Education & Human Dev. Online Programs

Classroom Reading Endorsement (P-12) now offered 100% online!

By Laura Dorman | April 10, 2015

The University of Louisville and the College of Education and Human Development are excited to announce the addition of the Classroom Reading Endorsement (P-12) to their repertoire of online programs. This endorsement prepares teachers to become the literacy leaders of today and tomorrow and create dynamic learning environments that are both intellectually challenging and empowering for students with varied abilities.

The inquiry-centric and research-driven curriculum makes this program unique as it engages teachers to connect pedagogic approaches and concepts with real-world classroom settings to maximize students’ potential.

The online CRE (P-12) program is designed to develop and support teachers as researchers in their own classroom where they can uncover how to effectively help every student in finding his or her own unique pathway to literacy. Educators with a CRE (P-12) can gain increased marketability and advancement within the field. Additionally, completion of this program brings opportunity for leadership roles, career focus transitioning, and increased salaries. Endorsement students have the opportunity to grow professionally while expanding their credentials to excel in the creation and implementation of cutting edge P-12 literacy based learning methods.

The CRE (P-12) curriculum is aligned with the standards and requirements of the International Literacy Association (ILA) and the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE).

Speaking to the tremendous value of this program, for both teachers and students, Lori Norton-Meier, Ph.D., Literacy Program Coordinator at UofL, said: “The word ‘inquiry’ is central to our mission and program design. We don’t just lecture on best practices – we create opportunities for teachers to be inquirers in their own classrooms – that’s what makes us different from other programs which are more prescribed and rigid. We build on teachers’ expertise and empower teachers to be researchers in their own classroom. It is the only way we are going to make a real difference for every reader and writer in our classrooms! We have to keep questioning, keep wondering and keep studying our practice. We believe that the teaching and learning are found in each teacher’s classroom – that is why we are so excited about this online program – it moves the learning out of a university classroom and into realistic settings.”

The Classroom Reading Endorsement (P-12) 18 credit hours program is now being offered in a 100% online format, providing great ease and flexibility in accommodating the schedules of current teaching professionals. Utilizing a proven applied-knowledge method to enhance various personal learning styles, students will have the freedom to access their course content from any location, while selecting a predetermined time of day for their online sessions.

To be considered for admission, CRE (P-12) online program applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree as well as a valid initial teacher certification. The endorsement can be completed as a standalone online program, or in conjunction with the University of Louisville’s Master of Education in Teacher Leadership or Master of Education in Literacy, as well as a Rank I program.

The University of Louisville continues its commitment to advance the knowledge of educators through endorsement and extension programs. The online P-12 Classroom Reading Endorsement program is another great example of such program that allows them to truly stand out in their profession and lead the efforts of improving literacy in their classroom, community and the nation.

Please contact us with any questions – our online learning counselors are happy to answers your questions and connect you with the resources you need to apply and enroll at UofL.

Online Higher Ed. Administration program recognized nationally

By admin | November 7, 2014

The University of Louisville’s online Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration program is the nation’s third best online education degree program, according to TheBestSchools.org.

The site ranked the top 25 programs, based on a combination of academic excellence, types of available classes, faculty strength, other rankings and reputation.

Among other areas, higher education professionals work in student affairs, academic affairs, fundraising, admissions, registrar, financial aid and advising services, while some degree seekers also work in management positions at nonprofit foundations, international associations and government agencies.

According to TheBestSchools.org, the Master in Higher Education degree “prepares graduates to solve the many challenging issues facing higher education institutions. These degree programs train higher education professionals to plan, oversee, and increase the effectiveness of higher education.”

In choosing the 100% online Higher Education Administration program at UofL, the site cited the university’s high research activity and accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE).

“The 100-percent online Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration 36-credit hour degree provides graduates with an opportunity to find careers in two-year and four-year colleges and universities,” the site noted. “Students can complete the degree program in as little as two years. The degree plan of study includes core coursework and an internship in a post-secondary education setting.”

The write-up also highlighted particular courses offered in the Higher Education Administration program, including Philosophy of Higher Education, The American College and University and Research Methods and Statistics.

To learn more about the program, including the full degree map and course descriptions, visit the Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration online.

Engaging Your Workforce — A Three Stage Model

By admin | September 29, 2014

Corporations should focus on HOW work gets done – instead of the standard HOW MUCH work gets done. It’s all about engagement, according to Dr. Brad Shuck an assistant professor in the Organizational Leadership and Learning Program at the University of Louisville, and a pioneer in employee engagement research.

Reflecting on his own past experience with less effective work environments, Dr. Shuck points out that the places he worked at were not bad companies, but they were filled with bad managers, “People,” he says, “were being promoted into positions with responsibilities they were not ready for. These managers only wanted to know how much I could get done, not how I was getting it done.”

Dr. Shuck’s research focuses on employee engagement to help design organizations where corporate leaders learn to increase engagement to reduce turnover and meet business objectives. Results suggests that people who rate themselves as being more engaged at work experience less exhaustion, have a higher sense of personal accomplishment and practice better collaboration in their workplace.

Dr. Shuck’s employee engagement model is called “Think it, Feel it, Do it.” and determines the employee’s level of engagement in three steps:

“Think it” stage — employees encounter situations everyday and ask themselves whether the work is a) meaningful, b) safe and c) offers the right resources. A ‘no’ answer to any of these questions makes engagement levels plummet.
“Feel it” stage – If employees make a positive appraisal from the first question, then they emotionally commit.
“Do it” stage — employees change their behavior.

“Worldwide research shows that only 30 percent of workers go to work every day fully engaged. I am looking to reach out and partner with the Louisville community so we trump that figure,” he says.

Dr. Brad Shuck is an Assistant Professor in the Organizational Leadership and Learning (OLL) Program at UofL. The OLL Program offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees to foster leadership, learning, and performance. Programs are available 100% online and on campus.

This article was adapted from an original piece about Dr. Shuck’s research, written by Dr. Denise M. Cumberland, Assistant Professor in the OLL Program at UofL.

B.S. in Organizational Leadership and Learning: Outstanding Adult Education Program Of The Year

By Laura Dorman | September 12, 2014

UofL’s Organizational Leadership and Learning (OLL) bachelor’s program receives the 2013 Malcolm Knowles Award for Outstanding Adult Education Program of the Year

The Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning program at the University of Louisville is the recipient of the American Association for Adult and Continuing Education’s (AAACE) 2013 Malcolm Knowles Award. This is the first time the award has ever been awarded to a bachelor’s degree program.

The award was established in the name of Malcolm S. Knowles for his distinguished contribution to the field of adult education and his development of the theory of andragogy. Knowles’ theoretical and practical approach is based on a humanistic conception of self-directed and autonomous learners and teachers as facilitators of learning.

The award recognizes teams or individuals for outstanding leadership of programs that demonstrate effectiveness, relevancy, creativity, immediacy, institutional cooperation or collaboration and legislative impact. Matt Bergman, assistant professor, and Kevin Rose, assistant professor, both with the Department of Leadership, Foundations and Human Resource Education at UofL, accepted the award on behalf of the Organizational Leadership and Learning (OLL) program at the AAACE’s annual conference.

To be eligible for this award, a degree program must serve the adult learner population for a minimum of two years and demonstrate efficient adoption of the andragogical process. The Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning is delivered on campus or online to meet the needs to nontraditional students who are employed, taking care of their family or are engaged in community projects or services.

Referring to how this award reflects the positive learning outcomes of the bachelor’s program, Matt Bergman said ”With more than 96,000 adults in the greater Louisville area who have some college and no degree, we believe that our Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning program is a very effective option for completing a bachelor’s education. This program is built on a solid foundation of high standards that focus on a relevant, rigorous, and research based curriculum that balance the need for greater educational attainment with high quality learning outcomes for our students. Our program’s adult learning advocates continually embrace the support and resources from our campus community, the Louisville region, and the National Degree Completion initiatives to advance educational attainment for so many working adults with some college and no degree.

Kevin Rose also shared his thoughts about the quality of the program and how it impacts continuous professional development: “Our program is receiving national recognition for our efforts to meet the education needs of adult learners. This recognition reflects our faculty’s commitment to making this program particularly relevant for students with prior knowledge and work experience.” We continually strive for new and better ways to deliver a rigorous, relevant, and research-based curriculum that empowers our students to make an impact in their lives and workplaces. This recognition would also not be possible without the great students that we serve and the level of enthusiasm and professionalism they bring to the classroom. Our program is better because of our outstanding students.

In the OLL program, students benefit from a learning climate that is relaxed, trusting, mutually respectful, informal, warm, collaborative, and supportive. Learners and facilitators participate equally in planning the learning process and assessing the learning needs. Most of all, students learn through experiential techniques, inquiry projects or independent study. Learning process assessments are completed by evaluating learner-collected evidence validated by peers, experts and facilitators.

The College of Education and Human Development at University of Louisville strives to provide all students with quality learning opportunities, modern teaching and learning methods and flexible delivery of programs that help professionals achieve their long-term goals and stand out in their profession and organization. Our bachelor’s graduates are fully equipped to advance their career and pursue further studies in organization development. Many of our students go on to become effective leaders, experts in their industry and champions of change in the society.

To learn more about the online programs offered by the College of Education and Human Development, visit:
• BS OLL page (http://louisville.edu/online/programs/bachelors/bachelor-of-science-in-organizational-leadership-and-learning?utm_source=blog-malcolm)
• MS HROD page (http://louisville.edu/online/programs/masters/master-of-science-in-human-resources-and-organization-development&utm_source=blog-malcolm)

Category: Education & Human Development Programs