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Archives for April 2020

UW Flexible Option Partners with Health Agencies to Help Prepare Substance Abuse Counselors

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Substance abuse disorders affect millions of people nationwide each year— whether through an individual’s experience, an impacted family, or the broader cost to society. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports that over the last five years, deaths by drug overdose in Wisconsin have continued to increase. Rural communities nationwide—like so many in Wisconsin–are particularly affected by the epidemic. 

Helping people overcome substance abuse disorders requires a qualified, trained Substance Abuse Counselor (SAC). And demand for those counselors is increasing. The US Department of Labor predicts a 22 percent increase over the next six years in Wisconsin. 

That’s why the UW Flexible Option Substance Use Disorders Counseling Certificate program—offered by UW-Madison—is now partnering directly with agencies, clinics, and mental health providers. This certificate provides the 360 specialized-educational hours required to earn a SAC license. After finishing the program’s first 100 hours, students are eligible to sit for their Substance Abuse Counselor-In Training license (SAC-IT).

Unified Community Services is the county behavioral health agency for Iowa and Grant counties, and was one of the first agency partners with the UW Flexible Option. Jeff Lockhart, Agency Director, shared that Unified Community Services recently transitioned its mental health and Alcohol and Other Drug Abuse (AODA) programs into a combined behavioral health program. The goal of this move is overcoming treatment silos and providing integrated dual-diagnosis treatment.

“The challenge has been hiring clinicians who are dually credentialed, as there is a significant shortage of such,” Jeff said. “The Substance Use Disorder Counseling Certificate program has been the solution to this, allowing our mental health clinicians to obtain their SAC-IT certificates.”

As a competency-based program, the Substance Use Disorder Counseling Certificate is ideal for mental health professionals looking to become dually-licensed. Students move entirely at their own pace—100% online—through the 24-week program. There are no live log-on times or set course deadlines.

It’s those attributes make the Substance Use Disorder Counseling Certificate a great option for partnering with rural agencies. According to Jeff, the big win is “the ability for students to train at any time, from any location, without the need to commute to a distant city.” 

“While there is a significant shortage of mental health providers, the shortage of AODA providers appears to be far worse; and the shortage of dually-licensed clinicians worst of all,” Jeff said. “This program and others like it can help to fill this gap while simultaneously dismantling the silos between mental health and AODA treatment.”

There are more than 300 graduates of this certificate statewide, which has measurably helped Wisconsin meet the demand for qualified clinicians. 

Interested in partnering with us? Agency partners can receive a group tuition discount, direct invoicing, and the ability to email job postings to program graduates. Email flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu to learn more.

First Health Sciences Graduate Says UW Flexible Option Was the ‘Best Decision’ for Her Career

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When Jordan Schumacher called an enrollment adviser to learn more about UW Flexible Option’s online programs, she didn’t know what to expect. Working as a physical therapist assistant at an outpatient clinic in Washington state, Jordan had a fully stacked schedule, and the idea of going back to school was daunting.

Her previous online learning experience wasn’t ideal either. While she enjoyed the information she learned in the online BS in Nutrition program, the courses were structured like on-campus classes with inflexible deadlines, which didn’t align with her full-time work. After completing a few courses, Jordan decided to take a break.

UW Flexible Option graduate, Jordan Schumacher, holds her UW-Milwaukee diploma.

A couple years later, Jordan began researching online programs again. In her spreadsheet of contenders, the UW Flexible Option made the list.

“I had my first call with a UW Flex enrollment adviser, and it was phenomenal!” Jordan said. “I told her I wasn’t looking to change my career, but that I wanted to finish my degree so I could have more options in my future. The enrollment adviser brought up the UW Flexible Option Health Sciences degree, and it literally sounded perfect for me.”

Jordan was so blown away by her initial phone call that her program search ended. Ready to give online learning another go, she applied. Today, she is the first graduate of the 100% online UW-Milwaukee Bachelor of Sciences in Biomedical Sciences: Health Sciences degree offered through the UW Flexible Option.

Finding Her Online Learning Stride

Students in the UW Flexible Option Health Sciences program have the ability to learn when and where they choose. Progress is not limited by a traditional semester or term-based schedule, and students are allowed to take breaks throughout their studies as needed.

Through an innovative curriculum, students focus on mastering competencies and skills by completing projects and passing assessments assigned to specific health science areas such as nutrition, technical writing, human pathophysiology, professional development, and more. In this flexible format, students are able to expand upon and apply their current knowledge and previous education to progress more quickly through the program.

Jordan with her husband, Nathan.

Upon graduation, students receive their bachelor’s degree from the UW-Milwaukee College of Health Sciences, which is widely recognized by employers for offering the largest number of health-related degree programs in Wisconsin. The research conducted by the UW-Milwaukee College of Health Sciences faculty and staff encompasses groundbreaking urban and population studies, biomedical research, advances in movement science, rehabilitation research and development, applied clinical technologies, and disease-prevention approaches.

Students of the UW Flexible Option Health Sciences program are supported by UW-Milwaukee College of Health Sciences instructors who are active in their careers and have been recognized with professional and academic awards. 

RELATED: What Can You Do with a Health Sciences Degree?

While Jordan is the first to graduate from the Health Sciences program, she is among more than 300 UW Flexible Option graduates.

The UW Flexible Option Health Sciences program was “night and day” compared to Jordan’s previous online education experience. With the “pay-as-you-go” option, she was able to accelerate her pace and complete assessments at a speed that worked with her job and responsibilities, not against them.

She started with the human pathophysiology courses, because she felt like she could find a balance of learning new concepts while applying her knowledge from working in physical therapy. To keep herself on track, Jordan created a calendar where she devoted specific times to finish assessments. This helped her see the big picture, all while feeling in control of her learning experience.

Two courses in particular, “Disability, Society, and the Person” and “Inclusive Disability,” directly applied to Jordan’s work, and she was able to use what she learned right away with her patients.

“I learned really beneficial information,” Jordan said. “It strengthened my perspective and how I communicate with people who have different needs.”

Succeeding Through Support

Jordan learned she was the first graduate of the Health Sciences program from her Academic Success Coach, Jane Schimmel.

“It was kind of crazy,” Jordan said. “I had no idea, and I was kind of emotional, to be honest!”

Academic Success Coach Jane Schimmel
Jane Schimmel, UW Flexible Option Academic Success Coach

This accomplishment marked the conclusion of advising and support between Jordan and Jane. As an Academic Success Coach, Jane was Jordan’s go-to person for questions, concerns, or to just touch base. The partnership is one that Jordan doesn’t take lightly.

“Jane was involved with me and my education from the start,” Jordan said. “She would check in to see how I was doing with my courses or if I needed any support at all. Sometimes a professor would email me and Jane about a grade I received, and Jane would reach out to say ‘Oh my gosh, you are doing amazing!’ She took the extra time to say that she noticed my hard work, which meant so much.”

Jordan had a lot of concerns before starting the UW Flexible Option program. She was scared of the unknown about going back to school and constantly wondered if this time around would be different. However, all of her fears quickly dissipated thanks to the support she received and the freedom she had to make her experience her own.

“I think the best advice I could give to others who are scared to pick up the phone or to apply for the program is that you can make this program what you want it to be,” Jordan said. “You can take it as slow or as fast as you need so that it doesn’t overwhelm your life. I never knew a format like UW Flexible Option existed, but I’m so glad it does.”

Paying it Forward for a Better Future

With her bachelor’s degree now completed, Jordan feels accomplished, but she isn’t ready to slow down. Now, she wants to switch up her focus. Instead of prioritizing her own learning, she is eager to help teach others—particularly the student interns who come through her workplace.

“My next goal is to find a way to teach in a physical therapist assistant program and to become more involved with the educational side of my work,” Jordan said. “I have my degree and a job that I love, and now I am confident in branching out to other opportunities. The UW Flexible Option has been the best decision in the world for my life and career!”

Want to learn how the 100% online UW-Milwaukee Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program, offered through the UW Flexible Option can help advance your career and education goals? Contact an enrollment adviser by calling 608-800-6762 or emailing flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu to get started.

UW Flexible Option Grad Finds Her Passion in UW Health and Wellness Management Program

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Katie Limberg is grateful that she took the step to advance her education through UW Flexible Option, especially because her college journey hasn’t always been clear. After graduating from high school, Katie attended UW-Stevens Point for one semester, but she soon realized she wanted to be closer to home with her sisters. There were also a lot of new developments in her life, including her fiancé landing a new job that required a move. About two years after leaving UW-Stevens Point, Katie was ready to go back to school, and she knew an online program would better fit her needs.

With the ability to transfer her previous college credits and the freedom to complete lessons and assignments on her own schedule, Katie decided that the UW Flexible Option Associate of Arts and Sciences (AAS) degree was right for her.

“I’m a planner, so I was motivated to put a calendar together of all of my coursework in order to stick with it,” Katie said. “While I was in UW Flex, I learned that the time you put into the work really shows in the grade you get out of it. There were definitely nights where I had a lot of work and I wanted to do other things. But knowing my work would pay off in the end—that kept me going.”

RELATED: UW Flexible Option AAS Grad Sets Out to Become the Educator She’s Always Dreamed to Be

In December 2017, Katie obtained her Associate of Arts and Sciences degree through UW Flexible Option. She gathered so much momentum from the online structure that she knew she wanted to dive right back in. A year later, she enrolled in her first semester of the 100% online UW Health and Wellness Management program.

“Having gone through UW Flex was a huge benefit to me,” Katie said. “I learned how to navigate online coursework and work out a schedule that I really thrived in, and I was able to take that experience into the UW Health and Wellness Management program.”

Read Katie’s full story on the UW Health and Wellness Management website.

Want to learn more about the UW-Milwaukee Associate of Arts and Sciences through UW Flexible Option? Talk with an enrollment adviser at 608-800-6762 or email flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu.

Determined UW Flexible Option Grad Furthers Education with UW Data Science Degree

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In 2015, Madison, Wisconsin resident, Tim Drexler, a delivery operations support manager at South Central Library System, began looking for a degree that would prepare him for a more technology-focused career. As a self-described “Evolving Data Scientist,” Tim knew an online program would work best for his busy schedule. He considered Madison Area Technical College, but it offered programs with in-person class requirements that didn’t fit into his life.

However, University of Wisconsin Flexible Option caught his eye, especially its 100% online Information Science and Technology (IST) bachelor’s degree. It felt like an attainable next step that worked with Tim’s goals and around his work/life schedule.

It took Tim only 13 months to graduate from the UW Flexible Option IST program with a UW-Milwaukee bachelor’s degree.

“I can definitely say that I wouldn’t have made it through the UW Flexible Option without (Success Coach) Danielle Stertz’s help,” Tim said. “She was a great advocate and was always there to answer questions. I had some tough moments in that program, and I wouldn’t have pulled through without her support.”

This educational milestone motivated Tim to consider pursuing a master’s degree in data science. In 2018, he enrolled into the 100% online UW Master of Science in Data Science program (UW MSDS).

Success Coach, Danielle Stertz

RELATED: UW Flexible Option’s First Applicant Graduates with Information Science and Technology Degree

“UW Flexible Option was really good preparation for online learning in general,” Tim said. “I had experience within the learning system, and I knew how to motivate myself and manage my time, which are skills I continue to use in UW MSDS.”

Read Tim’s full story on the UW Master of Science in Data Science website.

Want to learn more about the UW-Milwaukee Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Technology through UW Flexible Option? Talk with an enrollment adviser at 608-800-6762 or flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu.