UofL’s fully online programs were recognized as some of the top online education for students in the following categories:

• Online bachelor’s
• Online graduate education (specialty ranking of 22 for veterans)
• Online criminal justice (specialty ranking of 12 for veterans)
• Online bachelor’s psychology
• Online engineering
• Online computer information technology

Since 2000, UofL has been offering online degrees and has grown to over 50 online programs and certificates.

“Our students are attracted to our online programs because the online delivery mode allows students access to education in a way that on-campus programs cannot for adults who are often working and raising families,” said Kristen Brown, interim associate provost for Online Learning and Technology. “Our online programs allow part-time enrollment and most are fully asynchronous.”

With fully asynchronous programs available, online students are granted the flexibility to successfully achieve their degree on their own time. UofL’s online programs build a community of care when it comes to adult learners, working professionals, active military, and veterans seeking and succeeding in higher education.

This year, UofL adds two new rankings:

• Online MBA programs (specialty ranking of 29 for veterans)
• Online bachelor’s business (specialty ranking of 38 for veterans)

Made up exclusively of McConnell Scholars, the McConnell Center’s moot court team represents the University of Louisville and is the only undergraduate program in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

The team has enjoyed success in regional and national tournaments for nearly 10 years, boasting four “Sweet Sixteen” finishes since 2009 and three “Round of 32” finishes since 2007.

In addition to team successes, Arsh Haque (’15) placed first in the 2014 “Top Orator” individual competition. He also finished 14th overall in 2015, and Kirk Laughlin (’10) finished 15th overall in 2009.

These achievements factored into the 20th place ranking, based on metrics from the ACMA.

Since 2008, the team has been coached by , a McConnell Scholar alumnus (’01). Participation on the team is a large undertaking, as students typically spend a semester researching, writing and practicing their oral arguments, in addition to their normal coursework and extracurricular activities. Each competition team is made up of two scholars who handle half of the argument.

In recent years, the team has also served as an opportunity for McConnell Scholar alumni to mentor and help current students interested in legal topics.  Sean Williamson (’11) serves as an assistant coach with Laughlin. Alumni Ben Weyman (’13), Eric Kiser (’12), Meagan Floyd (’13) and Mike Adams (’98) help with judging and offering advice.

This year’s case deals with voting rights issues, and the team is scheduled to compete on December 3 in the Great Lakes Regional at Saginaw Valley State University. 

“We started out the season ranked 19^th and to finish up the season with 11^th place is amazing,” quiz bowl faculty advisor Matt Church said. “The team had great chemistry and once they learned how to play together, they were beating teams we’ve never beaten before, such as Brown, Duke, Virginia and the famed Oxford University from Great Britain. Maryland – the team that finished ranked fourth – (we) beat them twice. It was a season of firsts.”

The team of Nick Conder, Kurtis Droge, Ramapriya Rangaraju, and Megan Seldon ended the season with a strong finishing kick, including top 15 placements at both the NAQT Intercollegiate Championship Tournament (14^th) and ACF National Championship (10^th). Droge, who was not included in any preseason rankings, was voted the 11^th best player in the country and named to the Division I All Star Team.

Church indicated that 2017’s squad could be even better, given that Conder, Droge and Rangaraju are all returning to the team.

“With most of the team coming back next year, we’re shooting for a top 10, possibly top 8 finish,” Church said.

According to Church, the ultimate goal is to send two, possibly three UofL teams to the two national championship tournaments and encourages any student interested in participating to contact him via email.