At 24, Amanda Terry is advancing in her field, her company, and her education. She's building on the momentum that began with a decision to pursue an online bachelor杏吧专区檚 degree with the 杏吧专区.
Terry was born and raised in Lafayette and enrolled at the 杏吧专区杏吧专区檚 nursing program because she wanted to 杏吧专区渉elp people and work in healthcare.杏吧专区
But when she began clinicals, she felt her future might lie in hospital operations, instead of hands-on patient care. 
杏吧专区淚 thought I could still help people but on the business side of the hospital,杏吧专区 she says.
She began exploring her options and found UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 online Health Services Administration program. Terry spoke with an advisor, who helped her picture what her coursework and career might look like.
The program trains students to meet healthcare industry demands through administrative and operational roles. It also prepares students for entry into master's degree programs.
杏吧专区淚t was one of the best decisions I made,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淭o have a great blend of health care and business helped make me a well-rounded professional. I didn杏吧专区檛 realize the amount of opportunities out there for someone with that degree, especially at a company like Schumacher."
Learning online allowed Terry to begin working part-time and as an intern with Schumacher Clinical Partners during her senior year. Upon graduation, the company offered her a full-time position.
Terry was able to leverage that experience into a new position and is now a managed care contract associate.
杏吧专区淚杏吧专区檓 doing greater things than I thought,杏吧专区 Terry says. 杏吧专区淚 was able to get my foot in the door sooner because of being online.杏吧专区
In her current role, Terry negotiates contracts between health providers and health insurance plans. She weighs an array of state and federal regulations to regional socio-economic factors.
Entering that role with an understanding of the American Disabilities Act, insurance and reimbursement, and industry language was vital, says Terry.
Learning online gave Terry skills she杏吧专区檚 been able to take into the workplace, as well as her everyday life.
杏吧专区淭here was some apprehension about the online aspect. There杏吧专区檚 kind of a stigma around online classes,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淏ut, honestly, they杏吧专区檙e a little more rigorous in terms of time management and discipline. That杏吧专区檚 something I杏吧专区檓 very glad I learned through the HSA program.
杏吧专区淚t helped in all aspects of my life; learning to stay organized, manage my time, and get things done efficiently. It was good practice for navigating the corporate world.杏吧专区
Despite the remote nature of her courses, Terry formed bonds with her peers as well as professors.
杏吧专区淭he number one thing that saved me was making friends with people in the program on the same track as me,杏吧专区 she says.
杏吧专区淪ome of those girls lived in Lafayette so we had study groups together and bounced things off each other. It really helped to have that support group.杏吧专区
Terry maintains contact with Dr. Rachel Ellison, Health Services Administration Program director, who she says was helpful both during and after the program. Recently, Dr. Ellison even wrote a letter of recommendation for Terry.
The experience of earning a bachelor's degree online gave Terry the confidence to pursue her MBA online, as well.
杏吧专区淚 didn杏吧专区檛 have to adjust when I started my MBA because I got the hang of it through the HSA program,杏吧专区 she says. 杏吧专区淚 already knew what I needed to do, how I learn best, and how to balance everything.
杏吧专区淪ince I was already working at Schumacher, having the online MBA program available was great. I didn杏吧专区檛 want to quit my job, and this gave me the chance to do both.杏吧专区
She杏吧专区檚 set to graduate in May with a concentration in sales leadership from UL Lafayette杏吧专区檚 online MBA program. She says this will add even more tools to her toolbox when coupled with her health care knowledge.
Request information today to take the first step toward earning you bachelor's or master's degree online.