Online program accelerates professional development
Being a lifelong learner doesn’t always mean going back to college. However, getting an advanced degree can be just the thing to show how one’s love of learning sets them apart. Taking a deep dive into a chosen field and gaining skills that get a person noticed can help open doors to promotions and leadership opportunities. That is exactly what motivated one student to get her degree online from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Laura Maples was lucky enough to find her career passion. She had already received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Rocky Top, and she was succeeding in her career in adult learning. However, she realized that attaining a master’s degree in Educational Psychology and specializing in adult education would help her continue growing in her profession.
I opened the Vols Online catalog of classes and marked the ones that sounded the most interesting to me; I realized I had chosen all the classes within one major.
— Laura Maples, ’18, MS, Educational Psychology, Adult Education
Online learning brings students together
Maples’ time in the University of Tennessee’s online master’s program was a tremendous growth period that continues to affect her career and personal life.
Drawn to the flexibility of online classes, Maples began the nearly two-year program. She said the program felt like family. Breakout sessions and online chats helped her connect with students she likely wouldn’t have met in a traditional campus setting. When expressing concerns during class, her classmates encouraged her, which kept her motivated.
My professors and advisors were amazing – very patient and helpful. Any concern I had was addressed quickly and resolved easily.
— Laura Maples, UT graduate
Because of the online master’s program, Maples has the tools to strengthen her work and seek answers to new challenges.
A huge benefit of the online program for Maples was the flexibility to finish courses while fulfilling her full-time professional commitments.
The investment in an advanced degree can pay off by developing a stronger skill set that helps students prepare for whatever life sends their way. It’s not just in-class education but also knowledge that sharpens thinking and problem-solving skills.
Today, Maples is the director of continuing education and professional development at the University of Tennessee Graduate School of Medicine. In this role, Maples uses the skills she refined in the program in her career. She now reads with a more critical eye, has changed her processes and procedures, improved her writing skills, and has taken on leadership roles.
Online courses remove physical barriers and provide an avenue for networking with like-minded professionals who share similar career paths and backgrounds, enriching the educational experience with diverse perspectives and insights.
Learn More
Would you like more information about the master’s program in Educational Psychology with a concentration in Adult Education? Take the first step by completing and submitting a Request Information form on the program page.
