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Synchronous vs. Asynchronous Learning at UofL

By Gillian Sclafani | March 21, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

The University of Louisville is proud to offer over 60+ degree programs completely online. The programs range from bachelor completion degrees, to master’s programs, a doctoral program, and a vast array of certificate options. One of the many benefits of pursuing a degree at the University of Louisville is the ability to take classes via a synchronous or asynchronous format.
What is Synchronous Learning?
Synchronous learning refers to instructors and students meeting at the same time (either in person or virtually) and place for the duration of the course. Synchronous learning is taught by professors, in person, or live via a virtual classroom. Teachers and students can interact with each other during the set period of weekly classes and are expected to be in attendance during the specific course day and time.
Benefits of Synchronous Learning
• Students get instant feedback and clarification from instructors.
• There are real-time discussions with classmates and instructors.
• This type of learning is a good fit for students who need structure.
What is Asynchronous Learning?
Asynchronous learning refers to students accessing coursework and materials during a time that is most convenient for them. For example, a student taking a course in biochemistry within an asynchronous format would have the ability to access their coursework any time of the day or night, at a time that best works with their schedule. There are no time-specific lectures and students are not bound to be on their computers during a specific time in an asynchronous format. Students have the flexibility to take courses at their own pace.
Benefits of Asynchronous Learning:
• This option is especially appealing to busy adults with other obligations, such as family or work restraints.
• With asynchronous learning students can learn at their own pace, therefore adapting the courses and materials to their specific needs and learning styles. This is helpful as it allows students the opportunity to move through the coursework at their own pace, by either taking longer to learn and retain the information or potentially moving faster through the information and finishing the coursework at a faster pace.
• Accessibility to a wide and diverse group of students – by offering asynchronous courses in many of UofL’s online programs, we can reach a wider range of students from various backgrounds and professions. This will in turn help to develop a more diverse population of students within a specific program, therefore, growing our student’s professional network connections around the US and potentially the world.
While there are advantages to both synchronous and asynchronous learning formats, understanding the differences between the two can help guide students toward their academic journey. Understanding your learning style and time commitments can help identify the best course of action when determining whether synchronous or asynchronous learning is the best for you. No matter where you are in the pursuit of your degree, UofL online is here to help. If you have questions about a particular major, need more information on the course structure or guidance on how to get started, feel free to contact our dedicated online enrollment counselors at 800.871.8635 or online@louisville.edu. For a complete list of program offerings, click here.

University of Louisville Recognized as a Military Friendly® Gold Seal School for 2023-2024

By Conner Mackowiak | March 14, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

UofL is proud to announce that we have been recognized as a Military Friendly® Gold-Seal School for the 2023-2024 academic year! This is our second consecutive year in a row to receive the Goal-Seal designation and is another in a long line of honors and certifications for our commitment to military-affiliated students.

As a Military Friendly® school, we pay special attention to the unique challenges and circumstances many military members experience when trying to acquire a college education. We work with our students to provide the flexibility and support mechanisms they need to succeed both in the classroom or in the field. Regardless of which stage of your military career you’re in, we bring the classroom to you, wherever you are in the world. In doing so we help you to accomplish your goals, advance your career, and better the lives of yourself and your family.

“Military Friendly® is committed to transparency and providing consistent data-driven standards in our designation process. Our standards provide a benchmark that promotes positive outcomes and support services that better the educational landscape and provide opportunity for the Military Community. This creates a competitive atmosphere that encourages colleges to evolve and invest in their programs consistently. Schools who achieve awards designation show true commitment in their efforts, going over and above that standard.” – Kayla Lopez, National Director of Military Partnerships, Military Friendly®

UofL has a long history of serving those who have served our country and their families. We offer a number of special discounts and benefits for military-affiliated students like:

Waived Application Fee
Priority Registration
Special Reduced Rate: $250/credit hour*
Ability to return to the program after deployment assignments without penalty

The opportunity to earn credit toward your degree for military experience and leadership training
Access to the same faculty as our on-campus students
Flexible programs that fit into your busy work and life schedule
Education you can take with you anywhere, anytime
Career guidance and planning services; transition assistance

Networking opportunities with peers in various fields and from across the globe

*Special rate available for Active-Duty service members and qualifying members of the National Guard/Reserves.

Don’t wait any longer to take the next step in your military or personal career. Click here and learn what UofL Online can do for you!

UofL Online Launches MSBA Program

By Conner Mackowiak | March 8, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

UofL Online is proud to announce our newest program, the Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA)!

Our online MSBA program illustrates UofL’s commitment, as a top business university, to preparing students for the market challenges of tomorrow. With an online business analytics degree, you’ll open doors for yourself for years to come.

This program is designed to provide students with the background and technical knowledge needed to read data, recognize patterns, predict outcomes, and tell the story of numbers. Graduates will have the necessary experience to analyze and interpret complex micro- and macro-data, allowing business leaders to make informed, data-driven decisions for their organizations.

Graduates of our program will be prepared for a variety of data analyst career paths and positions, including: statisticians, business and market research analysts, data scientists, data science training, technical business analyst, and more. Many of these jobs earn median annual salaries over $100,000 (bls.gov)!

Our program is also unique in that we are advised by a board of c-suite executives from companies including Humana, Papa John’s, Appriss Technologies, GE appliances, YUM! Brands, Bright Springs, Mercer, and more. All of these business leaders provide insight and feedback for knowledge, skills, methods and tools that best prepare graduates of our program for the real world.

If any of this sounds appealing to you, take the chance now to become a part of our very first online MSBA cohort this fall! Applications are due August 1. You can learn more and apply here.

Coming Fall ‘23: Reduced Military-Friendly Tuition Rate for the Master’s of Engineering in Engineering Management Degree

By admin | March 8, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

The University of Louisville (UofL) is a military-friendly school that recognizes the unique challenges faced by members of the armed forces and strives to provide the support and flexibility our military members need to succeed both in the virtual classroom and beyond. Coming in the fall of 2023, UofL is proud to offer our $250 active-duty* per credit hour military-friendly rate for students enrolled in the Master’s of Engineering in Engineering Management (MEng) program. By reducing the active-duty rate for students enrolled in the MEng degree, UofL hopes to continue its long-standing reputation and support of active-duty members by making graduate level degrees more attainable for the members of the armed services.

The Master of Engineering in Engineering Management degree is designed for experienced engineers who want to develop skills in managing engineering projects to deepen their industry knowledge and gain the expertise needed to advance their career. Offered 100% online, UofL’s MEng degree is offered in an accelerated 8-week format, affording our students the flexibility to complete their master’s degree during times that are most convenient for them. The program is offered in a 30-credit hour structure (10 classes) allowing most students the ability to graduate within 1-2 years. In addition to the programs online flexibility and accelerated format, this degree is also an IISE Qualified Training Provider (QTP) and an ASEM Academic Partner. In conjunction with the many accolades offered by this degree, military students interested in pursuing the MEng degree online, can earn a lucrative salary post-graduation. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) the median salary for engineering managers is $152,350 per year. Therefore, by lowering the tuition rate for active-duty personnel, this degree is not only affordable but also positions our graduates for profitable careers post-graduation.

In addition to the program’s flexibility, many students enrolled in the UofL’s online MEng program earn an optional Graduate Certificate in Six Sigma which prepares them for the Black Belt Certification exam offered by the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers. Six Sigma is a process improvement program that helps business and organizations streamline processes by focusing on what matters most to the customer in order to improve output quality, decrease error probability and reduce waste. The Six Sigma “Black Belt” is the official designation for those who have completed the training program and understand Six Sigma process improvement techniques.

In addition to the reduced tuition rate, military students interested in pursuing their Master’s of Engineering in Engineering Management can also benefit from the following:

Waived application fees and priority registration for personnel currently serving in the Armed Forces of the United States
Ability to return to the program after deployment assignments without penalty
No GRE or GMAT required to apply
Accelerated 8-week terms
100% online classes and coursework
No thesis component for program completion
Access to the same faculty as our on-campus students
Flexible programs that fit into your busy work and life schedule
Education you can take with you anywhere, anytime
Career guidance and planning services; transition assistance

UofL has been recognized as a Military-Friendly school for 12+ consecutive years. UofL was also most recently recognized by U.S. News and World Report in 2023 as one of the best online Engineering and Veteran Engineering schools. The master’s program offers 6 start dates per year, meaning you can start advancing your engineering expertise and skills as soon as possible! For more information on the Master’s of Engineering in Engineering Management program, click here. To take the next steps, military students are encouraged to apply by August 1st to take full advantage of the new discounted tuition rate.

Category: Feature Stories