Online Programs | UofL News and Student Resources

According to LinkedIn, MBAs are back in style; we say, they never left.

By Conner Mackowiak | April 10, 2025 | Comments 0 Comment

A recent LinkedIn news story shared that professionals are seeking MBAs and similar graduate business degrees once again. The story cited a recent application trends survey indicating that 2-year MBA applications had grown 19% in 2024.

UofL’s online MBA program director, Dr. Zac Goldman, had this to say of the article:

“Given current economic uncertainties, these trends are not terribly surprising. When career or industry outlooks worsen, many people invest in pursuing an MBA to enhance their future prospects. Like anything, MBA applications can trend up or down year-over-year; but long-term, the MBA degree continues to be one of the most resilient and valuable credentials across industries. Those who earn an MBA consistently have greater access to promotions and other opportunities, while also earning more on average than those without an MBA. Our team in the College of Business at UofL is always ready to support and assist professionals who are ready to take this important next step in their careers.”

UofL’s online MBA is designed with the future in mind. This program was created with built-in graduate certificate opportunities and innovative electives, all meant to prepare you for leadership in the workplace of tomorrow. This program also features a 10-day business trip built into the program, intentionally added to give students a global perspective from a program which can be completed from your living room, 100% online.

This program also features the Cardinal Choice Assignment, an exciting deliverable completed throughout the course of the program which allows you to tailor your degree to the Career, Industry or Issue that matters most to you. Doing so allows you to show a prospective employer the diligent work that you completed while still a student in the program.

If you’re interested in joining the growing number of future business leaders looking to energize their future with an MBA, learn more about our program and start your application today!

The Priority Deadline for fall semester applications is May 1.

Breaking News: University of Louisville’s School of Public Health and Information Sciences Ranked Among “Best Online Graduate Schools” by U.S. News & World Report

By Conner Mackowiak | April 9, 2025 | Comments 0 Comment

We are thrilled to announce that the University of Louisville’s (UofL) School of Public Health and Information Sciences (SPHIS) has been named one of the “Best Online Graduate Schools” ranked by U.S. News & World Report!

This ranking reflects the quality of education that UofL is committed to providing for all students, including those in the classroom on the Louisville campus or studying 100% online from around the world.

SPHIS offers several online graduate programs including:

MS in Biostatistics: Designed for working professionals with a bachelor’s degree looking to start or advance their career in biostatistics, statistics or data science.

MS in Epidemiology: Designed as a terminal degree to prepare students for an epidemiology career, and/or for those seeking the start of a PhD in Public Health Sciences with a specialization in Epidemiology.

MS in Health Administration: Designed for aspiring healthcare executives or leaders with 5+ years of experience looking to broaden their core healthcare management competencies, or those pursuing career advancement in population health management.

MS in Physiology: Designed for aspiring healthcare professionals looking to bolster their medical-science knowledge and expertise for career advancement in healthcare or medical research.

Additional online Graduate Certificates are offered in fields like Healthcare Financial Management, Healthcare Management, Healthcare Quality and Project Management, and Population Health Management.

Across all colleges and academic units, UofL offers 70+ online undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs that can help you take your education and career to the next level, some also recognized as best in the nation by U.S. News & World Report.

You can learn more about our top-ranked public health programs here. Here’s to another year of delivering top-quality education to our students in Louisville and around the world!

Unlock Career-Boosting Credibility with a SHRM-Aligned Master’s Degree

By Conner Mackowiak | March 31, 2025 | Comments 0 Comment

If you’re an HR professional looking to advance your career, choosing a graduate program aligned with the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) can be a game changer. But what exactly does SHRM alignment mean—and why does it matter?

SHRM is the world’s largest HR professional society, setting the standard for excellence in human resources. When a graduate program is SHRM-aligned, it means the curriculum meets the rigorous guidelines defined in SHRM’s HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates. In short, you’re learning exactly what the industry expects.

Here’s why that matters to you:

Industry Relevance: You gain knowledge and skills employers value most—because they’re based on the SHRM curriculum!

Certification Ready: SHRM-aligned programs prepare you to sit for SHRM-CP exam, giving you a competitive edge in a crowded job market.

Professional Credibility: Earning a degree from a SHRM-aligned program signals to employers that you’re committed to high professional standards and long-term HR excellence.

That’s exactly what you’ll find in the University of Louisville’s Online Master of Science in Human Resources and Organization Development (HROD). This fully online program is SHRM-aligned, flexible for working professionals, and designed to help you build expertise in strategic HR leadership, talent development, and organizational change.

UofL’s MS in HROD program director, Dr. Brad Shuck, had this to say of the significance of SHRM-alignment: “The future of work won’t wait for anyone—and neither should your HR education. SHRM alignment isn’t a nice-to-have, it’s a non-negotiable. UofL’s online MS in HROD program was built with this in mind, ensuring that students aren’t just learning theory—they’re mastering the competencies today’s organizations demand and tomorrow’s leaders will require. It’s not just relevant—it’s relentlessly future-ready.”

Don’t just take our word for it. Watch the video testimonial below of Raphael Garcia, a recent graduate of our MS in HROD program, as he describes how this program helped him to prepare for the next step in his career!

Turn your experience into college credit to save time and money on your degree!

By Heather Henley | March 25, 2025 | Comments 0 Comment

Did you complete some college classes, but never finished your degree? If you’ve built up some professional experience and want a faster and more affordable degree, UofL online is your answer. Turn your experience into tuition-free college credit with the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) or Credit for Prior Learning (CPL), available for several of our online undergraduate programs!

What is PLA/CPL?

In short, PLA and CPL can supercharge your education. Several of UofL’s 100% online undergraduate programs that offer PLA let you earn college credit for previous education, work experience or military training.

This means less time in school and lower tuition costs to complete your degree. Credit can be awarded through:

Professional portfolio review

Professional certifications

Military or work-based training

…and more!

Each program has specific requirements. Connect with an Enrollment Counselor to find out how much credit you may be eligible to earn!

Online Programs with PLA or CPL

UofL has several online degree programs that offer PLA or CPL credit. You can find the program that matches your career goals and save time and money doing it.

UofL’s online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice prepares you with working knowledge of the criminal justice system (adult and juvenile) and the issues surrounding each portion of the process. You will learn to be an agile professional in this ever-evolving field by developing your knowledge of current criminology theories, ethical and moral considerations, emerging policies as well as effective communications strategies. You can earn up to 30 credit hours (10 courses) – up to $16,200 in tuition savings with the PLA in this degree program.

The online Bachelor of Science in General Studies is a student-focused, degree-completion program, with six interdisciplinary tracks available. Our degree is structured so you can customize your learning experience to gain additional skills, and the education required for advancement in today’s competitive workforce. Earn up to 27 credit hours (9 courses) – up to $14,580 in tuition savings with the PLA offer in this degree program.

The online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning from UofL is a skills-driven degree completion program. The program is designed to equip you with the knowledge required for career advancement or a possible career change in today’s competitive and evolving workforce. Choose from 9 specialized tracks to fit your career goals and become an even more valuable member of any company or organization. You can earn up to 48 credit hours (16 courses) – up to $25,920 in tuition savings with the PLA toward this degree.

The online RN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing is designed for licensed nurses with an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) who want to earn their BSN to improve patient outcomes and excel as a leader in the field of nursing. Develop your expertise in nursing leadership, meet growing employer expectations and expand your ability to work with diverse global populations in a variety of settings—without any campus requirement or set class times. With PLA you can save time and money by earning up to 30 credit hours (10 courses), or up to $11,250 in tuition savings!

How to get started

Finishing your degree could be faster and more affordable than ever. With UofL’s online degree programs that offer a PLA or CPL you’ll be rewarded for your experience while building your future. Take the next step toward your goals and find out how much credit you can earn!

Connect with us to get started!

Category: Online Programs