At 24, Amanda Terry is advancing in her field, her company, and her education. She's building on the momentum that began with a decision to pursue an online bachelor’s degree with the Â鶹AV.
Terry was born and raised in Lafayette and enrolled at the University’s nursing program because she wanted to “help people and work in healthcare.”
But when she began clinicals, she felt her future might lie in hospital operations, instead of hands-on patient care. 
“I thought I could still help people but on the business side of the hospital,” she says.
She began exploring her options and found Â鶹AV’s online Health Services Administration program. Terry spoke with an advisor, who helped her picture what her coursework and career might look like.
The program trains students to meet healthcare industry demands through administrative and operational roles. It also prepares students for entry into master's degree programs.
“It was one of the best decisions I made,” she says. “To have a great blend of health care and business helped make me a well-rounded professional. I didn’t realize the amount of opportunities out there for someone with that degree, especially at a company like Schumacher."
Learning online allowed Terry to begin working part-time and as an intern with Schumacher Clinical Partners during her senior year. Upon graduation, the company offered her a full-time position.
Terry was able to leverage that experience into a new position and is now a managed care contract associate.
“I’m doing greater things than I thought,” Terry says. “I was able to get my foot in the door sooner because of being online.”
In her current role, Terry negotiates contracts between health providers and health insurance plans. She weighs an array of state and federal regulations to regional socio-economic factors.
Entering that role with an understanding of the American Disabilities Act, insurance and reimbursement, and industry language was vital, says Terry.
Learning online gave Terry skills she’s been able to take into the workplace, as well as her everyday life.
“There was some apprehension about the online aspect. There’s kind of a stigma around online classes,” she says. “But, honestly, they’re a little more rigorous in terms of time management and discipline. That’s something I’m very glad I learned through the HSA program.
“It helped in all aspects of my life; learning to stay organized, manage my time, and get things done efficiently. It was good practice for navigating the corporate world.”
Despite the remote nature of her courses, Terry formed bonds with her peers as well as professors.
“The number one thing that saved me was making friends with people in the program on the same track as me,” she says.
“Some of those girls lived in Lafayette so we had study groups together and bounced things off each other. It really helped to have that support group.”
Terry maintains contact with Dr. Rachel Ellison, Health Services Administration Program director, who she says was helpful both during and after the program. Recently, Dr. Ellison even wrote a letter of recommendation for Terry.
The experience of earning a bachelor's degree online gave Terry the confidence to pursue her MBA online, as well.
“I didn’t have to adjust when I started my MBA because I got the hang of it through the HSA program,” she says. “I already knew what I needed to do, how I learn best, and how to balance everything.
“Since I was already working at Schumacher, having the online MBA program available was great. I didn’t want to quit my job, and this gave me the chance to do both.”
She’s set to graduate in May with a concentration in sales leadership from Â鶹AV’s online MBA program. She says this will add even more tools to her toolbox when coupled with her health care knowledge.
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