Category: Communications

Student Spotlight: Digital Leadership/IT Student Answers

Student Spotlight: Digital Leadership/IT Student Answers

Meet Stephanie Allen! Stephanie is a BS in Organizational Leadership and Learning (OLL) graduate with a track focus in Digital Leadership/IT. She currently works full-time and continues to plot her own course in life through her efforts with her BS in OLL degree. Let’s hear directly from her!  

“When most people hear about the digital leadership track, they think of Information Technology (IT), Cloud, or Cyber Security. While those are great digital tracks, my focus is on digital management, marketing, and sales. There are so many careers out there that are digital marketing at their core and the Digital Leadership track is fantastic for this! For those thinking about returning, I want to share that my first semester has been invigorating. As an adult with a busy life and away from college for a few years, I was extremely nervous. But the nerves dissipated after discovering how collaborative the OLL faculty and professors are. Plus, the courses are designed intentionally and are multifunctional. I appreciate that I can take tasks or projects from work and adapt/adjust them to align with my assignments. And, I also really enjoy the 8-week term option.”

The BS OLL degree is designed to equip you with the knowledge required for career advancement or a possible career change in today’s competitive and evolving workforce. We offer 9 specialized tracks to fit your career goals, allowing you to become an even more valuable member of any company or organization. BS OLL students can also graduate faster by earning college credit for work experience through the program’s Prior Learning Assessment component and could earn up to 48 credit hours tuition free – up to $24,672 in savings. 

The Digital Leadership/IT track is for business professionals who seek to develop their leadership skills as well as their knowledge in IT. The curriculum focuses on organizational and employee effectiveness, work morale, and more, while providing broad-based technology knowledge.  

UofL has partnered with several technology industry vendors including IBM, Google, Microsoft, and Adobe to provide the opportunity to earn recognized technology micro-credentials in certain courses, at no additional cost. Faculty and staff work with individual students to determine which micro-credentials are the best fit for their experience and career path. 

If you’d like to learn more about tracks and stories like Stephanie’s, click here and get started!  


Why Choose Political Science at UofL Online?

Why Choose Political Science at UofL Online?

Over the past several years the political landscape in the United States has been rocky; to say the least. With politics creeping into every conversation from vaccines to women’s rights to even marriage opportunities and the second amendment – there is no way to escape it – politics are everywhere. At University of Louisville, we understand that politics play a large role within the national and global ecosystem – that’s why UofL offers a degree, 100% online. This program is ideal for students who wish to pursue their bachelor’s to help position themselves, not only for their future, but for the future of our nation and potentially the world. 

Political science is a discipline that focuses on the theory and practice of government at the local, state, national and international levels. The discipline is dedicated to understanding institutions, practices, and social bonds that constitute public life and modes of inquiry that promote global citizenship. The online BA in Political Science at the University of Louisville explores how issues related to power, conflict, and justice within our political systems, policies and government impact future change. 

Students interested in pursuing this major have the option to complete their coursework in four major subfields of political science: American Politics, Comparative Politics, International Relations or Political Theory. While every student’s interest in pursuing a degree in political science may differ – their end goal is usually the same – earn a degree to help cultivate the future of law and policies in America and around the world. The information listed below highlights the program courses and provides an overview of career opportunities for UofL’s Political Science graduates:

Program and course overview:

The online BA in Political Science is a 121-credit hour program broken down into the following curriculum components:

  • General education classes (31 credit hours)
  • Arts & Sciences programmatic requirements (22 credit hours)
  • Core political science courses (15 credit hours)
  • Supporting Courses (53 hours)

While 121 credits are needed for degree completion, students who have some college credit from a previously attended university may be eligible to transfer up to 90 credits and complete their degree at UofL in a shorter amount of time. For a complete list of course descriptions, credits needed to graduate and credit-transfer information – click here.

Program highlights:

  • Explore how issues related to power, conflict, and justice within our political systems, policies, government and society impact future change.
  • Study theories of government and the development of political systems along with the role of groups and individuals within the political process.
  • Earn a highly marketable and sought-after degree in as little as 2 years with transfer credits—on your time and schedule with 100% online classes.
  • Learn from distinguished university faculty with notable academic credentials, political science experience and a commitment to applied research.
  • Build a strong foundation for pursuing advanced political science education, law degrees and more opportunities.

Program outcomes:

Earning a degree in political science paves the way for graduates to pursue a variety of roles that go well beyond government and politics, while also developing critical thinking, research, writing and analytical skills. No matter what area of political science you study, the critical skills you develop in research, analysis and communications can help you succeed both inside and outside the political arena. Many graduates go on to have successful careers—both in the U.S. and abroad—in the following fields:

  • Local, state and federal government agencies
  • Campaigns
  • International affairs
  • Economic development offices
  • Non-governmental organizations
  • Nonprofit organizations
  • Regulatory agencies
  • Law/legal organizations
  • Public policy
  • Business
  • Academia
  • Media

How to apply:

Students interested in pursuing their degree are encouraged to take the first step – apply. The undergraduate program in Political Science has three application deadlines throughout the year – July 1, December 1 and April 1. Students are admitted on a rolling basis, however adhering to the preferred application deadlines can ensure a streamlined start time for the Fall, Spring or Summer start dates. Students interested in starting the process are encouraged to complete the undergraduate application, submit the $25 non-refundable application fee, along with submitting any official college transcripts for transfer credits from previously attended institutions. If you have college credit but did not finish your bachelor’s degree, students are eligible to transfer up to 60 hours from a community college and up to 90 hours from an accredited 4-year college. Transfer applicants must have a minimum college GPA of 2.5 to be admitted in good standing.No matter what your reasoning is for earning your degree in Political Science, the University of Louisville affords you the opportunity to do so, 100% online, allowing you to focus on your professional and educational goals, on your own timeline. To learn more about this degree or other degrees offered 100% online, click here

Student Spotlight: Leadership, Training, & Organizational Development Student Answers

Student Spotlight: Leadership, Training, & Organizational Development Student Answers

Chrysty Fortner, PMP, BCxP, and BSOLL – LTOD graduate is a UofL Online grad who completed a BS in Organizational Leadership & Learning, with a focus in Leadership, Training, & Organizational Development. She is currently employed at ECHO Power Engineering as a Director of Programs and Special Projects. Today, we’ll be reviewing her answers to some of our student spotlight questions to better understand her program and how it will prepare her for future career success! As Chrysty notes, “At 55 I started this program because I wanted to set my sights on career advancement between 55 and retirement, this program is how I chose to address it. The experience has been one of the most empowering journeys in all of my working years. I am literally ready for anything life has to offer!” 

Let’s dive into her responses to our questions!   

Q: Why did you select the OLL program?  

CF: I researched relentlessly. It’s how I am made. I was searching for two specific outcomes: finding a program that would evaluate credit hours for past work experiences and ensuring the program could utilize my old (old) school credits to shorten the bridge to graduation.  

Q: What are you enjoying most about the program?  

CF: The courses are highly relevant to today’s professional challenges. Addressing the social dynamics as well as the advances in processes and technology have made what I’m learning at this stage of my career invaluable. I am becoming a more confident critical thinker, while incorporating new and old ideas into my work. 

Q: Do you feel the program is providing the skills you need to be successful in your career?

CF: Most definitely, and certainly skills I could have been using the past thirty years to navigate tough people, tough situations, and tough work environments. I can say this with certainty, it’s never too late to validate the tools you already have and learn new skills altogether. 

Q: Would you recommend the program? Why?  

CF: I highly recommend the program. After reviewing my past college credits with my advisor, it was discovered that I could earn thirty-six credit hours from past experience and needed only twelve program-specific courses to graduate. The BSOLL program was designed to help learners like me attain those credit hours and is flexible enough to allow for a course load to fit my objectives and schedule. Additionally, the obvious mission for both faculty and advisors is to, “…help them cross the finish line!” 

Q: What is your new employer’s name and what is your new title?  

CF: Director of Programs and Special Projects at ECHO Power Engineering. 

Q: Any additional comments you would like to share?  

CF: At 55 I started this program because I wanted to set my sights on career advancement between 55 and retirement, this program is how I chose to address it. The experience has been one of the most empowering journeys in all of my working years. I am literally ready for anything life has to offer! 

Curious about the Leadership, Training, & Organizational Leadership track? Click here and learn more!  

Bachelor of Art vs. Bachelor of Science in Communications at UofL Online

Bachelor of Art vs. Bachelor of Science in Communications at UofL Online


The University of Louisville’s Online Learning division offers prospective students the opportunity to earn their bachelor’s degree in Communications. Offered as a BA or BS, both communication degrees are effective in preparing online students for a wide range of career opportunities. However, deciding which degree path to pursue can be a personal choice based on your individual career goals. 

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) focuses on the overall enhancement of oral and written communication skills, as well as developing your understanding of how we as humans communicate with one another, combined with courses in liberal arts and a variety of additional elective options. The (BS) in Communications deepens your knowledge of skills in such areas as copywriting, public speaking and focuses more on a student’s targeted career path within the communications field.

Highlighted below is a breakdown of the two communication degree options offered at UofL, along with career outcomes and potential internship opportunities.

Bachelor of Arts in Communication:

The BA in Communication is offered in a 121 credit-hour format. The BA requires 18 hours in core communication disciplines and 18 hours in communication electives, focusing on delivering a wider breath of knowledge in areas like foreign language and liberal arts. Students interested in pursuing their BA in communications gain a broader understanding of how we communicate with one another with additional core requirements in a foreign language and other social science areas (such as sociology, psychology or women’s, gender and sexuality studies).

Graduates from the B.A. in Communication have a broader understanding of the communication field as a whole and the option to pursue multiple career paths. Some options of potential career opportunities for graduate from this degree include; TV and cable companies, radio stations, advertising agencies, news organizations, print publishing companies, event firms and many more. 

Bachelor of Science in Communication:

The BS in Communication is offered in a 121 credit-hour format as well. However, the BS option requires 27 hours in core communication disciplines and 21 hours in communication electives. This degree option focuses more on applied communication with core requirements in areas like copywriting, newswriting, public speaking, debate and more. In addition to a more targeted track option within the communication field of study, students are also required to complete an internship (3 credits) in order to graduate. By requiring a mandatory internship, students will gain hands-on experience within their chosen field of interest. Along with the internship requirement, additional core communication courses are required in the following classes:

  • Comm 302 – Advanced Speech Communication or 319 Debate (3 credits) – Advanced principals of public speaking
  • Comm 320, 323, or 344 (3 credits) – Study and practice of news-writing and reporting techniques for routine news stories, including story organization, writing story leads, and the elements of hard news and feature journalism.

The University’s communication and advising departments work with online students in the BS Communications track to find internships that are best suited for their professional goals. Several examples of current internship opportunities for communication majors include:

Emma Bowen Foundation – The Emma Bowen Foundation promotes a more diverse industry by recruiting promising students of color and placing them in multi-year paid summer internships at some of the nation’s leading media and tech companies, such as FOX Television Stations, Hearst Television, The Financial Times, NFL, Paramount, and Warner Bros. Discovery. Whether you’re interested in being a producer, a journalist, a web developer, an engineer, a business executive, a PR agent, a sales representative, or any other career in media or tech, the EBF Internship is here to help you get your start.

Sports Radio America – SRA is seeking a Sports Writer intern. The intern will work under the supervision of the Managing Editor. Provide game notes, reports, and recaps for the university attendees. If accessible, provide news and insights to high school sports in the surrounding area. If approved for media credentials by the Sports Information Department, cover post-game press conferences, provide pictures, videos, and sounds from games covered.

Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana – Assist the team with the planning of fundraising events, stewardship of donors, and administrative support of fundraisers including Walk for Wishes, Gala and many more.

Signature Inspire Foundation – Social Media Intern to manage the social media of Signature Inspire Foundation. Utilizing all social media platforms to support Signature Inspire Foundation’s programs & services and increase awareness of the foundation.

For a complete list of available internship opportunities for communication majors, click here.

Earning a degree in communication opens the doors to ample career opportunities. No matter which communications degree path you choose, a BS or a BA, the expertise you develop in analyzing and implementing communication methods will afford graduates the opportunity to increase their portfolio within the communications field.

Our graduates go on to succeed in a variety of careers—from producer to technical writer to HR manager to podcast personality and so much more. Many career paths chosen by communication graduates increase their annual salary as well. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, if you chose a career as an editor, the median annual salary is $63,400. Or an advertising or marketing manager with minimum requirement of a bachelor’s degree, the median annual salary is $141,490 with the expected growth rate in the U.S. to be an above average 6% between 2019 and 2029 (bls.gov).

No matter where you are in your pursuit of your degree, the University of Louisville’s Online Learning department is here to help you succeed. With three application deadline options, rolling admissions and three term start dates – the options for incoming or transferring students are plentiful. To begin or continue your degree in this field – start your application today, by clicking here. For a complete list of all programs offered online, view the program finder for more information.