Zach Konstanzer graduated in August 2019 from The University of Alabama with his Master of Arts in Health Studies. He’s always had an interest in health and coaching. He took four PE classes his senior year of high school and then earned his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Western Illinois University, where he also played football. He graduated from college and ROTC, and he commissioned as an Army transportation officer, but planned to return to teaching and coaching after he completed his military commitment.
His service took him to Kuwait and Iraq, and most recently to Savannah, Georgia. To make himself more marketable as a teacher and coach, he decided to pursue a master’s in health so he could one day teach health. One of Zach’s Army friends, who was earning a degree from The University of Alabama online through UA Online, introduced him to the idea.
“I was like, ‘Dude, you’re pretty biased. You’re from Alabama.’ Don’t get me wrong – I knew Alabama was a great school, but I just wondered if it was the best option for me. So I did my research for about a month, and I couldn’t find anyone comparable who offered the flexibility, adaptability, and the price that UA Online offered,” Zach recalled.
One of Zach’s primary concerns was that he might be disconnected from coursework for periods of time because of his military commitments. But his friend’s professors had all been understanding and accommodating. “That’s what sold me, really,” Zach said. “That and the price. I mean, Holy cow! I can earn a master’s degree for less than $12,000?! So what drew me in was the value and convenience of it.”
Zach’s independent study project for his master’s focused on obesity in Savannah, and he worked with the local health department on that project. The Health Studies curriculum and course concepts gave him a much broader perspective on understanding health and how various concerns and solutions can be impactful for generations. He particularly enjoyed the Health Disparities course and three courses taught by Melanie Tucker, who was “super-personable and made fresh videos every week, giving it a very personal touch.”
Zach began the master’s program in January 2018 and completed it in about 18 months. In addition to working 12-hour days for the Army, he also worked a part-time job on evenings and weekends, and reported that he was happy with the pace of two classes per semester.
“I like staying busy and having a lot on my plate, so it worked out well for me to finish in that time frame,” he said.
Zach finished the degree just weeks before he completed his commitment to the Army, and now is beginning the transition to civilian life, equipped with a master’s from a well-known university. Reflecting on the sales pitch that drew him to UA Online initially, Zach said, “My buddy was dead-on. My professors were all 100% willing to work with me, and all the positives that had been told to me were true. It’s a time-friendly, well-organized program that rivals any other program out there. I found only wins. It was an awesome experience.”
Published: August 30th, 2020