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Tiffany Stronghart

5 Ways a Healthcare Leadership Microcredential Can Help You

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If you’re looking for a way to show your current or future employers that you’ve mastered a certain skill set and are ready for a more competitive role or increased responsibility, consider earning the Interprofessional Leadership in Healthcare microcredential through UW Flexible Option.

Microcredentials are competency-based recognition that allow professionals to demonstrate that they’ve mastered skills in a specific area, according to the National Education Association. They can be a great fit for professionals looking for a flexible, self-paced format to improve their skills and become more competitive on the job. 

Whether you’re already in a healthcare leadership role or are seeking one, a microcredential from UW Flexible Option can help you in several ways:

    1. You’ll gain specific skills and knowledge to help you advance in your career, whether you already have a degree or you’re pursuing one. Microcredentials typically offer practical information that you can apply immediately at work on a number of hot industry topics. UW-Milwaukee’s newly launched Interprofessional Leadership in Healthcare program through UW Flexible Option includes an electronic badge. The nine-credit microcredential is available completely online and helps students increase their knowledge and understanding of other healthcare professions, improve their communication skills, enhance problem-solving skills, and give them opportunities to advance their careers. 
    2. Microcredentials are generally offered on a flexible schedule, which means you can continue working full-time while completing coursework. You may also be able to take breaks during busy periods, or when you have other life commitments you need to focus on instead, without derailing your overall progress. UW Flexible Option microcredentials are designed to fit into your schedule so that you can continue working full-time, offering you a chance to complete courses during subscription periods that you can pause and start at any time. 
    3. You can add a microcredential to your resume, Indeed, Glassdoor or LinkedIn profile to boost your marketability. Many employers view these credentials as a commitment to lifelong learning beyond a traditional degree or graduate degree program, and you’re signaling to future employers that you are on top of the latest trends and working to improve your skills. If you’re already with an organization you’d like to stay with, getting a microcredential can help show that you’re committed to learning and growing your skills. 
    4. Most microcredentials are developed in collaboration with industry experts and organizations, which means that the skills and knowledge in these programs are based on best practices, and align with current and future trends in the workplace. With the Interprofessional Leadership in Healthcare microcredential, you’ll get the same great education that degree-seeking students get in UW-Milwaukee’s healthcare programs, which are taught by faculty who are currently working or who have significant experience in their fields. In fact, the courses you’ll complete for the microcredential are courses offered in the health sciences and diagnostic imaging degree programs. If you’re already enrolled in the Bachelor of Science: Biomedical Health Sciences or Bachelor of Science: Diagnostic Imaging degree programs offered through the UW Flexible Option, you can earn this credential by adding three additional electives to your course load. 
    5. Microcredentials can help you save money. As prices in higher education increase, microcredentials are a cost-effective option compared with a traditional degree program. If your employer has a limited professional development budget, you may be able to receive their approval for financial assistance to complete a microcredential as opposed to a full degree program right off the bat.

Ready to learn more? Connect with a helpful enrollment adviser by calling 608-800-6762 or contacting flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu.

UW Flexible Option Celebrates 10 Years of Helping Adult Learners Excel

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UW Flexible Option is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. Over the past decade, the competency-based program has changed many students’ lives by offering them an accommodating, affordable education that is 100% online and built for working, busy adult learners.

UW Flexible Option offers a variety of programs in business, healthcare, and technology-related fields. Since its inception, UW Flexible Option has launched several degree and certificate programs and has graduated nearly 1,500 students. Current programs include: one associate degree, five bachelor’s completion degrees, four certificates and one microcredential.  

“The UW Flexible Option certificates and degrees demonstrate the Universities of Wisconsin’s commitment  to winning the war for talent,” said Johannes Britz, Universities of Wisconsin Interim Senior Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs. “Helping adult learners meet their career goals while developing the skills they can immediately apply on the job, also benefiting Wisconsin’s employers. We are going to be relentless in providing new opportunities for busy nontraditional students in this space so that they can learn on their schedule while working and living life.”

UW Flexible Option was created to provide adult learners with a convenient way to complete their degree while learning practical skills they can immediately apply on the job or use to move up in their careers, like cybersecurity expert Torry Crass did. Crass earned his UW-Milwaukee Bachelor of Science in Information Science and Technology (IST) offered through UW Flexible Option in spring 2023 using credits previously earned in college.

Like Crass, students who have already earned an associate degree or certification (or who have attended college in the past) may be eligible to receive credit toward their bachelor’s degree.

Antwaun Sanders, who received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration at UW-Parkside through UW Flexible Option, began the program after taking an extended break from on-campus education due to personal reasons. Despite the many challenges he had faced in school prior to enrolling in UW Flexible Option, he felt supported throughout his time finishing his bachelor’s.

“The professors answering emails, making themselves available for virtual meetings and for feedback on concepts that you might be struggling with: I was like, ‘Wow, they actually care about you getting your degree.’ They’re not just trying to get you out of their class. They really care about you succeeding. I felt that throughout the entire program,” he says. 

UW-Parkside also recently partnered with Nicolet College to offer a direct transfer program for students. Through the agreements, graduates of Nicolet College’s Associate of Applied Science in Business Management can continue their education remotely by transitioning to the UW Flexible Option BSBA program. Graduates are automatically eligible for the UW Flexible Option BSBA program provided they meet the admission criteria. They’ll also receive up to 60 transfer credits for the BSBA program.

Graduates of UW Flexible Option have gone on to other degree programs and careers. Andrew Min, alumnus of the UW-Milwaukee Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Health Sciences program offered through the UW Flexible Option, realized that teaching is his true calling after being in the program. Andrew is an occupational therapist by training, but needed his bachelor’s degree at a U.S. institution after receiving his initial education internationally.

Andrew, who now teaches occupational therapy at a technical college in Washington, encourages his own students to enroll in UW Flexible Option like he did. 

“I think this is a great way to advance your education. It’s an economical option. For someone who is already in a health-related field, this is really going to build upon the knowledge that you already have, and it’ll open so many more doors of opportunity after you finish this undergrad experience,” he says.

UW Flexible Option also offers students who have disabilities an opportunity to excel. Amanda Kauffman, who received the UW-Milwaukee Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Health Sciences: offered through UW Flexible Option, has hearing loss and wasn’t excelling in a traditional classroom environment.

“I think it was my saving grace. I think the fact that [learning in-person] even with accommodations was so difficult for me because you’re dealing with different professors, personalities, even just talking levels. Only so much can be accommodated for you. So here, I love that it’s just all up front. You have all the information in your syllabus. Everything is very detailed,” Amanda says.

“And that was my problem before: A lecture, for example. You’re in person. You can take so many notes for so long. But what if you don’t hear something? What if you misinterpret something? And then you don’t understand that lesson plan. But here, there’s videos of lectures. I can go back and just rewatch this lecture and not be like, oh, I misunderstood this or anything like that,” she adds.

Are you interested in getting your degree? With UW Flexible Option, you’ll be able to:

  • Build on the expertise you have already developed on the job. Use the knowledge and skills you gained in your professional experience or previous academic work to move through program content faster. In addition, most degree programs will transfer up to 60 credits from previous course work or an associates degree. 
  • Fit school into your life. Start any month! Without traditional semester schedules, group work, required class discussions or scheduled log-on requirements, you can earn your degree whenever it works for you.
  • Control your pace. You can complete assignments when you have time, and pause your subscription to accommodate major life events (like marriage, moving, having children, or changing jobs). 
  • Enjoy the UW Flexible Option Tuition Guarantee. Worried about tuition hikes and the rising costs of a college education? With UW Flexible Option, your tuition price is locked in until you graduate. Even if the institutional rate increases, your individual rate remains the same. With a competency-based education, you control your subscription. 

To learn more, call an enrollment adviser at 608-800-6762 or email at flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu.

Health Sciences Bachelor’s Degree Graduate: ‘I Hope Others Find UW Flexible Option Like Me’

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If you’ve thought about going back to school to get your bachelor’s degree but aren’t sure you can do it, take some advice from Sonia, a recent alumnus of the UW-Milwaukee Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Health Sciences offered through the UW Flexible Option:

“For those students out there who are still looking to complete their bachelor’s degree who didn’t get a chance to after high school, who didn’t get a chance to go back to school again or are waiting for a good time, do your research and find a program that works for you. I hope they will find UW Flexible Option like me.”

Sonia’s educational journey actually began back in her native Bangladesh. She attended college there but dropped out in 2008. She moved to the U.S. in 2009 and got married.

Eventually she went back to school, receiving her associates degree from Chippewa Valley Technical College in 2018. She stayed home afterward to raise her children, and in  2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, she continued to stay home while her kids attended school virtually and her husband worked outside of the home.

In fall 2021, her two oldest children returned to in-person learning, and Sonia wondered what her next step would be.

“There was already a three-year gap in my resume,” Sonia explains. “So my husband suggested to me, ‘You know, there are a lot of online degrees available in Wisconsin and outside of Wisconsin. Maybe you could look online and see if there is any program that will accept all the credits you got from your previous associates degree and then work toward a four-year degree.’ So that’s how it started. And I was thinking, ‘OK, maybe I will stay at home until [my youngest] is a little bit older.’”

Attending in-person college wasn’t realistic for Sonia and her family because they would need to pay for full-time daycare for her youngest child while the other two were in school. “And then for the two oldest, I must arrange something after school too, because my husband will be working and I will be in school all day. It would be difficult for us to afford care for three kids.”

Then, Sonia discovered the UW Flexible Option. “When I applied to UW Flexible Option, I found out that this is for mostly non-traditional students or working adults who want to change their field or who want to get a job to get a promotion. It really fit my situation. And after [I applied], the success coach reached out to me and said that they accepted all my credits. So that was a huge turning point for me. And my husband said, ‘OK, you should go for this.’”

Sonia looked at other schools, but they didn’t give her as many credits as UW Flexible Option did (67). One school gave her 36; another offered 42. 

“I think because of this, UW Flexible Option will be able to attract more students because no one wants to lose those credits. Because we spent time, we gave effort to get those credits, and we spent money,” she adds.

Sonia started her UW Flexible Option program in January 2022–and it wasn’t always easy.

“For all of the parents or all of the working adults who want to go back to college, it is a challenge,” Sonia says. “Because when you are a student, you study and work part-time or full-time after college. But when you are a parent, when you have a family or significant others or other commitments, then you have to find balance in all of this. And our family is a big support for us. They help us and encourage us to keep going.”

Online learning was another big challenge. “When you are in the classroom setting, you can ask your instructor questions and get feedback right away. I was kind of worried about how I would deal with online learning and doing everything at your own pace. You must drive yourself. You must push yourself to do the work so you don’t cram things in the last four weeks, which is hard.”

However, her online courses offered her the flexibility she needed to excel.

“It is a competency-based degree, so everything was online. And that helped me a lot. Everything is there: what to do, the directions, the deadlines. But believe me, it went so fast. And I worked most of the time at night when my kids were in bed. Some nights I was awake until 3 a.m. or 4 a.m., and then I woke up at 6 a.m. again to make breakfast and lunch for the kids. It’s a team effort for my family and my kids. They sacrificed a lot.”

Sonia wasn’t able to spend much time with her kids on the weekends because she had to study. When her husband was home on Saturday and Sunday, he took the children outside and did errands like grocery shopping so that she could stay home and work.

“Another goal was to finish the degree in two years, and I tried really hard not to take a class twice unless I really had to,” she adds. (With a competency-based learning format, students must pass assessments to move to the next course).

Sonia also received support from her Academic Success Coach. “ASC is very helpful with any questions regarding registration, class add/drop, or grades, any other concerns or emergency situations,” Sonia adds. 

For someone juggling multiple commitments, Sonia advises students to find a time to study that works for them.

“Try to start early. Do not wait until three weeks have passed because you only have 12 weeks. When I start early, it’s less stressful. Life happens. Kids get sick, we get sick, or there’s an emergency.”

She also notes that students should try and allow themselves enough time to read materials, do research, and write. While some course instructors will offer resources, students will have to find some on their own, which can be time-consuming.

Sonia appreciated the close contact she had with her instructors. She was able to email them and get clarification on her assignments. Some professors even video chatted with her to ensure she understood the material.

“Since I was already missing in-class, in-person interactions, when I got the clarification from my email, I got some assurance that I was on the right track.”

Sonia also received help from the UW-Milwaukee Writing Center. She says that the written assignments often took her a bit longer since English is not her native language, but the writing center helped her. For example, before submitting a paper, she would have a tutor look at it.

Sonia is now in the online Master of Public Health program at UW-Eau Claire and hopes to finish her degree in the next couple of years. In the meantime, she is actively applying for jobs to help pay for it. She’s already gotten a couple of interviews. Her graduate program can be completed part-time, so she plans to work and go to school.

“When I dropped out of college, I always wanted to go back. I made this promise to myself that maybe someday I will go back again. I get emotional because that was a really hard time in my life. But with my husband’s inspiration, I came back again, and I feel like if I can do it, anyone can do it. It’s not easy. And after a five- or six-year break from college, it takes courage.”

Think you don’t have time to earn a health sciences degree? Through the University of Wisconsin Flexible Option, you can earn a UW-Milwaukee Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Health Sciences in an online, self-paced format that fits any schedule. As a UW Flexible Option student, you can start any month and learn at your own pace—as well as leverage your existing technical education and clinical experience to help you progress toward graduation more quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions About a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences

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If you’ve completed an associate degree and are looking to get your four-year degree in a healthcare field, consider the 100% online Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science: Health Sciences from UW Flexible Option.

This degree program is designed for adult learners with an associate degree who have either been working in the healthcare field or would like to break into a new healthcare role. The bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences offers students the opportunity to build on an associate degree-level education and develop or strengthen skills in critical thinking, problem solving, information literacy, informatics, management, and education in the health professions. 

There’s no time like the present to transition into the healthcare field. Healthcare occupations are projected to see above-average growth over the next 10 years, with an estimated 1.8 million new jobs each year, according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. Given these positive growth projections, it’s no surprise that several healthcare careers have earned a spot on the annual U.S. News and World Report list of the 100 best jobs in America. Factors such as salary, work-life balance, and future job prospects were considered for the ratings. 

While the healthcare field can be a great place to work, many of the positions available require at least a bachelor’s degree. Whether you’re interested in clinical or non-clinical roles, now is the time to take advantage of the skills and knowledge you already have to earn your bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences.  The Health Sciences degree can prepare you for work in the healthcare industry as a leader in your current profession, help you get ready for a graduate program (along with program required prerequisites) or help you excel in non-clinical roles such as health services administration and support, research coordination, health and wellness or patient advocacy.

Are you ready to learn more? Check out these frequently asked questions:

What is health sciences?

Health science is the application of science to health, including the study of medicine, nutrition, and other health-related topics and how they affect humans. Upon completing the program, you’ll be prepared to work in clinical and non-clinical settings. In general, our students pursue this degree to advance their current careers, change jobs, or prepare for graduate and professional programs. 

What will I study in a health sciences degree program?

Your courses will cover a variety of topics, including pathology, ethics, health information literacy, communication, leadership, and much more. The goal is for you to develop or strengthen skills in critical thinking, problem solving, information literacy, informatics, management, and education in the health professions. 

Knowledge and practice in interprofessionalism in the healthcare industry is a desired skill. Students who complete the bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences automatically complete and earn a microcredential in Interprofessional Leadership in Healthcare. In addition to documentation on your transcript, this credential is recognized with a badge that you are able to share as you like in your social media or electronic signatures.

What can I do with a health science degree? 

You can pursue clinical and non-clinical roles with this degree, including medical and health services management, pharmaceutical sales, claims reviewer, health specialists, or you can use this degree as a stepping stone to a graduate school or professional program in dentistry, pharmacy, occupational therapy, audiology, physical therapy, and much more. 

If you’re currently working in a non-healthcare field but would like to transition to a health-related career, Health Sciences can help get your foot in the door for an entry-level position so that you can begin gaining experience. 

Can I be successful in the competency based health sciences program??

If you’re already working in a healthcare field with an associate degree, you’ll be in great shape to complete the bachelor’s degree. Professionals with an associate degree will be awarded 60 credits toward the 120-credit degree completion minimum.

The UW Flexible Option program is great for self-motivated, adult students who want to leverage their past school experience and work skills to get (earn) a bachelor’s degree. You’ll have control over when you learn, which means you can continue working full-time, raise a family, or enjoy hobbies. The online format does not have set class schedules, which means you can learn and study based on your individual schedule. Learn more about our competency-based educational approach.

Or, take it from Jordan Schumacher, a Health Sciences bachelor’s degree graduate: “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 says. “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.”

What kind of entry-level positions can I get with a Health Sciences degree if I don’t have prior healthcare experience?

Graduates of the health sciences bachelor’s degree program can find jobs in many healthcare settings, like hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical companies, or in public health. Specific roles include: clinical research assistant, health educator, health administration assistant, pharmaceutical sales representative, medical sales representative, and much more. 

Can I pursue this degree to help me prepare for and apply for medical school or medical graduate programs?

Yes! Many graduates of the Health Sciences degree program move onto professional medical roles, including physical therapy, audiology, dentistry, and more. 

Note that graduate programs  may require students to fulfill prerequisites outside of UW Flexible Option. While these requirements will differ depending on the school and the program, it’s important to research the program you’re interested in to ensure you can fulfill the requirements.

For more about UW Flexible Option and how it can benefit you, check out our general FAQ, or reach out to an enrollment adviser. 

What Can You Do With a Diagnostic Imaging Degree?

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If you’re considering earning a bachelor’s degree or currently working toward a University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Diagnostic Imaging degree, chances are you’ve already spent a number of years working as an ultrasound technician or other medical imaging professional and are looking for a new challenge.

Whether you’re looking to leverage your imaging expertise to become a manager or teach or try a new role altogether, here are some more lucrative career options to consider once you’ve received your bachelor’s degree:

  1. Director of Diagnostic Imaging. The average Director of Diagnostic Imaging salary in Wisconsin is $151,400 as of May 28, 2024, but the range typically falls between $135,400 and $170,500, according to Salary.com. These ranges will vary depending on location, education, certifications, other skills, and years of experience.
  2. Diagnostic Imaging Educator or Radiology Instructor. According to ZipRecruiter, as of May 31, 2024, the average hourly pay for a diagnostic imaging educator is $34.95 per hour. Some educators can earn wages as high as $83 per hour, depending on skills and experience. The majority of radiology instructor wages currently range between $18.51 (25th percentile) to $43.99 (75th percentile) across the United States.
  3. Healthcare administrator. Healthcare administrators, sometimes also referred to as medical and health services managers, coordinate, plan, and direct the business activities of healthcare providers and can work in hospitals, clinics, or other healthcare settings. In Wisconsin, healthcare administrators can make $102,481 per year in total pay, according to Glassdoor. Average pay ranges from $78,000 to $137,000 in the state.

    Nationally, medical and health services managers make a median salary of $110,680 per year ($53.21 per hour) as of 2023. These jobs are expected to grow by 28% over the next decade and require less than five years of experience in a related occupation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Many current students and graduates of the UW Flexible Option program have pursued other healthcare careers. For example, Diagnostic Imaging graduate Christina Lozano has more than 20 years of experience in the medical imaging field and wanted a degree so that she could teach.

Christina was hired in 2015 as a part-time adjunct instructor in medical imaging at the College of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois. She loved teaching at the college and was thrilled when a full-time tenure track faculty position became available at the same institution. However, she was missing one important qualification: a bachelor’s degree. Christina flew through the program in just 15 months, noting that the flexibility of the program helped her succeed. 

Kara Winzenreid, a recent graduate of the Diagnostic Imaging program, wanted her bachelor’s so she could transition to a Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACs) administrator role. Kara worked in diagnostic imaging for 15 years. 

In Kara’s words, a PACs administrator “is the marriage of being in x-ray technology and the IT aspect.” After working in direct patient care for years, she was in need of a change – and liked the idea of working on the backend of the x-ray process. 

“People who have a background in x-ray are usually the best candidates to maintain that system because of that radiology background,” she adds.

Kara also completed the Health Care Informatics Certificate with her degree.

“I knew I wanted to do some sort of healthcare informatics position. I wasn’t looking for a management position; I was looking for something in IT. So being able to hold up this certificate and be like, ‘Hey, not only do I have a bachelor’s degree and 15 years’ experience, I even have this certificate saying that I’ve completed training in this specific field.’ Add to the fact that it was only two additional classes for me to get that certificate, [and] it was a no brainer.”

Stacy Tauke, a student in the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Diagnostic Imaging program, is leveraging her expertise in the radiology field to get her four-year degree, with plans to continue scanning at least part-time.

“My plan, when I’m done, is to do something with the degree part time and scan part time. So that way, I keep my skills up with ultrasound. But I can start to develop other skills that would make me more marketable for a job outside of just doing ultrasound,” she says.

Are you interested in any of these career paths? The bachelor’s degree in diagnostic imaging is designed for experienced healthcare and imaging professionals who have one of the following active registries:

  • ARDMS (American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography)
  • ARMRIT (American Registry of Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists)
  • ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists)
  • CCI (Cardiovascular Credentialing International) registry

Your active registry gives you a minimum of 60 advanced standing credits toward the 120 credits needed for completion. Upon admission to UWM and confirmation of your active registry, you will be awarded a minimum of 60 credits toward completion of your degree. 

If this sounds like the right fit for you, feel free to reach out by calling 608-800-6762
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CT, or email flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu.

UW-Parkside Outstanding Graduate Award Recipient Credits Success in MBA Program to UW Flexible Option BSBA 

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For Antwaun Sanders, a recent MBA graduate from UW-Parkside and recipient of an Outstanding Graduate Award, finishing his Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration from UW Flexible Option meant more than just getting a diploma. His bachelor’s degree was the culmination of a long journey that actually started in-person at UW-Parkside back in 2000, and eventually laid the groundwork for him to complete his master’s in business.

“I had several challenges in my undergraduate program the first time around,” Antwaun recalls. “My identity was stolen my very first semester of college. He got a hold of my Social Security number, and he opened up a whole bunch of accounts in my name. And I was getting calls from creditors.”

Antwaun Sanders pictured wearing a cap and gown at his graduation ceremony.
© UW Parkside/Alyssa Nepper 2024

The following semester, a relative was arrested for criminal trespassing with a firearm, and used Antwaun’s name, birthdate, and address–which meant Antwaun had to go to the police department and get fingerprinted to prove he was innocent.

“It was a nightmare,” he says. “I did have the support of Parkside police and my residence life advisers, and there were professors in my corner, so that helped.”

During his second year at UW-Parkside, things got even worse. Right before the start of second semester, Antwaun was in a horrible car accident near campus.

“It was really bad,” he says. “They had to transport me to a hospital in Milwaukee because they found out that I was bleeding internally from my liver.”

Antwaun finished the semester and did well, but needed a break. “I didn’t intend on staying out of school as long as I did, but life got in the way. I was working. I moved to New York. I had rent, bills. That took precedence.”

Later, while he was planning to finish his degree at another school, he discovered UW Flexible Option. He applied and began working toward his bachelor’s.

For Antwaun, the competency-based program allowed him to study at his own pace. 

“I think the biggest incentive for me was that I could  take as many classes as I could handle without someone trying to cap how many I should take. It was up to me to decide what level, how many courses, how many hours per week to study. It gave me power over my education, and that felt good. I like being in control of my own life, and the Flex program gave me that,” he says.

As someone who also attended semester-based college in-person, Antwaun prefers competency-based education as a working adult. It allows him to plan out his study times the way one might plan meals.

“Once you decide to do something, it just becomes part of those things that you have to do. If you have to take your kids to school, that’s just part of what you have to do as an adult. So I completed my courses, the readings, the exams, the presentations–it’s just all part of the things that I had to do. I had to make time for it.”

One of the more attractive things about UW Flexible Option is the fact Antwaun always felt like someone was in his corner. “My Success Coach, Ariel, was my cheerleader. She cheered me on. She offered me very constructive feedback whenever I needed it. Any issue you may have, they’re there. I remember I spoke to [her] about financial aid issues. If it was a question she couldn’t answer, she referred me to someone who could. She was there throughout the entire process. She was just so awesome. Ariel was just the best.”

He also felt supported by faculty.

“The professors answering emails, making themselves available for virtual meetings and for feedback on concepts that you might be struggling with: I was like, ‘Wow, they actually care about you getting your degree.’ They’re not just trying to get you out of their class. They really care about you succeeding. I felt that throughout the entire program.”

Peter Knight, now a retired faculty member at UW-Parkside in the business administration program, also impacted Antwaun’s education.

“I had him for four or five courses in the Flex program and one in the MBA program. He answered emails usually within two days. He’s always really kind and cool. He’s one of my favorite professors. But it’s professors like him that made me feel like I mattered and that they really cared about my growth and my future. That’s what makes this program worthwhile. I was successful because I had Success Coaches and professors who really cared about my learning and about my development and about my future.”

“And when I got my degree, I felt like I really earned it. It wasn’t handed to me. I feel like I really put in real work to get that degree, and it just made me feel good about it.”

He went straight from his bachelor’s degree program into the online MBA program at UW-Parkside with no breaks.

“What I learned in the BSBA program set me up for the MBA program,” he adds. “I had no issues in a lot of courses because of what I learned in the BSBA program. Even if I had decided not to pursue my MBA, I could have gone out into the workforce and pursued other opportunities with the knowledge I gained in the Flex BSBA program.”

Beyond his MBA, Antwaun also received an Outstanding Graduate Award after being nominated by a professor.

“I had no idea,” he says. “I didn’t even know that it existed, so it wasn’t like I was working hard to get the award. I just wanted to do well in all my classes, so I was like, what the heck, are you serious? She told me that she was going to show me the letter before she presents it, and she did. I almost teared up. It was a really heartfelt letter. And then she included some captions from my classmates. I was like, ‘Wow, they really cared about what I was doing. They valued my feedback to them, my classmates.’ So it just made me feel good about what I was doing. It was like confirmation I was working my butt off. I’m proud of it.” 

Antwaun traveled back to UW-Parkside for his MBA graduation ceremony, and spent some time walking around campus where he’d started his education many years ago.

“I deserve to be there. I deserve to have my medal put around my neck. I deserve to walk across the stage. I’m not going to deprive myself of that experience, that memory. I’m all about memories, positive memories because we all have so many bad ones that we put more focus on sometimes. It’s just a human trait that we tend to focus more on the negatives in life.”

His next step is completing a third degree, a master’s degree in accounting, and sitting for the CPA exam. Antwaun, who originally wanted to be a lawyer, became interested in accounting when he moved to New York. His first few jobs there were in payables and receivables, and then payroll. 

“My dream job would be controller, at least for a while. Then maybe VP of Finance, but I covet the controller position wholeheartedly. They’re like the coolest people on the planet. They control the finances,” he says.

While Antwaun’s journey hasn’t been smooth, it’s also been worth it.

“I think that a lot of people like myself who leave school for personal reasons, maybe it’s financial, maybe it’s a personal life crisis like it was to me, you kind of feel discouraged to go back and finish what you started. And I think that you should believe that you can actually finish something that you started. For me, it weighed over my head for so many years. I felt like it was the elephant in the room that I tried to ignore for so many years. And going back and completing that BSBA, it just felt really good.”

“I think that more adult learners owe it to themselves to finish their degree if it’s something that they really feel passionate about, and that they shouldn’t let the amount of time they spent away from the classroom discourage them from going back and finishing.”

Did you take a break from pursuing your degree and are wondering if going back to school is the right choice? UW Flexible Option can offer you the chance to finish your degree completely online — and credits from previous coursework! Check out the AACSB accredited UW-Parkside Bachelor of Business Administration curriculum or contact a helpful enrollment adviser at 608-800-6762 or flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu.

AI and Medical Imaging: How Will These New Technologies Affect You?

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The use of assistive technology (AI) in medical and diagnostic imaging is quickly increasing, with some positive effects–such as the ability to detect cancer and other illnesses more quickly than imaging unsupported by AI. If you’re working toward managing a team or teaching diagnostic or medical imaging, you might be interested to find out how this new technology is being implemented and how it might affect you.

Some AI technologies are actually helping researchers detect diseases. A recent study in Sweden showed that using AI technology in mammography helped detect more breast cancer cases while reducing workload compared to double mammography readings without AI technology, according to a new report.

The study analyzed more than 80,000 women who received mammography screenings supported with AI and without. The women had a median age of 54 and moderate hereditary risk of breast cancer or breast cancer history.

In the screening group supported by AI technology, there were 46,345 readings with 244 screen-detected breast cancer cases and 861 recalls. The group without AI had 83,231 readings with 203 detected cancer cases and 817 recalls. While both groups experienced similar recall rates and no difference in the rate of false positives, the readings with AI detected more than 20% more cancer cases. 

Beyond the Sweden study, AI technology is also being implemented at Lehigh Valley Health Network that will read imaging studies to look for things like pulmonary embolism, collapsed lungs, and neck fractures. 

There is also technology being developed that uses AI in medical scans and could change the way patients normally get second opinions. Monash University researchers have created a new AI algorithm that mimics how scans are read, labeled, and then compared to benchmarks. Traditionally, radiologists read medical scans and mark them up by hand, which can be time-consuming and prone to errors. The hope is that the algorithm will help ensure diagnostic accuracy.

AI technologies can also be used to translate complex medical information. AI-supported software can help translate radiologists’ dictations into recommendations for more patient care and follow-up, and when certain conditions are identified (like cysts, enlarged lymph nodes, etc) the AI technology will automatically establish follow-ups. 

If you are currently working in radiology or diagnostic imaging, what do these changes mean for you? While some industries have expressed concerns that ChatGPT and other AI tools could fulfill responsibilities held by some of today’s workers, and thus eliminating their jobs, it’s important to note that in most of these cases, ChatGPT can actually streamline workflows and make workers’ jobs easier, allowing them to focus on more important issues. 

Dr. Nina Kottler, associate chief medical officer of Clinical AI and vice-president of Clinical Operations at Radiology Partners, said in a recent interview that ChatGPT could help radiologists translate notes for patients, organize electronic records, and evaluate reports. It could also help write drafts of advocacy letters. She cautions that some AI tools may be subject to the “hallucination effect,” a common issue in which text is generated without credible sources. She advises users to check the sources ChatGPT uses and ensure they’re authentic. 

If you’re a future or working medical professional who will be embracing these technologies in your practice, beware of these drawbacks. However, understanding the capabilities of these technologies and how they can lighten your workload can help you work more efficiently. 

Are you ready to learn more about the Diagnostic Imaging degree program? Call an enrollment adviser at 608-800-6762 or email at flex@uwex.wisconsin.edu to get more information.

Sources:

https://www.diagnosticimaging.com/view/can-chatgpt-have-an-impact-in-radiology-

https://www.diagnosticimaging.com/view/emerging-ai-advances-in-cardiac-imaging

UW-Parkside, Nicolet College Announce Transfer Agreements For UW Flexible Option BSBA 

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The 100 percent online University of Wisconsin-Parkside Bachelor of Science in Business Administration offered through UW Flexible Option is now more readily available to students in Northern Wisconsin, thanks to two articulation agreements recently signed by UW-Parkside and Nicolet College.

Dr. Lynn Akey, Chancellor of UW-Parkside, and Kate Ferrel, President of Nicolet College, pictured signing transfer agreements. Through the agreements, graduates of Nicolet College’s Associate of Applied Science in Business Management can continue their education remotely by transitioning to the UW Flexible Option BSBA program. Graduates are automatically eligible for the UW Flexible Option BSBA program provided they meet the admission criteria. They’ll also receive up to 60 transfer credits for the BSBA program.

The UW Flexible Option BSBA program offers an opportunity to learn and demonstrate fundamental business management skills applicable to nearly any career field. The competency-based program is 100% online and designed for busy working adults. 

The agreements were signed by Dr. Lynn Akey, Chancellor of UW-Parkside, and Kate Ferrel, President of Nicolet College in a ceremony at Nicolet College in Rhinelander, Wis., last week. Dr. Peter Knight, Academic Director for the UW-Parkside BSBA program was in attendance along with Crystal Fey, UW Flexible Option Program Director.

“This articulation agreement helps students utilize their two-year Nicolet College degree and move seamlessly into a degree completion program with UW-Parkside,” Fey says. “Students will earn their degree in business administration, with an AACSB accredited program, all online while continuing to live and work in their home community.” 

Are you interested in continuing your education toward a bachelor’s degree in business? To learn more about UW Flexible Option programs, or to speak to an enrollment adviser, click here.

Are You Interested in Becoming a Substance Use Disorders Counselor? Here’s How the SUDs Certificate Can Help 

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If you’re interested in helping others by becoming a Substance Use Disorders (SUDS) Counselor, our certificate program offered through UW Flexible Option can help you get the education you need while helping identify strategies to receive the clinical supervision needed to pursue a Wisconsin SUDS license. 

Every community in the state has an increasing need for Substance Abuse Counselors to help close the treatment gap. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects demand for substance abuse counselors will grow 22 percent through 2024—much faster than the average for all occupations. Professionals licensed in both mental health and substance abuse counseling are especially in high demand. These professionals can help reduce treatment silos for individuals with dual diagnoses. 

In 2022, 48.7 million people in the US aged 12 or older (or 17.3%) had a substance use disorder within the previous year, including 29.5 million who had an alcohol use disorder, 27.2 million who had a drug use disorder, and 8.0 million people who had both, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. 

Whether you work in criminal justice, healthcare, or other organizations within your community focused on mental and behavioral health, the SUDS certificate can help you make a difference in the lives of those struggling with substance use.

The SUDS program is self-paced, designed to fit into your life. You can complete this 100% online program in 24 weeks or less. With no live log-on times and no set course deadlines, you can complete the course when it’s convenient for you. Additionally, this is one of the most affordable substance use disorder counseling programs in the state. 

One major advantage of completing this certificate is that you will have access to the instructor, Pat Gutierrez, who has many years of experience supervising individuals working toward their certification. You can ask questions during your time in the course and get the answers you need to follow the requirements.

Completing the certificate course is one step towards meeting requirements for the SAC-IT (the Substance Abuse Counselor-in-Training, the temporary credential you can apply for  prior to becoming a licensed SAC, substance abuse counselor or CSAC, clinical substance abuse counselor). The certificate course will also help you become ready to find an internship to fulfill your supervised hours requirement for the SAC/CSAC. Here are some tips to keep in mind as you search for a position to fulfill your career goals and requirements.

For more information on the process of becoming a licensed substance use disorders counselor, check out the links below. 

Occupational Therapy Program Director Uses Health Sciences Degree as Stepping Stone to Education Career

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For Andrew Min, an alumnus of the UW-Milwaukee Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Health Sciences program offered through the UW Flexible Option, being a student helped him realize that teaching is his true calling.

Andrew, who graduated in September 2022 from UW-Milwaukee, is currently teaching in-person associate degree-level occupational therapy courses at Bates Technical College in Tacoma, Wash.

“I attended the program (OTA) that I’m teaching right now. I practiced occupational therapy for about the first five years, and then I got into teaching. For accreditation purposes, they need practitioners to have at least a bachelor’s degree, and I had one out of the country. But because I wanted to continue my education at the graduate level, I had to pursue a degree in the US.”

AndrewMin headshotAndrew wanted to leverage the experience he already had in the field and knew Health Sciences would be the best option for him. With Health Sciences, professionals who already have a license or an associate degree are awarded 60 credits toward a bachelor’s degree. Andrew also wanted an online competency-based education because he was a working adult with responsibilities at home.

“I was happy to find out about University of Wisconsin Flex, and I thought, you know what? This sounds like the perfect program for me. I did look at a few other competency-based schools out there, but it looked financially and timewise that this was going to be the best option for me.”

His experience in Health Sciences gave him valuable time management skills and the ability to learn independently. The program he’s currently teaching in at Bates recently evolved to a hybrid flip style (which combines digital and in-person delivery and flips the focus from instruction to interaction among students) and he was able to apply what he learned in his bachelor’s degree to his current teaching role.

“Being able to take what I learned just from my own experience in your program helped me provide some more practical suggestions to students just in the overall flow of how to schedule your time and your study habits. But I think, too, a few of the classes specifically related to what I’m teaching now helped to give me more in-depth knowledge in certain areas. For instance, I did an assignment on the Americans with Disabilities Act, and it was kind of like one that we’ve done here in the program. I didn’t teach that course myself, but just being able to delve a little bit more in-depth into ADA and do a little bit more work on accessibility standards was helpful in helping to guide some of the students on a similar project we were doing and helped to maybe tweak a few of our assignments based on my own experience with that one.”

Andrew also wanted to get his Health Sciences degree relatively quickly so he could move onto graduate school. “I felt like I was on a strict time and financial schedule to a degree. I basically carved out four to five days a week just in the evenings. I always had a set schedule.”

He completed 16 classes within one year, though it took a lot of dedication. “I always set aside a portion of my day or my week to make sure I would never fall behind, and that I would stay motivated, too. Because when things come up and you don’t do your schoolwork for a few days, or even a week, then you just lose that motivation. I feel like always chipping off a little piece at a time just kept me motivated.”

Andrew, who recently began working as a program director for Bates’ OTA program, took some cues on instructional design from his experience in Health Sciences. “That was one of the things I really wanted to do from my UW Flex experience was to make all the courses across my program more uniform,” he says.

He also appreciated the rubrics of competency-based education. “Having the experience of these robust rubrics was helpful for me to help model my rubrics. To introduce more of those partial, adult learning theory strategies, as well as some instructional design pieces, and further enhance my own program so that students feel a little more confident with the assignments and projects that they’re submitting.”

Now that Andrew has had experience practicing and teaching for OTA, he knows that education is where he belongs.

“I’ve realized that this is where I want to stay at this point. I don’t think I’ll really be going back to patient care. [After my bachelor’s degree], I went on to do my master’s in learning experience design and educational technology. Around that time, I was promoted into the program director role for the program. And then I was also offered the opportunity to serve as the interim Dean of Instruction for the campus. I served in that role for several months until that role was filled permanently. I was offered the position, but at the time, it wasn’t right for me to accept that full-time appointment. I really enjoy doing what I’m doing now.”

Andrew promotes the Health Sciences degree to his students because it worked well for him. “I know that [competency-based education] doesn’t work for everyone, but I think it does lend itself well to working adults. I tell my students, get into the field, see what you think. And if you want to pursue a graduate education, maybe you do want to go and get your master’s or doctorate in OT. I think this is a great option. You can work, and you can get experience while going to school. And it’ll position you to pursue one of those other options.”

The degree can also be a stepping stone to another role. “If you compare this education with a bachelor’s degree in, say, more specifically in a health science field, then it’ll open so many more opportunities for you. I mean, that’s what our other instructors that are now teaching here at the program also did. And by getting their bachelor’s, they were able to take on roles as directors of skilled nursing facilities and even regional and territory managers for the area.

“We have other students that have gone on and paired their bachelor’s with the education and experience from the OTA program and have gone on as durable medical equipment device reps for those companies. They go into health or equipment sales, that kind of a thing. There are a lot of different opportunities available that I really encourage students to consider, especially if they want to have greater opportunities for advancement in the healthcare field.”

Students also have an opportunity to teach once they’ve gotten an education. “It’s hard to find qualified people that can teach, or that have the experience. So that’s something I’ve really been pushing, as well, for a lot of our graduates and our alumni to consider pursuing some higher education.”

Andrew knew he always wanted to teach, and he loves advising students.

“I want them to come to my program. But I also want to make sure that it’s going to be a good fit for them. And if something else is going to be a better fit for them, then I don’t want to poach them just to bring them into my program. If they do choose to come to the program, I love sharing my experiences with them. I love just sharing how broad the field of occupational therapy is to give them as many options as they want, and then guiding them even afterwards.

“I love hearing the success of students, especially after they graduate, when they get jobs, when they take on greater responsibilities, management roles, or when they end up going into graduate school themselves, it’s really exciting to hear, and just to see and track that progress.”

Throughout his education, Andrew has benefited from the support of mentors. “The program director and instructor were extremely supportive. And even after I graduated, they invited me back to teach a few times, to teach a few units here or there, or to just share my experience with the students. And I did that for a few years. And so, I felt like that was really helpful in also helping me to foster that desire to come and teach full time.”

One of his clinical instructors also inspired him to pursue specialty certifications in the field, which Andrew says helped him advance. “Those were a few contributing factors to get me where I am now.”

For someone considering UW Flexible Option Health Sciences, Andrew says:

“I think this is a great way to advance your education. It’s an economical option. For someone who is already in a health-related field, this is really going to build upon the knowledge that you already have, and it’ll open so many more doors of opportunity after you finish this undergrad experience,” he says.

Think you don’t have time to earn a health sciences degree? Through the University of Wisconsin Flexible Option, you can earn a UW-Milwaukee Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences: Health Sciences in an online, self-paced format that fits any schedule. As a UW Flexible Option student, you can start any month and learn at your own pace—as well as leverage your existing technical education and clinical experience to help you progress toward graduation more quickly.

Thinking About Getting Your Bachelor’s Degree? Consider a BSBA For Higher Earning Potential 

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People with bachelor’s degrees will make more money over the course of their lifetimes than those with a high school diploma – in some cases, more than $1 million more. Buffered by recent research indicating that 66% of Americans believe that public four-year colleges are worth the cost, if you’ve considered going back to school to get or finish your bachelor’s degree, such as a bachelor’s degree in business administration (BSBA), now is the time. 

A 2023 survey by New America, Varying Degrees, notes that a majority of Americans believe that people with undergraduate credentials (including certificates, associate degrees or bachelor’s degrees) are more financially stable than those without. More than 70 percent think individuals with undergraduate credentials contribute to greater civic engagement, lower unemployment rates, and better public health within their communities. 

According to the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities:

  • College graduates are half as likely to be unemployed as their peers who only have a high school degree.
  • Typical median earnings for bachelor’s degree holders are 84 percent higher than those whose highest degree is a high school diploma.
  • College graduates on average make $1.2 million more over their lifetime.

Men with bachelor’s degrees can expect to earn $900,000 more in median lifetime earnings than high school graduates, according to the Social Security Administration. Women with bachelor’s degrees earn $630,000 more over the course of their lifetimes.

If you already have an associate degree and are wondering if a bachelor’s degree is right for you, consider this: Not only will you have more marketable skills, you’ll also be positioned to earn more throughout your career. While workers with “some college” (meaning some college credits completed) will make more than a high school graduate, the biggest salary increase happens when workers complete a bachelor’s degree over an associates degree. For the average 25 to 34 year old, you can expect to earn $15,500 more per year, says Forbes magazine.

In 2022, workers aged 25 and older with an associate degree made $1,005 per week on average, compared to workers with a bachelor’s degree, who made $1,423 per week, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

According to a recent report by the Wisconsin Policy Forum, among higher-paying jobs expected to open each year in Wisconsin through 2030, more than half (54,802, or 58.1%) will be in occupations that typically require a bachelor’s or advanced degree for entry (see Figure 1). Another 5.9% require an associate degree or postsecondary non-degree award, such as a certificate or technical diploma from a community college.

Given Wisconsin’s job market over the last 10 years and the projected changes through 2030, a college degree will be an imperative for those seeking to fill many of the state’s higher-paying job openings. Consequently, while the cost-benefit calculus for each potential job seeker will differ, it does appear that higher education will hold value for many young Wisconsinites in the years to come.

With the 100 percent online University of Wisconsin-Parkside Bachelor of Science in Business Administration offered through UW Flexible Option, you’ll learn fundamental business skills you can apply immediately on the job while earning your degree on your own schedule, increasing your earning potential and opportunities for advancement.

Beginning careers for business graduates include: advertising and promotions managers; budget analysts; financial examiners; compensation, benefits and job analysis managers; insurance sales agents; market research analysts; public relations managers; sales managers; and securities, commodities, and financial services sales agents. The median annual wage for business and financial occupations is $76,850, as of May 2022, all of which require a bachelor’s degree. 

Shannon Fitzgerald, a graduate of the UW Flexible Option BSBA program and technical accounts manager for UniFirst, enrolled after speaking with an adviser, who was able to help him transfer some of his credits from Lakeland College and UW-Manitowoc, a two-year branch campus of UW-Green Bay. Once he completed the associate’s degree program, he continued with the online UW Flexible Option Bachelor of Science in Business Administration program with UW-Parkside. 

“I feel like the associate degree program set the table and the bachelor’s degree program fed me dinner. As far as course content that directly applied to my job with the associate degree, there was some, but when I got into the bachelor’s degree program, which is what I’m doing right now, that’s where I find nearly every course that I’m taking in some way applies to what I’m doing.”

If you’re interested in taking the next step toward building a better career, but don’t have the credentials, consider the UW Flexible Option Associate Degree program, which is 100% online and a stepping stone to the Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration. Whether you’re starting completely from scratch or already have some college credits, this program is designed for adult learners balancing busy work schedules and family responsibilities who are self-motivated and want to complete their degree.

To learn more about UW Flexible Option programs, or to speak to an enrollment adviser, click here.