Preparing Adult Learners for Immediate Career Impact: UC's Online Bachelor's in Health Sciences

For Te’Omarie Doty, every day at work is an opportunity to use her degree. She’s been with the TriHealth system for nearly three years and currently calls Good Samaritan Hospital home. Through the University of Cincinnati's online Bachelor’s in Health Sciences program, Te’Omarie has become a certified undergraduate researcher and will even graduate debt free through employer tuition reimbursement.

We spoke with Te’Omarie about going to school online, working full-time, and how UC made it easier than ever to balance both.  

Once you’ve left school and entered the workforce, it’s difficult to talk yourself into returning. Education is an investment on multiple fronts: money, time, energy. While some may be able to step away from their careers to finish their degree, that’s not an option for everyone.

This is why online degree programs are perfect for adult learners—particularly those who will need to manage their degree while still working full or part time. You can watch asynchronous lectures when it’s most convenient for you, and you can schedule your homework time around your work schedule.  

For Te’Omarie, this flexibility was a major reason that she chose UC Online.

Like many adult learners, Te’Omarie came to UC with prior college credit under her belt. She graduated with her associates degree from Cincinnati State, and when it came time to continue her education, UC’s transfer articulation agreement with Cincinnati State made for a seamless transition. 

She found that UC had a “program for everyone,” leaving her with no shortage of degree options when she enrolled. Eventually, she chose health sciences. “It’s a very flexible degree if you are considering research, medical school, dental school, or any of the therapies,” she said. 

Three semesters stand between Te’Omarie and graduation—and she already has tangible success to show for it. During her time with UC, she’s become a certified undergraduate researcher. She’s made numerous connections with other online students. Thanks to employer tuition reimbursement, she’ll even graduate with her bachelor’s debt free.

And to top it off? She’s been able to accomplish all of this while working full time in her field—allowing her to put her degree into practice every day.  

Currently, Te’Omarie is a PRN medical secretary and part of the emergency response team at Good Samaritan Hospital. 

She’s worked within the TriHealth system for three years, which has allowed her to explore areas that interest her, such as cardiac research and infection prevention. When it came time to complete shadowing for her degree, she shadowed a research statistician in her hospital’s medical library. 

It’s normal to have anxiety about balancing work and school. Te’Omarie has had to stay disciplined—doing schoolwork between working nine-hour hospital shifts, keeping a consistent schedule and reevaluating every month, only taking as many credits as she can handle. 

Despite these challenges, she’s found that working while going to school has strengthened her education. 

Whether she’s caring for patients or assisting medical residents with research, Te'Omarie constantly finds opportunities to use her coursework—opportunities that only arise because she’s attending school and working at the same time. 

“I use Health Care Ethics every day when properly caring for patients,” she explained. “Physics and Physiology come into place with movement and care of patients, whether it's ambulating or even properly moving in the bed. I use Research Methods, specifically PubMed, to assist medical residents with their research in the medical library.” 

Like two sides of the same coin, Te'Omarie’s degree and job have both played a role in her growth as a health care professional. Her daily interactions with patients and other clinicians reinforce what she learns in class; her coursework gives her a knowledge base and toolkit that she can bring into every hospital shift. 

Te’Omarie’s advice for other adult learners? “Go for it. It’s very simple but true. A year ago, I just had my associates, but now I am so much closer to my bachelor’s.” We wish her the best of luck as she nears the finish line!

Does Te’Omarie’s story resonate with you? She’s one of many UC students navigating work, family, and online learning—and so can you. Along with the Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences program, we offer a wide range of degree programs across various disciplines 100% online. 

If you’d like to discuss your options in health sciences or another program, your Enrollment Services Advisor is here to help you get started.