University of Louisville Online Programs | Student Resources & Feature Stories

Social Work Degree Guide Ranks Online MSSW Program at UofL’s Kent School of Social Work #3 in the Country

By admin | October 20, 2015

The Social Work Degree Guide recently compiled a list of the 25 best nationwide CSWE accredited online Masters of Social Work programs for 2015. Only programs accredited with CSWE, the Council on Social Work Education, were chosen for the listing. The online Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) program at the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work ranked very highly, coming in at #3 in the country and achieving the Guide’s highest possible point score total.

Ranked as the #1 Social Work program in Kentucky, and touted as a top-ranked program by US News & World Report, the online MSSW program at UofL’s Kent School was awarded the #3 spot in the nation due to educational excellence in the areas of online education, enrollment flexibility, accessibility for students regardless of geographic location, and having an Advanced Standing option in place for those students already holding a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Students are able to complete the MSSW program at UofL’s Kent School entirely online, while following the same course curriculum as traditional classroom students. The program is open to all candidates currently holding a bachelor’s degree. A Standard Track is offered for those students with a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work, while an Advanced Standing Track is available to streamline the process for those holding a bachelor’s degree in social work.

Within the online MSSW program, multiple areas of specialization are available for students to choose from, including Psychosocial Oncology, Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Counseling, Military Social Work, and Gerontology. The online curriculum is focused on facilitating practices that support and promote social justice. In addition to the online courses, the degree also has a real-world learning component, which involves hands-on instruction, performed in a student’s approved location of choice. This provides invaluable field experience to online students, enabling them to acquire hands-on opportunties in their own communities.

The #3 ranking in the country, as given by the Social Work Degree Guide, is an honor, and speaks to the dynamic quality of the MSSW offered at UofL’s Kent School. The Kent School has been educating social workers since 1936. While steeped in a tradition of educational excellence, the Kent School remains entirely focused on the future with 100% online programs such as the Master of Science in Social Work.

For further information and to view the Top 25 Online MSW Programs 2015, as published by the Social Work Degree Guide, please visit the following link: http://www.socialworkdegreeguide.com/online-msw-programs/. Visit the University of Louisville’s Online Master of Science in Social Work program page to learn more about this highly ranked, dynamic 100% online Master’s Degree program.

Online Educator Honored Among UofL Top Faculty Favorites

By admin | October 20, 2015

There is no denying that the professional rapport formed between college educators and their students is of paramount importance both to learning and to the attainment of educational goals. The acclaimed and diverse online degree programs at the University of Louisville allow students to both learn and interact with their professors and classmates, regardless of geographic location. These online classrooms utilize cutting-edge software, allowing maximum levels of interaction and a strong sense of campus community to be built amongst online students. With current technology, online educators at UofL are able to inspire their students in much the same way as their traditional counterparts, leading to students nominating their online educators for the annual campus “Faculty Favorites” list.

Assistant professor Dr. Roman Yampolskiy, who teaches computer science courses at the Speed School of Engineering, and has had his research widely published, has now been recognized by his online students as both a Professor of the Year as well as a Faculty Favorite for several years running. Yampolskiy himself strives to bring the very best in tools and educational experiences to his online students. He recognizes the value in his online classroom and makes sure to treat his students as human beings, not just as names on a screen.

According to one of the students who nominated Yampolskiy for his Top Four placement among the Faulty Favorites, Yampolskiy was “very available to students with questions.” Other students commended his approachability, intelligence, passion for education, open-mindedness and his ability to inject humor into some of the more ‘dry’ subject matters. One thing is abundantly clear from all of the student nominations – Dr. Yampolskiy knows his students, and his students know and respect him, regardless of the fact that many have never met him face to face.

The quality of online instruction from the award-winning faculty at the University of Louisville truly speaks to the level of education being offered. When online students are able to feel as passionately about their professors as traditional students do, the online campus community is clearly not just existing, but thriving. With the diverse and nationally ranked online programs available to choose from, prospective students can rest easy in their decision to pursue degrees online. The quality of an online education from UofL shines through the dedicated faculty and staff, like Dr. Yampolskiy, who tirelessly work to build and solidify a sense of true community via the virtual classroom.

To read more on the talented Dr. Roman Yampolskiy, please click the following link – http://uoflonline.com/2014/09/roman-yampolskiy/. For further information on exploring the many benefits and flexibilities of an online education at the University of Louisville, please visit us online.

Instructional Technology Endorsement (P-12) Program Now Offered 100% Online

By admin | October 14, 2015

Louisville, KY (10/14/2015) – The University of Louisville and the College of Education and Human Development are happy to announce that the Instructional Technology Endorsement (P-12) has joined their expanding repertoire of acclaimed online programs. This 100% online endorsement is based on the theory of Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPACK) and is structured to help educators expand their technological skill set, while successfully and appropriately integrating modern technology into P-12 classrooms. The Instructional Technology Endorsement (ITE) is the second teaching endorsement, along with the Classroom Reading Endorsement (CRE), to be offered fully online at the University of Louisville.

While the speed of advancements in modern technology can often be a challenge for educators as they strive to remain at the forefront of the 21^st Century classroom environment, the online ITE program is designed to empower teachers through multifaceted, cutting edge technological training. This endorsement gives educators the thorough knowledge to embark upon efficiently introducing new technological tools to their P-12 classrooms.

With continual developments in digital culture, the ITE is relevant for educators of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced, as focus is placed on the many benefits that new technology can bring to the P-12 classroom. Teachers of all levels are able to advance their knowledge of technological implementation to educate and inspire success in their own students via the most modern digital, web, and technology-based classroom tools.

With a 100% online format, the ITE offers connectivity and flexibility at the same time. The online course sessions are conducted synchronously, with predetermined course/meeting times, and recorded for easy asynchronous access, anytime and anywhere, to fit into the schedule of any working professional. This makes the online ITE an excellent choice for those teachers who are currently working in the field, and need scheduling flexibility for their pursuits of continuing education.

To be eligible for admission into the Instructional Technology Endorsement (P-12) program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree and hold a valid initial teacher certificate. The program may be completed as a standalone endorsement, or as part of either the University of Louisville’s Master of Education in Teacher Leadership, with emphasis in Instructional Technology, or the Rank I program for Kentucky educators.

The 100% online Instructional Technology Endorsement (P-12) brings new educational opportunities to the acclaimed lineup of online course offerings at the University of Louisville. It is a perfect program for motivated educators who are looking to increase their marketability, expand their skill set through dynamic technological knowledge for the 21^st Century classroom, stand out within their fields and truly inspire future generations.

About UofL Online Learning

The University of Louisville (UofL) is a nationally recognized metropolitan research university with a commitment to the liberal arts and sciences and to the intellectual, cultural, and economic development of our diverse community of learners.
UofL Online Learning (www.louisville.edu/online) connects nontraditional students with learning opportunities that provide value to their professional advancement and personal development.

For more information, visit http://louisville.edu/online/programs/graduate-certificate-programs/instructional-technology-endorsement/

Contact:
Laura Dorman, University of Louisville Office of Online Learning, 2301 S. 3^rd Street, Ekstrom Library, Belknap Campus, Louisville, KY 40292; (502)627.0856; (800)871.8635; laura.dorman@louisville.edu.

A prestigious award for Dr. Jacob Gross’ outstanding work!

By admin | September 1, 2015

Dr. Jacob Gross, assistant professor in the College of Education and Human Development, Department of Educational Leadership, Evaluation, and Organizational Development (ELEOD) at the University of Louisville, has received the Robert P. Huff Golden Quill Award and was recognized with this honor at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators’ (NASFAA) annual conference awards ceremony. This award is given annually to exceptional scholars for their significant contributions to literature on student financial aid.

Dr. Gross is the most junior faculty to receive this award joining top scholars, who have been previously honored by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), such as Will Doyle at Vanderbilt, Laura Perna at UofPenn, and Bridget Terry Long at Harvard.

Dr. Gross’ expertise and research areas include educational attainment of
underrepresented groups; postsecondary access and student success; policy analysis; financial aid; interplay between state and institutional postsecondary policy; and social theory.

Dr. Gross has served as the Editor for the Journal of Student Financial Aid (JSFA) since 2011, and as a JSFA Editorial Board member from 2008 to 2011. During his time as Editor, he worked to move JSFA to a new journal management system, built an Editorial Board comprised of both researchers and practitioners for a more balanced review process, and actively recruited research that is both practitioner-relevant and of the highest scholarship.

Dr. Gross has contributed greatly to the field of student financial aid with multiple research studies and articles focused on postsecondary access and student success; policy analysis; and financial aid published in other highly respected research journals including: Journal of Higher Education, Research in Higher Education, and NASFAA’s Journal of Student Financial Aid, as well as several book chapters focused on multiple aspects of student financial aid.

In his acceptance speech, Dr. Gross said “I am honored and humbled by this recognition. As a former Pell Grant recipient and someone who believes deeply that access to higher education is a human right, I want to thank NASFAA for serving as a tireless advocate for equity and access. As a researcher who has never worked in financial aid, I want to say thank you for being the kind of organization where I feel comfortable, at home, and where I never feel bad about asking questions.”

The Golden Quill Award is the most recent of Dr. Gross’ honors, which include similar recognitions from:

ASHE/Lumina Dissertation Fellowship, 2008-2009
Spencer Foundation/Indiana University Discipline-Based Scholarship in Education Associateship, August 2006 – May 2008
AIR/NCES Graduate Fellowship Recipient, 2007-2008
AIR/NCES/NSF National Summer Data Policy Institute Fellow, June 2005
Poynter Center/NSF Graduate Research Ethics Education in Social Sciences Fellow, June 2005

About this award: The Robert P. Huff Golden Quill Award is typically presented each year to an individual or individuals chosen for their contributions to the field of higher education services and specifically the literature on student financial aid.

The award is named in honor of Bob Huff, former director of financial aid at Stanford University, an outstanding contributor to the scholarly literature on student aid. Bob received the first Golden Quill Award in 1984.

Nominees for the award are judged on the basis of published work which exemplifies the highest quality of research methodology, analysis, or topical writing on the subject of student financial aid or its administration.

About NASFAA: NASFAA’s mission is to provide professional development for financial aid administrators; advocates for public policies that increase student access and success; serves as a forum on student financial aid issues, and is committed to diversity throughout all activities.

NASFAA has nearly 20,000 members, student financial assistance professionals at approximately 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country. NASFAA member institutions serve nine out of every ten undergraduates in the U.S.

About CEHD: The College of Education and Human Development (CEHD) at the University of Louisville is focused on providing excellent service, resources and tools for success for all students, in the classroom and in their profession. CEHD offers a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels that have gained a strong national reputation for their high quality and rigorous curriculum. Programs are delivered face-to-face as well as fully online or through a combination of the two learning methods. To see the online programs offered at UofL, visit http://louisville.edu/online.

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