Literacy is defined by the UNESCO Institute of Statistics as “the ability to identify, understand, interpret, create, communicate and compute, using printed and written materials associated with varying contexts.”
Literacy has fundamentally and profoundly changed society. The rise of written communication has allowed us to share and document information and bind together communities like in no way before. The ability to read and write deeply impacts a society’s education, economy, well-being, income, and health. For example: In the mid-15th century, about 30% of Europeans knew how to read and write. After the invention of Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press, the mass printing of books made reading more accessible to different classes. Consequently, literacy rose to about 62% by the late 17th century. The rising literacy levels sparked the start of global information exchange, educational reforms, and movements like the Scientific Revolution.
Today, there are many types of literacy to master apart from reading and writing, including numerical, financial, digital, health, and media literacy. For this article, however, we’ll explore reading and writing comprehension in the United States and how our online master’s degree program helps address national literacy.
In 2022, 79% of adults in the United States possessed reading and writing levels sufficient to complete moderate literacy-based tasks such as comparing and contrasting information and paraphrasing. The average American adult possesses a seventh-to-eighth-grade reading comprehension level; however, eighth-grade students demonstrated higher literacy rates in 2018 than they did ten years prior.
As we move further into the digital age, reading and writing preferences have changed. We read more than ever before in the form of emails, texts, quick reads, and online scrolling, but the preference for advanced, complicated texts has declined.
When a person struggles with reading, the impact on their life is far-reaching. Children who struggle to learn basic literacy skills may develop behavioral problems, repeat school years, or even drop out altogether. 50% of children in the United States who come from low-income families start school up to two years after their peers and often struggle to catch up. Three out of five inmates in our country are illiterate, showing that a lack of adequate schooling in children’s formative years can lead to higher levels of incarceration later in life. Illiteracy and low literacy rates among individuals and communities are also linked to:
In total, illiteracy costs the United States 2.2 trillion dollars per year.
Experts argue that a lack of training among educators and misaligned curricula in schools also account for struggling students. This is why it is imperative for literacy educators to intervene as early as possible.
To address illiteracy in the United States, educators target root causes: undiagnosed reading disabilities, cultural or language barriers, developmental disabilities, and limited exposure to literary materials at an early age.
The University of Texas Permian Basin offers a CAEP-accredited online master’s degree in literacy that will equip you with the key knowledge you need to tackle these issues and help at-risk students across the nation.
You’ll become an expert in working with educators, psychologists, and parents to create intervention strategies and needs-based reading programs and help identify deficiencies within groups and individuals. You’ll also learn how to collaborate with district administrators and provide recommendations that improve reading and language arts curricula.
As a reading specialist, you’ll be able to work in a multitude of sectors to help promote literacy on a national level, in areas including:
Our faculty is dedicated to providing you with the top skills needed to make a change in and beyond the classroom. Learn what our faculty and students are saying about our program and how it’s helped them make a positive impact on their students and surrounding communities.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, instructional coordinators— a role similar to reading specialists—who hold a master’s degree in literacy enjoy a median annual salary of $63,740 and can expect to see a job growth rate of 7% by 2031.
Earn your master’s degree with a comprehensive, accredited online program that is tailored to your needs. Our classes are asynchronous, online, and flexible enough to accommodate your busy schedule. Complete your courses from anywhere in the world! Furthermore, our 30-credit program is TEACH-Grant eligible and can be completed in as little as two years.
Ready to educate the future? We accept applications year-round and our step-by-step application process makes it easy to apply at your convenience.
Sources:
https://www.graduateprogram.org/2020/08/why-you-should-get-a-masters-in-literacy/
https://www.masterofartsinteaching.net/faq/what-is-a-reading-specialist/
https://literacyproj.org/2019/02/14/30-key-child-literacy-stats-parents-need-to-be-aware-of/
https://www.edu.gov.mb.ca/k12/cur/physhlth/docs/mental-health-literacy.pdf
https://www.nifdi.org/news-latest-2/blog-hempenstall/405-literacy-and-behaviour
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1290524.pdf
https://worldliteracyfoundation.org/early-intervention-reduces-illiteracy/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1831579/
Depending on whom you ask, we are already in a recession, we can expect one very soon, or we may experience only a small correction in the coming months. As of this writing, a definitive conclusion remains elusive. There are certainly factors that suggest a recession is looming. However, there are also indications that a 2020s recession could differ in some significant ways from the Great Recession of 2008. We’ll examine these indications before discussing how financial professionals are well positioned to withstand troubled economic times and what you’ll need to succeed in this resilient field.
Is the writing on the wall for a recession? If so, the wording is different. Consider these factors:
The 2008 recession—when unemployment in the United States reached 10%—was triggered in large part by the 2007 “housing bubble” burst. While many people snatched up homes with loans they couldn’t afford in the early 2000s, many eventually defaulted on their mortgage payments. According to Experian, the subprime mortgages at the center of the housing bubble that were designed to enable individuals with poor credit to buy a home are now subject to greater government regulations.
One significant difference between the 2008 recession and a potential 202X recession is the state of the job market. We entered 2023 with the employment sector still reeling from the “Great Resignation” largely attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government has reported that an unprecedented 50 million people voluntarily resigned from their jobs during 2022 alone.
An NPR report explained the resulting problem: “Some businesses say they’re reluctant to let employees go, even if demand drops, after struggling for much of the last two years to find enough workers.” At present, the job market is still considered to be in good shape, though recent layoffs announced by major companies including Amazon, Google, and Disney suggest a formerly “hot” job market may be cooling off.
Forbes states it plainly: “Inflation is much worse today than in 2008.” The 2022 consumer price index (CPI) was +8.3%: a significant increase over 2008’s -0.02%. Financial experts do not expect to see inflation level out until at least 2024.
Whatever the status of any possible recession may be, it’s always a wise idea to stay prepared, since this phenomenon certainly appears to be cyclical. Over the last three quarters of a century, the United States has not gone much longer than 10 years without experiencing a recession. Considering the last recognized recession ended in 2009, any impending recession is behind schedule.
One way to prepare for an unknown economic future is to build credentials in a field that doesn’t typically experience the full brunt of a downturn. Many prominent sources, including the ones listed below, have included financial services among their lists of recession-proof industries. Some financial services firms may even thrive during a recession: a time when people are typically more concerned than ever about their finances.
Having the right professional credentials can make all the difference in sustaining employment when a recession hits, companies reduce staff, and new jobs become scarce. The corresponding skills and knowledge can make you an indispensable part of your team or a leading candidate for a new position in a competitive hiring environment.
During a downturn, companies and individuals will need experts who can help them manage their money wisely. The University of Texas Permian Basin’s 100% online finance degree programs empower you with financial management expertise that can make you irreplaceable and put you in line for rewarding finance-related positions. Led by acclaimed faculty with real financial industry experience, our AACSB-accredited finance programs include:
Online Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance
Build core financial management skills that will serve you well in a variety of careers and prepare for Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and Certified Financial Planner (CFP) professional designations with a BBA in finance.
Online Master of Business Administration in Finance
Already have a bachelor’s degree? Add the prestige of an MBA to your resume. Gain vital operational acumen and leadership savvy in a 33-42 credit program that you can complete in as little as four semesters.
Online Master of Science in Finance
Focus on honing your financial management competencies in a 30-credit program that is one of very few Texas university programs of its kind with STEM certification. Finish in 12 to 24 months.
With one of these degrees, you can compete for a new position or perform to a higher standard in roles such as:
Financial Manager
Median annual pay: $131,710
Financial Analyst
Median annual pay: $95,570
Personal Financial Advisor
Median annual pay: $94,170
Budget Analyst
Median annual pay: $79,940
The asynchronous online format of our finance degree programs offers you the freedom to complete studies on your own schedule from virtually anywhere in the world. No campus visits are ever required. If you have work and/or personal responsibilities, our programs can enable you to meet your obligations as you earn a widely respected, career-enhancing degree.
Face an economic storm equipped with a stronger resume! Apply to one of our online finance degree programs today.
Sources:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesfinancecouncil/2022/12/05/comparing-2022-to-2008-what-key-economic-drivers-mean-for-investors/?sh=72254de81e7e
https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/05/perspectives/jobs-recession-economy-labor-shortage/index.html
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/mortgages/real-estate/housing-market-predictions/
Eager to move into a rewarding new role in education? You may want to check your resume first.
Applicants for many educational positions won’t even be considered if they haven’t completed a related master’s degree. While some degree seekers may see cost as a barrier, it doesn’t have to be. There are a variety of funding options available solely to educators—including some that will cover up to 100% of the cost of your qualifying graduate degree program. Let’s review a few of those options now and discuss applicable online degree programs from The University of Texas Permian Basin and their benefits.
The federal government offers Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grants of up to $4,000 per year for students pursuing an education degree. In exchange for this grant, you agree to teach full time for four years in a high-need field at an elementary school or secondary school that serves economically disadvantaged students.
Another type of federal program, Teacher Loan Forgiveness provides forgiveness for up to $17,500 on certain types of student loans. This program requires you to teach in a school that serves low-income students or an educational service agency for five full, sequential years.
Perkins Loans are low-interest student loans provided by the federal government to graduate and undergraduate students who do not have the financial means to pay for a college degree. While you are expected to repay a Perkins Loan, you may be able to have up to 100% of the loan cancelled if you teach in a school that serves low-income students, teach a special education program, or teach bilingual education or other fields in which qualified teachers are in demand.
Many employers offer tuition reimbursement as part of their benefits package. This typically involves you being reimbursed for a portion of the funds you’ve already put toward a degree that the employer expects will benefit both you and your organization. In some cases, an employer may pay the funds directly to the institution providing the program. Specifics vary by employer. Check with your human resources department about any tuition reimbursement plans.
If you’re seeking a degree that can lead you to a more rewarding position in education—through advancing within your current area of expertise or transitioning into a new one—you’ve seen just a few of the many funding options available to you. UT Permian Basin—named in U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Online Master’s in Education Programs” for 2023 and Newsweek’s “America’s Top Online Colleges 2023”—has designed CAEP-accredited online programs that empower you to earn the required credentials while meeting your professional and personal commitments. No GRE is required for any of our programs, and we accept most types of financial aid. Graduate-level education programs include:
Master of Arts in Bilingual/ESL
Prepare non-English speakers to thrive in a bilingual environment.
Master of Arts in Special Education
Help individuals with developmental and learning disabilities enjoy richer, more fulfilling lives.
Master of Arts in Special Education, Autism Spectrum Disorders track
Address the distinctive learning requirements of students on the autism spectrum.
Master of Arts in Special Education, Educational Diagnostician track
Identify and evaluate the unique educational needs of special education students.
Set reading specialists and countless other learners up for success by teaching a fundamental life skill.
Master of Arts in Educational Leadership
Master the multifaceted role of leading in an educational setting.
Put a district-level leadership role within reach. (Note: Federal student loans do not cover most certificate programs. However, some types of financial aid may apply.)
Have questions about financial aid? Contact our team now. Ready to apply to a UT Permian Basin online education program? Get started here.
Sources:
https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/forgiveness-cancellation
https://studentaid.gov/articles/teacher-loan-forgiveness-options/
https://online.utpb.edu/online-program-admissions-aid/financial-aid/
https://tea.texas.gov/finance-and-grants
*Information was accurate as of posting but has since changed.
Remember when Roman numerals were taught in school? Or when knowing how to read an analog clock was a necessity? These skills may seem trivial today, but there was a time when they were critical. Let’s explore five life skills that have nearly disappeared, and why learning the skills that last is more important than ever.
The seven-digit Roman numeral system was devised by the Romans in the pre-B.C. era. It wasn’t until 1931, however, that American educators advocated for Roman numerals to be taught during elementary school. Today, many schools no longer formally teach Roman numerals, but teachers may still reference them in some classes.
Even if you don’t know your Roman numerals, you might recognize them from every modern Super Bowl, including “LIX,” which took place in early 2025. You may even spot them on some clocks and government buildings. Sure, it’s good to know Roman numerals, but you may not need them in your XXI (21st) century career.
Whether you see it at city hall, a bank, or your local school, a towering analog (traditional) clock adds a sense of authority to the building. But what about the skill of actually reading an analog clock or watch?
Phones, computers, and other devices now display the time digitally by default. And without the need to read traditional clocks, “telling time” might just be a skill of the past.
Despite the shift toward digital devices, some schools are still teaching students to read analog clocks around the age of six, a practice that’s widely supported by parents.In fact, a 2021 CBS News poll showed that nearly three-quarters of Americans believe this skill should be taught in schools. But time may not be on the side of analog clocks. Parents of future schoolchildren will no longer have grown up with analog clocks and may have different views.
With the prevalence of texting and email in everyday communication, cursive writing has faded as a foundational skill. Fewer than half of U.S. states—21, to be exact—require the teaching of cursive in public schools.
Cursive handwriting, as unique to the individual as a fingerprint or DNA, helps children develop key motor skills and greater mental acuity, among other benefits. Still, a 2022 NEA Today Facebook poll showed educators divided on whether cursive is critical to young learners. Those who downplayed the importance of cursive generally felt efforts spent teaching an obsolete skill would be better placed elsewhere.
The large wooden card catalog, a fixture in libraries since at least the late 1800s, stored the basic details and location of books within the library. On each card, you could find a book’s location using the Dewey Decimal System.
Developed in 1876, this numeric system was divided into broad classes including:
Each class included multiple subcategories. But using the Dewey Decimal System required some interpretation and, for some schoolchildren, felt a bit like learning a new language.
The card catalog was declared dead by Smithsonian Magazine in 2015 when the Online Computer Library Center stopped printing the cards. The Library of Congress still houses a card catalog, however. Collectors can sometimes find the cabinets in antique stores, and the cards have been recycled or otherwise repurposed. Finding library books is much easier today. Now, we simply enter a search term into a library’s website and it provides the book’s location.
The metric system is based around units of ten and is the global standard in scientific fields. It was once taught in the U.S. as early as elementary school. But we remain one of very few countries that never adopted the metric system. (England—officially a metric country—still incorporates the “English system” that we use in the U.S.)
U.S. momentum for the switch to metric ground to a halt during the 1980s, though there have been recent renewed efforts. With our country now firmly a part of a global economy, there may be a business case to make for going metric, though none of us should hold our breath.
It may be hard to believe—or even funny to some—that these were once considered important skills. But they were.
So, are there any enduring skills that will help you in practically any career? Absolutely!
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, soft skills provide today’s jobseekers with a “competitive edge,” as they are among the skills most sought after by employers. Forbes concurs.
Durable skills, a more specific term gaining ground with experts and employers, are also in high demand. A sort of “Soft Skills 2.0,” durable skills by definition have a half-life of over 7.5 years and include:
In a study of 82 million job postings, about 70% included durable skills. These listings represented positions unlikely to be eliminated by future automation and many were leadership roles, demonstrating that durable skills can continue to benefit professionals for years.
Despite this, durable skills are in short supply among today’s job seekers, as reported by Forbes in 2022. The skills aren’t widely taught in schools, and many individuals who finish high school or even college are underprepared to enter the workforce.
While practical skills like reading an analog clock or balancing a checkbook may be fading from everyday use, they reflect a larger shift: the world no longer rewards memorization or manual know-how the way it once did.
Instead, skills like critical thinking, clear communication, and adaptability (the kind nurtured in a humanities education) are more important than ever. These aren’t relics of the past. They’re what help us navigate the future.
UT Permian Basin’s online Bachelor of Arts in Humanities is a multidisciplinary program that broadens your perspective of human history and cultures. Working with one of our faculty advisors, you can steer your studies to your specific interests by choosing two to four concentrations from areas encompassing:
As you complete your degree, you’ll develop highly sought-after—and lasting—skills that will benefit you in a career and beyond, including communication, problem-solving, critical thinking, creativity, and teamwork.
Our BA in humanities program is delivered in an asynchronous, 100% online format that empowers you to maintain your professional and personal commitments while earning your degree. You can access the virtual classroom online on your own schedule from practically anywhere in the world—just like today’s library catalogs. No campus attendance is required.
Hone in-demand skills that will stay with you for life! See more details about our online BA in humanities program or apply now.
Sources:
https://www.britannica.com/story/is-it-still-important-to-learn-roman-numerals
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“I took the road less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” Even if you don’t know the entire poem, you may recognize the closing words from Robert Frost’s “The Road Not Taken.” They’re quoted at graduations, shared during moments of change, and used to describe the quiet courage of choosing your own path. So why have these simple words endured across generations? The power of…
Ever found yourself humming an earworm and suddenly wondering, “Where did this come from—and who created it?” Music is a universal language. It conveys memory, rebellion, grief, joy, and identity. Across centuries, women have used the language of sound in a world where they’ve been told, repeatedly, to stay invisible. Here are some of the…
Imagine being told you can’t do something—by law, by tradition, by those close to you—and doing it anyway. Even today, women face greater barriers to recognition and authority than men. Yet throughout history, countless women stepped beyond traditional domestic roles, often at great personal risk. This article highlights nine of the countless important women who…
Gas prices are shaped by a combination of economic, political, and logistic factors. While prices can feel unpredictable at the pump—dropping one day and rising the next—the cost you pay reflects how oil is produced, refined, transported, taxed, and sold within a global market.
Gasoline depends on interconnected systems that span countries and industries, so even small shifts in supply, demand, or international relations can influence prices quickly.
Below, we break down 10 key factors that help explain why gas prices rise and fall.
The gasoline we put in our cars is derived from crude oil. In fact, most of the cost of gas comes from the cost of crude oil itself. Global oil prices fluctuate due to a variety of factors, including supply and demand and geopolitical tensions. When crude oil prices rise, so does the cost of gasoline.
Crude oil must be refined to become gasoline, and the refining process adds its own cost to the pump price. Refinery expenses include the cost of labor, equipment, and compliance with environmental regulations. Seasonal changes also impact costs: Refineries switch to a different fuel blend in the summer to meet air quality standards, often leading to higher prices.
Gas is subject to taxation from the federal government down to the local level, and this added cost is factored into the final price. For instance, state and local taxes vary, so gas prices can differ depending on where you fill up.
Gas must be delivered from petroleum companies to gas stations, so there are associated transportation costs. The farther gas has to travel—whether by plane, train, or automobile—the higher the cost.
Like any product, gas has marketing costs. Gas stations and oil companies attract customers with marketing tactics, such as advertising, promotions, and loyalty programs. While these strategies don’t make up the majority of the final price per gallon, they’re still a factor.
While some gas stations are affiliated with oil companies—Shell, Exxon, etc.—many are independent companies that purchase gas from refiners and add their own costs on top before reselling it to consumers.
The amount of available gas is another factor in the price. Natural disasters, refinery shutdowns, or international disruptions can lead to shortages that drive up costs. Conversely, an oversupply of oil or gasoline can cause prices to drop.
When the demand or projected demand for gas puts a significant dent in the supply, the price goes up. For example, summer travel and holiday road trips increase the demand for gas, driving up the cost per gallon.
Foreign policy and geopolitics can cause significant fluctuation in gas prices. For example: Amidst rising tensions between their two nations, President Biden visited major oil producer Saudi Arabia in 2022 to ask the Saudi government to increase oil production and thereby supply. However, the Saudis declined, and gas prices rose.
International calamities such as Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine can result in skyrocketing fuel prices around the globe. In that instance, the U.S. and other countries introduced sanctions including a ban on the importation of oil from Russia—a major oil-producing country—resulting in a supply shortage that drove up prices.
Explore finance, law, risk management, and other key business disciplines through the lens of today’s energy industry. Leveraging our decades-long affiliation with that industry, The University of Texas Permian Basin has developed online graduate programs that prepare you to take on coveted leadership roles or magnify your mastery of your existing role in the field.
Our AACSB-accredited programs include:
Online Master of Business Administration with Certificate in Energy Business
An MBA is a widely respected credential that can make current and future employers take notice. Our online MBA program gives you a broad business foundation through courses covering all key business areas coupled with energy-focused specialty courses.
Online Master of Science in Energy Business
Built on a foundation of financial principles, this is an online master’s degree dedicated to the energy business, and one of very few university programs of its kind to be offered in the U.S. You can complete our 30-credit program in as little as four semesters.
Online Graduate Certificate in Energy Business
If you aren’t ready to begin a master’s program, or you’ve already earned a degree but lack the energy expertise you need to achieve your career goals, this standalone graduate certificate program was designed with you in mind.
You may not be able to control the factors that influence the price of gas, but you can steer your energy career in the right direction with the right credentials. Begin your journey today!
Sources:
https://www.kiplinger.com/personal-finance/604688/how-gas-prices-are-determined
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/gasoline/factors-affecting-gasoline-prices.php
https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/gasoline/price-fluctuations.php
https://www.forbes.com/sites/judeclemente/2018/06/27/the-link-between-crude-oil-and-gasoline-prices/?sh=73b0ecf37dbd
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/07/04/high-us-gas-prices-weigh-on-demand-with-impact-on-consumption.html
https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/23/politics/joe-biden-gas-price-fact-check/index.html https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/jul/18/oil-price-rises-joe-biden-saudi-output-petrol-diesel-prices
https://www.bbc.com/news/business-63855030
https://www.forbes.com/advisor/personal-finance/why-are-gas-prices-rising
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/10/business/russia-ukraine-war-gas-prices.html
https://www.afpm.org/newsroom/blog/do-refineries-set-price-gasoline
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Thanks to “Landman” on Paramount+, everyone’s curious about what a landman really does. Set in modern-day West Texas, the show follows Tommy Norris (played by Billy Bob Thornton), who manages a crew of roughnecks while contending with wildcatters, cartel members, and a disgruntled ex-wife. The real job is dynamic, rewarding, and essential to how the…
Renewable energy has officially left the “alternative” category and entered the mainstream. And the numbers? They back it up. Renewable energy sources now generate 32% of the world’s electricity, up from just 20% in 2011. Solar is leading the charge, and the pressure to decarbonize the grid isn’t letting up, regardless of who’s setting policy….
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“Never take your eyes off the cash flow because it’s the lifeblood of business.” — Sir Richard Branson, famed entrepreneur
Many elements go into making a successful enterprise, but money is without question what keeps a business alive. As such, managing the flow of money—what’s coming in, going out, and moving within—is a critical role in any business organization. Choosing investments; guiding company leadership in making financial decisions; creating, interpreting, and explaining financial reports; ensuring regulatory and legal compliance; and setting financial goals for an organization fall to one very important individual: the financial manager.
If you’re considering pursuing a financial management career—the ongoing objective for which is nicely encapsulated in Sir Richard Branson’s above advice—you’ll want to know what the profession has to offer and how you can get started. Let’s review those now.
“Financial manager” does not refer to a single job. It’s a broad category that encompasses banking, insurance, manufacturing, government, and other fields. A financial manager in any of these sectors may choose from a variety of jobs and perform diverse duties under titles including:
Financial managers have a direct influence on a business’s bottom line, its future viability, and its overall success, making theirs one of the most critical and revered roles within their organizations. Financial managers may also be highly compensated and have many job opportunities to choose from, as we will soon explain.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has published some very enticing earnings data for anyone looking to become a financial manager or advance within their existing career. The median annual pay for financial managers is $131,710 per year. The BLS also projects employment in the profession will grow by 17%—much faster than the average rate for all professions—between 2021 and 2031. That adds up to roughly 71,300 new financial manager job openings each year in the U.S. alone.
As reported by the BLS, financial managers must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and at least five years of work experience in business or finance. In some cases, however, having a graduate degree can also be advantageous. The Association for Financial Professionals (AFP) offers the esteemed professional designation of Certified Treasury Professional (CTP) to some financial professionals who hold a graduate degree and meet specified experience requirements. CTP and other respected certifications and credentials can help elevate a candidate’s resume. Many Chief Financial Officer (CFO) positions require a candidate to be a Certified Public Accountancy (CPA). Generally, a degree in accounting or finance or an MBA is the minimum expectation to pursue the career of financial manager. BLS data also reveals that master’s degree holders in general earn 18% higher median pay and are more likely to be employed than those who hold a bachelor’s degree alone.
The University of Texas Permian Basin offers online undergraduate and graduate degree programs that can help you qualify for or perform better in a financial manager career. Our AACSB-accredited programs include:
Our online degree programs are built on the same robust curriculum taught by the same distinguished faculty who lead the programs in person at our Odessa, Texas campus. Our programs’ asynchronous format enables you to access the virtual classroom 24 hours a day from just about anywhere on earth and work at your own pace! You’ll find these advantages invaluable when simultaneously managing your professional and personal responsibilities and earning your degree.
We welcome the opportunity to answer any questions you may have about our finance-related programs, financial aid, or any other aspect of earning a career-transforming degree online with UT Permian Basin! Reach out today!
More than ever, instant communication rules our workplaces, whether over digital platforms and videoconferencing or in-person meetings and discussions. In fact, the ability to effectively communicate is considered one of the top soft skills needed to thrive in the modern workplace. Individuals who can accurately relay information, provide valuable feedback, and listen to ideas can often leverage their professional advantage into increased opportunities and higher salaries.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, however, employers report that on average, entry-level candidates struggle with knowing how to listen carefully. Good communication can influence a workplace’s level of morale, employee engagement, client relationships, and productivity. A 2012 McKinsey report found that proper communication by management and the use of social technologies increases employee productivity by up to 25%.
If you’re ready to develop your professional communication skills, The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online Bachelor of Arts in Communication can help.
Communication in the digital age is an ever-changing field, and it’s important to know the ins and outs before you enter the workforce. Our online program will hone your critical thinking and research skills by exploring a wide variety of communication topics, including small group communication, crisis communication, public relations, and interpersonal communication. You’ll also explore the dark side of this multi-faceted field and discover the importance of an ethical approach to messaging.
Did you know that our online BA in communication program lets you choose from four specialization options? Read on to see which track is best tailored to your interests and aligned with your passions and how each specialization can translate to a successful future profession.
If professional versatility is your priority, consider our general Communication Studies track. With this specialization, you’ll gain a broad understanding of diverse methods of communication and develop in-demand skills applicable to just about any profession.
Our communication degree will guide you through the logistics behind content and advertising strategies and the psychological aspects of everyday information exchanged all around us. If you want to work in media, you may want to consider reporting, television or radio broadcasting, or copywriting. If you love organizing and coordinating events, you may even want to pursue a position as an event planner. Career choices for individuals pursuing our Communication Studies track include:
Our Professional Communication track is one of the few undergraduate specializations in existence that focuses specifically on workplace communication.
One of the most important applications of good communication in the workplace is establishing and expressing consistent expectations for your employees. Students specializing in our Professional Communication track will learn how to build skills in leadership, interpersonal communication, and communication within teams and how to address and resolve conflict.
According to Gallup research, only 22% of employees strongly agree that their manager has a clear direction for their organization. Four out of five employees report that they begin looking for a new job when their manager provides negative feedback. Professionals who specialize in our Professional Communication track will learn how to build a transparent and inspiring work culture that makes employees feel committed and engaged.
With this specialization, you’ll be able to manage and supervise just about any department. You may also want to venture into job recruitment, fundraising, or even work as a nonprofit manager who helps coordinate and promote company brands. Job options for those pursuing our Professional Communication track include:
Communication majors with a passion for social media, marketing, writing, and advertising will want to explore our Strategic Messaging track. You’ll learn how to craft clear, concise messaging for audiences and how to promote your company’s vision, services, and products.
In our Strategic Messaging track, you’ll develop strategies for effective brand building and communication strategies that will help you thrive in the competitive world of marketing and advertising. Our BA in communication program specializes in crisis management, so you may even want to branch out into a crisis management position and help brands preserve their reputation during challenging times. Careers students in our Strategic Messaging track may want to pursue include:
Communication majors with a passion for sports can combine their interests with our unique and versatile sports media track. You’ll study sports messaging from both sides through our curated sports electives, diving into topics like sports broadcasting, media writing, sports communication, and public relations. Whether you want to work as a sportswriter or as a marketing professional for a major sports organization, this track will equip you with the skills you need to pursue a number of sports-related careers, including:
Our classes are entirely online and asynchronous, meaning you can conveniently pursue your degree from anywhere in the world, even if you have a busy schedule. Whichever track suits your dream career best, you can be sure UTPB’s online Bachelor of Arts in Communication will prepare you for success.
Sources:
https://www.coursera.org/articles/what-can-you-do-with-a-communication-degree
https://www.betterup.com/blog/why-communication-is-key-to-workplace-and-how-to-improve-skills
https://leadershipchoice.com/power-good-communication-workplace/
https://pumble.com/learn/communication/communication-statistics/
We’re back with five more feminist writers who changed history. If you didn’t catch our first list, you can find it here.
History is replete with authors and poets who turned pain into prose, giving voice to the women of their time. There are so many feminist writers worth mentioning (and reading); we couldn’t possibly get to all of them, but this list should tide you over until next time. If not, stick around to learn what to do with your insatiable appetite for literature.
At her Paris salon at 27 rue de Fleurus, Gertrude Stein hosted the likes of Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and other now-famous American authors she dubbed “the lost generation.” Yet Stein is anything but a supporting character in history.
Her work was fragmented and experimental, reflecting the avant-garde art of her time and the paintings of her friend Pablo Picasso. Lines like “Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose” from her 1913 poem “Sacred Emily” confounded audiences and critics alike. However, as evidenced by her bestselling book “The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas”—which took the form of an “autobiography” written by Stein’s life partner—Stein had mastered traditional writing; she was preoccupied with turning the literary world on its head.
At the start of her journalistic career, Gloria Steinem was relegated to writing lifestyle articles for “the women’s pages.” Whenever she pitched a political story, her editor would shoot her down, telling her, “I don’t think of you that way.”
Steinem ultimately gained national attention with “A Bunny’s Tale,” a 1963 exposé detailing her grueling experience going undercover as a Playboy Bunny. She’s since devoted her life to political activism, using her platform to report on social issues, particularly women’s rights, around the world. Steinem has received numerous accolades throughout her storied career, perhaps none as prestigious as the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
On January 20, 2021, Amanda Gorman became the youngest inaugural poet in U.S. history. (Click here to watch the electric reading of the then-22-year-old’s original work “The Hill We Climb.”) Gorman has gone on to author poetry collections and a children’s book, and we can’t wait to see what she what she does next.
When the Swedish Academy awarded Toni Morrison the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1993 (Morrison was the first African-American woman to win the award), they noted that, through her novels, she is able to “give life to an essential aspect of American reality.”
Works like “Beloved,” a staple of high-school English classes everywhere, use magical realism, poetic prose, and nonlinear storytelling to convey the lasting effects of past trauma. Morrison was not as prolific as some of the other writers on our list (she authored 11 novels), but her books were both a critical and commercial success: a rare feat for any author.
“The Bell Jar,” published under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas, is the only novel authored by Sylvia Plath, but that’s all it took for this feminist writer to make history. “The Bell Jar” parallels Plath’s personal life, chronicling a young woman’s struggle with depression and search for her place in the world.
Plath took her life on February 11, 1963. Volumes of her poems were published posthumously. Her work, which consisted of playful prose depicting violent imagery, has inspired a new generation of female authors. She was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1982, becoming the first person to receive the award posthumously.
“The Handmaid’s Tale” was an award-winning novel by Margaret Atwood long before it was a hit TV series. Although this dystopian novel about life for women under a totalitarian theocracy is her claim to fame, Atwood has authored over 50 books, including works of fiction, nonfiction, selections of poetry, and graphic novels. Like some of the other feminist writers on our list, Atwood can’t be pigeonholed into a single genre or writing medium.
The Handmaid’s Tale was supposed to be a work of fiction. But with reality starting to resemble the novel’s grim take on the future, Atwood’s prophetic work has become a call to defend women’s rights and illustrates the importance of feminist literature.
What do all the women on our list have in common, other than their mastery of written language? They all received a formal education. In fact, Toni Morrison and Margaret Atwood both earned a Bachelor of Arts in English. We like to think their love of literature only grew in the classroom.
The University of Texas Permian Basin offers a 100% online BA in English program that instills a deep understanding of American and British literature. As a student, you’ll strengthen your knowledge of the English language through the study of plays, poetry, novels, and mythology. 18th Century Women Poets is only one of the online courses you can look forward to in our bachelor’s degree program.
Earn your BA in English and prepare for a career in copywriting, editing, teaching, or journalism. Visit our program page to learn more about our flexible online format, up-to-date course offerings, and affordable tuition options. Apply now if you’re ready to follow in the footsteps of your favorite feminist writers.
Sources:
https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/gertrude-stein
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Gertrude-Stein
http://www.gloriasteinem.com/about
https://www.theamandagorman.com/
https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/06/books/toni-morrison-dead.html
https://poets.org/poet/sylvia-plath
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Sylvia-Plath
http://margaretatwood.ca/biography/
People earn college degrees for many reasons: to grow intellectually and culturally, to make their loved ones proud, or to gain a sense of accomplishment. The primary motivation for most people, however, is to enjoy a more rewarding career. Research backs the notion that those looking to start a career or vie for advancement within their present field generally fare better with a degree. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS):
While a college degree can provide a pathway to a rewarding career, it’s only part of the picture. Aspiring job candidates often need guidance in creating an attention-grabbing resume, dressing properly for an interview, and honing other related skills. UT Permian Basin’s Career Services team provides personalized career assistance to online and campus-based students alike. Below, that team’s core members—Maribea Merritt, Director of Education and Megan Baeza, Director of Internships and Employer Relations—answer frequently asked questions and offer some important advice for current and future jobseekers.
Baeza: We see this with students as they come in here and say, “I need a job. Can you place me somewhere?” We are not a placement agency. We are a hub to direct students wherever they need to go and get them connected with the right people and then prepared for that next step. So, resumes, mock interviews, how to dress, a professional headshot—all those pieces leading up to that position—that’s where we come in.
Baeza: Being able to have a one-on-one coach strategize a plan for each person, that’s the beauty of Career Services, because everyone has a different starting point, everyone has different experiences that they’re bringing in. We hear, “I’m fixing to graduate and I’m looking for a job and I have no internship. I haven’t been a part of anything on campus. I have nothing to list on my resume except for maybe my GPA,” and maybe that’s good, maybe it’s not. That’s a really difficult place to start. If you start freshman year and do a career assessment or come to some of the career events or stay in touch with virtual events on Handshake that we offer, [to learn] how to dress, what your resume should look like, what are companies looking for in this certain major, then you’re much more prepared upon graduation for that full-time job.
Merritt: When a student comes in, most of my conversations start with, “Let’s just talk.” I may ask if they’ve tried to put a resume together. I’ll ask to see it, but then I want to just say, “What goals do you have? Where do you think you’re headed?” The majority of the time, they don’t include everything on their resume that needs to be on their resume. They don’t think about the outside things that they’re doing that actually will be valuable to that employer—the club connection, the volunteer work.
Merritt: This year Megan attended a webinar where [she] learned that AI is wanting you to present everything in past tense [on a resume] … That’s changing all the time. Your career services team is trying to be current and know what employers are wanting or what the automated side is looking for so that we give you accurate information. I had someone yesterday come in and say, “I checked on Google and I saw [resumes] were all written in little paragraphs.” I said, “Don’t look at Google.” Short little paragraphs, people. Your potential employer looks at your resume seconds, seconds, and if you’ve written a paragraph they can’t scan and get any idea about you quickly.
Merritt: We just hosted a career fair, and the majority of the employers that were here are looking for [candidates] that have the skills and the academics that a degree offers. They’re looking for the one that has gone through the entire degree program, because the fact that you’ve completed a degree shows that you can complete something. I talk to students all the time about the academics that employers expect you to have when you have that degree. But then we talk about all the other things, the career readiness skills that they … need to be working on, whether it’s leadership or computer literacy, communicating well verbally and in writing.”
Merritt: For those students that really, really want to meet you face to face, I get that. But when it comes down to interviews, then [I ask], “So, is your interview face to face or is it virtual?” And if it’s virtual, I tell them we’re meeting virtually because there are too many other little items that you have to check and talk about that have nothing to do with what’s coming out of their mouth, but everything to do with their background, their eye contact, etc.
Baeza: All of our services can be done virtually.
Baeza: I wish I would have found this [career] sooner. I had previously been in human resources for 10 years and done a lot of hiring and recruiting, so I definitely know what the market is looking for. I feel very confident in helping students prepare to go meet with people like me in my previous roles.
Merritt: I will second that. I wish I’d have found this career sooner. I do know a lot of employers and have a lot of connections. I love being part of the students’ lives. I love being able to help them make that next decision to move on to be successful in their own career. I would say I was the person that has never been confident going into an interview, even as an older adult. So, helping them to feel more confident in how they present themselves in a very nerve-wracking situation, it’s very much a blessing to be able to provide that level of service.
Here’s a question for you: Will you take advantage of the many benefits our Career Services team provides? Explore available career resources now.
You can also reach out to the team at careerservices@utpb.edu.
Looking for degree or certificate programs? Get started here.
If you work in Texas law enforcement and are interested in pursuing a criminal justice bachelor’s degree—or are currently doing so—you may be eligible to earn your universally respected education credential at little to no cost. For more than 50 years, the Texas Education Code has exempted our valued law enforcement personnel from tuition and fees on undergraduate criminal justice courses. Let’s look more closely at what the tuition assistance program known as the Heroes Fund could mean for you and your professional future.
The Heroes Fund covers tuition and lab fees for core criminal justice courses within an applicable bachelor’s degree program such as The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice Studies. “All courses with the CCJS prefix are covered for law enforcement and other first responders,” explained Dr. John Fisher, assistant professor and coordinator for our program. “Most law enforcement personnel will qualify for financial aid that takes care of the rest of the degree costs.”
Saving money on a respected degree is a benefit we can all appreciate. But your degree can also put professional advancement within reach. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that some law enforcement agencies may require a candidate to have a bachelor’s degree before being considered for promotion to the rank of lieutenant or higher. You might also wish to move to a different agency and become, for example, a fish and game warden—a position that typically requires a bachelor’s degree. Or you might aspire to move to a different level of agency, such as federal law enforcement. FBI detectives and investigators, as examples, may be required to have a bachelor’s degree. If you want to become an FBI special agent, your bachelor’s degree can serve as a pathway to the required master’s degree.
UTPB’s online BS in criminology and criminal justice studies program offers considerable advantages. If you’re thinking about enrolling in a criminal justice bachelor’s degree program, or if you’re currently enrolled in a similar program at another university, we’d like to take the opportunity to show you how joining our program can benefit you.
UT Permian Basin is accredited by SACSCOC, the accrediting body of record for most of the southern region of the United States. SACSCOC’s mission is to “assure the educational quality and improve the effectiveness of its member institutions.” Those criteria are directly reflected in our criminal justice bachelor’s degree.
The faculty for our criminal justice bachelor’s degree program is made up of individuals with many years of experience working in law enforcement, corrections, and other areas of criminal justice. You get an insider’s perspective from the people who know the system best.
The 100% online, asynchronous format of our program offers tremendous flexibility when you’re juggling shift work and personal commitments. You can access our virtual classroom to view lectures and complete tests and assignments 24/7 from just about anywhere in the world. No campus visits. No commute or associated costs. You’ll quickly come to find this convenience irreplaceable!
Our online criminal justice bachelor’s degree program provides a deep dive into an increasingly dynamic field. Through our program, you’ll have the opportunity to:
Find out if you’re eligible for a tuition and fee exemption for this program through the Heroes Fund. Contact UT Permian Basin’s financial aid office today. We’re ready to welcome you!
Sources:
https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/ED/htm/ED.54.htm#54.3531
