Month: July 2018

Testimonials 20-22

Thanks to the knowledge and experience I have been gaining, I'm able to put my new skills into actual use. I'm learning techniques to make puppets take certain actions that you wouldn't think you could, such as having a shadow puppet jump across a pond and showing the surface water actually rippling at the same time...

— Brandon Kirkham, Puppetry Arts Online Graduate Certificate Student

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Eventually, I want to transfer the skills I gained in the program and do something on a broader scale—maybe city planning or working in the renewable energy field. Thanks to the UConn credentials I earned in the program, I feel like I have a fighting chance of pursuing my dream...

— Rachel Grigorian, Sustainable Environmental Planning and Management graduate

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If you are considering taking the SEPM online graduate certificate program, go for it! Not only will it enhance your ability to advance your career, but you can also apply the credits you earn to a Master's degree at UConn, which is exactly what I did. It was a real win-win for my family and for me!

— Michelle Kosmo, Sustainable Environmental Planning and Management graduate

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Testimonials 19-21

If you are concerned that an online credential isn't the same as earning credits on campus, don't be. Ivy League schools all across the U.S. offer online programs. At the end of the day, the certificate is from UConn. It's not only an online credential—it's a UConn credential, and that means a well-designed and planned...

— Mehdi Hosseini, Occupational Safety and Health Online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program

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A Master's in Education is great, but it has little to do with working with students with disabilities. Having the certificate from UConn will definitely help further my career. I'm already feeling the positive effects and am now getting interviews...

— Adam Kosakowski - Postsecondary Disability Services Online Graduate Certificate Student

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Learning about what other professionals do in their school districts helps me think more creatively about what I can do now and in the future for students with disabilities. I think that anyone in a related field could easily apply the learnings from the certificate program to their jobs.

— Lindsay Morales, Student, Postsecondary Disability Services Online Graduate Certificate Program

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Testimonials 16-18

This is an unprecedented program. It's helping me build confidence. And it provides the knowledge and practical application you need to be successful, not only for those of us in the nonprofit community, but for students who work in the fund-raising arms of corporations...

— Jessica Hinman, Director of Community Outreach & Special Events, Camp Courant

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I wish I had taken the Occupational Safety and Health Online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program 20 years ago. It would have made my life so much easier. The knowledge I have acquired is not only benefitting me—in fact, it led to my promotion...

— Dawn Cole, Occupational Safety and Health

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If you want training that will help you in your job now, this is the program to take. Not only will you learn about present-day problems and issues, but you'll take away a new set of skills that you can apply to virtually any type of related Occupational Safety and Health job...

— Ginger Parker, Occupational Safety and Health Online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program

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Testimonials 13-15

Having taken the online program has definitely distinguished me from other applicants because it underlines my interest in health professions education. I can honestly say this program is the single most important thing on my resume that is getting me interviews.

— Lucas Cruz, M.D., Health Professions Education Graduate

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Dr. Van Hoof was a phenomenal instructor not only in terms of accessibility, but he walked the talk. He showed us just what active teaching is supposed to look like, and we built on our skills every week. I had heard he was a fantastic professor, and now I know he is!

— Jeannie Dodd, Health Professions Certificate graduate

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I highly recommend this program to anyone in the sport management field who is looking to strengthen their leadership skills. Or if you're seeking a new position, having this credential will be a great addition to your resume. The education I received was enormously helpful...

— Lauren Haynie, Graduate, Leadership & Diversity in Sport Management Online Graduate Certificate Program

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Testimonials 10-12

All of the courses I took were excellent; I got a solid working knowledge of ArcGIS. I was also given a choice of 10 different electives, which allowed me to tailor the program to my expertise in Natural Resources.

— Jacob Conshick, GIS Online Graduate Certificate Program student

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The Master of Engineering Program at UCONN allowed me to gain technical knowledge, sharpen my analytical thinking, and improve my career positioning while working a full-time engineering job. When I started the program three years ago, I was able to hand pick a curriculum that aligned with my technical interests ...

— Sean Kennick ’17, Mechanical Engineer, General Dynamics Electric Boat

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brian_sheehan, MENG
UConn’s CDEE has allowed me to pursue my education and career goals while having minimal impact on my work schedule and personal life. The innovative course structure allows working professionals like myself to progress through coursework at a self-defined pace...

— Brian Sheehan ‘16, Performance Engineer at Belcan Engineering Group Inc.

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Testimonials 7-9

I highly recommend the program to anyone looking to earn solid credentials in Exercise Prescription. UConn is very well known in the field. Having a graduate level certificate from UConn is no joke if you are trying to demonstrate your credentials to a prospective employer. There’s no doubt in my mind that ...

— Regine Rossi, Exercise Prescription Online Graduate Certificate, Spring 2018

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If you are considering GIS as a career, I strongly suggest that you look at UConn, which, unlike many schools, has a well-established, highly reputable Department of Geography. So as a student, you get access to the same superb level of instruction and expertise as other graduate students.

— Mary Buchanan, Graduate, GIS Online Graduate Certificate Program

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The GIS training I received was important and helpful in providing a foundational understanding and skill set, especially of ArcGIS. If you have an interest in GIS, I think you'll find that earning this certificate is well worth the investment.

— Frank Griggs, GIS Online Graduate Certificate Student

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Testimonials 4-6

The program was great because I learned about so many aspects of the digital marketing world. And while I was in the program, I was able to use my new skills at work every day—in fact, many of the class projects directly correlated to my job. It was like double the learning!

— Elizabeth Smith, Digital Media and Design Online Graduate Certificate, Summer 2017

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Online learning has several advantages over a traditional classroom setting, especially for someone like me. I loved it because of the convenience factor. I work full-time and I'm a full-time Doctoral student, so being able go online when I had time was great.

— Greg Panza, Exercise Prescription Online Graduate Certificate

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If I had gone to another graduate school, I wouldn't have had the opportunity to earn a PhD, along with two graduate certificates that I believe will definitely help me from a research standpoint. I tell anyone who asks about my experience that they'll receive a certificate in something very unique and ...

— Kate Dibble, Exercise Prescription Online Graduate Certificate, December 2017

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Testimonials 1-3

Arts Administration allows you to use both sides of your brain and to capitalize on the skills you already have as an artist or performer. I am very proud to have earned the certificate and grateful for all the support and encouragement I received from Frank Mack and my other UConn professors.

— Joy Pace, Arts Administration graduate

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My art is still my focal point—I may not be playing or teaching as much now, but I am working towards the greater goal of fostering arts in our community, thanks to the Arts Administration online graduate certificate program.

— Daniel Brandl, Arts Administration graduate

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The online platform was detailed and well organized, allowing us to go at a reasonable pace. Yes, there was a lot of material, and you had to read quite a bit. I have a graduate certificate from a highly reputable university and I got the experience I need to pursue my love of digital animation.

— Bryan Hilversum, Digital Media and Design Online Graduate Certificate, Spring 2017

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A Wise Investment

The GIS training I received was important and helpful in providing a foundational understanding and skill set, especially of ArcGIS. If you have an interest in GIS, I think you’ll find that earning this certificate is well worth the investment.”  Frank Griggs, Geographic Information Systems Online Graduate Certificate Student

 

Frank Griggs - Geographical Information Systems Online Certificate StudentHaving completed the Geographic Information Systems
Online Graduate Certificate Program in 2015, Frank Griggs
now uses the skills he learned to further his PhD dissertation.

 

The subject of Frank Griggs’ PhD dissertation led him to discover the Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Online Graduate Certificate Program, offered through the University of Connecticut (UConn). Having completed the program in 2015, he now uses his new skills to conduct research in support of his dissertation. And looking ahead, he firmly believes that the investment in the GIS program will be well worth the effort when he starts looking for a job next spring.

You must really believe in the importance of taking the time to pursue a new skill, especially when you’re already waist-deep in a very intense PhD program in Political Science. But for Frank Griggs, taking the Geographic Information Systems Online Graduate Certification Program was essential. As he explains, “My dissertation project examines claims that climate change will influence social-political conflict and violence by focusing on disaster-induced human displacement as a mediating condition. My project’s subject matter is not uniformly distributed within and across countries. This makes the spatial analysis capabilities of GIS vital to evaluating whether or not such relationships exist.”

GIS kept popping up.

Frank notes that he first became interested in GIS four years ago. As he became increasingly involved in his climate change research, references to GIS techniques and methods kept popping up. “As I delved further into my subject matter, I began to see untested hypotheses that are suitable to spatial analysis. Since I was already here at UConn for my PhD, it was natural for me to add the certificate to my course workload,” notes Frank.

Frank chose a “blended” program, in which he took two courses on the Storrs, CT campus and two online courses, including one of his electives, GEOG 5520 – GIS Modeling of the Urban Environment. “The flexibility of the online courses enabled me to do coursework at times that were optimal for me, allowing me to take care of my other professional and personal responsibilities more easily,” he notes.

A solid foundation in ArcGIS.

So, was Frank able to gain the training he needed in GIS by getting the certificate? Absolutely, he says. “The GIS training I received was important and helpful in providing a foundational understanding and skill set, especially of ArcGIS. Since earning the certificate, I’ve been able to undertake research for my dissertation that uses GIS spatial analysis. In addition, I still use the assigned textbook, which provides practical, clear information and corresponding examples.”

Maybe academia, maybe private industry.

What’s next on the horizon? Frank anticipates that he will complete his PhD program in the spring of 2018, after which he plans to seek a faculty position in a college setting, potentially even as a GIS instructor. But, says Frank, “If I can’t find just the right job in academia, I know from other students who have earned the UConn GIS certificate, my GIS training could lead to a lucrative position in private industry.”

In conclusion, Frank says, “I appreciate the course instructors for being available and gracious about answering my questions.” Frank also felt very supported by Rich Mrozinski, UConn’s GIS Instructor/Lab Manager and GIS Certificate Program Coordinator, and Dr. Chaunrong Zhang, UConn Geography faculty member/GIS Instructor. As Frank says: “I sure got my money’s worth with all the visits I made to Rich and Dr. Zhang’s office hours. I am grateful to them for their time and guidance. If you have an interest in GIS, I think you’ll find that earning this certificate will be well worth the investment. “

Nurturing His Creative Side

The online platform was detailed and well organized, allowing us to go at a reasonable pace. Yes, there was a lot of material, and you had to read quite a bit. And that does require you to be self-motivated. But it was well worth it in the end. I have a graduate certificate from a highly reputable university and I got the experience I need to pursue my love of digital animation.” – Bryan Hilversum, Digital Media and Design Online Graduate Certificate, Spring 2017

Bryan-Hilversum

As a self-trained web animator, Bryan Hilversum knew he needed to get up to speed on using the Adobe Creative Suite platform if he were going to further his skills in animation. UConn’s Digital Media and Design Online Graduate Certificate Program fit the bill perfectly!

 

Sometimes, you find out what you really want to do in life after you’ve already invested in a college degree. At least, for Bryan Hilversum, that’s exactly what happened. He had earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 2014. But a year later, when he found out about UConn’s Digital Media and Design Online Graduate Certificate program, he quickly realized that the skills he could gain would enable him to make a living pursuing his love of animation.

Bryan Hilversum, who earned a Bachelor of Science in Business & Technology from the University of Connecticut (UConn), was already working full-time when he found out about UConn’s Digital Media and Design (DMD) Online Graduate Certificate program. “I was so bummed out that I didn’t hear about the program until the summer of 2015, when I had already been out of school for a year. Some of my friends had majored in DMD, and I was wishing I had done something like that while I was still in college,” recalls Bryan, who currently works as a Solutions Specialist at Verizon Wireless in Hartford, CT.

Exactly what he was looking for

Bryan decided to research online DMD courses. When he came across UConn’s program, he knew it was exactly what he was looking for. As he notes, he had a fairly solid technology background, but wanted to expand his creative side, specifically in motion graphics and web design. And of course, he wanted to learn Adobe Creative Cloud, today’s gold standard design environment for all things digital. Says Bryan: “I have always loved animation and during my undergrad years, I taught myself how to use Adobe Flash Professional. But at that time, cartooning was just a hobby. I knew I’d need a lot more experience to turn my hobby into something that I could do as a profession.”

A “reel” hands-on experience

Bryan began the program in the summer of 2016, finishing the fourth—and final course—the following spring. The first course, DMD 5000: Creative Digital Fundamentals, turned out to be one of his favorites. As Bryan notes: “We not only learned how to use After Effects, but Photoshop and Premiere as well. The course was very hands-on. We had to create short videos that would eventually become a reel of videos. Each week, we’d learn something new, for example how to create a background or how to stretch and move an object. We’d also have to explain exactly how we created the video, so that the professor was sure that our coding had been done correctly. Today, I feel very confident in my ability to use these tools.”

In fact, since graduating from the program, Bryan has teamed up with a friend who owns a green screen technology company and occasionally contracts him to help create short movies for the company’s clients. “For example, we might be asked to create a fun 30-second video with a mom and dad as reindeer and the kids in the sleigh, combining real images with animation,” he explains, and adds: “My job is to come up with ideas and create the assets, something I wouldn’t have known how to do without having gone through the program.”

Learning to create the code

Bryan also thoroughly enjoyed the second course, DMD 5070: Introduction to Web Design I. Says Bryan: “To understand web design, you must understand the core elements behind the design. And that involves coding. Sure, you can click around pre-rendered assets, but you’re not learning anything. Anyone can click and drag. In the web design course, we learned how to create the code ourselves,” says Bryan, who adds: “The professor assigned us to an online interactive coding platform with a progress meter that measures how well you’ve learned the material as you advance step-by-step through the tutorials. It was fun and really helped me track my progress.”

What about the online platform? Did it provide a robust environment for learning? In Bryan’s words, HuskyCT/Blackboard was “Awesome! The platform was detailed and well organized, allowing us to go at a reasonable pace. Yes, there was a lot of material, and you had to read quite a bit. And that does require you to be self-motivated. But it was well worth it in the end. I have a graduate certificate from a highly reputable university, and I got the skills I need to pursue my love of digital animation.”

Big money

The last course, DMD 5720: Digital Media Analytics, opened Bryan’s eyes to video marketing. “Television advertising is a dinosaur. It used to cost millions for big motion picture companies to create TV ads. Now people like me, with some skills and experience, can create content.” And that’s exactly where Bryan sees his career headed. “There’s big money in creating animation for video marketing. Eventually, I’m hoping to be a position where I can do what I love and make a good living as a professional digital animator.”