Walsh College : Empowering Global Students For Real-World Careers & Opportunities
By Dr Dave Schippers, VP & Chief Academic Officer, Dr Joey-Lynn Bialkowski-Peterson, Associate VP - Enrollment & Student Success)
The education industry is evolving steadily, with the curriculum based on technological advancements and increasing demand for high-quality education. Many higher education institutions offer theoretical learning, which will hinder gaining practical skills and leave graduates unprepared for handling real-world industry challenges. International students face difficulties with cultural adaptation and lack proper academic support according to their preferences. After completing the education program, it is hard for the students to land a job according to their options.
Walsh College provides a transformative business and technology education that combines theory, application, and professional experience to prepare graduates for successful careers. The institution focuses on a transformative education that integrates both theory and hands-on application, and this approach makes the learner able to understand and solve real-world industry problems. The institution welcomes international students with a dedicated office and coordinator, and the institution represents more than 70 countries. The college is located in Troy, MI with a diverse and globally connected community. After completing the program, the institution offers monthly interaction for career support and on-site job opportunities. The college has a strong tie-up with the Greater Detroit metropolitan area, which is an opportunity to connect more than 6000 businesses across sectors like tech, healthcare, engineering, and finance.
Innovating Business & Cyber Education
The college was established back in 1922, and had introduced its first master's program in taxation, laying the groundwork for a diverse range of degrees that would follow. Over the years, Walsh College has remained dedicated to business and technology programs, a commitment that has stood the test of time. Technology courses emerged in the 1980s, and technology degrees followed in the mid to late 1990s, showcasing the institution's adaptability in a rapidly changing world. This is the first institution in Michigan to receive the National Security Agency’s Department of Homeland Security designation as a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance. The college also received accreditation for online learning, which further demonstrates a commitment to innovation in education.
“We are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, and recognized as a center of academic excellence in cyber defense and cyber security education by the NSA. Furthermore, we have positioned ourselves as a premier business and technology, which includes students and working professionals”, highlights Dr Dave Schippers, Vice President & Chief Academic Officer, Walsh College.
The college is keen on providing a quality education and there are strict educational and qualification requirements in place, which aligns with accreditation standards
Real-World Teaching with Virtual Access
The college has experienced faculty members with immense knowledge to guide students with real-world professional success. The college has established a professional standards committee, which is primarily composed of faculty members, and this committee defines qualified faculty members to join as full-time or part time professors.
Furthermore, the college is keen on providing a quality education and there are strict educational and qualification requirements in place, which aligns with accreditation standards. For instance, the faculty member should have relevant work experience in the industry. If some professor is teaching in the Master of Science in Finance program, they are expected to have at least three to five years of actual work experience in the finance sector. This combination of academic qualifications and industry experience creates a dynamic learning environment. The institution offers scholarships, particularly to help international students.
The infrastructure of the college is a blend of modern and business architecture. The facilities, like computer labs, virtual labs, means students can access everything from anywhere. Students can participate in these virtual labs from home. Zoom technology is used to create a hybrid classroom, while also offering tutoring services which are available for anyone. It also provides different connection opportunities for learners to engage through one-on-one meetings.
Future-Focused Business & Tech Programs
Walsh College is known for accounting programs, Bachelor of Accounting and also offers Bachelor of Science in Applied management. They also offer MBA that includes STEM options, along with specialties in accounting, Finance, Management, Marketing and tax. The doctoral programs which have top-ranked in DBA according to Forbes online.
Additionally, the college is also exploring artificial intelligence and machine learning, wherein, it offers degrees ranging from a Bachelor of Science in information technology with a major in AIML to a Master’s in AIML as part of a tech PhD program. It also offers data analytics, cyber security, project management and many other technological based programs.
Going forward, Walsh College is also launching a new fintech program and partnering with a significant industry player in the field to operate on a national and even global scale to offer internships. The college team is actively engaging with their advisory boards to explore AI’s current implications for industry leadership, ensuring they stay aligned with the evolving educational landscape. The aim is centered on application theory, to give professional experience, and the curriculum is designed to view AI not merely as a tool but as a fundamental aspect of the future business. The institution is offering internationally and nationally ranked business and technology bachelor’s, master’s, and Forbes number 1 ranked Doctoral programs.