News & Feature Stories | University of Louisville Online Programs

Turn your experience into college credit to save time and money on your degree!

By Heather Henley | March 25, 2025 | Comments 0 Comment

Did you complete some college classes, but never finished your degree? If you’ve built up some professional experience and want a faster and more affordable degree, UofL online is your answer. Turn your experience into tuition-free college credit with the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) or Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), available for several of our online undergraduate programs!

What is PLA/CPL?

In short, PLA and CPL can supercharge your education. Several of UofL’s 100% online undergraduate programs that offer PLA let you earn college credit for previous education, work experience or military training.

This means less time in school and lower tuition costs to complete your degree. Credit can be awarded through:

Professional portfolio review

Professional certifications

Military or work-based training

…and more!

Each program has specific requirements. Connect with an Enrollment Counselor to find out how much credit you may be eligible to earn!

Online Programs with PLA or CPL

UofL has several online degree programs that offer PLA or CPL credit. You can find the program that matches your career goals and save time and money doing it.

UofL’s online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice prepares you with working knowledge of the criminal justice system (adult and juvenile) and the issues surrounding each portion of the process. You will learn to be an agile professional in this ever-evolving field by developing your knowledge of current criminology theories, ethical and moral considerations, emerging policies as well as effective communications strategies. You can earn up to 30 credit hours (10 courses) – up to $16,200 in tuition savings with the PLA in this degree program.

The online Bachelor of Science in General Studies is a student-focused, degree-completion program, with six interdisciplinary tracks available. Our degree is structured so you can customize your learning experience to gain additional skills, and the education required for advancement in today’s competitive workforce. Earn up to 27 credit hours (9 courses) – up to $14,580 in tuition savings with the PLA offer in this degree program.

The online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning from UofL is a skills-driven degree completion program. The program is designed to equip you with the knowledge required for career advancement or a possible career change in today’s competitive and evolving workforce. Choose from 9 specialized tracks to fit your career goals and become an even more valuable member of any company or organization. You can earn up to 48 credit hours (16 courses) – up to $25,920 in tuition savings with the PLA toward this degree.

The online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing is designed for licensed nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) who want to earn their BSN to improve patient outcomes and excel as a leader in the field of nursing. Develop your expertise in nursing leadership, meet growing employer expectations and expand your ability to work with diverse global populations in a variety of settings—without any campus requirement or set class times. With PLA you can save time and money by earning up to 30 credit hours (10 courses), or up to $11,250 in tuition savings!

How to get started

Finishing your degree could be faster and more affordable than ever. With UofL’s online degree programs that offer a PLA or CPL you’ll be rewarded for your experience while building your future. Take the next step toward your goals and find out how much credit you can earn!

Connect with us to get started!

UofL Health Employees Receive Undergraduate Tuition Remission at UofL

By Conner Mackowiak | January 24, 2025 | Comments 0 Comment

Did you know that UofL Health employees receive tuition remission for undergraduate programs at the University of Louisville as an employee benefit? This exciting opportunity allows UofL Health employees to benefit from free tuition for UofL undergraduate programs for themselves and their domestic partners, spouses and dependent children! *

This benefit extends to our online undergraduate programs, like our online BS in Organizational Leadership and Learning (BS OLL) program. This online program is ideal for adult learners with some college but no degree who want to complete their bachelor’s. This program features 9 exciting tracks, like the track in Healthcare Leadership, specially designed to help healthcare professionals take the next steps in their education and career.

Watch this video to hear from the BS OLL program director, Dr. Randy Whetstone!

UofL Health employees, don’t wait any longer to complete your education, and take advantage of this exciting benefit. You can learn more about our BS OLL program below, and you can learn more about this benefit by talking to your HR representative!

Learn more.

*Some conditions may apply. UofL Health employees should talk to their HR representative for more information.

U.S News & World Report Recognizes University of Louisville with “Best Online Programs” Award

By Conner Mackowiak | January 21, 2025 | Comments 0 Comment

Once again, the University of Louisville (UofL) has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report for Best Online Programs in the nation! Our 2025 rankings solidify UofL’s continuing legacy of offering quality educational opportunities through online programs across various disciplines at the undergraduate and graduate level.

Among several UofL online programs ranked by U.S. News & World Report are our Bachelor of Science in Psychology (ranked in the top 19% in the nation), Undergraduate Business Programs (ranked in the top 10%), and our MBA program (ranked in the top 21% nationwide).

UofL’s online programs are designed to offer flexibility and accessibility while maintaining academic rigor. With dedicated faculty and a range of student support services, UofL continues to empower learners from diverse backgrounds to achieve their goals. UofL has over 70 fully online programs across the graduate and undergraduate levels, including bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and certificate programs. Whatever family, professional, personal or other obligations you may be juggling, our online programs are designed to help you succeed.

Kelvin Thompson, EdD, Vice Provost for Online Strategy and Teaching Innovation at UofL’s Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning, highlighted the importance of quality online education in advancing lives and careers while offering the flexibility to balance life’s responsibilities. Dr. Thompson stated, “Providing accessible, high-quality online education is a vital component of our mission at the University of Louisville. Our students come from all walks of life and in all manner of circumstances (e.g., First Generation, post-traditional, under-resourced, etc.), and recognition from organizations like U.S. News & World Report reaffirms our commitment to excellence in everything we do.”

Don’t wait any longer. Learn more about our award-winning programs and see why so many of our successful online learners have embraced the UofL advantage. Your future starts today!

View all our available programs

The Top 3 Things to Consider When Deciding on an Online DSW Program

By Conner Mackowiak | November 25, 2024 | Comments 0 Comment

Choosing the right online Doctor of Social Work (DSW) program can be challenging, but focusing on three key factors can help guide your decision. Read below to see which three factors might help you decide which online DSW program is right for you!

1. Flexibility

As a working professional, you need an online program that aligns with your unique needs. The University of Louisville’s (UofL) online DSW program is designed specifically for busy social workers like you. All coursework and practicums are offered entirely online, with both synchronous and asynchronous classes, giving you the flexibility to balance work, life, and studies.

You won’t have to sacrifice the quality of your education for flexibility. The program is taught by world-class faculty from the Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work and Family Science, part of an R1 research institution and one of Kentucky’s top-ranked social work schools.

2. Practical experience and career growth potential

Many DSW graduates advance into leadership roles within their organizations, and some also take on teaching responsibilities. The UofL online DSW program offers hands-on practicum in teaching and leadership, providing real-world experience to help you grow professionally in whichever direction you choose.

When we say “real-world,” we mean it. The leadership practicum takes place at your place of employment, focusing on the tasks and challenges faced by upper-level administrators—think of it as on-the-job training at the next level.

In the teaching practicum, you will learn by observing Kent School faculty in action and gain experience conducting your own teaching activities under their expert guidance.

While social workers are driven by a desire to help others, it is also important to ensure your educational journey will advance your career and salary potential. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. social worker employment is expected to grow by 16% from 2016 to 2026, with a median annual salary of $80,790 for postsecondary social work educators (bls.gov).

3. Personal connections and guidance

At UofL, “online” doesn’t mean “alone.” The online DSW program is designed to keep you connected with both your peers and faculty. Cohorts are kept small, so you can easily build personal connections with your classmates, who may later become valuable colleagues.

Kent School faculty are also deeply engaged with each DSW student. In addition to the coursework, you will receive one-on-one guidance during your teaching and leadership practicums. You will learn from acknowledged leaders in the field and receive mentorship as you work on your original capstone project, which showcases your expanded skills and understanding. Capstone projects are closely supervised by a faculty mentor and supported by three additional Kent School faculty members.

Next steps: Hear from graduates and apply

Now that you have considered what makes the UofL online DSW program a great fit for you, it’s time to apply! The deadline to submit your application for the next Fall term is February 1. Learn more about the application requirements here.

Want to hear about the experiences of one of UofL’s online DSW graduates? See Lizzie’s story below!

Category: News