Tag: Insider Louisville
UofL removes barriers teachers face in the path to advancement

UofL removes barriers teachers face in the path to advancement

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

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

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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.
The road to success starts in all different places

The road to success starts in all different places

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Amy Lear (pictured above) started her college degree 20 years ago, but put it on hold to support and raise her family. When her son was ready to start high school, she knew it was time to go back. “I had that expectation for him to go to college,” she says. “I wanted to lead by example.”

Amy met with an advisor at UofL and, after talking about her goals and experience, the advisor told Amy she had the perfect program in mind to build on her background and career goals — the online B.S. in Organizational Leadership & Learning (OLL).

During his time in the military, Robert Carlson attended college, but didn’t graduate. After leaving the service, he took time to reflect on his life and career goals. “It wasn’t so much how to make money because I knew that I had skills that would be marketable,” he explains.

Instead, he was more focused on who he wanted to become and what he wanted to do, questions he says he didn’t have answers for when he first went to college. Robert says he attended another university to finish his degree but it wasn’t the right fit. That’s when he discovered the OLL program through UofL Online and knew he’d found what he was looking for.

Building Confidence, Reaching Goals

Amy and Robert had very different paths, but both had the drive to finish their degrees with the benefit of work and life experience. “The Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership & Learning is a perfect program for adults with some college but no degree,” says Assistant Professor Matt Bergman. “We acknowledge what you have done within the workforce and translate that into academic credit.”

In the OLL program, validation of knowledge, skills and competencies starts with the first major course — Prior Learning Assessment (PLA). The PLA course helps students evaluate and document their learning from work experiences, college credits and specialized training to receive up to 48 credit hours (the equivalent of 16 courses). It not only helps students accumulate credit hours, it also helps build their confidence.

“The process is amazing,” says Matt. “It helps dig into their experiences and their evolution within the workforce.”

“To stop and evaluate those 20 years and really see those accomplishments that you probably take for granted was huge,” says Amy. “To have the opportunity to have 28 hours go towards my college degree and not have to pay the additional fees or attend those additional classes was amazing.”

A Supportive Learning Community

Matt says his favorite part of every semester is hearing the students’ stories and learning their reasons for returning to school to finish their degree, whether it’s career advancement or personal fulfillment. While the “why” varies, he says the OLL program is designed to support each student’s individual success.

“We have a solidarity movement in our program. We will lift each other up, we will create the space to make this a priority in your life and to fulfill the long-held dream of finishing your college degree,” he explains.

All of the full-time faculty in the OLL program have industry experience that directly links to the concepts taught in the classroom, but what makes the program stand out is the dedication to helping each student understand and be able to apply what they learn. “If I had a question, they immediately responded in email,” says Amy. “If that question needed to be answered in person, we were setting up a time and meeting face to face.”

And because the program is 100% online, students can access courses and tools from anywhere and create a schedule that works best for them. It allows students to complete their degree on their terms, with the option to accelerate their degree completion to just three intensive semesters.

For many students, the B.S. in Organizational Leadership & Learning is the degree they need for professional and personal growth, but it also provides an excellent foundation for advancing to the online Master of Science in Human Resources and Organization Development, or other graduate program that fits their career path.

Moving Forward, Fulfilling Dreams

“My wish for our students when they graduate is to fulfill their life’s dreams,” say Matt. “That sounds hokey but it is so true, because with that piece of paper, they have opportunities that were not available to them prior to graduation.”

“Participating in the OLL program really did change the course of my life,” Robert says. “If you want to be surrounded by people who get it and who respect the experience you have and who will help you continue on your trajectory, continue moving forward, then it’s the right program to get into.”

UofL Online can bring the campus to you with the online Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning. Find out more and apply today.

This blog post was originally published on Insider Louisville.

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