How the retail giant is making healthcare more affordable and preparing for the next generation of healthcare workers.
Millions of Walmart’s associates can now earn college degrees in health-related fields.
Walmart’s 1.5 million associates in the U.S. can now apply for one of seven bachelor’s degrees and two career diplomas in health-related fields for $1 a day through the Live Better U education program.
“The degrees will prepare associates for the next generation of healthcare jobs and provide a clear path to higher-paying jobs in a growing area of the company and in the economy,” says Michelle Malashock, director, media relations and corporate communications, Walmart.
The program includes the debt-free $1 a day degree program, free high school completion for associates and eligible family members, discounts on higher education programs like master’s degrees, and free foreign language learning in partnership with Guild Education. Additionally, associates can get college credit for training they receive on the job through the retailer’s Academies.
New courses include diploma programs for pharmacy technicians and opticians through Penn Foster, and seven bachelor’s degrees in health science, health and wellness, and healthcare management/administration offered through Purdue University Global, Southern New Hampshire University, and Wilmington University.
Related:Walmart Launches Digital Healthcare Site
The new offerings will arm associates with training to fill critical healthcare roles across Walmart and Sam’s Club, which includes more than 5,000 retail pharmacies, 3,000 vision centers, and 400 hearing centers, as well as the new Walmart Health center in Georgia.
“The upskilled workforce will help Walmart make quality healthcare more affordable and accessible for customers in the communities it serves,” Malashock says. “Walmart’s health and wellness strategy is continuing to evolve, including the recently opened the Walmart Health center in Georgia, a prototype that works with partner providers to deliver affordable, transparent pricing for key health services for local customers, regardless of insurance status.”
The new health and wellness courses offered through Live Better U provide a clear path to higher pay jobs in a growing area of both Walmart and in the economy, according to Malashock.
“This is especially important because the health industry has projected growth of 18% between 2016 and 2026, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics,” she says. “As Walmart’s health and wellness strategy and offerings continue to evolve, Live Better U will play a critical role in preparing its associates across the country for future work opportunities in the growing healthcare field.”
Optimize Your Healthcare Payments with Optum Financial
April 29th 2025Discover how Optum Financial is revolutionizing healthcare payments in our latest whitepaper. Learn how transitioning to electronic payments can reduce administrative costs, streamline claims processing and enhance security.
Read More
Conversations With Perry and Friends
April 14th 2025Perry Cohen, Pharm.D., a longtime member of the Managed Healthcare Executive editorial advisory board, is host of the Conversations with Perry and Friends podcast. His guest this episode is John Baackes, the former CEO of L.A. Care Health Plan.
Listen
Healthcare hasn't been a priority of the second Trump administration so far, panelists at the Asembia agreed. Medicaid may loom large, though, as the administration and congressional Republicans look for ways to slash government spending as a way of offsetting major tax cuts.
Read More
Breaking Down Health Plans, HSAs, AI With Paul Fronstin of EBRI
November 19th 2024Featured in this latest episode of Tuning In to the C-Suite podcast is Paul Fronstin, director of health benefits research at EBRI, who shed light on the evolving landscape of health benefits with editors of Managed Healthcare Executive.
Listen
What 5 Managed Care Trends Experts Say You’re Not Watching Closely Enough
April 29th 2025Managed Healthcare Executive asked several experts in healthcare and managed care to share the trends they think the industry is overlooking. From rising costs and data challenges to shifts in how care is delivered, these are the issues that could have a major impact — and deserve a closer look.
Read More