online learning, graduate, healthcare leadership, graduation, diploma

No Time Like the Present: Healthcare Leadership Graduate Testimonial

By Ashley Jefferson | May 22, 2018

Rachel McClain didn’t know what her life was missing—not until she almost lost her chance to find out.

After unexpectedly suffering a stroke, Rachel realized she wanted to live life to the fullest and achieve more. She found the perfect place to start at the University of Louisville. Earning a degree 100% online in Healthcare Leadership set Rachel up for career advancement and personal fulfillment.

Rachel started her education at a local community college right out of high school. When she got a full-time job in sales that didn’t require a college education, earning what she believed was decent income, she decided not to finish her degree.

Years later, she found herself passed up for jobs in lieu of others who had a bachelor’s degree. Despite having the necessary experience and intellect, her lack of a college diploma held her back from career progression.

Rachel’s mindset then was to live in the moment. As a result, she rarely found herself thinking much about the long-term and continuing her education wasn’t really on her mind.

However, when life intervened, her perspective changed. After recovering from a stroke, Rachel knew it was time to go back to school.

“I woke up one morning and it was really blurry. I ended up losing feeling in my face and ultimately, I had a stroke. I was debilitated for about six months. I went to occupational speech and physical therapy, where I learned to walk again, talk again and have motor skills again. And that’s when I really took the turn and said no time like the present. It’s time to go back to school.”
Rachel McClain

Start to Finish in Less Than a Year

Continuing her education and finishing the degree she previously started became her primary mission.

Rachel initially enrolled in a traditional four-year program, but it didn’t feel quite right. When she discovered the Healthcare Leadership (HCL) program, the first competency-based education degree delivered 100% online at UofL, she knew she’d found the perfect fit. Not only did the HCL program allow her to balance work and education, but it gave her the chance to capitalize on her decade-long professional experience and helped her reach the finish line much faster.

“[The Healthcare Leadership program] was everything I wanted. It instantly made me smile. It was perfect.”
Rachel McClain

Competency-based education (CBE) looks at prior education and/or working experience and rewards students with course credits for mastered competencies. In other words, students can test out of classes where they are knowledgeable and immediately start another class where they learn new concepts and skills. This method allows students to progress toward degree completion at a pace that fits their learning style.

For Rachel, this model allowed her to graduate with her bachelor’s degree in just about 10 months.

Since graduating from the healthcare leadership program, Rachel has been promoted within her organization and her life has changed for the better. Her experience as an online student and the degree she earned allows her to shine and gives her confidence to pursue even bigger dreams for her future.

Take The Leap

“To someone that is considering this degree: take the leap. There’s no time like the present and I think this program provides so much flexibility that it’s kind of a no brainer. Don’t put it off until tomorrow. I really think that this program has only given me benefits in my life and I would recommend it to anyone.”
Rachel McClain

Although Rachel worried about the commitment she had to make to finish her degree, as well as having another stroke during the process, she knew she couldn’t let anything hold her back. With the support and encouragement of her friends and family, Rachel took the leap to better her future—and it paid off.

This is Rachel’s story. Inspired by a shift in perspective, she went back to school to change her life and further her career. This is her why!

What’s YOUR why?

Check out our YouTube page to hear testimonials from other UofL Online programs and students, or read more student success stories here.

UofL Online

University of Louisville offers various degrees and certificate programs 100% online. These programs deliver quality online education to non-traditional students who are not able to come to a physical campus and want to earn a college degree or certificate to start or advance their career.

A Personal Investment in Social Work and a Life-Long Mission to Change the World

By admin | May 16, 2018

The Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville has a long tradition equipping social work professionals to serve and advocate for vulnerable populations. That’s because we take our chosen field professionally, but also personally. With bachelor’s and master’s in social work programs, we prepare future social workers to make a difference in their community, the society and the world.

Our tradition is carried forward by the outstanding faculty and staff at the Kent School, and our success is a reflection of the many individual successes that our undergraduate and graduate social work students achieve when they go into the world. At the helm of Kent’s online programs are two exquisite professors who combine pedagogy with real world experiences and draw motivation from their own very personal stories.

Dr. Shawnise Miller, Director of UofL’s online Master of Science in Social Work, came to social work by way of a family legacy.

“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 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 on behalf of someone or even whole groups of people.”

Dr. Miller learned compassion from her grandmother and began to see the professional channels through which she could effectively carry on the family tradition. She stays involved in the field and is a mentor and resource for her students.

In the classroom, Dr. Miller helps students learn concepts and methods within the context of every-day environment challenges. She says, “I love seeing the light bulb moments for my students… and watching them make connections between course materials and real-life situations. That is truly rewarding.”

Dr. Armon Perry, Director of the online Bachelor of Social Work program at UofL, has his own personal story to share:

“I am from Montgomery, Alabama and I grew up in a not-so-nice neighborhood. But, I went to high school in a wealthier part of town and sat in class next to kids who drove nicer cars than any of the adults in my neighborhood. The juxtaposition between what I saw in my neighborhood versus what I saw at school compelled me to think about the ways in which the intersection of people’s race, class, gender, and family of origin shaped their life chances.”

Dr. Perry was the first in his family to attend college. When he first met with an advisor, he shared his desire to change the world, starting with the people he knew. “I told her i wanted to help people like the ones I grew up around, in hopes that they could one day live like the people I went to high school with.”

“My advisor sent me to Beverly Hall, which is where the Social Work Department was located, and I signed up.” Dr. Perry’s contribution to the field extends well beyond the classroom. He is actively involved with the 4 Your Child project — a Kentucky program aimed at helping fathers take more active roles in their children’s lives.

This type of personal investment in the mission of social work drives Dr. Miller and Dr. Perry to in turn educate and empower their students to be a force for change.

At the Kent School of Social Work, we are proud of our tradition and the dedicated faculty who carry that tradition into the 21^st century. Our online bachelor’s and master’s in social work degrees extend the reach of that tradition and leave a legacy of skilled, compassionate social workers set to make a difference at a time when their services are needed more than ever.

Whether you’re just getting started in the field or you want to pursue your master’s, the right education can help you reach new heights in your career and enhance your ability to fight injustice. We hope you’ll join our learning community and you’ll let us join you on your mission to change the world.

How To Successfully Get Ahead in Your Online Classes

By admin | August 23, 2017

Picture this…

Your online classes just started. You’re fumbling through the syllabus and clicking around Blackboard trying to wrap your head around how to be most successful.

You know that if you can get ahead of the course material, you’ll be able to better manage your time and get better grades. But how exactly do you get ahead?

Setting Expectations for Online Classes

Online classes offer lots of flexibility, but the lack of face-to-face class meetings means you are largely responsible for setting the schedule. It’s key to work steadily so you don’t face a mountain of work at the end.

To keep the pace, professors often assign more small tasks than they would in a normal face-to-face class. Frequent quizzes, reading assignments, and participation on discussion boards all help keep you paced throughout the semester.

Also, keep in mind that many online programs, such as our Master of Arts in Higher Education, offer courses in an accelerated format. This comes with the benefit of moving your degree forward more quickly, but also means you have more material to cover in a shorter time frame.

Key takeaway: Make an extra effort early in the semester to grasp the time investment your classes demand, and pay close attention to the format of the courses before enrolling if you’re unsure about accelerated paths.

Get Connected on the First Day of Class

With little or no face-to-face time in online classes, connecting with your instructors and other students takes intentional effort early in the course. You’ll inevitably have questions about assignments or the course material at some point in the semester, and it’s great to have already formed relationships so you can reach out and quickly get an answer from your instructor or peers.

Often, instructors will have a discussion board topic at the beginning of the course for everyone to introduce themselves – take this as an opportunity to share some personal details other students might be able to relate to, and even toss out the idea of forming a digital study group with others.

Many instructors will have a private Facebook or LinkedIn group where students can connect, discuss material or ask questions. However, if they don’t, you could set up this type of group yourself in a private Slack channel, Facebook group or LinkedIn group and invite other students to participate.

One of the major benefits of online learning is you have a chance to network with students all across the country or world who come from a wide range of personal and professional experiences. Take advantage of this as much as you can.

Key takeaway: Making friends and networking with other professionals is a great opportunity online learning offers. By making an effort to connect with others using tools like discussion boards and private groups, you can quickly get help when needed and walk away from your class with lots of new personal and professionals connections around the world.

Study Your Syllabus and Establish a Learning Schedule

Many online learning programs are self-paced. This flexibility is perfect for working adults seeking an advanced degree or certification, but it also requires discipline and a plan.

On day one, read the course syllabus thoroughly. Be sure you understand the expectations of the course, note how assignments will need to be submitted and know where to go for help. If you’re confused about anything in the syllabus, get in touch with your professor at the start

As you read through the syllabus, use a free tool like Google Calendar or Asana to set email or push notification reminders on your phone for important dates, such as when projects are due or when exams are scheduled.

You could also use these tools to block off specific times for when you’ll listen to lectures and complete assignments. Knowing exactly what times you’re going to devote to your classes helps lower procrastinating and possibilities of falling behind.

Key takeaway: Read every detail of the syllabus and use tools available to schedule your learning. The more organized you are up front, the more manageable your classes will be throughout the semester. Don’t wait until you’re four weeks into a course to decide you need to be more organized.

Know What Student Resources Are Available

You might be thinking on-campus students have an advantage over online students, because they get access to resources like tutoring and research help.

But, many universities offer online students lots of helpful resources. At UofL, online students have access to a wide range of student resources, including the Virtual Writing Center, Virtual Library, REACH tutoring and tech support.

Familiarize yourself with all the resources available to you as soon as your class starts. Especially tech support, as you may run into errors while trying to take an exam or quiz and need to quickly find a solution. It’s far better to know where to go for help before you need it than it is to scramble for an answer at the last second.

Key takeaway: As an online student, you’ll have plenty of digital resources to help you be successful. Rather than waiting until you need help, familiarize yourself with all the tools and resources available to you at the beginning of the semester.

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.

How U.S. Employers Are Investing in Employees’ Education

By admin | May 18, 2017

How US Employers Are Investing in Employees' Education

Tuition reimbursement is a growing trend in the U.S. job market. Some companies, like Louisville’s own UPS, use tuition reimbursement as a powerful recruiting tool.

Others see such programs as a long-sighted opportunity to build the knowledge base within their company, and also as an opportunity to build a lasting relationship with the people they hire. One study found that employees who took advantage of tuition reimbursement programs were more likely to receive a promotion and stay with the company.

With measurable benefits for all parties, it’s clear that employers increasingly find it valuable to invest in their employees’ education.

Higher Education: An Investment Opportunity

The 2007 BLS Employee Benefit Survey indicated that 73% of professional and technical full-time employees had access to a tuition reimbursement program where they worked. And while it may still be rare to find an employer who will cover every last dime of all expenses associated with furthering your education, the vast majority will cover a significant portion.

The range of employers who offer tuition reimbursement is also growing. At one time, only employers in highly specialized fields, such as engineering, saw the benefit of funding their employees’ education. Now, the trend has spread across the marketplace.

From banking and financial organizations like Bank of America and Wells Fargo to retail giants like Starbucks and Home Depot, companies across the map are developing competitive tuition reimbursement programs to help them recruit and retain talented employees.

EdAssist’s 2012 review of employer tuition assistance programs includes this breakdown of tuition reimbursement by industry.

These figures are from 2012 and all trends indicate that tuition assistance programs are only growing across the board.

7 Questions to Ask About Tuition Assistance

As you consider available opportunities to further your education, here are seven questions to ask your HR representative about tuition assistance:

Does my workplace offer this benefit and if so, is there an annual limit or a fixed percentage of expenses covered?
Is there a cap to my lifetime education expenses?
What is the GPA requirement to receive the full benefit?
What types of degrees or certificates and what areas of study are covered?
How long do I have to commit to working for the company after I finish my degree to avoid having to pay back the benefit?
How long do I have to be with the company in order to start using this benefit?
Can I also pursue scholarships and grants in addition to my employer-provided assistance?

UofL Online Offers Education Pathways that Bring the Finish Line Closer

Of course, managing the costs of your education is only half the battle as a working professional. You must also find the time to study and attend class amongst the demands of family, work, and other commitments. UofL Online broadens access to the type of rigorous, research-based education traditionally only available on campus.

Our online programs offer innovative, flexible learning opportunities that address the needs and desires of working professionals pursuing higher education. For instance, the J.B. Speed School of Engineering has a longstanding reputation for excellence and now offers a master’s in engineering management and a master’s in civil engineering 100% online as well as two graduate certificates in structural or transportation engineering.

In addition, our newly-launched Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Accounting program is designed for those with a non-accounting bachelor’s degree who want to pursue an accounting career, but are not interested in earning another undergraduate degree. This program offers students a marketable accounting credential, as well as enough accounting coursework to sit for the Kentucky CPA exam.

Our Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Learning, our B.S. in Healthcare Leadership, and our R.N. to B.S.N. programs offer course credit based on real-world professional experience and knowledge to help bring the finish line closer. We know how valuable education is in the 21^st century marketplace and we’re here to help you earn a degree in a way that suits your schedule.

Tag: online learning