Category: Feature Stories

More than a Degree: Communication Graduate Testimonial

More than a Degree: Communication Graduate Testimonial

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Maggie Cunningham earned more than a degree at UofL

By earning her Bachelor of Science in Communication with University of Louisville, Maggie gained a newfound confidence in herself, all thanks to a 100% online education that allowed her to play on her strengths and advance her future.

When Maggie decided to go back to school, a traditional classroom setting didn’t seem like the right fit for her. Previously attended and then withdrawn from an on-campus program at another university, she decided to explore online learning options with the University of Louisville–which turned out to be perfect for her and her situation.

With UofL’s online bachelor’s in Communication program, Maggie received the same education as any traditional student while maintaining the full-time job she was working to pay for classes. More notably, she found herself empowered by the online learning environment to overcome her social anxiety and more successfully interact with classmates and teachers.

“I felt like I needed [a degree] to be who I was.”

Maggie Cunningham

Through her education with UofL, Maggie embarked down not only an educational path but also a road to self-discovery. She learned more about herself, and emphasizes that earning her degree online with UofL helped her become the person she is today.

Since graduating, Maggie has gone on to land jobs in marketing and social media copywriting.

The Bachelor of Science in Communication degree at UofL is designed to build expertise around various communication strategies, cultures, channels and media types. Ultimately, the degree prepares students for careers in various fields including communications, marketing, advertising, broadcasting, journalism and public relations.

UofL also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, which requires more liberal arts credits and excludes the internship portion.

Covering many different industries and careers, UofL Online offers a wide variety of 100% online degree and certificate programs–all of which deliver quality online education to non-traditional students who are not able to come to a physical campus and want to earn a college degree or certificate to start or advance their career.

Maggie went back to school to fill a void and feel more confident about herself.

What’s YOUR why?

Check out our YouTube page to hear testimonials from other UofL Online programs and students or read more of real student stories here.

online learning, graduate, healthcare leadership, graduation, diploma
No Time Like the Present: Healthcare Leadership Graduate Testimonial

No Time Like the Present: Healthcare Leadership Graduate Testimonial

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Rachel McClain didn’t know what her life was missing—not until she almost lost her chance to find out.

After unexpectedly suffering a stroke, Rachel realized she wanted to live life to the fullest and achieve more. She found the perfect place to start at the University of Louisville. Earning a degree 100% online in Healthcare Leadership set Rachel up for career advancement and personal fulfillment.

Rachel started her education at a local community college right out of high school. When she got a full-time job in sales that didn’t require a college education, earning what she believed was decent income, she decided not to finish her degree.

Years later, she found herself passed up for jobs in lieu of others who had a bachelor’s degree. Despite having the necessary experience and intellect, her lack of a college diploma held her back from career progression.

Rachel’s mindset then was to live in the moment. As a result, she rarely found herself thinking much about the long-term and continuing her education wasn’t really on her mind.

However, when life intervened, her perspective changed. After recovering from a stroke, Rachel knew it was time to go back to school.

“I woke up one morning and it was really blurry. I ended up losing feeling in my face and ultimately, I had a stroke. I was debilitated for about six months. I went to occupational speech and physical therapy, where I learned to walk again, talk again and have motor skills again. And that’s when I really took the turn and said no time like the present. It’s time to go back to school.”

Rachel McClain

Start to Finish in Less Than a Year

Continuing her education and finishing the degree she previously started became her primary mission.

Rachel initially enrolled in a traditional four-year program, but it didn’t feel quite right. When she discovered the Healthcare Leadership (HCL) program, the first competency-based education degree delivered 100% online at UofL, she knew she’d found the perfect fit. Not only did the HCL program allow her to balance work and education, but it gave her the chance to capitalize on her decade-long professional experience and helped her reach the finish line much faster.

“[The Healthcare Leadership program] was everything I wanted. It instantly made me smile. It was perfect.”

Rachel McClain

Competency-based education (CBE) looks at prior education and/or working experience and rewards students with course credits for mastered competencies. In other words, students can test out of classes where they are knowledgeable and immediately start another class where they learn new concepts and skills. This method allows students to progress toward degree completion at a pace that fits their learning style.

For Rachel, this model allowed her to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in just about 10 months.

Since graduating from the healthcare leadership program, Rachel has been promoted within her organization and her life has changed for the better. Her experience as an online student and the degree she earned allows her to shine and gives her confidence to pursue even bigger dreams for her future.

Take The Leap

“To someone that is considering this degree: take the leap. There’s no time like the present and I think this program provides so much flexibility that it’s kind of a no brainer. Don’t put it off until tomorrow. I really think that this program has only given me benefits in my life and I would recommend it to anyone.”

Rachel McClain

Although Rachel worried about the commitment she had to make to finish her degree, as well as having another stroke during the process, she knew she couldn’t let anything hold her back. With the support and encouragement of her friends and family, Rachel took the leap to better her future—and it paid off.

This is Rachel’s story. Inspired by a shift in perspective, she went back to school to change her life and further her career. This is her why!

What’s YOUR why?

Check out our YouTube page to hear testimonials from other UofL Online programs and students, or read more student success stories here.

UofL Online

University of Louisville offers various degrees and certificate programs 100% online. These programs deliver quality online education to non-traditional students who are not able to come to a physical campus and want to earn a college degree or certificate to start or advance their career.

A Personal Investment in Social Work and a Life-Long Mission to Change the World

A Personal Investment in Social Work and a Life-Long Mission to Change the World

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Social work, education, online learning

The Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville has a long tradition equipping social work professionals to serve and advocate for vulnerable populations. That’s because we take our chosen field professionally, but also personally. With bachelor’s and master’s in social work programs, we prepare future social workers to make a difference in their community, the society and the world.

Our tradition is carried forward by the outstanding faculty and staff at the Kent School, and our success is a reflection of the many individual successes that our undergraduate and graduate social work students achieve when they go into the world. At the helm of Kent’s online programs are two exquisite professors who combine pedagogy with real world experiences and draw motivation from their own very personal stories.

Dr. Shawnise Miller, Director of UofL’s online Master of Science in Social Work, came to social work by way of a family legacy.

“My grandmother was the director of a local social service agency and from an early age, I spent time at her office. I didn’t go to daycare, I went to work with my grandmother. And even after starting school, I would spend my summer breaks at her office. Watching her help people and their families shaped me greatly.”

It was there she learned that help can come in a variety of forms. “It could be providing direct services like food or financial assistance for rent…or it could be advocating on behalf of someone or even whole groups of people.”

Dr. Miller learned compassion from her grandmother and began to see the professional channels through which she could effectively carry on the family tradition. She stays involved in the field and is a mentor and resource for her students.

In the classroom, Dr. Miller helps students learn concepts and methods within the context of every-day environment challenges. She says, “I love seeing the light bulb moments for my students… and watching them make connections between course materials and real-life situations. That is truly rewarding.”

Dr. Armon Perry, Director of the online Bachelor of Social Work program at UofL, has his own personal story to share:

“I am from Montgomery, Alabama and I grew up in a not-so-nice neighborhood. But, I went to high school in a wealthier part of town and sat in class next to kids who drove nicer cars than any of the adults in my neighborhood. The juxtaposition between what I saw in my neighborhood versus what I saw at school compelled me to think about the ways in which the intersection of people’s race, class, gender, and family of origin shaped their life chances.”

Dr. Perry was the first in his family to attend college. When he first met with an advisor, he shared his desire to change the world, starting with the people he knew. “I told her i wanted to help people like the ones I grew up around, in hopes that they could one day live like the people I went to high school with.”

“My advisor sent me to Beverly Hall, which is where the Social Work Department was located, and I signed up.” Dr. Perry’s contribution to the field extends well beyond the classroom. He is actively involved with the 4 Your Child project — a Kentucky program aimed at helping fathers take more active roles in their children’s lives.

This type of personal investment in the mission of social work drives Dr. Miller and Dr. Perry to in turn educate and empower their students to be a force for change.

At the Kent School of Social Work, we are proud of our tradition and the dedicated faculty who carry that tradition into the 21st century. Our online bachelor’s and master’s in social work degrees extend the reach of that tradition and leave a legacy of skilled, compassionate social workers set to make a difference at a time when their services are needed more than ever.

Whether you’re just getting started in the field or you want to pursue your master’s, the right education can help you reach new heights in your career and enhance your ability to fight injustice. We hope you’ll join our learning community and you’ll let us join you on your mission to change the world.

University of Louisville Adds New Online Liberal Arts & Social Sciences Degrees

University of Louisville Adds New Online Liberal Arts & Social Sciences Degrees

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UofL’s College of Arts & Sciences Adds New Online Degrees

A decade ago, the prevailing wisdom was that you needed a degree specifically aligned with a career field, like business or engineering. But the thinking has shifted, largely fueled by demand in the tech sector for people with well-rounded and sharp critical-thinking skills. Daniel Rosensweig, CEO of education startup Chegg, was quoted in Forbes as saying, “Congrats, liberal arts majors. You’re the most desirable employees.”

What makes liberal arts and social sciences degrees so attractive?

By drawing on a broad range of disciplines, from art and literature to history and scientific research, a the versatile curriculum equips students with the skill to make connections between different schools of thought which can fuel creativity and develop the analytical skills that have a proven track record of success in all aspects of the marketplace.

The College of Arts and Sciences at University of Louisville is proud to offer five 100% online social sciences bachelor’s degree programs. The Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science in Communication have long been pioneering online education along with the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, and those programs are now joined by the:

All of UofL’s Arts and Sciences online degree programs are rooted in the liberal arts and social sciences, combining scientific research and analysis skills with effective communication, so that our students emerge ready to make and influence data-driven decisions.

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Communication

With an online Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science option, UofL’s communication degrees equip students with the skills they need to analyze, interpret, and critique communication issues in a diverse range of career fields including TV and radio, print publications, public relations, and more. From public speaking to effective written communication, graduates are prepared by expert faculty to excel in their chosen field.

Additionally, internship opportunities offer students an exceptional pathway to entering the job market running with real-world experience on their resumes.

Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

UofL’s online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice prepares graduates with a working knowledge of the entire criminal justice process for both adults and juveniles. From law enforcement to court proceedings and corrections, our graduates are prepared to make connections between theory and policy development as they understand and apply their knowledge to a broad range of legal issues.

For those already employed in the criminal justice field, a bachelor’s degree can go a long way to increasing job performance and opening doors to leadership roles.

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology

UofL’s online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology blends the study of psychological concepts with scientific research and analysis methods to equip students with the skills to make evidence-based decisions in solving personal, professional, and societal problems. In the online psychology program, you will be led by research-active faculty and gain scientific insights into brain-behavior relationships, abnormal psychology and cognition, and human development.

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology

The online Bachelor of Arts in Sociology transforms how you approach your role in society by developing insights into how social structures shape everyday attitudes, actions, and opportunities. This pairs with a rigorous social sciences curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and persuasive communication to equip students with the ability to make evidence-based decisions as they approach social issues in business, nonprofits, government institutions and daily life.

Bachelor of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies

Our Bachelor of Arts in Women’s and Gender Studies offers an interdisciplinary curriculum committed to diversity and social justice that is simultaneously rooted in the critical thinking, communication, and research skills of the liberal arts. Students study how ideas and schools of thought intersect, and learn how gender disparities connect with poverty, racism and other forms of inequality. Our students prepare to become part of the solution.

Get Started Today

Given the flexible, 100% online learning format, these online social sciences and liberal arts degrees offer both working professionals and college freshmen alike an excellent opportunity to propel themselves forward with a college education. Apply today to join our community of online learners.

About UofL Online Learning

The University of Louisville currently offers online programs in various areas of study for adult learners who are not able to come to a physical campus, but want to earn a college degree or certificate and advance their career.

The University of Louisville is a nationally-recognized, metropolitan research university, with a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, as well as the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our diverse community of learners.

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