University of Louisville Online Programs | Student Resources & Feature Stories

UofL removes barriers teachers face in the path to advancement

By admin | May 31, 2019

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.

Solid Connections are Essential in Franchising

By admin | April 2, 2019

By Kathleen Gosser, Ph.D.

Learning is a continuous process, and can come from many different avenues in franchising. Your franchisor will provide you with the information you need for your brand and formal education can provide the business acumen needed to run a business. But there are also other resources for learning and growth in the franchising industry.

Major Franchising Associations

In today’s online world, there are so many resources to guide you in your franchising adventure.

The International Franchising Association (IFA) produces a robust website, with so much information in general and directly from franchisees. Connecting with the IFA is a great source of education. Further, becoming a member gains you access to experts across the industry, who you can learn from as well.

Peer Support

In my experience, franchisees are always willing to help other franchisees. Some franchise organizations have associations that are specifically organized for franchisees to help one another.

Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), for example, has associations across the country. KFC’s founder, Colonel Harland Sanders, encouraged the franchisees to form their associations to help each other. These associations provide educational programming, mentoring and other forms of support.

Business School Community

Becoming a part of a university business school community also provides valuable growth opportunities. Often times, there is more learning among the students than even from the course materials or the professors. Lifelong connections can be made in this setting. Business school education focused on franchising—such as the Franchise Management Certificate program from the College of Business at the University of Louisville—can provide critical, practical information on running a franchise business.

Being an avid learner is a key to success as a franchisee. With technology driving so many advancements in our world, staying in touch with fellow franchisees and continuing your own learning will make a difference in your business.

For more information on the Franchise Management Certificate from the College of Business at the University of Louisville visit uofl.me/2WCGeMI.

Dr. Kathleen Gosser (PhD, University of Louisville) is an experienced leader in the franchise industry and a passionate educator. In her 30 year career in the franchise industry, she has enjoyed numerous roles, including leadership of customer satisfaction programs, operations measurement, employee recognition, training and team member engagement efforts. She also had direct P&L accountability as the Region Coach of 10 restaurants in Louisville, Kentucky.

This blog post was originally published on Fransocial.

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

By admin | March 19, 2019

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.

New online geospatial tech certificate could be your map to more

By Caitlin Horsley | March 8, 2019

The Department of Geography and Geosciences in the University of Louisville College of Arts and Sciences now offers an online Certificate in Applied Geospatial Technologies.

You may be wondering, what does a certificate in applied geospatial technologies even mean? You don’t have to look far to see the presence of this field in your everyday life: GPS navigation, geo-tagging on your social media posts, tracking your Uber driver while on route to pick you up, and more. Geospatial tech is quite literally around you all the time–whether you know it or not.

Technology in this space is advancing at a rapid pace. This certificate program will give an in-depth understanding of how to apply techniques of geographic information science (GIS) to collect, view, manipulate and analyze digital geographic data for a deeper understanding of the world around us.

You’ll also get hands-on experience using ArcGIS software and learn how to connect data sets to landscapes and communities. As a student in this program, you will gain the expertise needed to provide insights about real-world environmental conditions and social problems.

Put your career on the map with a Certificate in Applied Geospatial Technologies from UofL. The skills you can acquire in computing, problem-solving and project management could bridge the distance between where you are and where you want to be.