Education & Human Dev. Online Programs

Student Spotlight: Counseling and Human Relations Student Answers All of Our Questions

By Conner Mackowiak | April 7, 2023 | Comments 0 Comment

Meet Mike Clark! Mike is a UofL Online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning (BSOLL), student with a track focus in Counseling and Human Relations. We asked him some questions about his online BSOLL experience—let’s read his responses below!

Why did you select the OLL program?

I choose the OLL – Counseling and Human Relation track after realizing I could do no more for an unlucky situation I was in. I graduated from St. Catharine College right before it shutdown then found out I had a transcript discrepancy that made it tough to get into grad school. With the school shut down and nobody to talk to fix it (and only able to prove my associate’s not my bachelor’s) I had to bite the bullet and start my undergrad over; I even went out somewhere to wrestle again and became an All-American which gave me more confidence to pick this program up to help me forge a career in coaching student-athletes. OLL was really good for a guy like me, in that the program basically transferred almost all my school and work experience in through PLA and I don’t have much left to do outside of core classes to finish again but with something more tangible. It’s a very friendly and flexible program for adults that need another chance at college.

What are you enjoying most about the program?

I like the content that I am learning and how accessible the online modules are, being that you can do the work from just about any device from anywhere with other options for accommodations. I also am grateful to be in a counseling program so that I could apply it to my coaching in wrestling which makes more sense for me than what I finished in school with the first time being fine arts and early ed—thought I’d be a music teacher!

Do you feel the program is providing the skills you need to be successful in your career?

Each course teaches me more about different kinds of counseling and approaches to working with all kinds of people: emotional intelligence, human resources, management, leadership skills, the coaching process, running a program, ethics, and more. These and other topics involved in OLL are some of the very core skills needed to be a good coach in wrestling where, more and more these days, you need to have all the skills of a CEO to run a proficient program.

Would you recommend the program? Why?

I would recommend the program to adults who need a second chance at a degree or need to just finish. This program is made for them and there a several more tracks then when I first found out about it which makes it to where more people can find their niche in leadership be it counseling, early ed, or tech, etc. I’ve even recommended for my emphasis specifically, the HR Leadership certificate offered by the university that ties into the OLL counseling and HR track as a way for some to do school at an even lighter level while learning about the program. So, if they finish the cert and choose to continue then at least they already got a head start.

Who is your current employer?

I’m self-employed but…

I do run the Cardinal Wrestling Club (CWC) at the University of Louisville (we wrestle collegiately in the NCWA) which takes up a good bit of my time.

What is your current title?

Self-employed outside of being the President of CWC at UofL.

Thanks, Mike, for the great responses!

If you’d like to learn more about UofL’s online BSOLL program, click here and get started today!

[Infographic] The Human Resources handbook is changing

By Brooke Whitaker | December 3, 2021 | Comments 0 Comment

Prepare for the future of HR.

“As the world gets back to work, we know it won’t be business as usual. HR leaders are the ones who will put workplaces back together…”

-Johnny Taylor, President and CEO of the Society for HR Management

Whether we like to admit it or not, COVID and the “Great Resignation” have forever impacted the workplace and employees’ expectations. These mixed in with other evolving factors have human resource professionals everywhere facing new challenges for organization development.

So, how do we tackle these challenges straight on and structure the future’s better-than-before organization for employers and employees alike? By expanding expertise and skills in data-driven decisions, find and keep qualified talent, as well as ensuring the workplace is inclusive and safe for employees’ physical and mental health. This is of course easier said than done, but with the University of Louisville’s Master’s in Human Resources and Organization Development program, you can develop these skills and more to be effective and stay agile among the societal changes.

Why choose UofL’s online Master’s in HR and Organization Development?

Skills learned can be immediately applied to your everyday work
Renowned and engaged faculty and staff who are committed to helping each student meet their educational goals
Flexible, 100% online coursework so you can balance education with work and life priorities
Our SHRM-aligned curriculum ensures the program aligns with Society for HR Management’s standards as well as prepares you to take the SHRM-CP exam
U.S. News and World Report ranks UofL’s online graduate education programs as some of the best across the nation
Special opportunities and rate reductions for eligible military service members and federal employees

Learn more about UofL’s online master’s in HR and Organization Development program here.

why earn a master's in higher ed blog header

Why earn a Master’s in Higher Education Administration? [infographic]

By Brooke Whitaker | August 20, 2021 | Comments 0 Comment

How valuable is a higher education administration master's degree?

For those working or pursuing careers in the complex settings of a university or college, a master’s in higher education administration degree is the perfect way to propel your career forward and gain the knowledge to address challenges confidently.

Degrees like the University of Louisville’s online Master’s in Higher Education Administration prepare you to navigate the evolving nuances, opportunities, policies, finances, and more that you encounter specifically within your higher ed career. Here at UofL, you can earn your degree 100% online, with courses that flex to meet your schedule, and graduate in less than two years (if enrolled full-time).

Check out our infographic “Why Earn a Master’s in Higher Education Administration” to find out more about how this degree can positively impact your future.

Why choose UofL for my higher ed administration master’s program?

The University of Louisville understands the various life and career priorities that many have to juggle. Our online higher ed administration master’s degree is flexible, 100% online, and accessible 24/7 so that you can fit coursework into your schedule, anywhere that works for you, from any internet-connected device.

UofL’s Online Master’s in Higher Ed Administration Highlights:

Skip the GRE. We make it easier to apply with no GRE score required.
Award-winning program. Our online program was ranked as one of the Best Grad Education programs by U.S. News and World Report for 2021, and top 10 from Best Colleges.
100% online. Fully online and flexible to your schedule so you can balance education with career and other life responsibilities—while still receiving the same diploma as if you were on-campus.
10 courses (30 credit hours). Earn your degree in as little as 2 years (full-time).
2 concentrations. Choose to focus in higher education or sports education.
Renowned faculty and curriculum. Learn from expert UofL faculty and experience the same curriculum as face-to-face students.

What will I learn as a master’s in higher education student? How will it propel me professionally?

UofL’s online master’s in higher ed administration dives into the institutions, practices and challenges of higher education with a focus on policy, inclusion and equity. Courses focus on examining the changing demographics of students, educational outcomes of college education as it relates to educational policy, how diversity shapes higher education, how higher ed leaders can be positive agents of change, how to manage finance with grants and education finance issues, and so much more.

With the median pay of post-secondary administration positions projected at $97,500 annually (bls.gov), there are a variety of careers that this master’s program can help you pursue. These careers include:

Academic Advisor
Asst. Director of Alumni Relations
Associate Director of Financial Aid
Associate Director of Public Relations
Business Affairs Office
Dean of Students
Director of Athletics
Director of Institutional Research

Executive Director, Academic Success
Grants & Contracts Manager
Instructional Design & Technologies Manager
Lab Manager
Multicultural Affairs Director
Registrar
Title IX Coordinator

Get started today! UofL’s online higher ed administration master’s program has 5 start dates throughout the year. Learn more about the program and application process.

New tracks available for UofL’s award-winning online leadership & learning B.S. degree

By Brooke Whitaker | May 13, 2021 | Comments 0 Comment

Ready to complete your bachelor's degree?

The University of Louisville’s online B.S. in Organizational Leadership and Learning (B.S. OLL) now offers three new tracks for students—providing even more options for working professionals to complete their bachelor’s degree. The new tracks are Project Management for the Modern Workforce, Digital Leadership/IT, and Human Resource Development. Offered through the College of Education and Human Development, these tracks support the department’s goal to provide a faster and more affordable option to complete your bachelor’s degree and equip you with the skills to prepare for career advancement or change for your specific career path.

B.S. OLL Program Benefits

The B.S. OLL program not only further develops your skill and knowledge in leadership, project management, and organizational change, but also provides the opportunity for 48 credit hours tuition-free through the Prior Learning Assessment course.

If you started your degree but didn’t finish, the B.S. OLL program also allows for up to 31 credit hours transferred from previous college credit, rather it was UofL or another accredited college. Furthermore, all but one course is offered in 8-week terms. Take as many courses as you would like to finish your degree 100% online, on your schedule to balance education with life and work priorities.

Want to know more about the program and what the experience is really like? Hear from real online B.S. OLL students in the video below.

Now, let’s dive deeper into the new tracks!

Project Management for the Modern Workforce

The Project Management for the Modern Workforce track is designed for business professionals who want well-rounded skills in managing a multitude of projects for any industry as well as those who seek a pathway to a project management role or career. This track goes beyond traditional project management knowledge, providing students the opportunity to expand their expertise and successfully respond to organizational change in areas of technology, logistics and personnel management, effective communication, data analysis and efficiently built structures.

Upon successful completion of the Project Management track of the B.S. OLL program, students will be prepared to pursue the Certified Associate in Project Management (CAMP) or the Project Management Certification (PMP).

Digital Leadership/IT

The Digital Leadership/IT track is for business professionals seeking to develop their leadership skills as well as their knowledge in Information Technologies (IT). The curriculum focuses on organizational and employee effectiveness, work morale and more, while also providing broad-based technology knowledge. This program will give you the opportunity to gain the expertise to effectively lead employees in the rapidly-changing technology field and in industries that technology impacts.

UofL has partnered with several technology industry vendors including IBM, Google, Microsoft, and Adobe to provide the opportunity to earn recognized technology micro-credentials in certain Digital Leadership/IT courses, at no additional cost. Faculty and staff work with individual students to determine which micro-credentials are the best fit for their experience and career path.

Human Relation Development

The Human Relation Development track is specifically designed for business professionals who would like to start or advance their career in the HR field. This track will develop your fundamental knowledge of Human Resources as well as the analytical and strategical skills necessary for the modern HR role. This track focuses on coaching and talent management, mediating conflict and data analytics needed to understand human dynamics in areas of organizational environment, employee satisfaction and more.

Upon successful completion of the HR Development track, graduates will be prepared to take the Certified Professional Human Resources (PHR) test.

Other Tracks Available

There are also other established tracks within the B.S. OLL program—designed with the same goal of degree completion and advancing your career—that may fit your profession and education goals:

Leadership, Training and Organizational Development
Healthcare Leadership (competency-based education)
Counseling and Human Relations
Early Childhood Education
Career and Technical Education

Learn more about the Bachelor’s in Organizational Leadership and Learning program benefits, all eight tracks, admission requirements, courses and more.

Category: Education & Human Development Programs