No matter your age, fall always carries a back-to-school energy with it. And if the season rouses an urge to change your future alongside those pangs of nostalgia, that could be a signal you’re ready to go back to school, too.
Maybe you already have a degree (or two) but are looking for a change in your career trajectory. Perhaps you need to upskill to secure the promotion you’ve been eyeing. Whatever the scenario, there is never a bad reason to come back to school and advance your education. And even if you missed the deadline to enroll in the current semester, a new semester – with on-campus, online and hybrid course options – is always just around the corner at the University of Louisville.
So, what are the routes of study for UofL’s returning learners? Let’s explore a few.
Advanced degrees to advance your career
If you’ve looked at job postings in recent years, you aren’t imagining it – more and more companies are listing a master’s degree as a desired qualification. And according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, this trend will only continue over the next decade. Advanced degrees are commonplace in medical, law and even academic fields. But today, marketers, business leaders, nonprofit professionals and more can all benefit from the knowledge and skills gained through pursing a master’s degree. This pursuit can be especially beneficial to mid-career employees seeking to level up from their mid-level roles.
Whatever your industry, UofL offers several graduate programs of study to help you take your next step. From communications or nursing to pan-African studies and translational bioengineering, the university provides a diverse selection of standard-to-niche graduate studies to help you craft the future your career and academic curiosity deserves. Even better, over two-dozen programs are available to be completed fully online – a bonus for the busy professional.
Professional certificates to boost your skillset
In the world of work, things are not often static. Roles and requirements change as technology and industry culture evolve. Is artificial intelligence changing the way your professional processes work? Has your role adopted new responsibilities that would benefit from – or require – new credentials or training? If so, consider pursing a certificate program at UofL.
The university currently offers 32 cutting-edge certificates that cover a wide range of industries and professional goals. Most require only 12 credit hours to complete with several that can be completed in tandem with (or in preparation for) a corresponding master’s program. Additionally, all certificate courses can be taken 100% online and asynchronously to accommodate your schedule.
With certificates ranging from areas such as cybersecurity to franchise management, UofL has you covered when you’re ready to upskill.
Continuing studies for the lifelong learner
Sometimes, going back to school is less about professional goals and more about personal growth. Maybe you’re an art lover who’s always wanted to learn about the old masters of art history. Or you’re a Francophile who’s dreamed of speaking fluent French on your next trip abroad. If you’re interested in it, there’s a likely chance that UofL offers a class to scratch the itch for its Continuing Studies students.
Continuing Studies is a non-degree program for learners 22-years-old and older to take up to 24 credit hours in any discipline they are interested in. For those Kentucky residents who are a little bit older than 22 – 65 to be exact – the university proudly participates in the Donovan Scholars program, which allows older adults to take a select number of courses at UofL tuition-free.
Whether you’re looking to pursue a master’s degree, obtain a professional certificate or satisfy your academic interests through casual study, UofL has a pathway to help take you there.
