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Master your degree in Industrial Engineering with 3 specialized tracks

By Gillian Sclafani | December 12, 2022 | Comments 0 Comment

The University of Louisville’s J.B. Speed School of Engineering offers a master’s degree program in Industrial Engineering with the option to choose from 3 focus areas: Data Analytics & Operations Research, Logistics & Supply Chain, and Human Factors. The MS in Industrial Engineering is a 30-credit hour (10 courses) program that requires 2 core courses (6 credit hours) and 8 courses in an area of focus or across multiple areas for degree completion. The program is taught 100% online by the same professors who teach on campus, affording our students the flexibility to earn their degree, on their schedule, by professors who are experts in the field of industrial engineering. The program is arranged in a unique 8-week course format, allowing the student the flexibility they need to earn their master’s degree while continuing to work and take care of their family.

Many students are able to complete the program and earn their master’s degree in as little as 1.5-2 years. Students entering the program have the option to choose from 3 specialized areas or to customize their coursework by selecting courses from across all the available options. The information below will break down the 3 focus areas and highlight the courses students can take:

Data Analytics & Operations Research Track

IE 515 Operations Research Methods

Formulation and solution of basic models in operations research. Topics to be covered include applications of linear, integer, and nonlinear programming; transportation and assignment problems, and network flows models.

IE 541 Simulation

The use of discrete event simulation to analyze systems. Topics include Monte Carlo techniques, sampling from and identifying stochastic distributions, estimating performance measures from simulation outputs, validation methods, and SIMIO simulation language.

IE 561 Decision Support System in Excel

This course teaches the fundamentals of computer programming using Excel’s macro language, Visual Basic for Applications (VBA), as the language of instruction. The course starts by teaching students to simplify and extend code generated by Excels macro recorder and then builds on that base toward developing applications that analyze information and enhance decision making. This course also provides an introduction to the concepts and methods of Decision Science, which involves the application of mathematical modeling and analysis to management problems. It also provides a foundation for modeling with VBA in Excel.

Logistics & Supply Chain Track

IE 515 Operations Research MethodsFormulation and solution of basic models in operations research. Topics to be covered include applications of linear, integer, and nonlinear programming; transportation and assignment problems, and network flows models.

IE 621 Facility Planning

Design and layout of industrial facilities, facility location, space requirements, flow charts, relationship diagrams, material handling, quantitative layout techniques, production line balancing, and computer programs for layout planning.

IE 625 Production and Inventory ControlTopics include the context of inventory management and production planning decisions, economic order quantities, heuristics and models for probabilistic and time-varying demand patterns, coordinated replenishment systems, and aggregate planning.

Human Factors Track

IE 580 Introduction to Human Factors Engineering and Ergonomics

The main goal of this course is to introduce students to the study of human cognitive and physical abilities and limitations, and the application of that knowledge to engineering design. This course will demonstrate how the application of human factors and ergonomics principles can improve the design of systems involving the interaction of humans with tools, technology, and the work environment.

IE 581 Advanced Topics in Human Factors Engineering

The main goal of this course is to learn and apply advanced methods in human factors engineering, as well as newer models, theories, and frameworks related to the field.

IE 585 Usability Engineering

This course exposes students to the constructs of usability, usefulness, user-centered design, and user experience (UX) and their relation to engineering design. The course covers an interactive evaluation-centered user experience (UX) lifecycle as a template intended to be instantiated in many different ways to match the constraints of a particular development project. The UX lifecycle, sketching, conceptual design, and formative UX evaluation.

For students who choose the general study path, the 8 courses may consist of 1-2 courses in each of the focus areas listed above in addition to other electives. Regardless of which area of study you choose, students will work with the MSIE Program Director to develop a Plan of Study (PoS) upon admission, which may be revised as the student progresses throughout the program.

If you are ready to take the next step in earning your master’s degree in Industrial Engineering, complete your application today. UofL offers 6 convenient start terms throughout the academic year. Click here to learn more.

100% Online Certificate in Public Health Training

By Gillian Sclafani | November 22, 2022 | Comments 0 Comment

The University of Louisville in conjunction with the School of Public Health and Information Sciences is proud to launch the certificate program for Public Health Training. The certificate is offered in a 4-course, 12-credit hour format and is available 100% online. This online graduate certificate is perfect for those seeking foundational knowledge to update their public health expertise to utilize the skills needed to advance their career in the healthcare field.

Students interested in the Public Health Training certificate will acquire the multidisciplinary education and training needed to meet professional goals and achieve the best health outcomes for people, animals, and the environment. As a student in the program, your coursework will cover key foundational areas such as: epidemiology, biostatistics, prevention, and early diagnosis treatment and practical applications of public health principles in healthcare organizations and government— both locally and at the state level.

Program Highlights:

Develop and demonstrate your knowledge in the core areas of public health with courses in epidemiology, biostatistics, public health principles, and integration, as well as public health at both the state and local levels.
Gain expertise and highly marketable skills for a rapidly growing field.
Skip the GRE—not required for admission.
Learn with focused research and accessible, world-class faculty with extensive applied experience.
Take advantage of the flexibility and convenience of 100% online classes and 24/7 access.

Who Should Apply?

Students interested in the PHT certificate must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum GPA of 2.75. The certificate program is ideal for individuals working in the public health field, including local, state, and federal departments of public health, as well as health-related professionals working in community and non-governmental agencies, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities. This program is geared towards students who want to earn their certificate in Public Health Training but may not be ready to complete their master’s degree at this time. However, students who complete the certificate program can transfer up to 6 credits earned from the Public Health Training certificate toward a master’s degree in the public health field at the University of Louisville.

Course Descriptions:

PHEP 501 Introduction to Epidemiology

Basic epidemiological methods are presented: terminology; study design; issues of contemporary practice; basic skills for interacting with epidemiologists, reading disease control literature, and drawing on epidemiological concepts.

PHMS 501 Introduction to Public Health Practice and Administration

This course emphasizes the practical application of the principles of healthcare organizations to public health at the national, state, and local levels.

HPB 501 Introduction to Public Health Behavior

This course reviews theoretical constructs of the causation of health-related behavior, including preventive, early diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitative behavior.

PHST 500 Introduction to Biostatistics for Health Sciences I

An introduction to descriptive and inferential statistical methods, including descriptive and graphical methods, estimation, calculation of confidence intervals, 1- and 2-sample hypothesis testing, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and simple linear regression. The R statistical software environment will be used to introduce data management and descriptive and inferential statistical methods.

How to Apply?

Students who are ready to take the next step, must complete the graduate application, submit a $40 non-refundable application fee, submit 2 letters of recommendation, written within the past 12 months, and submit official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work from regionally-accredited institutions.

This certificate qualifies for financial aid and is offered at a credit rate of $775 (before financial aid) per hour or $250 (before financial aid) per credit hour for active-duty members. The certificate program is offered three start times per year, including Fall, Spring, and Summer. For more information about the program, or if you are interested in applying for the next start term, click here.

Where will your master’s degree in Social Work take you?

By Gillian Sclafani | November 14, 2022 | Comments 0 Comment

The University of Louisville’s online Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program prepares students for a rewarding career in the field of helping others, becoming change makers and giving back to their community. Within the highly ranked and accredited MSSW program, offered through the Raymond A. Kent School of Social Work & Family Science, students have the option of customizing their degree to align with their specific interests by choosing from one of five concentration paths. The five concentrations include Alcohol and Drug Counseling, Gerontology, Mental Health, Military Social Work and Psychosocial Oncology. Upon completion of UofL’s online Master’s in Social Work degree, graduates will be eligible to become Certified Social Worker (CSW) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in their respected state. As requirements vary by state, students are encouraged to view the licensing requirements for their specific state(s) in which they wish to practice in, prior to completing their degree.

As within any field of study, the job opportunities vary depending on a student’s interest of study. Earning your MSSW with a concentration will better prepare graduates for the diverse and ever-changing field of social work. The following information highlights the specific concentrations within the MSSW degree and highlights the various places of employment graduates can work post-graduation.

Alcohol & Drug Counseling Concentration:

The Alcohol & Drug Counseling concentration prepares graduates with the knowledge and background needed to secure and succeed in a career as a substance abuse counselor or case manager. As substance abuse continues to climb throughout the United States, graduates within the Alcohol and Drug Concentration are prepared with the knowledge and skills to combat the epidemic. The coursework also fulfills some requirements needed to earn the Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) certification. Some occupational career paths post-graduation include:

Medical, psychiatric, and substance abuse hospitals
Outpatient substance abuse clinics
Inpatient detoxification and rehabilitation facilities
Residential intellectual and developmental disability, mental health, and substance abuse facilities
Private practice
Physicians’ offices

Gerontology Concentration:

Gerontology concentration empowers students to become leaders in the dynamic field of aging and social work. This concentration is geared towards meeting the demand for social workers trained to respond to the needs of older adults and their families. Students who graduate with their MSSW concentration in Gerontology will benefit from field practice in a variety of gerontology programs as well as affording graduates the opportunities to network with professionals and build meaningful relationships with older adults. Some occupational career paths post-graduation include:

All-inclusive care for the elderly facilities
Specialized senior assistance programs
Hospices
Nursing homes
Residential care facilities

Mental Health Concentration:

The Mental Health concentration delivers the necessary preparation and knowledge for anyone considering entering the mental health field as a social worker. Studies in this specialization focus around theories on the progression and cause of mental illness as well as diagnostic and assessment skills, all in the context of social work practice. Students will learn about the available mental health services and policies and experience the field firsthand with an advanced practicum rotation. Some occupational career paths post-graduation include:

Private practice
Hospitals
Mental health clinics
Rehabilitation treatment facilities
Community health organizations
Residential care facilities

Military Concentration:

The Military Social Work concentration prepares students to support active-duty service members, veterans and their families. Coursework focuses on theoretical perspectives and policy implications relevant to these groups, as well as programs and application of interventions to ameliorate them. Some occupational career paths post-graduation include:

Military bases and units
Medical facilities
Military support centers
Veteran Affairs health centers
Community service organizations
Private practices

Psychosocial Oncology Concentration:

The Psychosocial Oncology online concentration addresses an evolving demand for skilled professionals who understand the complexities surrounding the psychosocial health needs of persons with cancer. Coursework emphasizes application of clinical skills across the cancer continuum. Graduates of this concentration receive a Certificate in Psychosocial Oncology in tandem with their master’s degree. Some occupational career paths post-graduation include:

Hospice
Cancer treatment centers
Private practice
Hospitals
Rehabilitation treatment facilities
Community health organizations

According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, employment of social workers is projected to grow 9 percent from 2021 to 2031. The online Master of Science in Social Work degree is designed for the next generation of social workers, preparing them to promote social justice and be positive change agents in their community. Whether you are looking to work in a hospital, residential treatment center or a wide variety of other occupational career paths; earning your master’s degree from University of Louisville will position you for a successful career in social work. If you are interested in learning more about the various concentrations or the program as a whole, click here.

Student Spotlight: Healthcare Leadership Student Answers 5 of Our Questions

By Conner Mackowiak | November 3, 2022 | Comments 0 Comment

Jenna Braden is a UofL Online student pursuing a BS in Organizational Leadership & Learning, with a track focus in Healthcare Leadership. She is also currently employed at Humana as a Manager for HPS Clinical Formulary Administration. 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 Jenna notes, “This program was designed to transform the learning and college experience, making a degree possible for anyone, at any stage of life.”

Let’s dive into her responses to our questions!

Why did you select the HCL program? I am currently in a Healthcare Leadership role and was looking for a degree program that would directly tie back to my career aspirations. While my college background was in Biology/Chemistry, I didn’t feel that continuing down that degree path would be as meaningful to my future success. The HCL program focus was exactly what I was looking for in a degree, so I knew right away it was the right program for me.
What are you enjoying most about the program? The professors. The support and encouragement from the staff are outstanding. While I also love learning from the courses, I am most driven by how obvious it is that my professors also care about my success. They are great at giving direct, meaningful feedback and are thoughtful and encouraging in their responses. While I am motivated to succeed for my own career and personal growth, the support and motivation from the HCL staff makes it even easier to push myself to get there.
Do you feel the program is providing the skills you need to be successful in your career? Definitely. The content covered in the program is specifically designed to help you develop skills rather than just learn information. The coursework helps you understand how to apply those skills in real ways, and the professors are great at guiding you through the content and application.
Would you recommend the program? Why? I would absolutely recommend the program, and I actually have recommended it to many of my colleagues and friends. The flexibility and applicability in the design of the program make it a great option for anyone looking for a career in healthcare leadership. It is tailored to individuals already in the workforce which is a unique quality of this program. It gives you the freedom to balance your life, job, and schoolwork in a way that works best for your lifestyle. In addition to the schedule flexibility, it is made up of course content that can and will be applied in a healthcare leadership role, another quality of the program that is not always as apparent in other programs.
Any additional comments you would like to share! For anyone out there in the workforce with no degree but wanting more from their career and for themselves, take the leap. I put it off for years, overwhelmed by the thought of being in school while raising a family and working full-time. I wish I had done it sooner. There is no better time than now! Don’t be scared or intimidated. This program was designed to transform the learning and college experience, making a degree possible for anyone, at any stage of life.

Curious about the Healthcare Leadership track? Click here and learn more!

Category: Feature Stories