew that I needed to take a college algebra class, and in fact Walden University required me to take that class, so I enrolled in their Math 1040-1 class.
When I logged in, I went through the syllabus and the class objectives, only to found out that the content of the class was the same as the content from the class I took back in 2012 (Intermediate Algebra). I proceeded to contact my counselor and ask if there was a higher level math, or if this was the class I needed to take; her answer was that Math 1040-1 was the class required for my degree.
I told my counselor about the similarities between the class I took at SDCC and the class I am currently taking at Walden University. My counselor stated that because the class I took is not a “100” class, the class is not considered a college level class. However, when you compare both syllabuses, they literally have the same learning outcomes and objectives.
The issue I have with Walden University is not that I am not getting credit for the class, instead my issue is that Walden University is selling me “college-level” algebra class that is clearly and barely a foundational math class at any other institution.
My counselor advised me to send a Petition of Credit Transfer, which I did, but of course it got denied. When I asked for an explanation there was none; when I asked to be contacted from someone from the admissions office, I was told they do not interact with students. So my questions are:
Who can explain to me the differences between these two classes?
Are the classes different just because Walden University calls it a “Math1040” class and SDCC calls the same class “Math96”?
I honestly feel deceived and sick to my stomach that I have to take this class again, and pay Walden University $1550. Walden University is just another institution with a low-quality education and that only cares about money. When I enrolled in the Math 1040 class at Walden University, I was expecting to learn something new. However, all I am getting is a remedial course that has no validity at other institutions.