UofL Launches New Concentrations in the Online Higher Education Administration Master’s Program

UofL Launches New Concentrations in the Online Higher Education Administration Master’s Program

UofL Launches New Concentrations in the Online Higher Education Administration Master’s Program

Finding your niche can be a crucial part of carving out a career in higher education. The online master’s in higher education administration program at University of Louisville recently incorporated three new concentrations into the curriculum to help students take the strong foundation they develop as they work through the core curriculum and add distinction to their degree through focused specialization.

Concentrations are available in three areas: Administration, Teaching & Learning, and Policy & Equity.

Administration Concentration

Hone the art and science of running a world-class institution. The Administration concentration curriculum focuses on post-secondary organizational contexts and explores the practices of administration, management, and leadership.

From the day-to-day administrative challenges of running a large organization with multiple facilities to the interpersonal opportunities to build relationships and help others pursue their own career goals, this concentration helps students build the skills and knowledge needed to earn the trust of their peers and help lead organizations through the 21st century.

Teaching & Learning Concentration

Develop the skill set to collaborate with faculty and deliver academic excellence. By studying instructional design and strategy, as well as academic advising practices, students in this concentration learn to partner with faculty on their mission to offer a world-class education at their institution. Students are also prepared to understand and support teaching and learning in both instructional and administrative roles.

Policy & Equity Concentration

Navigate the ever-changing college landscape with a dedication to diversity and inclusiveness. Students in this concentration study policy as a theory, as well as the history of education policy, in order to chart a path forward that welcomes students from all backgrounds to pursue their goals.

Because policy does not always originate in the college or university, students in this specialization may pursue careers in professional organizations and advocacy and lobbying groups that seek to influence education policy at the local, state, and federal levels of government.

Sports Administration Concentration

This specialization focuses on the intricacies of administration, management and leadership within collegiate-level athletic programs. Students in this specialization will learn about the context of sports in higher education and how to effectively manage sports teams by studying current industry trends and issues.

Online Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration

Learn more about UofL’s Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration degree including descriptions of the courses involved in each concentration. Find your niche and apply today!

About UofL Online Learning

The University of Louisville currently offers online programs in various areas of study for adult learners who are not able to come to a physical campus, but want to earn a college degree or certificate and advance their career.

The University of Louisville is a nationally-recognized, metropolitan research university, with a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, as well as the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our diverse community of learners.

5 Tips for Staying Organized During the College Application Process

5 Tips for Staying Organized During the College Application Process

5 Tips for Staying Organized During the College Application Process

Whether it’s keeping track of deadlines, requesting recommendation letters and transcripts, or writing thank you notes to admissions officers, there is always something to remember to do when completing your college applications. Staying organized is key to keeping the process moving forward and making sure you don’t miss any deadlines.

Stay On Track: Applying to the University of Louisville

We sat down with University of Louisville’s Senior Enrollment Counselor for Online Learning for a few tips about how to stay on track with the college application process.

1) Request Official Transcripts

Transcripts from any previous schools you’ve attended are one of the most important documents you’ll need when applying for admission. Generally, there are a few steps for obtaining your transcripts.

  • Call or email the school’s Office of the Registrar
  • Ask if they require written consent to release your transcript and, if so, ask if you can provide consent electronically
  • Send written consent to the school by email or through their preferred process

Note that many universities and colleges charge a small processing fee for providing transcripts.

2) Monitor ULink After Applying

ULink is UofL’s student web portal through which you can review where you stand in the application process. After you’ve applied, log in to ULink and navigate to the Student Services tab, then select View my application status.

Here you’ll be notified if you have missing documents preventing your application from being accepted, and you’ll be able to see the overall status of your application.

3) Complete the FAFSA

When applying, it’s important to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as quickly as possible to maximize financial aid opportunities. Specifically in Kentucky, funding for the Kentucky College Access Program Grant is awarded to undergraduate students on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted.

If you need any assistance completing the FAFSA, contact UofL’s Student Financial Aid Office.

4) Submit Supplemental Documents

Depending on what program you’re applying for, you may be required to submit supplemental documents as part of the application process. These include resumes, personal statements, and letters of recommendation.

If required, you can email these documents directly to UofL Admissions at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

5) Track Deadlines

It goes without saying, but deadlines, deadlines, deadlines. Many steps of the application process have deadlines, and they vary slightly depending on what program your applying to. Application deadlines can be viewed on the Admissions website.

Also, keep in mind the FAFSA has its own deadlines, which can be viewed on their website.

The best things you can do are note the deadlines in your calendar or set a reminder on your phone ahead of time, and always complete the application process as early as possible.

About UofL Online Learning

The University of Louisville currently offers online programs in various areas of study for adult learners who are not able to come to a physical campus, but want to earn a college degree or certificate and advance their career.

The University of Louisville is a nationally-recognized, metropolitan research university, with a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences, as well as the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our diverse community of learners.

No Hibernation: UofL Launches Online Winter Session

No Hibernation: UofL Launches Online Winter Session

University of Louisville Online Winter Session

Even though Fall has only just started, we can already feel that proverbial chill in the air. That’s because we’re excited to announce UofL’s inaugural 100% online Winter Session coming this December.

“What is Winter Session,” you ask?

Here are the five Ws to bring you up to speed!

What Is Winter Session?

Winter Session is a three-week accelerated session offering over 30 undergraduate and graduate courses delivered 100% online. It is the perfect opportunity to exchange hibernation for knowledge.

When Is Winter Session?

Registration opens October 16. Classes start December 13. You’re finished by January 4.

Who Can Take Courses?

The online Winter Session is open to all current UofL students, as well as new, transfer and visiting students. Current students should meet with their advisors prior to registration. New, transfer and visiting students should apply for admission.

Why Jump Into a Winter Session Course?

Whether you’ve been waitlisted for another term, need to catch up or want to get ahead, knocking out a Winter Session course in three weeks is the best way to get where you want to go in a flurry.

That’s a snow pun. Enjoy!

Where Do Winter Session Classes Meet?

All Winter Session courses are 100% online, so you can literally attend from anywhere with WiFi.

That’s Winter Session in a nutshell. Space is limited, so get in touch with your advisor or apply for admission if you want to take the plunge.

If you want more information about course offerings, financial aid, registration or tech support and all that jazz, check out the Winter Session website.

We hope you’ll join us. It’ll fly right by.

A Family Tradition: Dr. Shawnise Miller Tells Her Social Work Story

A Family Tradition: Dr. Shawnise Miller Tells Her Social Work Story

Shawnise Miller - Director of Online Master's in Social Work at University of LouisvilleAn inspirational story of a family tradition helped shape a young leader—Dr. Shawnise Miller, the new Program Director for the online Master of Science in Social Work from the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville.

When asked what drew her to the field of social work, Dr. Miller immediately thinks back to her childhood.

“My grandmother was the director of a local social service agency and from an early age, I spent time at her office. I didn’t go to daycare, I went to work with my grandmother. And even after starting school, I would spend my summer breaks at her office. Watching her help people and their families shaped me greatly.”

It was there that she learned that help can come in a variety of forms. “It could be providing direct services like food or financial assistance for rent…or it could be advocating for social justice on behalf of individuals or even whole groups of people.”

Entering the Family Business

When it came time to chart her own career course, Dr. Miller followed the passion for helping others in which she was raised and pursued her bachelor’s in psychology at the University of Louisville. Once she got started, she just couldn’t stop and pursued her master’s and her Ph.D. in social work.

“Growing up, my father always told me that school was my job, so I took it seriously. I developed a true love and appreciation for learning…And now, one of the most rewarding parts of teaching for me is being able to fulfill my own passion for learning as I challenge myself to explore new teaching techniques and technologies and develop new curriculum to then challenge my students.”

In addition to being the program director, Dr. Miller is also a professor, teaching Diversity, Oppression, and Social Justice Practice, a foundation course in the MSSW program. It’s there that she gets to help students bridge the gap between the theoretical concepts presented in social work literature and concrete examples of people and communities in need.

“I love seeing the lighMaster's in Social Work Course at University of Louisvillet bulb moments for my students…watching them make connections between course materials and real-life situations.”

In her course, students will also learn how to collaborate with peers, an essential skill in social work where so much of the work is spent building relationships and connecting clients with the right people who can offer the best assistance.

“Collaborative work is something my students will engage in throughout their careers so I integrate it throughout my curriculum. I give a group assignment and then I work with each group to help them work effectively and efficiently as a team. I have to be intentional about teaching them to collaborate…I can’t make the assumption they already know how.”

Dr. Miller’s experience in the online classroom and her dedication to staying on the cutting edge of online learning techniques promise good things in the online social work program at U of L’s Kent School. We on the Online Learning team are excited about her appointment and look forward to working with her.

About UofL’s Master’s in Social Work

If you have considered pursuing your master’s in social work, please take a moment and visit our site to learn more about UofL’s social work program. We offer a 30- and a 60-hour program depending on your background and experience, and we would love the opportunity to help you pursue your education goals.