• Forbes Advisor recognized Bellevue University’s online Master of Science in Human Resource Strategic Management as Best for Strategic Management Focus.
• Bellevue University was the only institution on the list recognized specifically for its emphasis on strategic management.
• Forbes Advisor evaluated 138 schools, considering factors such as affordability and student outcomes.
• The program follows a cohort-based model where students complete one course at a time.

Forbes Advisor Recognizes Bellevue University’s Strategic Management Approach

Bellevue University’s online Master of Science in Human Resource Strategic Management has earned national recognition from Forbes Advisor, which named the program the best online master’s in human resources program for students seeking a strategic management focus.

Forbes Advisor evaluated 138 schools to identify leading online master’s programs in human resources. The analysis considered factors including affordability and student outcomes. Bellevue University was the only institution recognized for a program that focuses specifically on strategic management, highlighting the university’s emphasis on aligning human resources practices with organizational goals and business strategy.

The complete rankings can be found at Forbes Advisor.

Program Structure Supports Professional Growth

Bellevue University’s Master of Science in Human Resource Strategic Management is designed to help professionals expand their knowledge of workforce planning, organizational leadership and strategic decision-making. The HR programs at BU have been created and are taught by individuals with direct HR experience who "marry" textbook learning with practical working knowledge of HR departments. Through the cohort-based format, students advance through the program with a group of peers while concentrating on one course at a time.

During the final semester, students can choose a traditional capstone experience or complete a modified capstone that includes preparation for the SHRM certification exam. This option allows students to pair their graduate education with preparation for an industry-recognized credential.

• Forbes Advisor recognized Bellevue University’s online Master’s in Finance as the “Best Program for Interdisciplinary Concentrations.”
• The program offers 17 concentration options.
• Students can combine finance studies with disciplines such as accounting, entrepreneurship and supply chain management.

Expanding Opportunities Through Customization

Bellevue University’s online Master’s in Finance program has been recognized by Forbes Advisor as the “Best Program for Interdisciplinary Concentrations,” highlighting the program’s approach to flexible graduate education.

The recognition reflects the program’s focus on helping students build expertise in finance while incorporating knowledge from other business disciplines. With 17 concentration options available, students can tailor their degree to support specific career paths and professional goals.

Finance Education Aligned With Career Goals

The online Master’s in Finance program allows students to add concentrations in areas such as accounting, entrepreneurship and supply chain management. By combining finance coursework with specialized concentration options, students can develop skills that address the needs of organizations across industries.

The program’s online format provides access for working professionals seeking to advance their education while continuing to meet personal and professional commitments.

Sixty years ago, Bellevue University began with a practical question: What if more people could have a real chance to earn a college degree without leaving behind their work, their families, their military service or their community?

In June 1965, Bill Brooks addressed fellow members of the Bellevue Chamber of Commerce with an idea that would ultimately transform higher education in the region. The community of Bellevue, Nebraska, was expanding rapidly, Offutt Air Force Base was bringing military personnel and families to the area, and working adults had limited opportunities to pursue college degrees while balancing careers and family responsibilities. Brooks believed the community needed a college designed to meet those realities.

What began as a brief agenda item quickly evolved into a shared vision among local business and civic leaders. Their work led to the opening of Bellevue College in 1966, creating a new pathway to higher education for students who needed flexibility, accessibility and practical relevance.

From the beginning, Bellevue's mission was different from many traditional institutions. Rather than focusing exclusively on recent high school graduates, the college was built around the needs of adult learners, military-connected students and working professionals. That learner-centered approach would become a defining characteristic of the institution's next six decades.

Built for Learners Who Balance Real Life

Long before terms such as "nontraditional learner" became common in higher education, Bellevue University understood that students often pursue education alongside other responsibilities.

Many of the University's earliest students were balancing employment, military service, family commitments and other life obligations. Bellevue developed academic programs and support systems that recognized those realities rather than asking students to put their lives on hold.

The commitment was personal for founder Bill Brooks himself. After his college education was interrupted by World War II service, Brooks completed his degree as a member of Bellevue College's first graduating class in 1967. His story reflects the institution's belief that educational opportunity should remain available regardless of age, career stage or life circumstance.

Throughout its history, Bellevue University has continued to welcome learners from diverse backgrounds, life experiences and professional paths. That commitment remains central to its identity today.

Innovating to Meet the Needs of Students

One of Bellevue University's defining strengths has been its willingness to evolve as student needs evolve.

The University launched an accelerated degree completion program in 1987, helping adult learners complete degrees more efficiently while maintaining academic rigor. The institution expanded its undergraduate and graduate offerings and continued to refine educational models that emphasized practical application and workplace relevance.

In 1994, Bellevue College officially became Bellevue University, reflecting the institution's growth and expanding academic portfolio. Yet the core mission remained unchanged: creating pathways to success for students seeking a flexible, career-focused education.

This balance between innovation and mission has enabled the University to remain relevant across multiple generations of learners.

Leading the Way in Online Learning

Perhaps no area better demonstrates Bellevue University's innovative spirit than online learning.

Years before online education became commonplace, Bellevue University recognized that technology could expand access and remove geographic barriers for learners. The University launched its first online course in 1995 and introduced the nation's first online MBA program in 1996. It also became one of the first accredited institutions to offer online degree programs.

Importantly, online education at Bellevue was never treated as a temporary solution or secondary option. Instead, the University developed a comprehensive learning model that combined academic quality, faculty engagement and student support with the flexibility adult learners needed.

Today, online learning remains central to Bellevue University's mission. Students can access dozens of degree and certificate programs while receiving academic advising, tutoring, technology assistance, career resources, comprehensive library access, and other support services designed to help them succeed.

Partnerships That Expand Opportunity

Bellevue University's founding story is rooted in collaboration, and partnerships continue to play a critical role in the institution's success.

Over the years, the University has developed relationships with employers, community colleges, educational providers and organizations across the globe. These partnerships help make education more accessible while ensuring programs remain aligned with workforce needs and career opportunities.

Employer partnerships have become a particularly important part of Bellevue University's strategy. Since Bellevue forged its first official corporate partnership in 1999 with Boys Town, the University has continued to work with organizations to create educational pathways that help employees build skills, complete degrees and advance professionally. These relationships help connect education directly to workplace outcomes while supporting long-term student success.

Community college transfer agreements, educational collaborations and international partnerships further extend the University's reach, helping more learners access quality higher education regardless of where they begin their academic journeys.

Student Success Remains the Priority

While technology, programs and partnerships have evolved, one principle has remained constant: student success.

As one of the nation’s few open-access institutions, Bellevue University serves many students who are balancing significant personal and professional responsibilities. For these learners, success requires more than access to coursework. It requires guidance, encouragement and practical support.

The University provides a wide range of student support services, including academic advising, coaching, tutoring, writing assistance, library resources, military and veteran services, career support and technical assistance. These resources are designed to help students navigate challenges, stay on track and achieve their goals.

This commitment reflects a simple belief that has guided Bellevue University since its founding: success should not depend on where students start, but on the opportunities and support available to help them finish.

Looking Ahead: The Next Chapter of Innovation

As Bellevue University enters its seventh decade, higher education continues to evolve.

Students increasingly seek flexible learning options. Employers are looking for workforce-ready talent. Technology continues to create new possibilities for teaching, learning and career development. These trends align closely with the areas where Bellevue University has built expertise over the past 60 years.

The University's future will continue to be shaped by innovation in online learning supported through advances in artificial intelligence, the expansion of strategic partnerships and a deep commitment to student success. Just as importantly, it will continue to be guided by its founding purpose: helping learners achieve more through education.

The challenges facing learners may change over time, but Bellevue University's response remains familiar. Listen carefully. Remove barriers. Create opportunity. Support success. Those principles shaped the University's first 60 years and will continue guiding its future.

Robin Bernstein began working in Bellevue University’s library in 1978, when research looked very different than it does today.

There were no online databases. No internet. No search engines. No artificial intelligence.

Students searched through drawers of card catalogs, photocopied pages from printed indexes, and sometimes waited weeks for periodicals and articles to arrive through the mail.

Today, Bellevue University students have access to over a hundred databases, hundreds of thousands of digital resources, and research assistance around the clock.

Remarkably, one person has been there through it all.

As Senior Director of Library Services, Bernstein has spent nearly 48 years helping students navigate an ever-changing information landscape. She is the University’s longest-serving staff member. During that time, she has witnessed—and helped lead—one of the most significant transformations in higher education.

A Student Who Never Left

Bernstein’s Bellevue University story began as a student.

Like so many students and alumna, Robin came to Bellevue as part of a military family stationed at Offutt Air Force Base.

Originally planning to attend college on the East Coast, her Mom (like so many Moms) wanted her to stay closer, so she enrolled at then Bellevue College.

While registering for classes, she noticed a job posting on a bulletin board for a part-time position in the library.

She applied. She got the job. And she’s never left.

“It was the perfect job,” Bernstein recalls. She attended classes in the morning and worked afternoons in the library, balancing both roles throughout her college career.

While still earning her degree in Business Administration, she accepted a full-time position in the library, and in 1994, earned her Master of Library Science (MLS) and became Director, all integral to her storied career that spans nearly five decades.

Reinventing the Library

During Bernstein’s early years, much of the library work was manual.

For nine years, she personally typed catalog cards for the library’s collection. Every book required multiple cards. Every update required manual maintenance.

Then technology arrived.

In 1987, Bellevue University’s library received its first computer system. Soon after came online databases, electronic journals, digital catalogs, and eventually internet-based research tools.

Many industries struggled to adapt to technological change. Libraries were no exception. But Bernstein viewed innovation differently.

“We’ve always been on the leading edge of trying new things,” she says. “We’ve taken risks. Sometimes they pay off. Sometimes they don’t. But we always moved forward.”

That mindset mirrors Bellevue University’s culture of innovation—a culture Bernstein has experienced under three university presidents and countless institutional changes.

Instead of resisting technology, she embraces it. Instead of protecting old systems, she reimagined what a library could become.

Libraries' Relevance in the Age of AI

As AI - artificial intelligence - becomes the latest technological disruptor, some people question whether libraries remain relevant. Bernstein doesn’t hesitate with her answer.

“Libraries are absolutely relevant in the age of AI. In fact, librarians may be more important than ever. I look at AI as another tool,” she went on. “Our role is helping people learn how to use that tool effectively.”

Rather than replacing research, AI introduces new challenges. Students must learn how to write effective prompts, evaluate results, identify inaccuracies, and verify information before using it.

That’s where librarians step in. For decades, librarians helped students find information. Today, they also help students evaluate information.

The skill set has evolved, but the mission remains the same. “We don’t know everything,” Bernstein says with a smile. “But we know how to find everything.”

A Personal Approach to Student Success

Perhaps the most innovative service Bernstein has helped create is Bellevue University’s Personal Librarian Program.

The concept is simple, but powerful. Students who enroll are paired with a librarian who remains their research partner throughout their entire Bellevue University experience.

Whether they’re first-year students or doctoral candidates, participants have a consistent point of contact who understands their academic goals, research interests, and learning needs.

The program currently serves hundreds of students and has become a unique support system for learners who might otherwise feel overwhelmed by the research process, especially with the myriad choices brought to the fore via AI.

“It’s about taking away anxiety,” Bernstein explains.

Students don’t have to navigate complex databases alone. They don’t have to wonder where to start. They have someone in their corner.

In an increasingly digital world, the program creates something surprisingly valuable: a personal connection.

Supporting Students Everywhere

Bellevue University’s commitment to serving working adults and online learners has required the library to evolve in new ways.

Today’s students are located locally, across the country, and across the globe.

To support them, the library offers extensive digital resources, virtual consultations, accessibility accommodations, and a 24/7 librarian chat service that ensures help is always available.

The goal isn’t simply access to information. It’s access to expertise.

Whether a student logs in at noon or midnight, someone is available to guide them.

Bellevue University’s library is part of a national support system, so that librarians are available to students at all hours. So when Bellevue University’s library is closed, another institution’s librarian assists Bellevue University students at that time. But Bernstein’s team always follows up personally to ensure that students received the help they needed.

That level of care reflects a philosophy that has guided her entire career. Technology should make learning easier, not more complicated.

Looking Toward the Future

After nearly five decades at Bellevue University, Bernstein has seen extraordinary changes.

Card catalogs have disappeared. Printed indexes have become searchable databases. Research that once took weeks can now happen in seconds. And AI is reshaping how people seek and consume information.

Yet through every transformation, one thing has remained constant: students still need guidance. They still need trusted experts. They still need people who can help them separate information from misinformation and curiosity from confusion.

That’s why Bernstein remains optimistic about the future of libraries. The tools will continue to change. The mission will not.

As she reflects on nearly 48 years of service, Bernstein’s career offers a powerful reminder that innovation isn’t about replacing people. It’s about helping people succeed.

And for generations of Bellevue University students, that’s exactly what she’s done.

I was 13, turning 14, when I left conventional schooling.

At that point, I had been in the Nottingham Forest Academy for almost four years, and when the club offered me the chance to join a program where up-and-coming talent could do a school program tailored to my aspirations of making in the professional ranks, I jumped at the chance.

It might have been quite abnormal at the time, but for me, it was really incredible. I was able to train more, I was on the field more, I was developing quicker, my training and games taking priority over my schoolwork.

Even as a teenager, you know the odds of turning professional having been an academy player all the way through to 17 in England are very slim. I knew it was important to have the educational element to fall back on if things didn't work out. But as an individual, I only ever saw football as my goal.

That’s what I wanted to achieve, and leaving conventional schooling made me certain that that's what I wanted to do.

Little did I know it would happen a continent away.

Looking for a Fresh Start

Ten years ago, I was looking for a fresh start. Although I’d achieved my goal of earning a professional contract with Forest, the next step never quite arrived.

Now a 21-year-old free agent, I was trying to just make any headway into the game that I could, but America beckoned. I connected with Barry Venison, who was a former England international working at Orange County SC at the time, and he had a friend, Carl Craig, who was the Head Coach at Minnesota United FC.

He got me a trial, and honestly, I was just buzzing to be involved with a team at that time. I was excited to show what I could do.

That May, a new door opened. I signed with the Loons for their final season in the North American Soccer League, scored my first professional goal days later, and things were off and running.

Since then, the journey over the past 10 years has been incredible, and I’m really grateful for it.

Football-wise, it’s been great, but I can't think of many better experiences than the places I’ve been, moving around the United States. Going from Minnesota to Florida, then going to Salt Lake City, Utah, San Diego, California, and then here in Indy, I’ve got to live in some great places.

I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve accomplished on the field, too.

Winning the USL Championship with Real Monarchs SLC in 2019 is No. 1 for me. There’s no feeling like lifting a trophy, and to captain the side was an incredible honor. Forming that bond with the other squad mates and winning that championship together was incredible.

I’m also really proud of coming here to Indy, bringing my family here, and integrating into the community. Becoming the all-time leading goal scorer for Indy Eleven was big for me, and something I'm really proud of.

More than 250 appearances into my career, I feel great, and I’m hoping I’ve got many more years left.

As players, it’s up to us how much work we put in, and that ultimately is how you end up getting that longevity in your career. If you’re willing to put in the work – whether that’s recovery, whether it’s working hard in the gym, whether it’s also adapting to the game tactically – I think I’ve always been one to try and get the edge on others and try and work hard to do that.

But I know playing doesn’t last forever. That’s when I knew it was time to go back to school.

Huge Array of Options to Learn From

When I first heard about the USL’s partnership with Bellevue University, I was interested immediately.

It almost seemed too good to be true. You can basically get a scholarship to learn whatever you want, and all you have to do is just be a USL player and be enrolled as a professional footballer, it was a no-brainer for me. I felt like, “I have to do that, and anything I can do to get on that program, try and make possible.”

Having teammates who’d gone through the experience was a godsend as well. One of my good friends, Aedan Stanley, and I had many conversations about finding the balance between playing and school – he was one of the first people that I reached out to and asked, “What’s it like, how are you making it work?” I didn't want to jump into something that I couldn't handle, especially with a small family. He was really helpful, as was James Musa, who was going through the same thing when he was at Indy Eleven last year.

Now I’m pursuing a degree in Sport Management, but the great thing about Bellevue University is there’s a huge array of options to learn from. I think that’s what makes it so good, you can pick and choose what you want to learn.

I’m really enjoying learning aspects of education that I didn't think that I would get to know about. There’s lots of individual classes that go from human geography, nutrition classes, algebra classes, there’s all kinds of stuff that I’m delving into that I honestly couldn’t remember learning about. I think I was diving into the back of my brain with the algebra from when I was 11 or 12, that was a tough one, but I’m really enjoying it.

For my kids, too, I’ve always wanted to be a positive role model for them, and I think them seeing me take the time to do that is something positive. I don’t hide it from them, I don’t go off into a room, if I need to catch up on some work, they’ll see me working. I think that’s important, too.

They’re six and eight years old now, and sometimes we sit around the table as a family and we do schoolwork together. Maybe they're catching up on me, but it’s a positive thing. I think it’s something where I hope they could follow in my footsteps.

‘I Wanted to Give Myself the Tools to Do Something’

Long-term, I think staying in football is something that is a good idea for me. I’m not sure what that role looks like, whether that’s coaching, whether it’s a front office role, whatever that may be, I’m not quite sure yet, but I wanted to give myself the tools of being able to do something if I wanted to, which is where my degree comes in.

What’s been really cool the last few years here at Indy, we get to train with the Academy lads who come up. My son, as well, has been involved in the Academy at Indy Eleven. He’s only eight, and he’s at the youngest age group, so it’s cool to see him at the bottom, and then I’m at the pro level.

I’ve done a bit of coaching in the academy as well with my son’s team. There’s a lot of joy that you get out of it, where you know their brains are like sponges. You give them information, they absorb it, and then you see it happen in real time. I think the coaching side is another passion of mine, where I feel like I can use the experiences I’ve had and hand them down to the younger generation.

As fulfilling as that is, and as much as I’ve achieved as a player, completing my degree is definitely going to be right up there when it comes to accomplishments. Being the first proper degree I’ve worked toward, I’ll be really happy once I achieve that.

I’m definitely looking forward to that feeling.

- Jack Blake, Midfielder, Indy Eleven

From The Pitch aims to provide a platform for individuals within the USL to share their thoughts on things that matter most to them – at the crossroads of life and the beautiful game. USL partner Bellevue University is committed to empowering motivated students to explore their passions, impact change in their communities and chase their dreams.

• 100% online coursework with flexible scheduling and internships in your community
• Prepares social workers to become a skilled, ethical, and justice-oriented professionals
• Offers advanced generalist and Military Social Work specialization
• Requires 920 practicum hours in supervised settings

How the MSW program prepares students for professional practice

Bellevue University designed the MSW program to prepare students for advanced generalist practice and specialized roles. Students study social work practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The curriculum requires coursework in human behavior, policy, research, and intervention methods. Students learn to apply evidence-informed approaches, assess client needs, and evaluate outcomes.

The program requires students to demonstrate competencies in ethical behavior, policy practice, and research-informed decision-making. Students engage with frameworks that address human rights and social, racial, economic, and environmental issues. Graduates complete the program with the skills to assess, intervene, and evaluate across service settings.

What students experience through practicum education and specialization

The MSW program includes practicum education as a required component. Students complete 920 hours of supervised field experience across foundation and advanced levels. Practicum courses align with classroom instruction and include integrative seminars that connect academic learning to field practice. Students perform direct service, apply theory, and develop professional identity in real-world environments.

In the advanced year, students select either an Advanced Generalist or Military Social Work specialization. The Military Social Work track focuses on practice with service members, veterans, and families, including coursework on military culture, trauma, and policy systems. Both tracks include advanced practicum placements that build leadership, assessment, and intervention skills.

Hoke’s journey to earning her MHA began when she returned to the workforce in 2014 after taking time to raise her three girls, soon realizing that continuing her education would be essential to achieving her career goals. “I needed a program that would fit into my life, which was already busy with my girls and working full time,” she said. “The level of engagement and availability from the professors built my confidence and pushed me to succeed.”

Similar to Hoke, Vacarro knew a leadership position would require more education. She found that her employer offered tuition reimbursement with Bellevue University. “I decided that there was really no reason not to pursue my MHA. I enjoy learning and I was eager to deepen my knowledge about healthcare,” she said. “I was also able to complete the program without accruing new student debt!”

Growing and Connecting Through Graduate Education

Hoke said earning her MHA has helped her grow personally and professionally over the last decade. ”The ability to work while enrolled in the MHA program allowed me to bring my real-life healthcare experiences to the program,” she said. “In turn, the real application of the ideas not only drove me to be a better professional; it deepened my understanding of the concepts that I was learning,” she said.

She valued her MHA experience so much that she wanted to be an active part of its future. “Bellevue University makes a college degree a realistic, attainable goal, and that is one of the biggest reasons that I sought out an adjunct position,” she said. “I truly believe that being an adjunct continues to grow my knowledge and perspectives in my field with each course I teach.”

Vaccaro agreed that the MHA’s immediate application to her workplace and accommodation of working students helped her succeed. “I had opportunities to ask questions of leaders that might not necessarily have arisen otherwise,” she said. “While I was initially nervous about being part of an online cohort, in hindsight, it was the only way I think I could have completed my MHA in the time that I did.”

During her program, Vaccaro worked closely with Hoke during her Organizational Delivery and Design course, with the two ultimately meeting in person at the graduation open house in January.

Continuing to Learn as Colleagues

Following graduation, Hoke offered Vaccaro a role as Credentialing Coordinator at Midlands Choice, where Hoke works as the Director of Credentialing & Compliance.

“I knew that Shannon would be a great candidate for the position,” Hoke said. “I am excited for the opportunity to work with her in this new capacity and am grateful for the connection formed through the MHA program.”

Vaccaro said she has already seen the impact her graduate program is making in her new role. “I am using my problem-solving skills in a new way and really try to integrate how my role impacts the organization,” she said.

She also said Hoke’s mentorship has made an undeniable impact. “Jenn was a pivotal reason I decided to make the leap into the position at Midlands Choice,” Vaccaro said. “Because of my experience with Jenn at Bellevue University, and because of the MHA program itself, I had the confidence to take on a new role that was outside of my comfort zone.”

MHA Program Director Mike Freel said he often sees lasting connections like these. ”The program is led by highly accomplished faculty, but what truly sets the program apart is how those faculty connect with students,” he said. “As students approach the end of the program, many begin to see new professional doors opening. During this important transition, faculty remain actively engaged. That genuine investment in student success is what helps create lasting relationships that extend well beyond the classroom.”

For years, Karen McMullen’s path seemed set: a future in criminal justice, possibly in law enforcement. But life had other plans.

“I got my associate’s degree in California and completed the first phase of the Reserve Police Academy, earning my POST Level III Reserve Peace Officer Certificate,” McMullen recalls. “Then I found out I was pregnant with my son, and so at that time, becoming an officer was off the table. That felt like a detour, but it ultimately became the foundation for everything that followed.”

And what followed wasn’t a straight line, but a journey shaped by resilience and timing.

After entering the workforce, McMullen took a job at a bank and discovered her employer offered a tuition assistance program. She enrolled in a cybersecurity certificate program, but quickly realized it wasn’t enough.

“I realized I needed more. That wasn’t enough for my goals,” she says. “I reached a point in my life where I said, ‘You have no choice, you have to do it now,’” she explains. “It had been 17 years since I got my associate’s degree, and I knew my waiting period was over.”

That decision led her to Bellevue University through Guild, a leading education platform. Bellevue University is one of the schools in Guild’s academic network.

For the first time, education fit into her life—not the other way around. Bellevue’s online format made it possible to balance two jobs, motherhood and life as a military spouse. “I had never taken online classes, and I was terrified. But now that I’m older, learning this way works for me as it is convenient and flexible.”

A Support System That Made the Difference

A key part of McMullen’s success was the support she found at Bellevue, especially from her Student Coach, Val Henderson.

“Val was wonderful. She’s an amazing person who gets me. She understands me. Her constant communication and confidence in me made all the difference.”

Together, Karen and Val charted a path not just to graduation, but to excellence. With Henderson’s guidance, McMullen added a minor in Computer Information Systems and prepared to graduate with honors.

That support became even more critical when her husband’s military deployment required the family to relocate to Germany in November 2025.

“I was worried about whether I could keep going,” she says. “But again, Val assured me that being there and continuing in my classes would work.”

With help from Bellevue staff, early technical challenges were resolved, leaving only the adjustment to time zone differences.

“Throughout my journey, everyone—from my family to my student coach to my professors had this mindset of ‘we are getting this degree together.’ Of course, my biggest supporter has been my husband. His encouragement and unwavering belief meant everything.”

Earning her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and graduating magna cum laude holds academic significance, but for McMullen, the honors she earned were deeply personal, as well.

“I want to go to law school, so yes, GPA matters,” she says. “But personally, it means something more.”

She reflects on earlier setbacks, including being placed on academic probation in community college. “When I came to Bellevue, I told myself, ‘You made mistakes before, but you can be as close to perfect as you want to be now.’ This was personal. I wanted to make up for the past.”

Although Karen had made the Dean’s List throughout her time at BU, she didn’t realize she had earned magna cum laude honors until the day of commencement.

“I was sitting there and saw it, and I was so excited. I took pictures in my chair and sent them to my family,” says McMullen. “After the ceremony, I kept my graduation cap on. I kept looking at myself and saying, ‘You are superwoman. You did it. Magna cum laude.’”

A Season of Milestones

Graduation came during a remarkable season in her life.

“My son graduated high school this month, I graduated this month, and I’m pregnant with another child,” she shares. “My husband and I will be returning to Germany soon. It’s been a wonderful few years.”

She is also the first among her siblings to earn a college degree. “I’m one of seven kids, and I’m the first to get my degree.”

Her accomplishment is already inspiring others. Shortly after graduation, her older brother became emotional, sharing that her success is motivating him to return to school and finish his own degree.

As for her, she’s more committed than ever to her goal to help victims in the criminal justice system.

“My passion is connected to domestic violence advocacy and helping individuals and families who have experienced abuse, trauma, and injustice,” she explains. As she looks toward law school, she wants to advocate for victims, strengthen legal protections and drive meaningful reform.

Her Success Is ‘Right on Time’

Reflecting on her education and career journey, McMullen emphasizes that success doesn’t follow a single timeline.

“School is not for everyone at a certain time,” she says. “It has to be in your time. It doesn’t matter your age or life circumstances, but you can do it when the time is right. I returned to school 16 years later at 39 years old and finished at 40. Don’t allow your age to determine your destiny. Instead, use it as a multiplier to achieve greatness.”

Finding that time also meant finding the right place. “I’m so thankful I found the right institution for me. I had gone to other schools, and they didn’t fit. Bellevue did. I didn’t give up on my goals, I just found somewhere better to accomplish them.”

When that moment came, she didn’t just finish, she excelled – as a mom, military spouse, college graduate and magna cum laude honoree.

Advancing with the Market Through Education

Ron began his higher education journey with an associate’s degree in civil engineering, progressing through his career into a Chief Information Officer role at Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak, Iowa.

“Modern healthcare is consistently engaged in rapid technological advancement,” he said. “I needed additional skills and aptitude to manage the burgeoning healthcare digital infrastructure and vast operational changes thrust upon healthcare staff.”

He chose the Bellevue University Management Information Systems program in 2010 for several reasons, including the school’s prominent U.S. News & World Report rankings, physical proximity of the school (about an hour’s drive) and strong reputation for online learning.

Bellevue University’s generous credit transfer policy was also a factor. “I wanted my credits from my associate’s degree experience to count as much as possible and Bellevue University was extremely accommodating in that regard,” Ron said.

Through his program, Ron gained the advancement he needed to progress his organization into the future. “The expectations placed on our people from these rapid changes demanded that I bring the best that I could to the task,” he said. “The MIS program gave me the necessary tools and the knowledge.”

Continuing on to the Graduate Level

Ron chose to pursue his Master of Healthcare Administration (MHA) degree shortly after completing his bachelor’s degree. “The decision was easy,” he said.

Ron said earning his master’s degree empowered him to better serve the caregivers he leads. “This was my way of advancing a personal mission to give back to the organization that had given me so much,” he said. “Bellevue University's MHA Program provided me with the curriculum, the educators and the relationships I needed.”

Ultimately, this led him to a CEO role at the hospital. “Most healthcare CEOs come up through the ranks of finance or medicine,” he said. “Advanced technology is now foundational to a modern healthcare organization. Bellevue University helped me combine all the necessary elements to lead a complex healthcare organization as its CEO and do it successfully; I am forever grateful for the impact that Bellevue University had on my career.”

Ron retired in March, transitioning to CEO Emeritus. He also serves on the College of Business Advisory Council. “I know that if I need help with a particular subject, I can count on the folks at Bellevue University, and they can also count on me if they have a need that I can fulfill,” he said.

Love of Learning Runs in the Family

Sarah said she remembers her dad passing on his love of learning early on. She was homeschooled from second through 12^th grades, and each year she and her parents evaluated if that was still the best option for her. “I believe this early practice of curiosity and analysis that my parents helped me develop has been invaluable.”

Sarah became the first person in her family to earn a bachelor’s degree, then earned her Master of Fine Arts degree at Iowa State University. She found a continued passion for education while working in tutoring, writing and other roles at her school. “All of these experiences affirmed my interest in and commitment to working in higher education,” she said.

After working in various capacities at Miles Community College for more than 13 years, Sarah moved back to Nebraska to continue her education career. “I first got to know the university through my dad's experiences as a student,” she said. “In 2021, when I researched colleges and universities committed to open access in the Omaha area, Bellevue University impressed me and stood out as the place I wanted to work.”

Like her father, Sarah is also committed to focusing on building and maintaining relationships. “My aspiration is to keep showing up every day with curiosity, with an unwavering conviction that relationships and collaboration matter, and a belief that there is no impossible place for a student to start from on a higher education journey,” she said.

Sarah is currently working toward her doctorate of education through the Rossier School of Education at the University of Southern California. “The needs of our learners will keep changing as we move forward, and we will keep proactively evolving to meet students with support and excitement,” she said. “In 2025, Bellevue University was one of the few institutions to earn the Opportunity College and Universities designation from the new Carnegie Student Access and Earnings Classification.”

• 100% online format
• 30 total credit hours
• $680 per credit hour
• Includes courses in data science, programming, machine learning, and neural networks
• Features a capstone project focused on building an AI solution to a real-world problem
• Provides student coaching and 24/7 technical support

Program Delivers AI Training Through Applied Learning

Bellevue University now offers an online Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence to support learners who want to build AI skills and apply them in the workplace. The program provides students with a holistic view of the field, including hardware, software, and the data science approaches that make AI a critically important skill in a multitude of professional and research environments. Students complete coursework that builds technical knowledge and supports the development of AI systems across industries such as healthcare, cybersecurity, finance, and engineering.

Curriculum Builds Technical and Practical Skills

Students engage in hands-on projects that use AI tools and frameworks. The curriculum includes courses such as Artificial Intelligence Foundations, Basic Machine Learning, and Engineering an Artificial Intelligence System. Learners study how to apply statistical methods, develop programs, and design AI architectures. The program also includes elective options in deep learning platforms, applied deep learning, and generative AI.

Capstone Project Focuses on Business Application

In the capstone, students design and develop an AI solution that addresses a real-world problem. The project requires students to apply statistical methods, engineering practices, and ethical considerations. The experience demonstrates their ability to use AI in professional settings. The online format allows students to complete coursework on their schedule while receiving faculty feedback and support services.

• 100% online RN to BSN program
• CCNE-accredited nursing degree
• Total degree requires 95 credit hours
• Transfer 60+ credits; complete as few as 35 credits at Bellevue University
• Tuition is $459 per credit hour
• Cohort model with one course at a time
• Practicum can be completed at current workplace or an approved site

Updated Program Structure Supports Working Nurses

Bellevue University redesigned its RN to BSN program to create a more efficient pathway for registered nurses to earn a bachelor’s degree. The updated 95-credit structure reflects how nurses enter the program—with significant prior coursework and professional experience—and allows them to focus on the competencies needed to advance in today’s healthcare environment.

The program serves registered nurses who hold an associate degree or diploma and want to build on their existing education. Students complete nine courses in sequence within a cohort. Each course runs six weeks, and students take one course at a time while continuing to work.

The curriculum includes 32 nursing credit hours within the 95-credit bachelor’s degree. Students can transfer 60+ credits and apply prior coursework toward degree completion.

Applied Learning Connects Coursework to Practice

The program integrates a practicum into the final course. Students can complete a project at their current workplace or an approved local healthcare organization, focusing on leadership, quality improvement, and performance outcomes within their work environment.

Coursework covers professional nursing practice, leadership, informatics, research, population health, and healthcare regulation. Students apply evidence-based practice and use healthcare data to support patient care and organizational goals. Graduates are prepared to pursue leadership roles and certifications such as the Certified Nurse Manager and Leader credential.

• Program launch: Fall 2026
• First courses begin: September 7, 2026
• Delivery format: Online
• Private Practice Certificate: 9 credit hours
• Telemental Health Certificate: 12 credit hours
• Audience: Clinical Mental Health Counseling students and licensed professionals

Programs Address Practice Structure and Operations

Bellevue University has added the Private Practice Certificate and the Telemental Health Certificate to its counseling educational offerings. The programs prepare students and professionals to build services, manage operations, and follow standards in counseling practice.

The Private Practice Certificate covers how to start and manage a counseling practice. Students complete coursework in business planning, documentation, compliance, and client processes. The program requires three courses, a total of 9 credit hours, that guide learners through practice development and management.

Programs Address Service Delivery Across Settings

The Telemental Health Certificate covers delivery of counseling services through digital platforms. Students study legal requirements, standards, technology use, and client engagement. Coursework addresses service delivery across populations and settings. The program requires four courses a total of 12 credit hours. 

Together, the certificates address how counseling professionals deliver care in different formats. The programs provide options for current students in a Clinical Mental Health Counseling program or already licensed professionals who want to expand how they structure and deliver services.

To learn more about the certificates, admission requirements, or how to enroll, contact Bellevue University at 402-293-2000 or 1-800-756-7920 or email msccprogram@bellevue.edu. 

• Award: 2026 Blackboard Exemplary Course Award 2026
• Recipient: Rebecca Barnes, Bellevue University
• Course: BMAL 211: Business Communication in a Digital World
• Awarded: May 2026
• Recognition Areas:
  • Course design
  • Interaction and collaboration
  • Assessment
  • Learner support
• Program: Blackboard Exemplary Course Program (ECP), a globally recognized peer-reviewed honor

Award Recognizes Comprehensive Course Design Excellence

Bellevue University announced today that Program Director and faculty member Rebecca Barnes has been named a recipient of the 2026 Blackboard Exemplary Course Award, a distinction that recognizes outstanding achievement in online course development. Barnes’ course, BMAL 211: Business Communication in a Digital World, is part of Bellevue’s bachelor’s program in Business Management and Leadership. The BMAL 211 course was selected for its demonstrated excellence across four core areas of online teaching: course design, interaction and collaboration, assessment, and learner support.

The Blackboard Exemplary Course Program (ECP) honors instructors and course designers whose courses exemplify best practices in online and blended learning environments. Submissions are rigorously evaluated through a peer-review process, with reviewers assessing how effectively courses are structured, how well they engage learners, and how clearly they support student success outcomes.

Awarded Course Focuses on Communication in Digital Workplaces

Barnes’ recognition places her among a select group of educators worldwide whose work advances the quality and impact of digital learning. According to Dr. Matt Davis, Executive Vice President and Dean of the College of Engineering, Technology and Management, the course focuses on communication in today’s digital workplace, blending business communication, workplace technology, and AI-assisted communication through meaningful, applied projects designed to mirror real professional environments. 

Dr. Davis added that Barnes’ achievement underscores Bellevue University’s broader commitment to high-quality, career-relevant education delivered through flexible and technology-enabled formats.

Creating Engaging, Effective and Supportive Learning Experiences

“We are proud to recognize educators like Rebecca Barnes, whose work reflects the creativity, care and intention behind impactful course design,” said Dr. Lisa Clark, Associate Vice President of Academic Transformation at Blackboard. “Their efforts help create learning experiences that are more engaging, effective and supportive for students.”

• Bellevue University's Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program earns No. 1 in Learn.org’s 10 Most Affordable Online Cybersecurity Degrees for 2026.
• The program prepares students with hands-on experience in cybersecurity tools and techniques.
• The Curriculum emphasizes technical skills and a risk-based approach to security.
• Students can align learning with three in-demand workforce roles: Protect and Defend, Oversee and Govern, Securely Provision.
• The Ranking based on factors including affordability, academic quality, accreditation, and student outcomes.

Program Features Hands-On Experience

The Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program gives students hands-on experience with the tools and techniques today’s organizations rely on to protect critical data. The curriculum emphasizes building technical skills and a risk-based approach to security, preparing graduates to safeguard complex systems in a wide range of industries.

A signature feature of the program is enabling students to choose a program path, which aligns to one of three in-demand cybersecurity workforce roles: Protect and Defend, Oversee and Govern, and Securely Provision.

For More Information

Learn.org’s rankings evaluate programs based on affordability, academic reputation, tuition rates, accreditation, student outcomes, and support services, offering prospective students a clear measure of value in online cybersecurity education.

More information about Bellevue's Cybersecurity program is available here.

About Doug Rausch

Doug Rausch serves as the Maenner Endowed Chair and as an associate professor and program director for the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Cybersecurity programs at Bellevue University’s College of Science and Technology. He teaches courses in security architecture and controls, network security, risk management, penetration testing, and digital forensics.

Rausch brings more than 30 years of professional experience to the classroom, including 25 years as an Air Force communications and cyber operations officer and eight years as a cybersecurity consultant. He has taught at Bellevue University since 2014. Rausch holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from North Dakota State University, a Master of Science in Computer Science from Texas State University–San Marcos, and a Master of Military, Operational Art and Science from Air University at Maxwell Air Force Base. He is a Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) and a recipient of the John R. Maenner Professorship Award and Bellevue University’s Excellence in Service Award.

• Bellevue University ranked No. 3 in TechGuide’s 2026 Best Online Bachelor’s in Data Science Programs.
• The program ranking improved from No. 11 in the previous year.
• The ranking reflects continued program development and academic performance.
• The program is delivered fully online, designed for working adults and flexible learning.
• The focus of the program is on career-ready skills in data science, analytics, and technology.

Preparing Students for High-Demand Careers in Data Science

Bellevue University’s recognition in TechGuide’s 2026 rankings underscores its growing leadership in preparing students for careers in one of today’s fastest-growing fields. Data science continues to play a critical role across industries, from business and healthcare to cybersecurity and public service. This is creating strong demand for professionals with the skills to analyze data and drive decision-making.

The University’s online Bachelor of Science in Data Science program is designed to support working adults and nontraditional learners. The program combines flexible online delivery with a curriculum focused on practical, real-world applications. The program’s rise in national rankings reflects Bellevue’s continued investment in academic quality, student support, and alignment with workforce needs, ensuring students not only earn degrees, but gain skills that translate directly into career opportunities. 

• Program: Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology
• Ranking: Top 10 Best Online Master’s in Organizational Psychology
• Source: Forbes Advisor Education
• Year: 2025
• Format: Online cohort model
• Components: practicum experience and capstone research projects
• Evaluation criteria: affordability, institutional credibility, student outcomes, student experience

Program Ranking and Structure

Bellevue University’s Master of Science in Industrial and Organizational Psychology has been named one of the top 10 online programs for 2025 in Forbes Advisor Education’s Best Online Master’s in Organizational Psychology rankings.

The program employs a cohort model, in which students progress through the program with the same group of peers, emphasizing community building within the program. Students also complete a practicum experience and capstone research projects, which allow them to apply what they have learned toward applied business research projects.

Evaluation Criteria and Additional Information

Forbes Advisor Education evaluated programs based on criteria like affordability, institutional credibility, student outcomes and student experience.

Forbes Advisor Education’s full ranking can be viewed on its website.

• Ranking: #10 for Most Affordable Cybersecurity Master’s Programs and also received the following rankings from Cybersecurity Guide: #14 Best Online Cybersecurity Bachelor's Programs, #16 Best Online IT Degree Programs, #18 Best Cybersecurity Bachelor's Programs, and #22 Most Affordable Online IT Degree Programs.
• Source: Cybersecurity Guide
• Year: 2026
• Programs included: Campus and online offerings
• Evaluation criteria: tuition, credit requirements, student-to-faculty ratios, admission rates, graduation rates

Rankings and Program Recognition

Bellevue University has been ranked #10 for Most Affordable Cybersecurity Master’s Programs in Cybersecurity Guide’s 2026 rankings, recognizing both its campus and online offerings.

Evaluation and Additional Rankings

Cybersecurity Guide evaluated programs using tuition costs, credit requirements, student-to-faculty ratios, admission rates and graduation rates. The rankings include schools offering cybersecurity master’s programs that are designated as Centers for Academic Excellence (CAE) in Cybersecurity and meet other criteria.

Bellevue University’s rankings include:

• #10 – Most Affordable Cybersecurity Master's Programs
• #14 – Best Online Cybersecurity Bachelor's Programs
• #16 – Best Online IT Degree Programs
• #18 – Best Cybersecurity Bachelor's Programs
• #22 – Most Affordable Online IT Degree Programs

To learn more about Bellevue University’s cybersecurity and IT programs, visit the Center for Cybersecurity Education.

• Ranking: #4 Best Online DBA programs
• Source: Forbes Advisor
• Year: 2025
• Program: Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)
• Delivery: Fully online format

Ranking and Program Features

Bellevue University has been ranked #4 in Forbes Advisor’s 2025 Best Online Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degrees.

The ranking reflects Bellevue University’s approach to offering degree programs that meet cost and academic standards.

Forbes Advisor cited the program’s online format, its focus on preparing students to address business problems and its research-based doctoral project in place of a dissertation.

Evaluation Metrics and Additional Information

Bellevue University also earned its placement based on metrics including median federal student loan debt, graduation rate and median income after graduation.

To learn more about Bellevue University’s Doctorate of Business Administration program, visit https://www.bellevue.edu/degrees/doctoral/business-administration-dba/.

• Course: MHA 649: Leadership and Team Development
• Program: Master of Healthcare Administration
• Certification: Quality Matters (QM) Certification Mark
• Platform: Blackboard Ultra
• Score: 101 out of 101 points
• Standards met: 44 Quality Matters Specific Review Standards
• Review type: External peer review by three certified reviewers
• Contributors: Dr. Mike Freel, Caitlin Petty, Janel Heitz

Course Certification

Bellevue University’s Master of Healthcare Administration’s MHA 649: Leadership and Team Development course, designed and facilitated by Dr. Mike Freel in collaboration with Instructional Designer Caitlin Petty and QM Coordinator Janel Heitz, has officially earned the Quality Matters (QM) Certification Mark following a rigorous peer review process. Built in Blackboard Ultra, the course met all 44 Quality Matters Specific Review Standards and achieved a perfect score of 101 out of 101 points, earning one of the highest distinctions in online course design.

Quality Matters Certification

The QM Certification Mark is an internationally recognized symbol of excellence in online and blended course design and represents Bellevue University’s ongoing commitment to creating learning experiences that promote clarity, engagement, and learner success.

Course Design and Review Feedback

The certification reflects Dr. Freel’s dedication to continuous improvement, Petty’s expertise in course design and alignment, and Heitz’s knowledge of QM standards and processes. Reviewers praised the course for its strong alignment, engaging structure, and clear organization, noting that it provides learners with a transparent pathway to success. The official review team highlighted that the course “is very well-designed and structured in accordance with QM Standards overall,” and commended the engaging materials and digital accessibility of the course content.

Review Process

The QM Official Review was conducted by a three-person external team of certified QM Peer Reviewers using the Quality Matters Higher Education Rubric, Seventh Edition.

About Quality Matters

Grounded in research and driven by best practices, Quality Matters (QM) is the global organization leading quality assurance in online and innovative digital teaching and learning. QM provides a scalable system for evaluating and improving online course design through peer review and continuous improvement.

• New program: Master of Science in Strategic Finance with a concentration in Financial Planning
• Total CFP Board Registered Programs: Three
• Programs offered:
  • Bachelor of Science in Financial Planning
  • Master of Science in Financial Planning
  • Master of Science in Strategic Finance with a concentration in Financial Planning
• CFP Board role: Sets and enforces standards for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification
• Certifications supported: CFP®, AFC, and SIE

Program Expansion

Bellevue University has expanded its Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board) Registered Programs to include the Master of Science in Strategic Finance with a concentration in Financial Planning. 

With this addition, the university now offers three CFP Board Registered Programs: 

• Bachelor of Science in Financial Planning
• Master of Science in Financial Planning
• Master of Science in Strategic Finance with a concentration in Financial Planning 

CFP Board sets and enforces the standards for CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® certification and partners with educational institutions to provide the knowledge required to practice financial planning. 

Student Preparation

The university’s financial planning courses are designed to prepare students for certifications including CFP® certification, AFC and SIE. 

With three CFP Board Registered Programs now available, the university is positioned to support learners at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

• Program name: Essentials of AI for Business
• Format: Certificate
• Course structure: Two six-week, four-credit courses
• Audience: Beginners through working professionals
• Focus areas: generative AI use, prompt engineering, model evaluation, ethics and safe use

Program Content

Bellevue University’s College of Engineering, Technology and Management has launched a certificate program: Essentials of AI for Business, designed to give anyone—from beginners to professionals—a practical start with artificial intelligence in the workplace.

Students in the program will explore:

• Partnering with generative AI to increase personal and workplace productivity
• Prompt engineering, refining ideas, and producing high-quality results
• Strengths and weaknesses of the different generative AI models
• The ethical and safe use of generative AI in the workplace

Program Format

Designed for busy professionals, the certificate consists of two six-week, four-credit courses where students will create AI accounts, work with large language models, and apply AI tools to real business scenarios.

Bellevue University’s certificates are short programs taught by industry experts. They are designed to help professionals gain technical skills and stay relevant in a changing workforce.

For more information visit, https://www.bellevue.edu/programs/certificates/essentials-of-ai-for-business/online/.

“My journey has been shaped by hands-on experience, strong mentors and a deep commitment to QLI's mission,” he said. QLI focuses on rehabilitation following neurological injuries, building better lives despite obstacles, much like Mahupete’s own story.

Clearing Hurdles with Flexible Degree Options

As an international student, Mahupete said his bachelor’s degree journey was challenging due to a lack of access to student loans or financial aid. “However, overcoming these obstacles made me more resilient, and the knowledge I gained helped me grow into leadership roles at QLI,” he said.

Mahupete took advantage of both online and in-class offerings. “I appreciated Bellevue University's flexibility, which allowed me to balance school with work,” he said. “As an international student, I had to work to support myself, and Bellevue University's structure made it possible to pursue my education without compromising my responsibilities.”

Sharing Lessons Between Life, School and Career

Mahupete said his personal and professional background contributed to his educational experience. “As a Zimbabwean, I brought a perspective shaped by perseverance, adaptability and the ability to overcome financial and logistical challenges. My experience in a mission-driven, nonprofit healthcare organization also allowed me to share insights on leadership, team development and operational challenges,” he said.

While balancing school, work and life was difficult, Mahupete said he appreciates the lessons it taught him. “I had to work while going to school, all while managing the financial strain of higher tuition without access to student loans or financial aid,” he said. “It required discipline, strong time management and a clear sense of priorities. I had to make sacrifices, stay extremely organized and rely on a strong support system of family and friends. Looking back, the challenge helped shape the leader I am today.”

While continuing to grow his leadership abilities, Mahupete even wrote a book on the subject to help others develop leaders within their organizations. Released in 2019, Dream Catcher is an established coaching program for leadership succession.

Embracing Available Opportunities

Mahupete says that with the challenges he’s faced, he’s also had incredible opportunities present themselves. “QLI has been a place where I've been able to grow, lead and make a meaningful impact,” he said.

“Bellevue University played a role in my development, providing an education that was not just theoretical but directly applicable to my career. I hope my story can encourage others to push through their challenges, invest in their growth and never lose sight of their goals.”

Mahupete said he also recommends Bellevue University because of its commitment to working professionals.

“The university understands the realities of balancing school, work and personal life,” he said. “They provide a practical, real-world education that can be applied immediately. For those who need flexibility and support, Bellevue University is an excellent choice.”

• Bellevue University ranked #3 for its Master’s in Business Analytics program
• Bellevue University ranked #7 for its Online Bachelor’s in Data Science program
• Rankings reflect cost and academic benchmarks

Program Rankings

TechGuide ranked Bellevue University’s Master’s in Business Analytics program #3 and its Online Bachelor’s in Data Science program #7 on the 2025 Most Affordable Programs list. The rankings reflect how the programs meet both cost and academic benchmarks.

About the Rankings

TechGuide compiles rankings that evaluate degree programs based on affordability and academic standards. The organization provides information on technology-focused education, including program rankings, faculty interviews, educational resources, and a podcast featuring professionals and professors from across the United States.

• Degree: Master of Arts in Sport Management
• Designed for recent graduates and working professionals
• Curriculum includes sport marketing, strategy, analytics, and legal topics
• Program requires an internship
• Prepares students for careers across sport and recreation fields

Program Launch

Bellevue University has launched a Master of Arts in Sport Management degree through its College of Arts and Sciences. The program is designed for recent graduates and working professionals, and prepares students to lead and work in the sport and recreation industry.

Curriculum and Internship

The program focuses on areas such as sport marketing, business strategy, data analytics, and legal and risk management. A required internship allows students to gain experience and build a network before graduation.

Career Opportunities

Graduates will be prepared for roles in athletic departments, sport marketing and management agencies, youth and community sport programs, nonprofit organizations, and sport media and retail companies.

Additional Areas of Study

Students will also study sales and branding strategies, leadership and crisis management, global sport operations, community involvement, and legal topics such as contracts and liability. The program includes training in data and analytics to support planning and decision-making in sport organizations.

Industry Demand

As the sport industry continues to change due to globalization, digital tools, and data use, the new program supports the demand for professionals in sport management.

More Information

For more information about the Master of Arts in Sport Management at Bellevue University, visit: https://www.bellevue.edu/degrees/master/sport-management-ma/.

• Degree: Master of Science in Management and Leadership
• Designed for emerging leaders in business, government, and nonprofit sectors
• Program includes four graduate certificates
• Curriculum integrates generative AI tools
• Focus areas include leadership, change management, and data-driven decision-making

A Purpose-Built Program for Modern Leaders

Bellevue University has launched a new Master of Science in Management and Leadership degree designed to meet the needs of today’s emerging leaders in the business, government, and nonprofit sectors.

According to Program Director Jesica Lamkins, the new degree program was developed with one goal: to help working learners with responsibilities spanning both the traditional manager and leader roles level up their careers, without putting life on hold.

“This program is for leaders on the rise who are also responsible for managing key aspects of their organizations,” explained Lamkins. “The coursework is focused on developing real-world, actionable skills – like managing change, making data-driven decisions, and developing talent. Students graduate ready to lead with confidence from day one.”

Because course content is delivered 100% online in an accelerated format, the program allows students to take one course at a time, with one-week breaks in between. This allows them to balance school with work, family and personal responsibilities.

Stackable Credentials with Immediate Impact

As students progress through the program, they earn four graduate certificates of completion in:

• Management and Organizational Leadership
• Quantitative Tools for Managers
• Managing Change with Integrity
• Managing People and Processes

Dr. Davis added that the credentials can be added to a resume or LinkedIn profile well before the degree is complete, giving students immediate ROI and a competitive edge.

AI-Powered Curriculum Tailored for the Future of Work

The Master of Science in Management and Leadership also integrates generative AI tools throughout the learning experience. From smarter decision-making to streamlined project management and business intelligence, students will learn to partner with AI in ways that enhance their leadership potential and organizational impact. 

According to a 2025 report by McKinsey & Company, many millennials aged 35 to 44 are managers and team leaders who self-report having the most experience and enthusiasm about AI. The McKinsey report notes that because many millennials are managers, they can support their teams to become more adept AI users and help push their companies toward AI maturity.

Lamkins said managers’ AI optimism and knowledge positions them to lead internal conversations ranging from corporate investment in AI technologies and tools to AI governance challenges to AI-powered workflow solutions. “Our program fully adopts AI,” she said, “and further positions students to lean into it and make an impact inside their organizations.”

• Bellevue University joined the CIC Online Course Sharing Consortium powered by Acadeum.
• Bellevue will share more than 100 online courses with students from other institutions.
• The consortium includes over 300 CIC member colleges and universities.
• The current course catalog includes more than 11,600 courses.
• Bellevue offers more than 1,500 online courses and adds new courses each year.
• Bellevue will share General Education, major-related courses, full majors and certificate courses.
• Bellevue serves more than 18,000 students.

Consortium Overview

Bellevue University, one of the nation’s top online universities, will share 100-plus online courses with students from other institutions as a member of the Council of Independent Colleges Online Course Sharing Consortium (CIC OCSC) powered by Acadeum.

The OCSC enables over 300 CIC member colleges and universities across the United States to share high-quality online courses to enhance or create new programs, fill empty seats and keep students on track for timely graduation. The current OCSC course catalog has more than 11,600 courses.

Bellevue University Participation

Bellevue University has a course catalog of more than 1,500 online courses and adds new courses each year. Bellevue will share its General Education courses, major-related courses, full majors, and skill-specific certificate courses through the consortium program.

Dr. Hawkins added that Bellevue University’s 18,000-plus students will also benefit from access to the CIC-OCSC course catalog.

History of Online Learning

Bellevue has developed its own online courses since the mid-1990s when it launched the nation’s first online MBA degree program.

• Master of Science in Threat Assessment and Management
• Designed for professionals in public safety, security, and related fields
• Focus on assessing, mitigating, and responding to threats
• Covers threats of violence, public safety risks, and mental health crises
• Includes three Certificates of Completion
• Program information: https://www.bellevue.edu/degrees/master/threat-assessment-ms/

Program Overview

Bellevue University has launched a Master of Science in Threat Assessment and Management designed to equip professionals with the skills to assess, mitigate, and respond to a range of threats in both the public and private sectors.

Training and Focus Areas

The program offers specialized training for working professionals in public safety, security, and related fields. Students will learn to address threats of violence, public safety risks, and the complexities of mental health crises.

Students will gain expertise in critical areas, including threat identification, physical and informational threat assessment procedures, and ethical considerations.

Certificates of Completion

Students will have the opportunity to earn three Certificates of Completion while completing the program:

• Basics of Threat Assessment and Ethics
• Physical and Informational Threat Assessment Procedures and Rules
• Identification of Threats and the Human Element

How to Apply

To learn more about the Master of Science in Threat Assessment and Management or to apply, visit https://www.bellevue.edu/degrees/master/threat-assessment-ms/.

Bellevue University is one of America's top online colleges and universities, according to Newsweek. 

Bellevue University is one of 125 higher education institutions to receive a five-star rating - the recognition list's highest honor. 

The Newsweek ranking is split into two groups:

• America's Top Online Colleges - the top 250 colleges and universities that offer online undergraduate or graduate degree programs, including hybrid programs with online and offline courses and exams.
• America's Top Online Learning Providers - the top 100 institutions other than a university or college, and platforms, which provide access to their own or third-party online courses.

Bellevue University ranked #36 overall among public and private universities in Newsweek's ranking of online colleges and universities. The magazine worked with marketing and consumer data firm Statista to rank the institutions and released the list in November 2024.

"This ranking highlights Bellevue University's commitment to and ongoing investment into providing learners with the access and flexibility they need to pursue a high-quality education and successfully earn their degree or enhance their career," said President Dr. Mary Hawkins. 

The rankings are based on an online survey of U.S. residents who have used online learning services to obtain an academic degree or acquire knowledge and skills for their jobs (professional development) or hobbies (personal development).

User reviews and additional institutional indicators were transformed into score values and aggregated toward a final score. The ranking's evaluation criteria include:

• Institutional indicators (enrollment, graduation statistics, research activity): 20%
• Rating of experience: 50%
• Overall satisfaction: 20%
• Recommendation: 10%

Amazon Web Services’ AWS Cloud Institute and Bellevue University, one of the nation’s leading online universities, are teaming up to connect even more learners, regardless of their technical background, to cloud computing careers.

As one of the first higher education institutions teaming up with AWS Cloud Institute, Bellevue will leverage AWS Cloud Institute across its diverse learner and corporate partner network.

“The availability of skilled cloud talent is one of the largest barriers to industry transformation,” said Kevin Kelly, Director of AWS Cloud Institute. “Teaming up with Bellevue allows us to connect into a community of motivated learners who are eager to build opportunity for their lives and careers. It also opens up new dimensions of conversation with Bellevue's engaged employer partners who use AWS services, allowing us to explore how they can address their cloud talent needs through reskilling and internal mobility programs.”

According to a 2022 McKinsey & Company report, most cloud hires will come from existing employees who have upgraded their skills. The report noted that up-skilling workers’ skills can cost significantly less than hiring new ones.

Individuals who enroll in AWS Cloud Institute gain in-demand skills and hands-on technical experience through nine core courses, 150+ labs, and a capstone project in preparation for two AWS certifications – AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner and AWS Certified Developer. The program can be completed in as little as nine months.

“With a deep focus on employee growth planning, we’re uniquely qualified to help adult learners and the employers we partner with connect with specialized cloud computing education delivered by AWS,” said Dr. Mary Hawkins, President of Bellevue University. “‘It’s cloud on,’ and we’re ready to work together to drive careers and companies forward quickly.”

Dr. Hawkins added that those who complete the AWS Cloud Institute program will earn 45 credit hours that can be applied to cloud computing-related college degrees.

AWS Cloud Institute program prepares graduates for job roles such as cloud developer, cloud engineer, DevOps engineer, cloud administrator, or cloud support engineer.

About AWS Cloud Institute

AWS Cloud Institute is a virtual cloud skills training program helping any learner build the skills and experience they need to launch a career in cloud in as little as 9 months – regardless of technical background. Learners are trained straight from the source through a comprehensive program developed by AWS and delivered by AWS-accredited expert instructors with extensive cloud and instruction experience and credentials.

Our mission is to accelerate cloud innovation for AWS customers and partners by increasing the pool of job-ready cloud-skilled talent.

The Story Behind his Eclectic Career

Weinstein earned his bachelor’s degree in Film History from Manchester Metropolitan University in England. “This sparked my initial foray into the entertainment industry as a film and television location scout,” he said. “However, my trajectory took a profound turn when I delved into my Jewish historical and cultural heritage during an extended stay in Yeshiva in Israel, ultimately leading me to embrace the role of a rabbi.”

He said his time in Israel was transformative. “I discovered a deep sense of fulfillment in serving others, particularly in pastoral care,” Weinstein said. After meeting his wife and relocating to Brooklyn, he returned to academia as the rabbi at Pratt Institute. “There, I endeavored to merge spirituality with cultural exploration, culminating in the publication of a bestselling book that examined the Jewish influences on superheroes and their creators.”

The book – Up, Up, and Oy Vey – explores the intersection between Jewish culture and the world of superheroes. “It delves into the profound influence of Jewish immigrants on the creation and evolution of iconic comic book characters, revealing how their experiences of identity, resilience, and social justice shaped the narratives we know and love today,” Weinstein said.

Over the past few years, Weinstein has developed a passion for peer support advocacy, serving as a family peer support advocate and now training the peer support workforce for Families Together in New York City. “These experiences have been instrumental in amplifying marginalized voices within our systems of care and shaping policies in Albany related to mental health and developmental disabilities,” he said.

Furthering Advocacy Through Education

Through his own experiences, Weinstein came to believe that mental health counseling would be a natural continuation of peer advocacy. “Peer support training, with its focus on strength-based and empathetic support, provides a solid foundation for clinical counseling,” he said. “It felt like a natural evolution for my career, allowing me to further develop my skill set and continue advocating for those in need.”

He found Bellevue University and its CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling program through the recommendation of a good friend. “The flexibility and professionalism of the institution, coupled with its faculty's apparent understanding of marginalized voices, resonated deeply with me,” he said. “Additionally, as someone with a child on the autism spectrum and a late diagnosis of ADHD, I am eager to research adaptability within the context of neurodiversity and mental health.”

CACREP stands for the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs. The council is an independent, nationally recognized accrediting body that evaluates graduate counseling programs in the United States to ensure they meet the counseling profession’s standards.

Through his studies, Weinstein has found the flexibility and growth that will fuel his efforts to make an even bigger difference going forward. “My experience with Bellevue University has been very positive,” he said. “The professors are very friendly, relatable, supportive, and open to new ideas and perspectives.”

Weinstein also said the online modules are flexible, and since they are so interesting and available 24/7, he finds himself logging throughout the day and night.

“I’d recommend the program to those looking to be challenged, changed and committed, and want professors that feel like mentors,” Weinstein said.

Bellevue University offers quality programs across these top fields designed to meet the needs of working learners. Bellevue University provides flexible online options, industry-relevant curriculum, and comprehensive support services to help all students achieve their academic and professional goals. Read more about how these popular degree programs could help you achieve your goals as a working adult learner. 

“I did extensive research when I was choosing a school,” Weinberg said. “I was looking for an accredited, well regarded online program that provided an excellent education and flexibility. Bellevue University met all these criteria!”

About the YIEP Partnership

Through its partnership with YIEP, the Bellevue University faculty and staff customized programs that allow Orthodox Jews to continue their education in an environment that does not conflict with their lifestyle demands and cultural customs.

The program began in 2005, and has grown to include a Master of Arts in Educational Leadership, bachelor’s degrees in business and human services, an MBA, and a Master of Science in Clinical Counseling. The program is the longest running educational partnership in Bellevue University’s 57-year history.

Finding Flexibility in Online Learning

Weinberg grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and now lives in Jackson, New Jersey. He is the executive director of the Flatbush Community Fund in Brooklyn. After seeing an advertisement and hearing about YIEP and Bellevue University, he decided the MBA with a Healthcare Concentration was the best fit.

“I was always interested in business and entrepreneurship,” Weinberg said. “A business degree is an excellent way to advance my career and gain skills and knowledge that benefits me.”

Bellevue University was a new experience for Weinberg in two ways: it was his first secular higher education experience and his first time studying online.

“My undergraduate degree was earned at a religious Talmudic institution,” he said. “Bellevue University was my first real college experience, and it was great!”

He also found that studying online provided the flexibility he needed.

“Learning online allowed me to get my MBA from a great program that otherwise would have been geographically limited,” he said. “I very much enjoyed the online experience. I could finish the coursework on my schedule, yet have excellent professors' guidance and classmates' camaraderie.”

Applying Lessons to the Nonprofit World

Weinberg has quickly applied insights from his experience, both during his MBA program and after graduating in March 2022.

“Nonprofits often get a bad rap for being run in a lackadaisical and unprofessional manner. While many organizations are run incredibly efficiently, the stigma still exists,” he said. “Having an MBA allows us to ensure we run our programs business-like and demonstrate to our stakeholders the same.”

Weinberg said earning his MBA helped with his business expertise in several ways. “I was able to grow the organization at a much quicker rate with my newfound knowledge. I also felt much more confident when participating in meetings with businesspeople, knowing I could hold my own,” he said.

Paying the Experience Forward

Thanks to a great experience, Weinberg strongly recommends Bellevue University to family and friends.

“The professors were true professionals and incredibly knowledgeable. Whenever I had a question, someone was there, ready and happy to guide me,” he said. “A cousin of mine was the first of hopefully many I’ve recommended that will attend Bellevue University.”

Another way he’s paying his experience forward is with his involvement in Sara Schenirer Institute, which partners with universities to serve Jewish students similar to the way Bellevue University YIEP program does.

“They were starting a new MBA in Nonprofit Management and asked me if I wanted to design the curriculum and begin teaching the inaugural class,” Weinberg said. “This was an exciting opportunity for me. I was always passionate about sharing what I learned through my MBA and as executive director of a nonprofit.”

The experience has been fulfilling for Weinberg. He’s looking forward to his next set of classes, and continuing to share the expertise he’s built through his life, career and Bellevue University education.

“My father struggled with addiction (he is almost 20 years sober now), but he became an alcohol and drug counselor when I was 12, so when my parents found out about my alcohol and drug addiction, it was pretty easy for him to help me get to treatment,” she said.

That first treatment program was followed by three more.

“I wanted so badly to be sober, I just couldn't find myself maintaining long periods of sobriety,” she said. “Each treatment helped me to find a piece of myself, and by the age of 20, I had slowly begun making positive changes.”

When Porter was 23, she found out she was pregnant with her son. Once he was born, she knew she needed to continue a life of sobriety.

She enrolled at Metropolitan Community College for an associate degree in chemical dependency counseling, which she earned in 2018 while working at an outpatient substance use facility as an administrative assistant.

“Somewhere in all of that, I still had a belief that I could drink like a ‘normal’ person,” Porter said. “I relapsed on alcohol when my son was six months old. When he turned nine months old, I realized that in order for me to live the life I wanted, and the life both him and I deserved, alcohol could not be a part of it.”

That day was October 6, 2016. Porter has not had a drink since.

Since earning her associate degree, she’s served as a licensed drug and alcohol counselor, working with individuals in group therapy and facilitating intensive outpatient programming.

“Helping people to recover and live lives they are proud of, lives they do not have to escape from, is truly remarkable,” Porter said.

She also recently graduated from Bellevue University with a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science.

“I chose Bellevue University because the cohort program seemed like the best fit for me and my schedule,” Porter explained. “I needed something that allowed me to still be a full-time employee, a full-time mom, and now a business owner (I just launched my new private practice at the first of the year). Bellevue caught my eye because they are flexible, they have resources, and I wasn't the only non-traditional student.”

Even though she did her studies fully online, Porter had great experiences communicating with both her peers and professors.

“I never once felt disconnected,” she said. “While I did not complete this program in class, I still feel I gained experiences that will help me continue to grow professionally, personally and in my education.”

Porter will also speak at Bellevue University’s winter commencement.

“I never imagined I’d be chosen for such an honor,” she said. “For me, being the commencement speaker is about change. It’s proof that someone with a background such as mine can accomplish more than ever imagined. It’s an opportunity to share hope with every single person who is graduating and let them know that change is possible.”

Moving forward, Porter has her sights set on pursuing a master’s degree in clinical counseling followed by a doctorate in psychology.

And while life has thrown many challenges Porter’s way, she’s proud of how far she’s come. Now, her peskiest obstacle is elementary arithmetic.

“Today, as a 30-year-old woman, I can honestly say that one of my biggest struggles is doing first grade math before bedtime,” she said. “For some, that may seem silly, but for a person who wasn’t sure she would ever have children or live a life of sobriety, being able to help her son with his math is a beautiful blessing.”

Bellevue University is one of 100 institutions to receive a five-star rating -- the recognition list’s highest honor.

The Newsweek ranking is split into two groups:

• America’s Top Online Colleges - the top 200 colleges and universities that offer online undergraduate or graduate degree programs, including hybrid programs with online and offline courses and exams.
• America’s Top Online Learning Providers - the top 50 institutions other than a university or college and platforms, which provide access to their own or third-party online courses.

Bellevue University ranked #76 overall among public and private universities in Newsweek’s first-ever ranking of online colleges and universities.. The magazine worked with marketing and consumer data firm Statista to rank the institutions and released the list in November 2022. 

“This ranking highlights Bellevue University's commitment and ongoing investment into providing students with the access and flexibility they need to pursue a high-quality education and successfully earn their degree,” said President Dr. Mary Hawkins. 

The rankings are based on an online survey of U.S. residents who have used online learning services to obtain an academic degree or acquire knowledge and skills for their job (professional development) or hobbies (personal development).

User reviews and additional institutional indicators were transformed into score values and aggregated toward a final score. The ranking's evaluation criteria include:

• Institutional indicators (enrollment, graduation statistics, research activity): 20%
• Rating of experience: 50%
• Overall satisfaction: 20%
• Recommendation: 10%

The 24-week certificate program is offered 100% online and is eligible for financial aid. Students who complete the program earn 16 semester hours of college-level credit and are prepared to work in various settings alongside other healthcare professionals, and with clients and families impacted by substance abuse, mental and emotional disorders, domestic violence, abuse and trauma. 

According to Bellevue University President Dr. Mary Hawkins the new program addresses a major workforce need, as well as a societal one. “Hospitals, human service agencies and other organizations are looking to hire entry-level professionals who can implement care plans and know how to interact effectively with diverse teams,” she said. “Mental health is really critical to how individuals contribute, in both their personal and professional lives, to the world in which we all live.”

According to LinkedIn’s 2020 Emerging Jobs Report, hiring for behavioral health technicians has grown 32% on average, year over year, since 2015. Locally, the Mental Health Innovation Foundation, a non-profit organization, is coordinating with area colleges and universities, such as Bellevue University, to address a significant workforce shortage in mental healthcare workers. 

In addition to the new certificate program, Bellevue University currently offers a range of learning pathways, including specialty gambling and substance abuse certificate programs for licensed counselors and practitioners; undergraduate degree programs in Behavioral Science, Child Protection/Juvenile Justice and Child, Youth, and Family Studies; and a CACREP-accredited Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s program. 

For more information about Bellevue University’s new Mental Health Technician Certificate, please visit https://www.bellevue.edu/degrees/certificate-program/mental-health-technician/ 

Bellevue University is one of 75 institutions to receive a five-star rating -- the recognition list’s highest honor.

The Newsweek ranking is split into two groups:

• America’s Top Online Colleges - the top 150 colleges and universities that offer online degree programs, including hybrid programs with online and offline courses and exams
• America’s Top Online Learning Providers - the top 32 institutions other than a university or college that provide access to their own or third-party online courses

Bellevue University ranked #67 overall among public and private universities in Newsweek’s first-ever ranking of online colleges and universities.. The magazine worked with marketing and consumer data firm Statista to rank the institutions and released the list in October 2021. 

“This ranking highlights Bellevue University’s commitment and ongoing investment into providing students with the access and flexibility they need to pursue a high-quality education and successfully earn their degree,” said President Dr. Mary Hawkins. 

The rankings are based on an online survey of U.S. residents who have used online learning services to obtain an academic degree or acquire knowledge and skills for their job (professional development) or hobbies (personal development).

User reviews and additional institutional indicators were transformed into score values and aggregated toward a final score. The ranking's evaluation criteria include:

• Institutional indicators (enrollment, graduation statistics, research activity): 30%
• Rating of experience: 40%
• Overall satisfaction: 20%
• Recommendation: 10%