What’s Valentine’s Day without a bouquet of roses, heartfelt greeting card, or heart-shaped box of chocolates? At least, that’s what it feels like for anyone shopping for their significant other, if only to outdo the previous year.
No wonder so many people believe that this commercial holiday started as a marketing ploy. In actuality, the origins of Valentine’s Day are steeped in history. (The same can’t be said about Singles Awareness Day, which follows on the 15th.)
Valentine’s Day is named after St. Valentine, the patron saint of lovers, beekeepers, and epileptics. Little is known of St. Valentine, and there’s dispute as to whether he was one person. Multiple historical figures were named Valentine or Valentinus, the two most likely candidates being martyrs beheaded on February 14 around 270 A.D. for performing miracles.
According to legend, St. Valentine was a bishop of Terni put to death for healing a blind child. Another legend tells how, after being imprisoned for helping Christians escape Roman persecution, he signed a letter to his jailor’s daughter “from your Valentine.” Separating fact from fiction in these romantic backstories is challenging, however, as most originated after the time of St. Valentine.
How exactly did a Christian martyr become the patron saint of lovers? No one knows. Nonetheless, St. Valentine became a religious and romantic figure, and by the Middle Ages he was one of the most popular saints throughout Europe.
We’ll get back to St. Valentine. Now, our look at the origins of Valentine’s Day takes us to Ancient Rome and the pagan holiday Lupercalia. Celebrated on the ides of February, Lupercalia saw Roman men drink to excess, remove their clothes, and sacrifice a goat. (When in Rome!) They then took to the streets, slapping women with strips of goat hide. Roman women—if history is to be believed—lined up to take part, hoping it would lead to a healthy pregnancy.
Pope Gelasius was not a fan of Lupercalia, to say the least. Condemning the superstitious holiday in the late fifth century, Gelasius and the Catholic Church declared February 14 to be St. Valentine’s Day. Certainly, Gelasius picked the date to commemorate the death of St. Valentine, but we can’t help but wonder if he saw an opportunity to replace a pagan holiday.
English poet Geoffrey Chaucer was the first to associate Valentine’s Day with romance. In his 1375 poem “Parliament of Foules,” Chaucer pointed out that Valentine’s Day coincided with the start of bird nesting season, lending credence to the idea that the day should be a celebration of love.
The idea caught on, especially after poets and playwrights further romanticized the holiday. “Tomorrow is Saint Valentine’s Day. / All in the morning betime, / and I a maid at your window, / to be your Valentine,” says Ophelia in Shakespeare’s “Hamlet.”
By the 1400s, friends and couples throughout Europe were exchanging handwritten poems: a precursor to today’s greeting cards. The practice came to the New World in the 1700s, about the time commercially printed cards were gaining popularity.
When Esther Howland of Massachusetts came across an imported card in the 1840s, she was inspired to improve on its beautiful but expensive design. Her creation of gilded lace, wafer paper, and cupid ornaments led to the first mass-produced valentines in America. “No other producer of commercial valentines understood so well their potential for the tactile communication of complex feeling,” wrote author Barry Shank.
Over the centuries, Valentine’s Day has transformed from a blend of Roman rituals and Christian martyrdom into one of the most celebrated and commercial holidays worldwide. Here’s a quick look at how it all unfolded, from ancient rites to record-breaking spending:
Today, Valentine’s Day is celebrated the world over. According to Hallmark, about 145 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged every year. Americans spent approximately $24 billion on Valentine’s Day in 2022.
Love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day has grown into one of the largest commercial holidays, with people everywhere shopping online and in person for the perfect gift for that special someone.
No, Valentine’s Day didn’t start as a marketing ploy. However, that hasn’t stopped marketers from using the holiday to boost sales or tailor their messaging to lovestruck audiences. (We’re guessing this isn’t what Pope Gelasius had in mind.)
Still, marketers must be capable of leveraging holidays like Valentine’s Day if they’re to help businesses, particularly e-commerce sites, rise above the competition.
Curious how a holiday rooted in ancient Rome and Christian martyrdom evolved into one of the biggest spending events of the year? These commonly asked questions unpack the history, myths, and marketing behind Valentine’s Day.
The University of Texas Permian Basin offers an online undergraduate certificate in digital marketing. Accredited by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), our certificate program provides foundational knowledge of advertising, marketing analytics, social media marketing, and other tools and strategies essential for careers in marketing.
We think you’ll be particularly interested in our online course E-Commerce, which covers such topics as content management, mobile commerce, and online auctions. Upon completion, you’ll be capable of implementing an e-commerce plan of your own.
Our certificate program can be completed in tandem with any of UT Permian Basin’s bachelor’s degree programs. Visit our Programs and Courses page to discover what UT Permian Basin online has to offer.
Ready to get started? Apply now to our online undergraduate certificate in digital marketing. We can’t offer you a Valentine’s Day card, but we think an undergraduate certificate is a worthy substitute.
Sources:
https://theconversation.com/the-real-st-valentine-was-no-patron-of-love-90518?xid=PS_smithsonian
https://www.history.com/topics/valentines-day/history-of-valentines-day-2
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/saint-st-valentines-day
https://www.statista.com/statistics/285028/us-valentine-s-day-sales
Women comprise the majority of today’s marketing workforce. Although women are often touted as better communicators, this characterization alone doesn’t explain why women so often pursue an education and career in this dynamic field. Marketing is an area of business unlike any other. In this growing field, anyone can enter on the ground floor and…
If you’re considering earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA), you may already be aware that adding an MBA to your resume can be a career-defining accomplishment. But what does that mean in terms of real-world benefits? If you’re earning an MBA from The University of Texas Permian Basin online, we can confirm that there…
Not even a week has passed since you stored away your Christmas decorations, and signs of the next big holiday are already on the rise. Pink and red heart-shaped boxes and a plethora of lovestruck stuffed animals line the shelves in every store. It’s official: Valentine’s Day is approaching. Thanks to several well-planned marketing strategies,…
A Master of Science in Finance (MS in finance) opens the door to high-paying roles across industries like banking, corporate finance, investment management, and consulting. Whether you’re seeking career advancement or the tools to become an entrepreneur, this degree can help you reach your goals.
In this article, we’ll cover what you can do with an MS in finance, the jobs it prepares you for, and how The University of Texas Permian Basin’s online program makes earning your degree flexible and affordable.
In finance, there’s a direct line from an organization’s actions to its profitability. Equipped with an advanced finance credential, you can make a significant impact on your organization’s bottom line. An MS in finance empowers you to:
According to the 2022 GMAC Corporate Recruiters Survey, salaries for Master of Finance degree holders are on the rise, with a 15%+ increase in median salaries from $95,000 in 2021 to $110,000 in 2022 alone. Further, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports master’s degree holders are more likely to be employed than individuals with a degree from the undergraduate level or lower.
What do Jeff Bezos, Martha Stewart, and former Nike CEO Phil Knight have in common? Apart from considerable fame and financial success, all of these entrepreneurs have a background in finance. In fact, most Fortune 500 company executives come from a finance background. An MS in finance can be your key to the C-suite.
An MS in finance prepares you to follow many finance-related career paths, from executive leadership to crucial supporting roles. Here are a few examples of those roles and their median annual pay as reported by the BLS:
Unlike some other business degrees, an MS in finance provides students with a specific financial management perspective. The curriculum will help you hone your analytical and executive decision-making skills and build your expertise in statistics, business analytics, investments, corporate finance and strategy, and international finance.
Elective courses in energy finance, investments, and risk management or financial services topics like real estate analysis or financial planning allow you to focus on your preferred industry emphasis.
With the right combination of skills, credentials, and ambition, you can become an entrepreneur. As part of our online program, you’ll choose the elective courses that best suit your interests and professional goals. By following your passion, mastering the fundamentals, and putting in the effort, you just may become a household name!
While employers receive many MBA resumes for finance positions, an MS in finance indicates a more targeted financial education and can make your resume stand out.
An MS in finance program typically requires fewer credits than an MBA in finance program.
The University of Texas Permian Basin offers a 100% online MS in finance that provides all these benefits —and so much more. Our program is:
See where you can steer your career with an MS in finance! We accept applications year-round, so there’s no need to wait until the end of the current or any semester. Apply now!
Sources:
https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/master-of-finance-job
Video calls. Robot vacuums. Voice assistants. Thirty years ago, we only saw this technology in cinema or on TV. Today, they’re billion-dollar industries. Many of the technologies now reshaping how we live and work first appeared in movies or on TV. While most viewers were happy to lose themselves in the narrative, an enterprising few…
Forget everything you think you know about management roles, like the idea that for the rest of your life, you’ll be chained to a desk under a ceiling of fluorescent lights. That’s not what management looks like—or at least, it doesn’t have to be. A business management degree doesn’t condemn you to a cubicle; it…
Amazon started as a small online bookstore in the 1990s. Over time, it added more merchandise and offered its services to third-party sellers until it grew into the global powerhouse we know today. Ever skipped the store and found yourself going straight to Amazon? You’re not alone—and it’s a glimpse into how e-commerce is reshaping…
The energy business is a dynamic and challenging field and, for many, the source of a satisfying career. If you’re already working in the field and want to get more involved in the business aspects of the energy industry and increase your potential for advancement, you need to have a few advantages. First is drive, which you must nurture and maintain within yourself. Second is the specialized knowledge and skills required of every energy business leader. And the third? Credentials. You must possess the academic qualifications that validate your expertise before any employer will consider you for a leadership role. With these noteworthy advantages, you’ll find a more diverse and lucrative set of energy jobs at your fingertips.
While it’s important for just about everyone to have some level of analytical skills, they’re especially important for a professional in a leadership role. Defined as the ability to “observe, research and interpret a subject in order to develop complex ideas and solutions,” analytical skills inform all the decisions you will make as a leader. Put simply, you must understand everything that’s going on and know how to proactively address any concern that may come your way while making your team and your larger organization more efficient and profitable.
The University of Texas Permian Basin offers an energy-focused graduate program that helps you hone the crucial analytical skills every leader must have. Our online Master of Science in Energy Business program was created alongside energy industry professionals to serve the needs of ambitious, leadership-minded graduate students. There aren’t many other online university-level programs of this type available in the U.S.!
During this 30-credit program, you’ll focus on core business topics through an energy industry lens in courses including Energy Accounting, Global Energy Business, Energy Finance, Energy Investments, Energy Technology & Risk Management, and Energy Law. You’ll also gain a firm grounding in financial principles through a curriculum of finance-focused course and explore statistics and analytics.
UTPB’s MS in energy business program offers significant benefits that you’ll experience while completing your studies and long after you’ve finished them.
Our online MS in energy business is offered by our AACSB-accredited College of Business. This coveted accreditation is shared by only 5% of business programs worldwide and signifies that AACSB has put our business school through a rigorous peer-review process to verify that it meets “the highest standards of excellence in teaching, research, curriculum, and learner success.”
The tuition rates for the master’s degree in energy business and all our programs rank among the most affordable of those at any regionally accredited university of our stature.
Unlike some other programs, you can begin your degree any time of year. You never have to wait until the fall semester.
If you take the recommended course path, you can finish your degree in as little as four semesters.
Though you may finish your master’s degree quicker than you expected, your pace of completion is always your choice. Our program is delivered in a 100% online, asynchronous format that empowers you to complete your master’s degree on your own schedule from just about anywhere in the world. No campus visits are required.
Your resume will garner more attention from employers with a master’s degree on it. Master’s degree holders not only enjoy higher employment rates than those with a bachelor’s degree alone, they also enjoy about 18% higher median earnings, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
This degree may help you secure a role on the business side of the energy industry. Some of these rewarding careers include:
There’s virtually no limit to what you can do with an MS in energy business. You have the drive—now get the skills and credentials you need to excel as an energy business leader. Apply today!
Every year, new trends and technologies emerge to influence how we develop strategies, deliver content, and connect with audiences, and 2023 looks to be no different. Marketers with their finger on the pulse of culture and society will have a distinct advantage over the competition. As for those who don’t, they probably aren’t going to be around long enough to be concerned with next year’s trends.
Here are five digital marketing trends to watch out for in the coming year. Who knows, you may even find one that would be perfect for your current marketing strategy.
1. Content Is (Still) King
“Content is where I expect much of the real money will be made on the internet,” Bill Gates wrote in a 1996 essay titled “Content is King.” He saw the internet as a level playing field where anyone with a computer could publish content. His words ring true to this day.
Google recently rolled out its “helpful content update,” which will prioritize content created by and for people. Similarly, Facebook’s News Feed is now called “Feed,” and users are more likely to see meaningful and informative content from people they engage with.
Google and Facebook’s algorithm updates make it harder for businesses to reach target audiences—so what can marketers do? Don’t try to game a search engine or algorithm. Instead, create authentic, satisfying content. The emphasis is on engagement, which will be a running theme in 2023.
2. (Short) Videos Are Taking Over
What would you say is the most popular social media app? Not Facebook. Not Instagram. Since its 2016 launch, TikTok has reigned supreme, with its ads reaching over one billion users each month. TikTok offers a way to reach millennials and members of Gen Z, but the trend to focus on is the rise of videos that have made this platform so popular.
85% of marketers say that short-form videos (videos under 60 seconds) are the most effective format on social media. Maybe it’s because of diminishing attention spans or social media burnout, but people are bored with posts that consist of nothing more than a picture and caption. Audiences want to engage with brands; they want to be wined and dined. Brands that post videos, live demonstrations, and interactive content like online quizzes will have an easier time engaging with their audiences and nurturing a loyal following.
3. Influencers (Big and Small) Are Becoming Brand Ambassadors
Influencer marketing isn’t so much a digital marketing trend as it is a proven marketing strategy. Almost three-quarters (72.5%) of marketers use influencer marketing, collaborating with content creators to reach their followers.
Millennials and Gen Z avoid ads like the plague—Gen Z is particularly adept at using ad blockers—and are far more receptive to influencer recommendations. Influencers are like gatekeepers who hold the key to reaching hundreds, thousands, or millions of people who would otherwise never interact with a brand. Influencer marketing isn’t new, but brands are now forming long-term partnerships with influencers who go on to represent their interests as brand ambassadors.
4. Artificial Intelligence Is Taking Over (Boring) Tasks
Artificial intelligence (AI) has changed the face of marketing. Google and Facebook’s AI-driven advertising tools can target audiences with increasingly effective advertisements. Getting into inboxes is easier with tools that optimize email send times and automate the creation of subject lines. As if that’s not enough, ageless “virtual dolls” (AI-generated influencers) are working with brands like Tesla to advertise to tens of thousands of their followers in China.
Most marketing departments already use some AI-driven advertising tools, but as AI continues to disrupt the industry, businesses will be pressured to foster an AI-ready culture. While marketers may not need to become data science experts, businesses will be looking for professionals willing to upskill to leverage the power of AI for their marketing strategies.
5. Old (High-Traffic) Content Needs Attention
Virtually every business is relying on digital marketing to grow, as evidenced by the internet’s over 500 million blogs. Publishing blog posts is a tried-and-true way to rank higher on search engine results pages. (Google loves fresh content.) Over time, however, even the most well-written blog content becomes stale, resulting in diminishing returns for marketing teams.
Want to increase traffic and conversion rates? Update your old blog posts. HubSpot has more than doubled the number of monthly leads generated by old posts through what they call “historical optimization.” Be on the lookout for high-traffic, low-converting blog posts and improve content throughout. Not the flashiest trend, we admit, but it can generate tremendous results with minimal investment: Marketing is all about working smarter, not harder.
Keep Up or Risk Being Left Behind
We’ve presented you with an, ahem, stellar article on upcoming digital marketing trends, but it in no way compares to the formal instruction in marketing you’ll receive at The University of Texas Permian Basin.
UT Permian Basin offers an online undergraduate certificate in digital marketing that can be completed in tandem with any of our bachelor’s degree programs, including our online BBA in marketing. Supplement your undergraduate degree with specialized knowledge of digital branding, marketing analytics, and social media marketing, among other foundational topics.
If you already have a bachelor’s degree, we also offer an online Master of Business Administration with emphasis in marketing for professionals interested in gaining leadership and marketing skills essential for achieving organizational goals. Led by the same doctoral-level business professors who teach on campus, this program can help you advance your career or transition into a marketing role, such as a marketing analyst, manager, or strategist.
Apply to one of our online marketing programs to keep up with emerging digital marketing trends and secure your future in a fast-paced industry like no other.
Sources:
https://blog.hootsuite.com/facebook-algorithm/
https://blog.hootsuite.com/influencer-marketing/#2_Know_who_youre_trying_to_influence
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/01/11/generation-z-avoids-advertising-uses-ad-blockers-and-skips-content.html
https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnhall/2022/09/11/4-marketing-trends-on-the-horizon-this-year/?sh=106a00142eae
A traditional MBA path often means finishing your bachelor’s degree, entering the workforce, then returning to school years later for your MBA: an expensive and time-consuming journey that can take six or more years in total.
At The University of Texas Permian Basin, we offer a smarter, faster option: our online 4+1 MBA program. In just five years, you can earn both your Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and your Master of Business Administration (MBA), saving you time, money, and the hassle of a second admissions process.
Here’s a closer look at the key benefits of UTPB’s accelerated 4+1 MBA and how it can jumpstart your business career.
There are so many good things to say about our 4+1 MBA program, we can’t break them down into just six specific benefits. Instead, we’ve expanded them to six benefit categories:
With our 4+1 MBA program, you’ll enjoy a smooth transition from our BBA to MBA program. No additional application—or corresponding application fee—is required.
U.S. News & World Report ranked our MBA program the second most affordable online MBA in the nation for the 2024–2025 school year—an honor we don’t take lightly. In general, UTPB has lower tuition rates than many accredited universities of our standing.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, individuals with a master’s degree earn significantly more than those with lower levels of education.
As of 2024, average median weekly earnings were:
These numbers highlight the earning power that comes with continuing your education—and why earning both your BBA and MBA through UTPB’s accelerated 4+1 program is a smart investment in your future.
So, how do those numbers translate into real salaries?
Here’s the median annual pay for key business roles, showcasing the earning potential that comes from completing your BBA and MBA:
The BBA portion of our 4+1 MBA program gives you a solid foundation in general education and core business principles. From there, the MBA builds on that knowledge with advanced coursework in management, finance, marketing, and accounting.
Together, these degrees prepare you to pursue a wide range of rewarding business roles, including many at the leadership level.
An MBA is a leadership credential. Commit to gaining crucial professional experience alongside our 4+1 MBA program and you may be competing for business leadership positions when you finish your degree. Follow our recommended course plan and you can complete both programs in an accelerated five-year time span.
The asynchronous, 100% online format of our 4+1 MBA program offers tremendous convenience. You can learn on your own schedule, 24/7, from practically any location. No campus visits are required. This advantage lets you continue giving your professional and personal commitments the attention they need while completing your degree. Our rolling admissions policy and six start times per year provide further flexibility.
Offered through our College of Business, our 4+1 MBA program has its own kind of “business credentials.” The University boasts AACSB accreditation, a distinction that only 5% of business programs worldwide hold. This designation is your assurance that the UTPB’s programs have undergone a meticulous peer-review process to ensure they uphold “the highest standards of excellence in teaching, research, curriculum, and learner success.”
Program faculty members also have their own impressive credentials. Our team is made up of top researchers with extensive experience working in the business world. The bottom line: Our business credentials equate to a top-quality business education respected by employers.
Still curious about how the 4+1 MBA works? Here are a few quick answers to help you better understand what makes this program such a smart choice.
Ready to give your business career a boost? Apply to join our online 4+1 MBA program!
*Please note students who are enrolled in the BBA in accounting program are not eligible for the 4+1 MBA program.
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Video calls. Robot vacuums. Voice assistants. Thirty years ago, we only saw this technology in cinema or on TV. Today, they’re billion-dollar industries. Many of the technologies now reshaping how we live and work first appeared in movies or on TV. While most viewers were happy to lose themselves in the narrative, an enterprising few…
Forget everything you think you know about management roles, like the idea that for the rest of your life, you’ll be chained to a desk under a ceiling of fluorescent lights. That’s not what management looks like—or at least, it doesn’t have to be. A business management degree doesn’t condemn you to a cubicle; it…
Amazon started as a small online bookstore in the 1990s. Over time, it added more merchandise and offered its services to third-party sellers until it grew into the global powerhouse we know today. Ever skipped the store and found yourself going straight to Amazon? You’re not alone—and it’s a glimpse into how e-commerce is reshaping…
The effects of COVID-19 continue to reverberate throughout the healthcare sector, even as infection rates across the United States have fallen since the height of the pandemic. Getting those numbers under control remains a high priority, alongside tackling major issues that in some cases grew out of the pandemic. Let’s look at three of the most pressing issues those working in healthcare leadership are facing now and examine how they’re addressing them.
Many healthcare professionals, including those at the leadership level, are reaching retirement age and leaving the workforce. At the same time, the “great resignation” spurred in part by the COVID-19 pandemic has created further shortfalls in healthcare staffing. Healthcare leaders must now adjust the traditional workplace experience to attract new, younger candidates. This includes offering more benefits, greater flexibility, and access to additional resources to better cope with the inherent stress of medical careers and balance work and personal responsibilities.
The upside of these staffing challenges is more employment opportunities for professionals with the necessary qualifications. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the need for medical and health services managers will increase by 28% between 2021 and 2031—much faster than the average growth rate for all occupations. During the same time span, the BLS projects employment in healthcare professions overall to grow by 13%, a rate also much faster than the average for all occupations.
The pandemic compelled healthcare leaders to take a fresh look at traditional healthcare delivery methods, and many of them are now considering expanding home care options as a permanent solution, where possible. Home care includes a combination of virtual office visits, device-driven remote monitoring of patients, skilled nursing home visits, and home modifications such as the addition of ramps and rails. With many physicians confident that home care can be delivered at the same level of quality as facility-based care, home care could become the norm, especially for older adults with chronic conditions, as early as 2025.
Cyberattacks are an ongoing threat to healthcare institutions and the patients they serve. The advent of smart medical devices—the Internet of Medical Things (IoMT)—makes a hospital’s internal networks, cloud storage, and equipment only part of the equation. The IoMT technology used in remote monitoring equipment can also be hacked, interrupting care and potentially endangering the patient, in addition to raising the cost for their care.
Cyberattacks on the healthcare sector are on the rise. During 2021, more than 600 breaches were reported in the U.S. healthcare sector and more than 22 million patients had their private data compromised. Small- and medium-sized institutions are the most common targets. Under such threats, healthcare institutions are fortifying their cyber security capabilities. Market research shows that the cyber security market for the global healthcare industry reached nearly $13 billion in 2020, and that number is expected to more than quadruple by 2030.
Home care can help alleviate issues caused by staffing shortages, but it also requires a greater investment in cyber security, since remote care technology is highly susceptible to cyberattacks. Understanding these connections, it’s easy to see why these issues are so front-and-center for healthcare leaders—and how they underscore the need for skilled professionals who can become healthcare leaders and tackle the problems that might emerge in the coming years. Through our AACSB-accredited College of Business, UT Permian Basin offers an online degree program that helps you build these healthcare leadership qualities.
As a healthcare leader, you must foresee potential issues and make the right decisions to address those issues effectively. We can help you develop the required expertise with our online Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Healthcare Leadership, an affordable program designed for students who hold an AAS-degree in a healthcare-related field.
Built on a general education foundation that incorporates courses in the humanities, mathematics, history, languages, and sciences, our program explores key leadership subjects both within and outside the context of healthcare organizations, including:
Our BAAS in healthcare leadership is delivered in an asynchronous, 100% online format that enables you to complete coursework at your own pace from practically any location on the planet. There are no required campus visits. You can earn your bachelor’s degree while giving professional or personal commitments the attention they deserve. All courses are led by the same renowned faculty who teach at our campus.
Become the healthcare leader you were meant to be! Apply now.
Sources:
https://www.philips.com/a-w/about/news/archive/blogs/innovation-matters/2022/20220620-healthcare-leaders-shift-priorities-for-2022-and-beyond-three-emerging-themes-from-this-years-future-health-index.html
https://www.spencerstuart.com/leadership-matters/2022/april/four-recent-healthcare-trends-reshaping-regional-health-plan-leadership
https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2022-07-28/staff-shortages-choking-u-s-health-care-system
https://www.mckinsey.com/industries/healthcare-systems-and-services/our-insights/from-facility-to-home-how-healthcare-could-shift-by-2025
Future healthcare leaders are made here at The University of Texas Permian Basin, where we proudly offer an online Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Healthcare Leadership and an online Bachelor of Business Administration in Healthcare Management. Without question, both programs confer skills and credentials that are invaluable for anyone aspiring to a leadership role in healthcare. But there are some fundamental differences in the admission requirements, curriculum, and other aspects of these two programs. Let’s review those now to help you decide which program is right for you.
Our BAAS in healthcare leadership equips future graduates to inspire and guide staff to deliver safe, effective, and efficient healthcare services. In our BBA in healthcare management program, you’ll find greater emphasis on managing the day-to-day business operations of a healthcare facility.
The BAAS in healthcare leadership program was designed for students who hold an associate degree in applied science (AAS) in healthcare fields such as emergency medical services, nursing, or radiology. You are not required to complete an AAS or other college-level degree before applying to our BBA in healthcare management, however, making this an accessible option for transfer and first-time college students.
Math proficiency is considered crucial for anyone who wishes to manage an organization, and both of our programs have a mathematics component as part of their general education requirements. As a business-oriented program, our BBA in healthcare management—like all our BBA programs—also covers statistics, accounting, finance, and data analysis among its required lower-level business courses. None of these topics are the focus of any BAAS in healthcare leadership course.
Our BBA in healthcare management includes courses in international management, international marketing, international finance, and global health nursing, from which you must choose one course. None of these courses are a required part of the BAAS in healthcare leadership program, however.
The BBA in healthcare management explores traditional business disciplines such as finance, management, accounting, marketing, and law in depth from healthcare and general business perspectives. The BAAS in healthcare leadership does not include dedicated finance or accounting courses, though it does introduce the topics in the required Quantitative Decision Tools (ITEC 3301) course.
There are certain advantages that all our business programs share, and the BAAS in healthcare leadership and BBA in healthcare management are no exceptions.
Both programs are offered online through our AACSB-accredited College of Business. AACSB accreditation signifies that a college’s programs have undergone a rigorous peer-review process and have been verified as exemplifying the “highest standards of excellence in teaching, research, curriculum, and learner success.” Only 5% of business programs worldwide share this coveted designation. The University itself is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).
Delivered in an asynchronous, 100% online format, our programs enable you to learn on your own schedule from just about anywhere in the world—from Athens, Georgia to Athens, Greece and beyond. You’ll find this especially advantageous if you have ongoing professional or personal obligations.
You may already have a sense of the best program for you based on the differences discussed here, but two simple questions should help clarify your decision:
If you’re still uncertain which program you need, we recommend you speak with our online academic advisors, who are here to answer any questions you have and to help guide you toward the right decision.
Equipped with the applicable credentials and skills, you’ll be primed to take advantage of the tremendous growth that’s happening right now in healthcare leadership professions. Just look at what the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) has to say on the subject:
The number of available medical and health services manager jobs is expected to grow by 28%—much faster than the average for all occupations—between 2021 and 2031. Offering a potential median annual salary of $101,340, these jobs include:
Compare our online BAAS in healthcare leadership and online BBA in healthcare management programs for yourself and see which one best aligns with your qualifications, interests, and career goals. Or, if you’ve already chosen your program, apply now!
John Wainwright is a computer scientist and pioneer in the field of computer languages, but that’s not why he’s famous. On April 3, 1995, Wainwright ordered the book “Fluid Concepts and Creative Analogies: Computer Models of the Fundamental Mechanisms of Thought” from a fledgling online bookseller. The book arrived with a packing slip that read “Thanks for shopping at Amazon.com!” Unbeknownst to Wainwright, he was the first non-employee customer of what would soon become the largest e-commerce company in the world.
E-commerce, short for electronic commerce, has grown and changed significantly since online retailers began opening their doors in the early 1990s. Back then, online shopping wasn’t a part of everyday life; it was as new and unfamiliar as email, instant messaging, and MP3 files. Let’s look back at the evolution of e-commerce and how it continues to shape our society.
The origins of e-commerce can be traced back to the 1948-49 Berlin Blockade, which saw West Germany ordering supplies using a system of electronic typewriters called telex. However, it wasn’t until the early 1970s that we began seeing innovations that would become staples of modern e-commerce, such as electronic funds transfer (EFT). At the time, e-commerce was little more than a convenient way to exchange documents within a company.
Everything changed with the introduction of the World Wide Web in 1991 and the web browser Mosaic, the precursor to Internet Explorer, two years later. These advancements provided the means for the public to search for and purchase products online. E-commerce transitioned to the internet soon after, and it wasn’t long before two of the world’s largest online retailers came on the scene: Amazon and eBay.
E-commerce exploded as internet service providers like AOL connected tens of millions of homes to the web. Excitement reached a fever pitch between 1998 and 2000 as investors poured money into internet startups. This era is known as the dot-com bubble, a period marked by many promising but ultimately unprofitable online companies. Notoriously, online fashion retailer Boo.com burned through $185 million in 18 months before going bankrupt. The bubble burst in 2000 but left behind a robust digital infrastructure that paved the way for modern e-commerce.
E-commerce sales worldwide amounted to over $4.9 trillion in 2021. By 2025, sales are expected to exceed $7 trillion. (Worldwide sales were a little over $1 trillion in the not-so-distant-past of 2014.) This explosive growth has been fueled by increased access to high-speed internet and the spread of smartphones, which are owned by over 5 billion people globally. Online shoppers, once at the mercy of dial-up connections, can now shop anywhere. They can roll over in the middle of the night, fumble for their phone in the dark, and place an order with a single click.
E-commerce is now a part of everyday life.
Amazon, Walmart, and eBay remain the largest e-commerce companies, but the way they conduct business is far more refined than it was in the early days of e-commerce. Websites are clean and responsive. Search engines make finding deals easy and even make recommendations based on a person’s search history. And customizable orders give buyers more options and more control over their online shopping experience than ever before.
This evolving ecosystem also offers new ways for companies to reach customers. Email, text message, social media, and influencer marketing campaigns are all normal facets of online retail marketing. Buyers are encouraged to leave reviews, opt into mailing lists, join loyalty programs, and post on social media, all to build an emotional connection between them and a brand. In this new ecosystem, there’s no right way but many possible ways to reach buyers, and they must all be accounted for if businesses are to thrive in this competitive environment.
The evolution of e-commerce has led to an ecosystem where anyone can open an online shop and compete with leading retailers. Etsy is famous for its marketplace of one-of-a-kind items made by fledgling entrepreneurs. However, this diverse landscape of leading retailers and independent sellers means that any marketing strategy must be louder, bolder, and smarter to make an impact.
UT Permian Basin’s College of Business offers an online undergraduate certificate in digital marketing. Accredited by the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB International), our online undergraduate certificate in digital marketing program will provide you with the foundational knowledge you need to develop and implement brand, marketing, and social media campaigns.
In addition to exploring the many facets of e-commerce, our program looks at:
This 12-credit certificate program can be completed in tandem with any of our undergraduate bachelor’s degree programs, such as our Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. Attend UT Permian Basin online, and you’ll be able to enter the world of marketing with both a bachelor’s degree and an undergraduate certificate on your resume.
Become a marketer. Apply to our online undergraduate certificate in digital marketing and learn how the biggest names in e-commerce are using marketing to reach new generations of customers.
References:
https://www.britannica.com/technology/e-commerce
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/263230905_The_Evolution_and_Development_of_E-Commerce_Market_and_E-Cash
https://www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/objects-and-stories/short-history-internet
https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2019/02/05/smartphone-ownership-is-growing-rapidly-around-the-world-but-not-always-equally/
During the remainder of this decade, the U.S. healthcare industry is expected to undergo a tremendous expansion, with an anticipated growth rate of 16%. That translates to roughly 2.6 million new jobs in the U.S. alone. Globally, the healthcare market will have an estimated value of more than $300 billion by 2027 and exceed $665 billion before the end of the decade. A variety of factors impact the state of the industry, including aging populations; changes in insurance standards, regulations, and laws; increased competition; an evolving pandemic; and emerging medical technologies.
As a result of this rapid expansion, healthcare leaders will be in greater demand than ever before. Industry leaders will seek out individuals with the credentials and corresponding expertise to lead facilities, employees, and initiatives. This presents some promising career opportunities for professionals with the necessary qualifications and drive. It also presents the opportunity to make a much greater impact as a healthcare professional working in a non-medical role.
Here we review a pair of examples of management and leadership roles with generous salaries hovering around the six-figure mark and strong growth potential.
Medical or Health Services Managers
Administrative Services and Facilities Managers
The University of Texas Permian Basin is preparing future healthcare leaders to meet the demands of a booming healthcare industry. UTPB’s College of Business offers online bachelor’s degree programs that provide a firm foundation in general education disciplines complemented by essential courses focused on healthcare leadership. These bachelor’s degree programs will prepare you to take on coveted management and related roles in the industry:
As a healthcare manager, the decisions that you’ll make can impact the health of your patients, your community, and your organization. This AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business)-accredited program will give you the foundation you need to confidently make the right choices for all of those who depend on your leadership in roles including:
Meet the needs of your patients, employees, and your organization with leadership-level financial aptitude and quantitative decision-making, budgeting, and resource allocation expertise. This program is ideal for AAS-degree holders in emergency medical services, nursing, radiology, and other healthcare-focused fields and will equip you to thrive in rewarding careers including:
No matter which of our online healthcare bachelor’s degree programs you choose, you’ll be able to enjoy the flexibility of an asynchronous, 100% online format. That means you can complete coursework on your own schedule from just about anywhere in the world, without compromising your professional and personal commitments. No campus visits are required. However, you’ll still benefit from the expertise of our renowned faculty, as both programs are led by the same acclaimed educators who teach at our Odessa, Texas campus.
Fill the rapidly expanding need for healthcare leaders with an industry-respected credential from UT Permian Basin.
Businesses face various risks that can affect their operations, such as fluctuating energy prices or shifting regulations. To avoid falling victim to these potential challenges, it’s crucial to proactively manage them.
This is where risk management (or Enterprise Risk Management [ERM]) comes in. It involves identifying, assessing, and addressing potential threats to key areas of a company, including its finances, legal standing, strategy, and security.
In the energy sector, we’re exploring seven significant risk factors that must be considered:
In the energy industry, fluctuations in supply and demand can significantly impact both prices and availability. These risks can arise due to geopolitical events, changes in consumer consumption patterns, or supply disruptions (such as natural disasters or infrastructure failures). Energy companies must be able to forecast supply and demand trends to minimize the impact of these fluctuations on their business operations.
Energy companies that operate internationally or deal in global markets are exposed to exchange rate risks. The value of currencies can fluctuate, and such changes can affect the profitability of international transactions. For example, if an energy company in the U.S. buys oil priced in a foreign currency, a change in exchange rates could increase the cost of that oil. Hedging strategies and careful financial planning are often employed to mitigate this risk.
Economic uncertainty can have a direct impact on energy prices, demand, and investments. Recessions, inflation, or changes in consumer spending can reduce the demand for energy. In turn, this can lead to lower prices or financial strain for energy companies. Economic instability can also lead to increased costs, particularly in sectors like energy, where infrastructure investments are necessary.
While new technologies, like wind turbines and solar panels, offer potential for efficiency and cost savings, they also introduce risks, such as unexpected failures or the potential to disrupt traditional energy markets. Energy companies must manage the integration of new technology while ensuring reliability and cost-effectiveness.
To manage risk, energy companies often diversify their portfolios, investing in a variety of energy sources (such as renewable energy, oil, and natural gas) and geographic regions. Diversification helps to spread the risk, so if one market or energy source experiences a downturn, other segments may offset the loss. This strategy helps ensure a more stable financial position.
Natural disasters and environmental challenges, such as climate change or pollution, can disrupt energy production and damage infrastructure. Companies must address environmental risks through sustainable practices and compliance with environmental regulations to minimize operational setbacks.
Energy companies must comply with government regulations that affect everything from pricing and taxes to environmental standards. Changes in policy or regulation can create financial or operational challenges, and failure to comply may result in penalties or legal issues.
Energy risk management requires a comprehensive process involving three main stages:
The University of Texas Permian Basin offers graduate-level online programs that can help you hone your expertise in energy management as you build broader skills and key credentials for a stronger career.
Developed specifically for energy business professionals, this 30-credit program leverages UT Permian Basin’s longstanding connection with the energy industry to provide a firm grounding in financial principles.
Our MS in energy business includes courses that examine risk management, including:
This new 30-credit program caters to one of the most sought-after business concentrations. Tailored toward training current and future executive managers, the MS in finance program includes a balanced and intuitive approach to areas of financial management including corporate financial strategy, investments and electives such as real estate and financial planning. This program also gives the students the ability to select energy classes as electives.
Our online Master of Science in Finance includes courses that explore risk management from corporate and energy perspectives:
This 33- to 42-credit program explores financial management in depth to help you develop career-critical operational acumen and leadership skills. A highly marketable degree, this MBA provides a strong financial management emphasis while also exploring accounting and investments.
Our online MBA in business administration with finance focus includes courses that explore risk management from energy industry and other perspectives:
This 36- to 45-credit program examines core business areas such as risk management, marketing, accounting, and finance analytics from general and energy industry viewpoints. Our MBA with Certificate in Energy Business boasts a stackable credential option, a unique advantage which enables you to simultaneously earn a Graduate Certificate in Energy Business. That’s two valuable graduate credentials you can complete in about the same amount of time it takes to finish the MBA on its own.
This online program includes courses that examine risk management, including:
The energy industry faces constant change, from shifting regulations to new technologies and environmental concerns. If you’re going to manage these risks, you’ll need specialized knowledge in finance, strategy, and energy markets. UT Permian Basin’s online graduate programs combine quality, flexibility, and affordability to help you build the expertise energy companies need right now.
Our programs hold AACSB accreditation, a distinction earned by only 5% of business programs worldwide. You can complete your master’s degree in as little as four semesters through our 100% online format. Study at your own pace from anywhere—no campus visits required. You can start in spring, summer, or fall and learn to forecast supply trends, navigate exchange rate risks, and integrate new technologies: the real-world skills that help energy businesses identify and address their biggest challenges.
Give your energy industry career a vital boost. Apply now to one of UT Permian Basin’s master’s degree programs.
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