Tiffany Rapier of Corbin, KY, is a mother of 7 and an online student. She is also a first-generation college student completing her education in what’s known as an Education Desert, or an area with limited access to colleges or universities.
First-generation college students often face unique challenges that can significantly impact their ability to pursue higher education, especially those living in education deserts. Many of these students lack the familial experience to navigate the complexities of higher education, such as understanding financial aid, selecting courses or managing academic expectations. For those in education deserts, the absence of nearby institutions compounds the problem, limiting their access to in-person support systems, networking opportunities and academic resources. However, the rise of online learning offers a crucial lifeline.
Online education allows these students to access quality degree programs without the need to relocate or commute long distances. Flexible schedules, diverse course offerings and the ability to balance work and study make it a viable option for those who might otherwise struggle to find the time or resources to attend a traditional campus-based program. Through online learning, first-generation students in remote areas can overcome geographic and logistical barriers, gaining the education and skills necessary to pursue their career goals.
Take a few moments to watch Tiffany’s powerful story below, and see how she was able to complete both her BS and MS in Criminal Justice through UofL’s online programs!
Outstanding faculty, student services, and high levels of student engagement are just a few of the reasons US News & World Report ranked UofL’s online Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) ninth in the nation in its listing of the 2016 Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs. More than 50 regionally accredited online criminal justice programs were evaluated for the 2016 report. The University of Louisville program improved its ranking from 13th in the nation in 2015 to 9th in 2016.
The US News & World Report rankings are based on a survey of academics at peer institutions and each school’s score reflects its average rating on a scale from 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding). Programs are ranked based upon faculty credentials and training, student services and technology, student engagement, and admissions selectivity. The MSCJ online program received its highest scores in faculty credentials and training, student services and technology, and student engagement.
The online master’s in criminal justice is designed for law enforcement, investigation, security and corrections professionals who are interested in pursuing positions of leadership within the justice system. The program has developed educational partnerships, that provide additional financial support to qualifying students, with the National Sheriffs’ Association, Kentucky State Police, Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police, Metro Louisville first responders and the Southern Police Institute.
The degree curriculum addresses the criminal justice system, theories of crime and delinquency, legal issues in criminal justice, advanced statistics and research methods as well as a number of specialized electives such as capital punishment, justice policy, and justice in the media. UofL’s MSCJ program can be completed in two years.
The value that faculty brings to the classroom goes beyond their expertise in the field, reputation in the industry and extensive networking opportunities they facilitate for their students. “The faculty at the University of Louisville are so completely dedicated to the success of their students,” said MSCJ Online graduate Virginia Braden. “They are remarkable in their personal attention to the students and though I had all online classes, I was able to develop and maintain relationships with them that have served me so well throughout the years – all without ever stepping foot in a brick and mortar classroom.”
Through faculty involvement in community service and professional organizations, the Criminal Justice Department at UofL has developed a strong network of organizations and entities including Metro Louisville Government, Family & Children First, American Correctional Association, National Consortium for White Collar Crime Research, and the American Bar Association, among many others.
To learn more about the online criminal justice graduate program, visit the MSCJ website.
US News & World Report – Online Programs Rankings 2016
The value and quality of online programs offered at the University of Louisville has been recognized again by the U.S. News and World Report’s 2016 Rankingsof the United States’ best colleges and universities, released in January.
More than 1,200 online programs offered at regionally accredited institutions were evaluated. Out of those, UofL online programs were ranked as the nation’s best across three categories: Criminal Justice, Computer Information Technology, and Education.
The Online Graduate Criminal Justice (CJ) Program within the College of Arts and Sciences at UofL rank #9 for 2016, which is an improvement over the #13 ranking last year. The master’s in criminal justice online program gets highest scores in faculty credentials and training, student services and technology, and student engagement.
The Online Graduate Computer Information Technology (CIT) Programs offered by the J.B. Speed School of Engineering at UofL rank #23 for 2016, sharing this position with University of North Carolina-Greensboro. The online computer science programs score highest in faculty credentials and training, and in admissions selectivity.
The Graduate Education Programs offered through the College of Education and Human Development at UofL rank #124 for 2016, tied with Brandman University, Northwestern State University of Louisiana, St. Leo University, University of North Texas and Virginia Commonwealth University. The online education programs score high in faculty credentials and training, and student services and technology. The range of education online programs include a master’s in higher education administration, a master’s in special education, and a master’s in human resources and organization development.
The US News & World Report 2016 rankings are based on a survey of academics at peer institutions and each school’s score reflects its average rating on a scale from 1 (marginal) to 5 (outstanding). In 2015, the University of Louisville, overall as an institution, was ranked #168 among all national universities, #91 of top public schools and #134 among best colleges for veterans. Updated institutional rankings for 2016 are expected later this year.
Visit UofL Online Learning to learn more about our online degree, certificate and endorsement programs.
Selecting the perfect degree program is an age-old rite of passage for students. Historically, 18-19-year-olds would go straight from high school through college before taking on careers and starting families. Students today often detour from that traditional path and blaze their own trails back to the classroom, sometimes later in life, and usually with diverse sets of needs, concerns, and expectations. Cutting edge online degree programs provide the perfect blend of fit and flexibility for the frenetic pace of today’s modern students. For University of Louisville Criminal Justice graduate and non-traditional student, Virginia Braden, online learning was not just simply the right fit for her busy lifestyle; it was the perfect fit.
Virginia Braden completed both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Justice Administration (now called Criminal Justice) at the University of Louisville, and credits the flexibility of online learning for allowing her to accomplish her long-held dream of collegiate success. Though local to the region, the divorced working mother of five children said that traveling to campus each day was, “simply not an option,” given the demands of her personal and professional life.
“The online degree program at UofL made it possible for me to capture a dream that otherwise would have remained forever out of reach,” Braden said. “Most important to me, is that it has communicated to my children the worth and value of a higher education – and that if you are willing to work for what you want, anything is possible.”
Though she’s gone on to complete a graduate degree and is a licensed private investigator and behavioral profiler, one memory still stands out from Braden’s time at UofL.
“The night I graduated with my bachelor’s degree all five of my children were present and as I went on to pursue my master’s degree online with UofL as well, they’ve been my biggest supporters,” she said. “Two of them are now college age and are themselves pursuing degrees.”
Braden said it was UofL’s reputation for educational excellence that first piqued her interest, but credited the quality of the instruction in the online Criminal Justice program for keeping her desire for continued education strong, while obtaining not only one, but two degrees via e-learning.
“The faculty at the University of Louisville are so completely dedicated to the success of their students,” she said. “They are remarkable in their personal attention to the students and though I had all online classes, I was able to develop and maintain relationships with them that have served me so well throughout the years – all without ever stepping foot in a brick and mortar classroom.”
“There is a real sense of community in the online classes and the professors are intentional in their commitment to forging and nurturing that sense of community,” she added.
Braden said that the strong sense of community was especially important as she and her children went through a traumatic divorce and spent time living in a hotel. During this time, Braden’s drive and determination to meet her dream and attain her degree pulled her through.
“Without question, the drive to complete my degree, the ability to continue on towards that goal via online classes in the midst of such a dark time provided me an anchor,” she said.
For Braden, success was not just an option, it was a requirement.
“I remember I had an empty frame hanging on my wall in my home office, a reminder of the goal I was after, and a promise to myself that I would one day have a degree to put in it,” she said. “When we became homeless for that period of time, I packed up the empty frame and brought it with me to the hotel and put it out, determined that though my life circumstances had changed, my goals and vision had not.”
Now Braden’s frame has been filled and although she encountered personal hardships during her journey as a student, she persevered, and ultimately found e-learning to be the best option for achieving her lifelong educational goals. Not only did Braden fill her original empty frame, she also filled a second one by earning her master’s degree online as well. Now her framed diplomas proudly serve as a reminder of the goals and dreams she achieved through online learning at the University of Louisville.
Visit our Criminal Justice online program page to learn more about the courses offered, and to find a program that is the perfect fit for you.
