Tag: online learning

USF News

Supply Chain Management Degree Now Offered in Online Format

Supply Chain Management degree

Joliet, Ill. – With much of the world’s attention focused on supply chain challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of St. Francis (USF) finds itself with remarkable timing in launching an all-online degree program serving people interested in the field.

USF is launching an online version of their undergraduate degree in supply chain management. Offered in the USF College of Business and Health Administration, the new, fully online degree format is designed to reach a wider national audience looking for formal education, professional certification, and opportunity in the field.

“We all saw how COVID-19 disrupted manufacturing and shipping, here and across the world,” said Carol Lindee, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Logistics, Supply Chain & Analytics at USF. “Almost every industry now sees a greater need for talented supply chain managers, including manufacturing, healthcare, transportation, and government agencies. A bachelor’s degree in supply chain management prepares graduates to work in this important, fast-paced field.”

“From your morning coffee to the groceries and cars we purchase, there is a global supply chain network serving your needs. The planning, creation and movement of goods requires so much work at every level that there is almost no end to the job growth for this field in the future. Everything that you have ever consumed has been a result of supply chain planning and management,” Lindee added.

“Supply chains are essential to our very lives.  The food we eat, the places where we live and work, the medical care we receive, and the health of our planet are all dependent on supply chains. Talented people are needed in Supply Chain Management for all of this.  These people are rewarded with lucrative salaries, job variety and fulfillment, and considerable career growth opportunities,” said interim dean of USF’s ACBSP accredited College of Business, Shannon Brown, Ph.D.

“Our new online version of the program can be offered to students across the country who are just beginning or are already working in the field. Supply Chain Management is a growing career field, with a national and global talent shortage. More and more, product and service companies are realizing the strategic importance of this area in their business enterprise,” Brown said.

USF built the online program using technology that connects students with faculty and students with interactive professional development materials. “We will accept transfer credit from students with associate degrees, military training credits, and credits from other university programs. We will work with working adults to build a convenient and affordable degree path,” Brown said.

USF also offers a traditional on-campus degree program, but felt the growing demand for training and education required more options for learners.

“We have experienced faculty who are deeply connected to supply chain and logistics firms. The workforce opportunities here in Will County reflect the tremendous growth of the region. Joliet is the largest inland port in North America and we have seen a 138 percent growth in job opportunities in transportation, distribution, and logistics in our area since 2005.  Nationwide, the need for supply chain talent is widespread, as well,” Lindee said.

USF offers bachelor’s degree, master’s degree, and certificate programs in logistics and supply chain management. Visit stfrancis.edu/supply-chain-management for more information.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 52,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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USF News

New USF Online MSW Degree Open Nationally

Joliet, Ill. – The University of St. Francis (USF) is now offering an online master’s degree in social work (MSW) that prepares students for advanced, leadership-oriented, social work positions. Open to graduates from any Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) accredited Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program, the new degree format is aimed at expanding options for social work graduates across the country who need a master’s degree in the field.

With an MSW, graduates can pursue licensure, become an advanced social work practitioner, and hold leadership positions across the public or private sectors. USF is also keeping the price of the graduate degree program frozen for the third year in a row at $599 per credit hour.

“USF already accepts graduates of social work programs from across the Chicago region for our on-campus MSW program, but this is an opportunity to support bachelor’s level social work graduates across the country,” said USF vice president for admissions Eric Wignall.

The new online MSW program is designed to fill a gap for graduates of social work programs at any of the country’s accredited colleges or universities. “Social workers work with many different populations and types of people, particularly focusing on those who are vulnerable and living in poverty,” Wignall said.

“USF has a long tradition of educating highly trained social workers, but we need more of them. Social workers are practitioners who help people and families in need. The MSW program provides advanced clinical skills required for specialized practice, while developing the confidence to address challenging, and constantly changing, situations in the field,” said USF provost Beth Roth, Ph.D.

Roth, who leads USF’s academic program quality and development efforts, feels the online degree offers flexibility that BSW graduates need in order to take the next professional step.

“As a Catholic, Franciscan university with a fully online master’s degree program in social work, the University of St. Francis can extend its mission to more students, reaching more communities if we make the program more affordable. With rising inflation and higher tuition rates, many master’s degree-seekers are looking for affordable MSW options,” Roth said.

USF will continue to offer on-campus undergraduate and graduate degree programs in social work.

“USF’s nationally-accredited MSW program focuses on advanced practitioner skills, leadership development, and evidence-based practice guidelines to improve and expand the effectiveness of social service programs. They also support clients and communities who are living with disabilities, substance abuse problems, or experience domestic conflicts,” Roth said.

“Social workers are trained to address many different barriers to a given client’s overall wellbeing. Some of these barriers include poverty, unemployment, discrimination, or a lack of housing,” Wignall added.

“USF will help graduate students continue their educational journeys by providing high quality, interactive online learning in the online MSW program. We are also being flexible in response to COVID-19 closures and disruptions. USF will accept GRE scores, but they are not required for admission,” Wignall said.

Students can use the free online application to the USF online social work master’s degree program at stfrancis.edu/apply and applications for classes beginning January 10th and next fall are still being accepted. Visit stfrancis.edu/social-work-msw/ for more information.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 52,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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USF News

U.S. News & World Report Names USF Online MBA Program the Best in Illinois

Joliet, Ill. – U.S. News & World Report released its 2021 Best Online Programs rankings today, and the University of St. Francis (USF) is proud to announce that its online Master of Business Administration (MBA) program has been ranked as the top program of its type in Illinois.

The publication also recognized four other online programs offered by USF, including two named as the best private programs in the State.

Recognized USF programs included:

  • Online MBA Program – #1 ranked program in Illinois (one of the top 43 percent in the US);
  • Online Graduate Education Program – #1 ranked private program in Illinois (top 28 percent nationally);
  • Online Graduate Business Program (excluding MBA) – #1 ranked private program in Illinois (top 44 percent nationally);
  • Online Bachelor’s Program – #3 ranked private program in Illinois (top 16 percent nationally), and;
  • Online Nursing Program – #4 ranked private program in Illinois (top 43 percent nationally).

Throughout 2020, USF celebrated its centennial and the many significant milestones that have contributed to the University’s success to date. Among those celebrated milestones was USF first introducing online courses and degree programs in 1998. Last spring, USF’s vast experience administering high quality, academic programs remotely was of high benefit and played a key role to its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“For over twenty years, USF has continued to expand its comprehensive online programs and is now recognized for offering many of the State’s top private, online programs. The University’s experience in this area played an important role in the call to pivot to remote instruction due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Just as with the programs recognized by U.S. News & World Report, we largely credit the success of this pivot to a faculty committed to high-quality teaching via all delivery methods,” USF President Arvid C. Johnson, Ph.D., said.

While colleges and universities across the country are developing a larger presence in world of online learning in higher education, as well, USF continues to stand out among its peers. One primary reason for this, according to Eric Wignall, USF Vice President of Admissions, Enrollment Services and Marketing, is the University’s student-first focus.

“They need to learn about our world and be prepared to join a profession, start a business, care for a patient, teach in a classroom, or explain ideas in a boardroom. These rankings are a wonderful validation of those efforts,” said Wignall.

“At the core, USF focuses on students. Yes, we concentrate our efforts on their safety and pay close attention to making our campus a great place to live, but we start and end with student learning. Our mission is to prepare women and men to contribute to the world through service and leadership,” said Wignall.

“High rankings are nice, but our student’s success is the real measure of what we are doing. Their high graduation rate, the internships, and the great jobs they land after graduation are the best ‘grades’ we can earn for USF.  When our students learn more they can do more, and they get real value from what St. Francis offers,” Wignall added.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has placed a spotlight on the place for quality online options, web-based education was already gaining momentum in higher education, according to U.S. News & World Report.

“Nearly 3.3 million higher education students enrolled exclusively in distance education programs in fall 2018, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. Whether a student is just starting a degree program or switched to online learning due to these unprecedented circumstances, online colleges can provide the flexibility to study from anywhere. Students with family responsibilities or full-time jobs may also be able to work around their own schedules. Whether a student is just starting a degree program or switched to online learning due to these unprecedented circumstances, online colleges can provide the flexibility to study from anywhere,” usnews.com reported.

Visit stfrancis.edu/admissions-aid/online for more information on USF’s online programs.

Visit usnews.com/education/online-education for more information on U.S. News & World Report’s 2021 Best Online Programs rankings.

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The University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 51,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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USF News

USF’s Sheetz Continues Development of Talent Management Knowledge with ATD Scholarship

Joliet, Ill. – The past four years for Carol Sheetz, talent coordinator for the University of St. Francis (USF), have been filled with a variety of educational and professional experiences, all at Joliet’s only four-year university.

Sheetz transferred to USF in fall 2016 as an adult learner with two associate degrees. While pursuing her undergraduate degree, Sheetz joined the USF Human Resources Department in June 2017. She completed her undergraduate studies eleven months later when she earned her Bachelor of Science in business administration through USF in May 2018. Sheetz continued her education and earned her Master of Science in training and development at USF in December 2019. Now, an opportunity she learned of through her academic programs at USF has resulted in Sheetz earning a scholarship through the Association for Talent Development (ATD). The scholarship provides Sheetz with complimentary admission to the organization’s next annual international conference.

“In January, I was notified that I was the recipient of the 2020 ATD Student Scholarship to receive complimentary registration to the 2020 ATD International Conference & Exposition in May in Denver, Colorado.  Because of the COVID-19 global pandemic, ATD will honor my scholarship at the 2021 ATD International Conference & Exposition in Los Angeles,” Sheetz said.

Sheetz values her association with ATD and regularly turns to the organization for talent management guidance.

“In my role at USF, my particular areas of interest in the employee life cycle include recruitment, onboarding, and development. Employee engagement is also crucial. As a member of ATD, I have access to resources on each of these topics written by subject matter experts as well as resources especially developed for the higher education community.  ATD is an amazing site with incredible resources, so I applied for the scholarship because I wanted the opportunity to attend the ATD International Conference & Exposition where I could meet and network with other talent development professionals, listen to keynote speakers, and take part in learning sessions in person,” she said.

Sheetz, who earned her degrees as an adult student, touts the benefits that USF’s online programs offer adults.

“The online programs were exactly what I was looking for as an adult learner who worked full-time, because they allowed me the flexibility to set my own evening and weekend schedule for completing my coursework.  I am self-motivated and have good time management skills, so online learning is a great fit for me as an adult student,” she said.

About the Association for Talent Development

According to the Association for Talent Development website, “ATD is a professional membership organization supporting those who develop the knowledge and skills of employees around the world. Our members and customers are professionals who help others achieve their full potential by improving their knowledge, skills, and abilities in the workplace.” Visit td.org to learn more about the organization.

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Currently celebrating 100 years of higher education rooted in Franciscan values, the University of St. Francis, in Joliet, Ill., serves close to 4,000 students nationwide and offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in the arts and sciences, business, education, nursing and social work. There are over 50,000 USF alumni across the globe. For information, call 800-735-7500 or visit stfrancis.edu.

University of St. Francis: Bigger thinking. Brighter purpose.

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Life at USF, Stories

Approaching COVID-19 as a Community

When the Coronavirus came to town, everything changed. “COVID” quickly became a term that even six-year-olds started using… “Mommy, when COVID is over, can I play with the neighbors again?” And like every other school, business and family out there, the University of St. Francis also had to make some big adjustments, including moving in-person classes to an online format.

At University of St. Francis, online learning was already taking place in the graduate program arena, so the challenge was to get the undergraduate students, who were used to meeting face-to-face, into the online space. Thankfully, the USF Department of Academic Technology and Information Technology teams were at the ready to provide teachers with the instructions and help needed to make this kind of transition possible, and their quick action and hard work is paying off as our students continue to learn… just from home.

Assistant professor Dr. Bonnie Covelli from the College of Business & Health Administration is proud of how her college has adapted to the changes over the past month.

“Our team has a long history of delivering curriculum online; however, not all courses are designed in this modality. The motion never stopped to support our students in this new reality. Not once did I hear someone say, ‘I can’t do it,’ or ‘it won’t work.’ Those who were more experienced jumped in to help others,” she said.

Audrey Davis in USF’s Social Work Department also felt proud of the way her colleagues helped each other and made the transition an easy one.

“It’s great to be part of department committed to meet the needs of our students during this time of uncertainty, she said. “The swift transition to online course delivery has been an adjustment to both faculty and students, but I’m proud to say that we are adapting well to our present ‘normal.’ Classes have been held in Teams and Zoom, registration has continued as previously scheduled, and some faculty hold virtual office hours using Conference. Students have worked with peers in virtual breakout groups during class and student feedback in these cases are quite inspiring. I am proud to be part of the Social Work Department and to work with such wonderful students!”

Dr. Sudipta Roy, associate professor of finance, has found great success holding class sessions at scheduled times using Canvas Conferences (aka BigBlueButton).

“I would say it’s been a pretty seamless transition, especially since my students were already familiar with BBB from us having used it earlier in the semester. Based on my observation, I think students really like the interactive whiteboard,” she said.

And some classes have been having fun while navigating unknown territory… literally. (Well, in a virtual sense, anyway!) In English professor Karen Duys’ literature class, students used Zoom to go on Google Maps together to get a bird’s eye view of the Old City of Jerusalem. 

Said Duys, “We used Street View to wander through the the city’s souk in the footsteps of Mr. Mani, the protagonist of the Israeli novel by Yehoshua I’m teaching. We ended up on the Temple Mount and went inside the Dome of the Rock where Abraham is said to have almost sacrificed Isaac, a narrative that the novel turns every which way. Although we tend to experience what we read, it is hard to do so when you don’t know the setting. We remedied that problem, soaring over the city and, each one of us with our small screen, and pushing our way through crowded passages, skipping up steps, turning down narrow lanes, passing under graceful arches, and getting deliciously lost.”

Two days later, Duys enthusiastically reported in a follow-up message… “Yeah!  Today we walked down the Via Dolorosa where Jesus carried the cross!”