As a Medical Service Corps Officer in the Army, I thought it would be a good idea to further my education to advance my career. I wanted a degree that would lead to career opportunities both during and after my military service, and I wanted it from a school that everyone would recognize.
I completed the online Master of Arts in Health Studies from The University of Alabama. Prior to applying, I had been nervous about graduate school. Could I handle the stress? Was I too old? Could I actually do it? Yes, no, and yes!
The University of Alabama is very friendly to veterans and service members, and they’re adept at handling VA processes. I never once had an issue with military benefits. The staff and faculty were always very responsive to my questions. Although I lived several states away, I always felt connected to UA.
The program itself was great, and I had the flexibility to take as many courses as I could handle at a time — typically I took two per semester. To help alleviate my concerns about stress, I took HHE 586 Stress Management as an elective during my first semester. It is an excellent class, and I still refer back to lessons I learned from it.
The Health Studies graduate program is challenging but rewarding. I truly enjoyed being a student. There were things I took away from every class that continue to influence my work. The Health Studies degree is very viable and versatile; with this degree, I feel confident that I will be competitive in my career field, and upon retirement, I will have additional avenues and possibilities to pursue.
Looking back, I am proud of my educational accomplishments at UA. When it came time to graduate, I decided to drive my family from Texas to Tuscaloosa for the ceremony. It was among the most special events of my life. My children were 5 and 8 years old at the time. The experience will surely leave a lifelong impact on them and serve to reinforce the importance of education. The campus is utterly beautiful, and I plan on returning to visit as often as possible. I will always be proud to be an alumnus of such a prestigious institution. Roll Tide Roll!
Published: March 16th, 2018