By planning ahead, you can sometimes take master’s-level classes as part of your bachelor’s degree, meaning you’ll start your master’s studies earlier along in your academic journey. At Maryville University, for example, our Early Access program can help you earn up to 12 credit hours that count toward both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees, all billed at the undergraduate rate. That means you can save time and money as you pursue graduate studies en route to a technology career. Knowledge helps promote innovation, and these accelerated master’s programs — sometimes called combined programs or 4+1 programs — can help you […]

By choosing the right university and program, you can save time by taking graduate courses while you work toward your bachelor’s degree. Maryville’s Early Access program gives you the opportunity to complete up to 12 master’s-level credits that can be applied to both your bachelor’s and master’s degrees. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, occupations that typically require a master’s degree are projected to grow 16.4% between 2020 and 2030. As technology and automation reduce the need for physical labor, highly skilled careers will continue to grow — along with demand for those with the appropriate knowledge to perform those duties. The time investment involved in pursuing a master’s degree can seem daunting, but options like our Early […]

The U.S. aspires to be a country where all people, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual identity, ability, socioeconomic status, or intersectional background have an equal opportunity to succeed. But according to the World Economic Forum’s 2020 Global Social Mobility Index, which compares one generation’s educational and economic level to their parents’, we still have more progress to make toward the goal. The dream of public education was to elevate the working class, with the idea that universal education could eliminate poverty by preparing students to take on better jobs and move up the social ladder. But U.S. higher […]

When people think of courage in the workplace, they’re likely to focus on first responders and other professionals with high-risk jobs. But courage can take many forms and be found in all fields — STEM, teaching, nursing, and the retail and restaurant industries, to name a few. For example, if you know that a colleague is using illegal substances on their breaks, would you have the courage to speak up? If your opinion differs from those of your colleagues but you think your idea could solve a pressing problem, would you have the courage to say something? Or, if a […]

It’s not unusual for college applicants to have questions about how to apply for financial aid, particularly first-generation students who may not be familiar with the system. The good news is that it’s not nearly as complex as many assume. The first step in the financial aid process is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The U.S. Department of Education reviews your FAFSA to determine your eligibility for need-based federal aid, such as grants, loans, and work-study jobs. Students who don’t complete and file the FAFSA won’t qualify for most forms of financial assistance. If you have additional […]

Students interested in taking the first brave step toward earning a college degree often need help and guidance throughout their journey. Many turn to parents, relatives, or siblings who have earned a degree for advice on various aspects of higher education, from filling out college applications and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to choosing a major. First-gen college students, however, often have to navigate an unfamiliar path on their own. Socioeconomic inequality — often experienced by first-generation families — can also impact students’ success at enrolling in and completing a college degree program. A longitudinal study conducted […]

Everyone experiences stress. Whether you’re feeling overwhelmed because you’re balancing professional duties, homework deadlines, and family obligations or you’re on edge because you’re stuck in rush-hour traffic, stress is normal, and it happens to everyone. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, other personal stressors — such as financial pressures, difficulties managing remote work while caring for children, and limits on social interactions — are at an all-time high. Although many people assume the best way to deal with stress is to find ways to tamp it down, a better strategy can be to make stress work for you. When […]

To advance your career, self-promotion — publicizing your skills and aptitudes to further your professional growth — is crucial. This is especially true in today’s competitive work environment. Those who understand how to establish and promote their personal brand can gain an edge over their peers. The first step toward establishing a personal brand involves deciding how you want to be perceived. Are you a marketing professional who wants to be seen as the go-to authority in your field, or are you an IT engineer with a knack for developing creative, forward-thinking software solutions for your clients? To create your […]