For Casey Evans, the pursuit of a master’s degree has always been on the horizon. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Psychology in 1995 from the University of Montevallo, Casey began her career in the mental health field, gaining over a decade of valuable experience. Though she initially considered pursuing a master’s in Social Work at The University of Alabama, life as a single mom made it challenging to balance full-time work, parenting and the demands of on-campus classes. “I had a young child at home, and I just couldn’t commit to being on campus all the time,” Casey said. The timing wasn’t right, and Casey decided to wait for a more manageable opportunity to continue her education.
Casey learned to navigate the challenges of raising a family and providing for them. “I’ve learned to depend on myself,” she said. But once her boys grew older and began living their own lives, Casey found herself asking, “What’s next for me?” She saw this as the perfect moment to revisit her educational aspirations. “I realized I could finally pursue my master’s degree, expand my knowledge, find the right fit for me and continue to contribute,” she said.
In 2021, Casey found the perfect opportunity with UA Online’s master’s in Educational Psychology, concentration in Learning and Assessment. “I received an email that said I could register for classes without having to take an exam, and there was no application fee. I thought, ‘I’m going to do this!’” Casey recalls, and she took the leap and enrolled.
Throughout her studies, Casey faced the typical challenges of graduate coursework but found support in the program’s flexibility. “Educational psychology is not really easy. There’s a lot of research and writing involved,” Casey explained. “But the coursework was clear, and I knew what was expected of me, which made it manageable.” Despite the challenges, Casey found herself enjoying the material. “I liked all the courses because I could see how they related to various aspects of life and work. The connections were always clear.”
One of the unexpected benefits of her online studies was the sense of community she developed with her peers, even from a distance. “I made connections with people across the country. I still keep in touch with a friend I made during the program — she’s from Georgia, and we talked on the phone a lot. We have so much in common, and we’re still friends on Facebook,” Casey said.
Since graduating a year ago, Casey feels excited and optimistic about her future. “I’m 100% sure that I can grow with this degree,” she shared. Her advice for future students? “Pay attention to the details. You have to put in the work. But it’s worth it.”
Casey’s story is one of perseverance, adaptability and the power of online education to open doors at any stage of life. By balancing her responsibilities and embracing the flexibility of UA Online, she’s been able to rediscover her passion for learning and prepare for the next phase of her career and life.
Published: October 16th, 2024