Category: Feature Stories

UofL One of The Most Affordable Online Colleges in Kentucky

UofL One of The Most Affordable Online Colleges in Kentucky

Using data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), OnlineColleges.net compiled and published a list of the 63 most affordable online colleges in Kentucky for 2015. The University of Louisville finished high on the list, ranking 12th in the state for affordable online degree programs.

To qualify for consideration, colleges had to officially be accredited, not-for-profit schools, and offer a wide variety of online programs. Tuition rates were calculated based on an annual average of published tuition costs, with UofL coming in at an estimated cost of $11,592 in annual tuition, or $483 per credit.

The University of Louisville’s high ranking is significant, given the prestigious and nationally-acclaimed quality of education being offered through UofL’s online learning programs. With tuition rates at four-year universities in Kentucky coming in significantly lower than the national average, UofL brings the opportunity for an affordable, world-class online education from a large university to both local and distance learning students.

Some of the other colleges on the OnlineColleges.net listing are smaller schools located in smaller towns in Kentucky. UofL’s online programs are designed and led by a vast team of expert faculty who are closely involved with cutting-edge local research, as well as thriving businesses, within the largest city in the state. The ability to both teach and work within this large urban environment gives UofL faculty an intimate level of professional knowledge on the subject matters they present – with their students as the beneficiaries.

To see the complete OnlineColleges.net list of the most affordable online colleges in Kentucky, please visit http://www.onlinecolleges.net/kentucky/. For further information on exploring the vast benefits of an online education at the University of Louisville, visit UofL online.

Social Work Degree Guide Ranks Online MSSW Program at UofL’s Kent School of Social Work #3 in the Country

Social Work Degree Guide Ranks Online MSSW Program at UofL’s Kent School of Social Work #3 in the Country

The Social Work Degree Guide recently compiled a list of the 25 best nationwide CSWE accredited online Masters of Social Work programs for 2015. Only programs accredited with CSWE, the Council on Social Work Education, were chosen for the listing. The online Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program at the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work ranked very highly, coming in at #3 in the country and achieving the Guide’s highest possible point score total.

Ranked as the #1 Social Work program in Kentucky, and touted as a top-ranked program by US News & World Report, the online MSSW program at UofL’s Kent School was awarded the #3 spot in the nation due to educational excellence in the areas of online education, enrollment flexibility, accessibility for students regardless of geographic location, and having an Advanced Standing option in place for those students already holding a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Students are able to complete the MSSW program at UofL’s Kent School entirely online, while following the same course curriculum as traditional classroom students. The program is open to all candidates currently holding a bachelor’s degree. A Standard Track is offered for those students with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work, while an Advanced Standing Track is available to streamline the process for those holding a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Within the online MSSW program, multiple areas of specialization are available for students to choose from, including Psychosocial Oncology, Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Counseling, Military Social Work, and Gerontology. The online curriculum is focused on facilitating practices that support and promote social justice. In addition to the online courses, the degree also has a real-world learning component, which involves hands-on instruction, performed in a student’s approved location of choice. This provides invaluable field experience to online students, enabling them to acquire hands-on opportunties in their own communities.

The #3 ranking in the country, as given by the Social Work Degree Guide, is an honor, and speaks to the dynamic quality of the MSSW offered at UofL’s Kent School. The Kent School has been educating social workers since 1936. While steeped in a tradition of educational excellence, the Kent School remains entirely focused on the future with 100% online programs such as the Master of Science in Social Work.

For further information and to view the Top 25 Online MSW Programs 2015, as published by the Social Work Degree Guide, please visit the following link: http://www.socialworkdegreeguide.com/online-msw-programs/. Visit the University of Louisville’s Online Master of Science in Social Work program page to learn more about this highly ranked, dynamic 100% online Master’s Degree program.

Online Educator Honored Among UofL Top Faculty Favorites

Online Educator Honored Among UofL Top Faculty Favorites

Roman Yampolskiy
Roman Yampolskiy

There is no denying that the professional rapport formed between college educators and their students is of paramount importance both to learning and to the attainment of educational goals. The acclaimed and diverse online degree programs at the University of Louisville allow students to both learn and interact with their professors and classmates, regardless of geographic location. These online classrooms utilize cutting-edge software, allowing maximum levels of interaction and a strong sense of campus community to be built amongst online students. With current technology, online educators at UofL are able to inspire their students in much the same way as their traditional counterparts, leading to students nominating their online educators for the annual campus “Faculty Favorites” list.

Assistant professor Dr. Roman Yampolskiy, who teaches computer science courses at the Speed School of Engineering, and has had his research widely published, has now been recognized by his online students as both a Professor of the Year as well as a Faculty Favorite for several years running. Yampolskiy himself strives to bring the very best in tools and educational experiences to his online students. He recognizes the value in his online classroom and makes sure to treat his students as human beings, not just as names on a screen.

According to one of the students who nominated Yampolskiy for his Top Four placement among the Faulty Favorites, Yampolskiy was “very available to students with questions.” Other students commended his approachability, intelligence, passion for education, open-mindedness and his ability to inject humor into some of the more ‘dry’ subject matters. One thing is abundantly clear from all of the student nominations – Dr. Yampolskiy knows his students, and his students know and respect him, regardless of the fact that many have never met him face to face.

The quality of online instruction from the award-winning faculty at the University of Louisville truly speaks to the level of education being offered. When online students are able to feel as passionately about their professors as traditional students do, the online campus community is clearly not just existing, but thriving. With the diverse and nationally ranked online programs available to choose from, prospective students can rest easy in their decision to pursue degrees online. The quality of an online education from UofL shines through the dedicated faculty and staff, like Dr. Yampolskiy, who tirelessly work to build and solidify a sense of true community via the virtual classroom.

To read more on the talented Dr. Roman Yampolskiy, please click the following link – http://uoflonline.com/2014/09/roman-yampolskiy/. For further information on exploring the many benefits and flexibilities of an online education at the University of Louisville, please visit us online.

Instructional Technology Endorsement (P-12) Program Now Offered 100% Online

Instructional Technology Endorsement (P-12) Program Now Offered 100% Online

Louisville, KY (10/14/2015) – The University of Louisville and the College of Education and Human Development are happy to announce that the Instructional Technology Endorsement (P-12) has joined their expanding repertoire of acclaimed online programs. This 100% online endorsement is based on the theory of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) and is structured to help educators expand their technological skill set, while successfully and appropriately integrating modern technology into P-12 classrooms. The Instructional Technology Endorsement (ITE) is the second teaching endorsement, along with the Classroom Reading Endorsement (CRE), to be offered fully online at the University of Louisville.

While the speed of advancements in modern technology can often be a challenge for educators as they strive to remain at the forefront of the 21st Century classroom environment, the online ITE program is designed to empower teachers through multifaceted, cutting edge technological training. This endorsement gives educators the thorough knowledge to embark upon efficiently introducing new technological tools to their P-12 classrooms.

With continual developments in digital culture, the ITE is relevant for educators of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced, as focus is placed on the many benefits that new technology can bring to the P-12 classroom. Teachers of all levels are able to advance their knowledge of technological implementation to educate and inspire success in their own students via the most modern digital, web, and technology-based classroom tools.

With a 100% online format, the ITE offers connectivity and flexibility at the same time. The online course sessions are conducted synchronously, with predetermined course/meeting times, and recorded for easy asynchronous access, anytime and anywhere, to fit into the schedule of any working professional. This makes the online ITE an excellent choice for those teachers who are currently working in the field, and need scheduling flexibility for their pursuits of continuing education.

To be eligible for admission into the Instructional Technology Endorsement (P-12) program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and hold a valid initial teacher certificate. The program may be completed as a standalone endorsement, or as part of either the University of Louisville’s Master of Education in Teacher Leadership, with emphasis in Instructional Technology, or the Rank I program for Kentucky educators.

The 100% online Instructional Technology Endorsement (P-12) brings new educational opportunities to the acclaimed lineup of online course offerings at the University of Louisville. It is a perfect program for motivated educators who are looking to increase their marketability, expand their skill set through dynamic technological knowledge for the 21st Century classroom, stand out within their fields and truly inspire future generations.

About UofL Online Learning

The University of Louisville (UofL) is a nationally recognized metropolitan research university with a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences and to the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our diverse community of learners.
UofL Online Learning (www.louisville.edu/online) connects nontraditional students with learning opportunities that provide value to their professional advancement and personal development.

For more information, visit http://louisville.edu/online/programs/graduate-certificate-programs/instructional-technology-endorsement/

Contact:
Laura Dorman, University of Louisville Office of Online Learning, 2301 S. 3rd Street, Ekstrom Library, Belknap Campus, Louisville, KY 40292; (502)627.0856; (800)871.8635; laura.dorman@louisville.edu.OLGRA1505_ITE-Web-Headerv1