Category: Education & Human Development Programs

UofL launches online leadership programs for healthcare and higher ed

UofL launches online leadership programs for healthcare and higher ed

UofL is proud to announce the launch of two new online leadership programs. Both programs deliver current and future leaders of either the healthcare and higher ed industry skills they need to further their career.

Read on for details on the newly launched Master’s in Health Administration and Cert. in Organizational Change in Higher Ed.

The healthcare industry continues to grow and change, with everything from advancements in technology to changes in the standards of patient care regularly shifting.

And it’s today’s health administrators who are responsible for leading the charge in embracing these changes.

The executive MSHA online program prepares healthcare professionals with 5+ years of experience to take on that challenge.

Healthcare is evolving. You should be too.

The curriculum expands on expertise in healthcare management areas like HR, economics, marketing and policy, as well as deepens understanding of processes, environments, structures and strategies that are disrupting the industry.

Notably, the program places a strong focus on assessments that emphasize solving authentic, real-life problems these executive-level students face within your current role.

Health Admin, Health Leadership, Lee Bewley, UofL Faculty

“This is the ideal time to pursue the online MSHA at UofL. We created this program to provide health care leaders with a high-quality learning experience. We focus on the most critical competencies necessary for effective organizational leadership and population health management.”

Lee Bewley, Ph.D., FACHE
Program Director, Associate Professor

Students can complete the 21 required courses in just 2 years.

If you’re ready to lead the future of health administration, learn more at the MSHA program page.

Offered through UofL’s School of Public Health and Information Sciences.

The Organizational Change in Higher Ed graduate certificate explores the skills needed to understand, manage and influence organizational change in college and universities.

Lead change within your university.

The coursework prepares post-secondary administrators, staff and faculty members to better understand and manage areas important to org changes in higher ed including legal issues, resource management, diversity and organizational improvement.

Higher Ed Cert, Org Change Higher Ed, Casey George, UofL College of Ed

“This program considers the vast amount of challenges universities face today. This certificate provides professionals in academic settings with the skills and experiences needed to become more effective administrators, while also encouraging data-driven decision making and assessments – the ideal ways to instigate change in postsecondary education.”

Casey George, Ph.D.
Program Director, Assistant Professor

The certificate is comprised of 4 graduate courses (12 credit hours), which students can complete in just under a year.

If you’re interested in taking on leadership roles in a higher ed organization, or know someone who might be, learn more at the certificate program page.

Offered through UofL’s College of Education and Human Development.

UofL Online Programs

The University of Louisville offers degrees and certificate programs 100% online, delivering quality online education to non-traditional students and professionals who need alternative learning delivery methods and want to earn a college degree or certificate to start or advance their career — from wherever and whenever it’s most convenient for them. Read more about our programs in our featured blog posts.

UofL’s newest online program is taking English beyond the borders

UofL’s newest online program is taking English beyond the borders

Have you ever thought about traveling overseas to teach others how to speak English? Or maybe you’d like to work with a humanitarian outreach organization? With our new certificate program, you can gain essential skills for teaching and/or tutoring non-native English speakers—no previous experience in education required!

The graduate certificate in Teaching English as an International Language (TEIL) is designed for bachelor’s degree holders who do not have a background in education but want to teach English language learners abroad and in other scenarios where a teaching license is not required.

As a TEIL student, you’ll learn strategies to work with English language learners in a variety of settings both in the U.S. and abroad including humanitarian outreach organizations, private/parochial schools, tutoring opportunities with non-native students, missions work or international work with multi-national companies.

Applicants to the TEIL online program must have a bachelor’s degree earned from a regionally-accredited institution, but all fields of study and backgrounds are welcome. Also, there are no additional prerequisites to enter the program.

Click here to learn more about this exciting new program: https://uofl.me/2OdvK3K.

Bonus points: Earn this as a standalone graduate certificate or as part of a UofL master’s degree (must be approved by an advisor).

UofL removes barriers teachers face in the path to advancement

UofL removes barriers teachers face in the path to advancement

The education requirements for teachers in Kentucky may have changed, but that hasn’t altered the commitment teachers feel to furthering their education. In appreciation of their commitment, the University of Louisville (UofL) has reduced tuition by 25 percent for a select set of teaching programs.

Betty Hampton, Director of Graduate Services for the College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at UofL, talked with Insider Louisville about what that means for teachers in the context of reducing barriers they face along the path to advancement.

From her experience helping individual teachers understand their options every day, Hampton knows that teachers face various barriers to earning a master’s degree or certifications—including cost, time commitment and learning methods. According to Hampton, the main reason UofL makes it so easy for educators to go back to school is that the CEHD faculty and staff listen to feedback from alumni and program candidates, and ask, “What can we do to remove those barriers?”

Hampton adds that the state and school districts within the Commonwealth—including Jefferson County Public Schools—regularly provide incentives for teachers to continue their education, such as higher salaries. And now it is easier than ever for Kentucky educators to continue their education—thanks to the 100% online programs at UofL.

Hampton shares three main questions teachers ask, and explains how UofL makes strides to help graduate students overcome them.

Q. How can I afford to continue my education?

A. With UofL’s new tuition reduction program!

Starting summer 2019, teachers enrolled in specific graduate programs at UofL will get a reduced graduate tuition rate of 25 percent off standard graduate tuition, for programs including:

  • Master of Education in Teacher Leadership
    The ten courses in this program (30 credit hours) are designed for certified teachers in Kentucky who want to develop leadership skills that can impact and influence students and peers within their classroom, school and district. Curriculum is structured to strengthen skills in assessment, evaluation, curriculum and instruction to meet the needs of diverse learners. Specialized courses are tailored to specific content areas and grade levels.
  • Master of Education in Special Education with Moderate and Severe Disabilities (MSD) ConcentrationBetty HamptonThe special education licensure program provides a strong foundation in general education content, special education theory and methods, and teaching experience. Extensive classroom experience allows students to develop the skills, competencies and confidence for successful teaching, including strategies for inclusion, behavior management, social skill instruction and modifying instruction in the general curriculum.
  • Teaching Endorsements (P-12)
    In addition to master’s degrees, UofL offers programs designed to broaden the expertise and knowledge base of educators while adding valuable credentials through certifications to a Kentucky teaching license. Qualifying programs include:
    • Classroom Reading Endorsement (P-12)
    • English as a Second Language (ESL) Endorsement (P-12)
    • Instructional Technology Endorsement (P-12)
  • View the full list of qualifying program

Q. How can I manage school in addition to teaching and taking care of my family?

A. Through fully online programs at UofL!

The degrees and programs listed above are delivered 100 percent online and offered each semester, including the summer. Endorsement programs can be completed anytime, anywhere, with no set times to meet. For the master’s degree, some courses are interactive webcam sessions that begin at 4:30 p.m. or later. Students can complete their work on their own time and have plenty of opportunities to engage with classmates and faculty. The flexibility to “be in the classroom” from anywhere helps teachers learn around their schedule and family commitments.

Q. Why is UofL the right choice for me?

A. The quality of education and the UofL faculty’s expertise and commitment to students’ success…

“Our faculty members are leaders in their field,” explains Hampton. “They are practicing teachers, experts in their field, and leaders in research. We have a wide scope of educator specialists, from STEM subjects to special education, which other universities can’t offer.”

In addition, faculty and staff in UofL’s College of Education and Human Development are committed to Kentucky teachers and the communities in which they teach. “A master’s degree, Rank I program or certification program not only supports the individual teacher, it supports the students they teach and their families,” notes Hampton.

And… It’s not just the faculty at UofL that are best-in-class. UofL’s Graduate Education online programs have been recognized for instruction quality and learning outcomes by US NEWS & WORLD REPORT in 2019. Also, UofL was ranked as one of the top online colleges in Kentucky for 2018 and 2019 by TheBestSchools.org.

“Teachers are lifelong learners,” Hampton notes. “A master’s degree may not be required, but teachers know the value of quality higher education for their students and for themselves. Graduate programs open up career options for teachers who aspire to enhance their classroom teaching skills, take on principal roles or become specialists in specific educational areas.”

We call upon all teachers to enhance their skills and help lead the way for better education in Kentucky. Our graduate programs are designed to help you excel as a teacher in your classroom and beyond, now and in the future—and help you meet your personal and professional career goals.

Find out more about the online education programs from UofL and start your application today.

This blog post was originally published on Insider Louisville.

Shine brighter: Get the credit you deserve with UofL Online’s CBE Program

Shine brighter: Get the credit you deserve with UofL Online’s CBE Program

When Rachel McClain was researching options to go back to school and found the online healthcare leadership program at the University of Louisville (UofL), she knew it was exactly what she needed. “It instantly made me smile,”she said. “It was perfect.” Indeed, it was a perfect match.

For Program Director Lee Bewley, the feeling was mutual. “Our first introduction to Rachel McClain was great,” he notes. “She had several years of experience working in the healthcare field and she had the time to focus on her own development.”

Rachel went to work in the healthcare industry after earning her associate’s degree. “I was making what I thought was decent money at the time and it didn’t require me to have a degree,” she says. But what she calls “extenuating circumstances” changed her perspective on everything.

Turning darkness into light

“I woke up one morning and it was really blurry,” Rachel explains. “I ended up losing feeling in my face and, ultimately, I had a stroke.” She was in recovery for six months afterwards and says the entire experience led her to think about her journey and the path she wanted to follow.

“It definitely changed how I thought about life,” she says. “That’s when I really took the turn and said no time like the present. It’s time to go back to school.”

Helping her shine

When Rachel compared schools, she says “UofL was top on the list.” She found the right fit with UofL’s online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership & Learning with a focus on Healthcare Leadership —the university’s first Competency-Based Education (CBE) program.

The 100% online CBE program recognizes previous college credit hours and work experience, and Rachel had both. She could also customize her education and move at her own pace, as UofL’s CBE program gives students the ability to test out of courses for which they master certain competencies and progress through their degree based on knowledge they still need to acquire. “I was able to finish a course and then immediately start one up within 72 hours,” she notes.

Lee Bewley was impressed with Rachel’s skills and experience as she progressed through her program. “What we found as Rachel was going through the courses is that she had already developed a number of healthcare leadership and management competencies,” he says. “Our role was to provide her with the incremental development and one-on-one support necessary for successfully demonstrating those competencies and earning credits toward her degree.”

Rachel’s experience from the beginning and throughout the program was excellent. “From my success coach to financial aid, everyone that I spoke to it was incredible,”she shares. “They were motivating, they were supportive, and they were encouraging.”

Both the people at UofL and the design of the program helped her get her degree faster. “I was able to finish this online program in about ten months because it was tailored to me specifically,” she explains. “It provides so much flexibility that it’s kind of a no-brainer.”

A brighter future

Rachel’s story highlights her own unique circumstances, but many adult learners and professionals seeking a flexible path to finish their degree can relate to her story. The opportunity to customize your learning experience from start to finish, show what you know and get the credit you deserve is open to anyone with the right background.

Incoming students can transfer 36 hours or more of General Education credits from any regionally accredited institution. In addition, the Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) course allows you to obtain credit for professional knowledge and skills developed in your career. That can mean earning up to 48 credit hours tuition-free, which lets you save up to $23,856 over the course of the program.

The remaining 12 courses (36 hours) to complete the degree are offered in two formats:

  • Flex Pace gives students 32 weeks to move through the program, providing more flexibility and self-direction. The curriculum is based on the National Center for Healthcare Leadership’s (NCHL.org) competency model, which is one of the leading industry standard models for healthcare executive competencies development.
  • Set Pace is structured on 8-week traditional terms but still offers flexibility in the length of time it takes to complete the program. Students can finish their degree in as little as three intensive semesters or in as many as are needed.

No matter which option you choose, what’s important is taking the first step on your journey to a bachelor’s degree. Returning to school and reaching her goal has given Rachel a sense of accomplishment and purpose. “This program has definitely prepared me for the future, and it’s given me confidence to pursue things that I wouldn’t have pursued in the past,” Rachel says. “It’s given me a degree and that was what I really wanted. It’s an amazing feeling; I feel empowered and I feel confident.”

Follow Rachel’s lead. Customize your learning experience from start to finish, show what you know and get the credit you deserve. Let UofL Online bring campus and career advance to you with the online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning – Healthcare Leadership program.

Find out more and apply today!

This blog post was originally published on Insider Louisville.