Category: Feature Stories

Read UofL Online feature stories highlighting university achievements, faculty excellence, and the dedication of military students and partners in online learning.
FAQ: Are Online Degrees the Same as On-Campus? [VIDEO]

FAQ: Are Online Degrees the Same as On-Campus? [VIDEO]

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ONLINE VS. IN-PERSON

At the University of Louisville, our online programs provide the same degree and opportunities as our on-campus programs. We have designed our online programs using the same standards and curriculum—with added convenience, of course. In fact, your diploma will list your degree as no different than if you completed your degree in-person or an online/in-person combination.

 

A diploma from UofL is still from our accredited university, no matter how you earn it!

How do we ensure online programs meet the same quality standards as our on-campus programs?

At UofL, all of our online programs are offered through the same schools, such as the J.B. Speed School of Engineering and the UofL College of Business. Also, online courses are taught by same renowned faculty that teach UofL’s on-campus courses.

THE CARDINAL COMMUNITY

PERKS & BENEFITS OF BEING A CARD—NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE

Enrolling in an online program at UofL means becoming part of the UofL Cardinal Family—even if you never physically step on campus. As an enrolled online student, you will receive the same student resources and support services as our traditional on-campus students. Gain access to the UofL Library as well as receive online support from the writing or tutoring center(s),
as needed.

Our faculty partner with expert instructional designers, who assist our professors in delivering a unique yet intuitive learning experience for online students. This is how we are able to provide the same rigor and quality of the learning experience as well as the same learning outcomes and same standards. The only difference is the flexible, convenient delivery format of 100% online courses.

When relevant to specific learning objectives, several of our programs include field assignments and internship opportunities, similar to the on-campus course curriculum. These hands-on learning experiences would be completed in your own local community.

Furthermore, just like a traditional on-campus student, you can cheer on the Louisville Cards and even receive a Cardinal ID in the mail.

Once the program is complete, you receive the same alumni benefits too. This includes being part of the same alumni network and taking advantage of UofL’s
Career Center.

You can take part in the Cardinal Community, wherever you are!

[READ MORE: Key Benefits of Online Learning at UofL]

ADVANTAGES OF ONLINE LEARNING

As you have discovered, UofL online programs offer the same degree and opportunities as on-campus programs—with additional benefits. UofL online learning offers the flexibility and convenience for you to integrate education into your work-life balance. Faculty and staff understand that you have more responsibilities than your degree as an online student and will work with you to accomplish your goals.

Many of our online programs have unique course formats to assist you in achieving your degree easier. In addition to part-time student options, multiple programs also offer accelerated 8-week terms so that you can move through the program quickly and receive the career advancement you are looking for. 

8 week accelerated courses explainer, how to accelerated courses work, what are 8 week terms, how many courses do you take in a semester with 8 week terms

Some programs, such as our Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership & Learning, allows you to earn up to 48 credit hours tuition free for current competencies upon completion of the LEAD 300 Prior Learning Assessment course.

At UofL, we’ve offered online programs for over 20 years. We understand how to design our educational offerings with the adult student in mind and have had national recognition for our online programs for many years. This includes the U.S. News and World Report’s “Best of” awards, which has recognized UofL with multiple awards for more than 5 consecutive years. UofL was ranked as one of the best Online Bachelor’s and Online Bachelor’s for Veterans as well as other awards including top #20 Criminal Justice programs in the nation.

With over 50 online learning programs, including bachelor’s, master’s, and certificate programs that encompass a wide range of industries and fields – from business and engineering to health administration, education, psychology and more – we can help you move forward in achieving your goals.

Is online learning the next step for you? View our 50+ online programs.

HAVE OTHER QUESTIONS?

We have other FAQ videos and articles to address common questions from prospective students, such as yourself, that you can review here. We are also actively creating resources to help you through the complete enrollment process. Check out one of our most commonly used resources – Transcript Retrieval Guide.

If you have any other questions, please reach out to the online enrollment team at online@louisville.edu. They can answer your questions as well as work with you personally through the application process.

UofL ranked as top online programs by U.S. News
UofL once again recognized for Top Online Programs by U.S. News & World Report

UofL once again recognized for Top Online Programs by U.S. News & World Report

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We’re excited to share that – for more than five years in a row! – the University of Louisville (UofL) has been recognized by U.S. News & World Report in their Best Online Programs rankings.

Our fully online programs were acknowledged among some of the top U.S. programs in 2021 across the following categories:

  • Online Bachelor’s
  • Online Bachelor’s Psychology
  • Online Grad Criminal Justice
  • Online Grad Education
  • Online Grad Engineering

UofL is also ranked as Best Online Programs for Veterans across all the same categories.

Notably, our online bachelor’s ranking actually rose nearly 40 spots between the 2020 and 2021 reports.

“Online learning is an extremely important area of growth for the University of Louisville. We continuously strive to offer programs that deliver flexible education at the standard of quality the UofL is known for while also meeting the needs of learners today, who are often juggling careers, families and other priorities while pursuing an education. This recognition by U.S. News & World Report is a testament to our commitment to bring market-driven online education opportunities to students.”
Gale Rhodes
Vice Provost & Executive Director, Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning

Over the past year, UofL launched 10 new online programs such as a Managerial Analytics Certificate, Master of Science in Healthcare Administration, interdisciplinary early childhood education programs, engineering programs in areas like artificial intelligence in medicine and materials and energy sciences, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration.

Find out more about online programs at UofL and take the next step in your education today!

managing in the future data business
Managing in the Future: UofL’s Online MBA Prepares Students for the Future of Business [Video Q&A]

Managing in the Future: UofL’s Online MBA Prepares Students for the Future of Business [Video Q&A]

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Prepare to Manage the Future of Business

UofL Online MBA: Elective Course "Managing in the Future"

“Managing in the Future” is a UofL MBA elective course designed to help students broaden their mindset and managerial expertise in order to overcome the ambiguity and theoretical nature of what may, can or will happen—and the impact of those possibilities on the future of business. 

For the first time, this course will be offered in a fully-online format as an elective for the UofL online MBA program. The Spring 2021 focus for the course will be about managing in a time of global pandemics, and will take a in-depth look at the effect that COVID-19 (Coronavirus) is currently having and will continue to have on the business industry.

The course is designed and taught by Dr. Nat Irvin, UofL College of Business Professor and Assistant Dean. Hear from Nat in our video Q&A to learn about the takeaways of the course, how it helps business managers of today and tomorrow find new ways of seeing the future of work.

LEARN MORE AND GET STARTED: UofL Online MBA

Where did you get the idea for "Managing in the Future," the MBA elective course?

Nat has been teaching this course for over 20 years—yet never teaches a section of the course in the same way. As he says, “How can you?” After all, there are always different developments and variables that come into play when we think about the future. 

Nat shares that “Managing in the Future” was developed to help students learn to see all the possibilities that can impact the future of business and learn to identify relationships between business and evolving trends in society. The course is designed to complement the traditional information learned in an MBA program such as the fundamentals of accounting, marketing, leadership, CIS, etc., in order to create better, more well-rounded managers, ready for the future of business.

The course description talks about developing a “new way of seeing the future.” Tell us a bit more about that.

Seeing the future is more about eyesight. Nat aspires to help MBA students expand their perspective and open their minds in order to identify what is happening around them, and how those happenings (such as advancements in artificial 

intelligence and social media) are impacting the future of business, as well as our daily lives.

Was there a particular MBA student segment or business-level manager that this course is targeted toward? Or do you feel it’s applicable to business leaders at varying levels?

MBA programs are sought after and applicable to students across various levels of business—small business owners, managers at private companies or non-profits, middle managers, people managers, CEOs—this course is no different. 

Nat designs course material and lectures to align with the people that are in his class, focusing more on areas of interest for his students.

Business leaders everywhere are looking to adapt their management and leadership skills to adjust to unforeseen challenges. What sort of takeaways will students completing this elective as part of their MBA leave the program with?

As Nat puts it, “students get different things from a course like this.” His greatest hope for what students will achieve in the “Managing in the Future” elective? Great insights into themselves.

The MBA has only been offered at UofL for little over a year now, and this is the first time Managing in the Future is being offered as an online elective.

What excites you most about bringing this great, innovative elective course option to online students?

Online education opens up possibilities for UofL to reach more students than ever—from outside our local area—extending our high-quality, research-based education to those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to enroll due to other priorities, location, etc. 

Nat is personally excited about the 100% online delivery for this course providing the opportunity to bring this course to more MBA students and allowing him to bring in experts and speakers from the business industry, regardless of where they are in the world, to share their knowledge. 

The Spring 2021 topic for the course is focused around managing during and after COVID-19—which is obviously on the top of everyone’s mind as we navigate these unprecedented times.

What will students learn about the pandemic in this course?

COVID-19 is rocking the business world everyday, putting managers in extraordinary situations, facing unprecedented challenges. The coronavirus pandemic has required businesses everywhere to operate with greater 

adaptability than ever before, especially as so many of our businesses shifted to flexible work from home operations. Naturally, when planning his Spring 2021 online section of the “Managing in the Future” course, Nat was drawn to helping student consider the short- and long-term implications of how this disease is shaping business and operations.

SPRING 2021 COURSE DESCRIPTION
Imagine living in a time when the very foundations of the world are being upended by one single event, COVID-19. An event so powerful that it has literally touched every single human on the planet. How does one prepare to manage and lead in this new world? What would you read? What new skills would you need to learn and what beliefs would should leave behind? Whom will you trust when there is so much uncertainty about the future, and the efficacy of sources of information? What questions will you ask when the world of “Black Mirror”, Black Lives Matter, Black Swans, Machine Learning, AI Nationalism, CRISPR, Climate Change, Aging, and Social Media all converge? This course is designed for the curious mind; to help you your way into a new way of seeing the future. You will be challenged to reach beyond your comfort zone in a journey to discover new emerging broad social, political, economic, technological, and environmental trends and events that will impact your effectiveness as a manager in a post-pandemic world.

UOFL ONLINE MBA

University of Louisville College of Business Online MBAOffered through the College of Business, UofL’s online MBA is more than your typical MBA degree. Students will gain an understanding of the proven business theories, practices, and leadership skills expected of an MBA while also developing specialized expertise needed to stand out in today’s competitive business world. The program includes an optional 10-day business study trip, innovative electives like “Managing in the Future,” and the opportunity to earn a certificate in areas like Managerial Analytics or Distilled Spirits Business at no extra time or cost. Prepare for the future of business with UofL.

LEARN MORE AND GET STARTED: UofL Online MBA

MORE ABOUT NAT IRVIN

Dr. Nat Irvin, II, is an author, innovator, futurist, teacher, composer, and former radio and television commentator. Dr Irvin serves as Assistant Dean of Thought Leadership and Civic Engagement, Woodrow M. Strickler Chair and Professor of Management Practice for the University of Louisville’s College of Business. He teaches graduate courses in the future of management, leadership, and team dynamics. Dr. Irvin has engaged the leadership and management teams of several groups and organizations, including Fortune 100 companies in strategic conversations focused on the significant social, political, economic, technological and environmental trends and events that will drive the mid-to-long term future. Dr. Irvin is a graduate of the University of South Carolina with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy and a Master’s degree in Media Arts. An accomplished composer, he also holds a Doctorate of Musical Arts degree in Music Composition from the University of North Texas and is a graduate of the Institute for Educational Management, Harvard University Graduate School of Education.

Check out more feature stories about UofL’s online business programs.
[Video] Debunking myths with interesting facts about online education

[Video] Debunking myths with interesting facts about online education

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Misconceptions about online learning are everywhere.

Online learning is on the rise, but there remain a lot of questions surrounding it. Let’s debunk five common online education myths with true, interesting facts about the reality of education in an online environment, especially at institutions like the University of Louisville (UofL).

Myth #1 - “Online degrees don’t have the same value as traditional degrees.”

The truth is, online degrees are real degrees. Studies, including one completed by the Department of Education, find that there is no significant difference in learning outcomes when compared to face-to-face programs. You may wonder, “What will employers think about an online degree?” At UofL, you receive the same degree online as you would on campus, with no indication of course format on your diploma. In other words, employers won’t know how you earned your degree unless you choose to tell them. Plus, most employers value the time management skills that online students must master to balance education with work, family life and other priorities. 

Myth #2 - “Online students are not held to the same standards as traditional students.”

According to the U.S. News and World Report, job recruiters are more concerned about the legitimacy of the institution you receive your education from than the format of your program. One important part of this is the accreditation of your chosen university. New programs at universities like UofL undergo a thorough review process before approval in order to ensure that their online degrees meet the same high standards as their face-to-face degrees. Feeling secure in where you earn your education will give you confidence as you pursue career advancement.

[Want to know more interesting facts about online education? Check out our FAQ video: What are the benefits of online learning?]

Myth #3 - “Online classes are easier than traditional classes.”

An online program is a simpler, abbreviated version of a traditional program, right? Wrong. In an online program at UofL, you will have the same expectations, the same courses and the same faculty as you would on campus. You are expected to engage and work toward the same curriculum as the equivalent on-campus programs. Group projects, proctored tests and field assignments can be accomplished in an online setting too. The format may look different, but that doesn’t make it any easier. 

Myth #4 - “You have to teach yourself.”

You aren’t physically sitting in a classroom, but that doesn’t mean you’re in this alone. Technology is a beautiful thing. In an online classroom setting, your teachers will communicate regularly through videos, discussion boards, group work, interactive activities, assignment responses, and more. They’re also available by email and for scheduled one-on-one appointments, as needed. 

Myth #5 - “It’s hard to build a network in an online setting.”

In an increasingly competitive job market, the relationships you build throughout your education are essential.  You can still make important connections with other students in an online setting. Online students are often working adults, returning to start or finish their bachelor’s degree or earn an advanced education through a master’s degree or certificate. In fact, many graduates of UofL’s online programs worked for Fortune 500 companies while earning their education. Because of the unique life and job experience the typical online student brings to the classroom with them, these connections are even more invaluable. At UofL, these experiences are often integrated into the lessons, allowing you to learn directly from your peers. You’ll also have the opportunity to network beyond your local area, with online students at UofL coming from across Kentucky and around the world. 

[Check out the featured news section on our blog to see what online programs UofL recently launched!]

GET STARTED TODAY!

If these interesting facts about online education helped you realize online learning would fit your life, take the next step with confidence at UofL. We offer more 50+ online bachelor’s, master’s and certificates across a variety of fields and industries, all designed to help you take the next step in you education with confidence and ease. Visit our site for more information and to get started today!

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