�鶹ҹ��

Since 2012, the �鶹ҹ�� has been expanding opportunities for working adults by offering accredited bachelor’s and master’s degree programs online.

Karen LeDoux, 62, spent more than 30 years focusing on her family.

When she learned she could complete her bachelor’s degree online through �鶹ҹ��, she saw the chance to transfer credits from her 1984 associate degree in computer programming and achieve a long-held goal.  

LeDoux fully embraced that opportunity, earning her Bachelor of General Studies degree in 2023 and an M.S. in Informatics degree in 2026.  

“It's been quite a journey; it's surreal now,” she says. “I love the fact that doors can open now that I've succeeded.”

Steady Drive 

LeDoux, of Eunice, Louisiana, says the desire to earn her bachelor’s degree resurfaced when her children were young, but at the time, there was no way.  

“It's one of those things that God put upon my heart when my kids were little. At the time, I didn’t understand how it would ever be possible, but now I can see it was just a matter of waiting for the right time,” says LeDoux. 

Once her children were grown and LeDoux transitioned to a job that would allow her more time off, she started researching how she might complete her degree.  

Her priority? Finding an opportunity to leverage her nearly 40-year-old college credits. The Bachelor of General Studies online, designed for students with an associate degree or at least 45 credits, was a great fit.   

"I told a friend of mine I had thought about going back, but I just didn't want to start all over,” LeDoux says. “She looked at me and said, ‘Well, you know, �鶹ҹ�� will accept your credits.’ So, I started looking more seriously, started emailing with questions, and it looked like it was doable." 

New Tricks 

LeDoux says that although returning to school after decades away was intimidating, she quickly adapted to the online learning environment.  

In fact, she found the flexibility of online courses fit both her schedule and learning style.  

“I like the flexibility of being able to do this when I have time because, obviously, you can't just quit your job and go to school full time when you have bills to pay,” she says. “When I would take a class and the teacher had recorded lectures, I found that so much better than face-to-face classes because I could pause it and write my notes. And I could rewatch it as many times as needed to comprehend the material.” 

That’s not to say there weren’t challenges. LeDoux says she started slow, enrolling in two classes at a time and adjusted to find the pace that worked best for her.  

“Eventually I got a little braver and tried the shorter, 8-week classes,” she says. “I could do one for the full term with one in the A term and one on the B term. Then I knocked out three classes instead of two.” 

Identifying a cadence that works for you and managing your time are key to succeeding as an online student, LeDoux says.  

“Don't procrastinate. It's very important to stay on top of all your classes. If you try and cram everything at the last minute, you're not going to make it.” 

Onward and Upward 

LeDoux chose to pursue a bachelor’s degree in general studies because it was the best pathway to use the credits she’d previously earned. In doing so, she found she could build a curriculum applicable to her day-to-day work.  

“The management course taught me skills I didn't even know I was lacking and helped me in interacting with coworkers. It basically taught me how to de-escalate situations and make things run smoother,” she says. “When you're 18 and taking courses, your question is always, ‘What am I ever going to use this stuff for?’ And here I am saying, ‘Yes, I can use this right here right now.’ It was wonderful.”  

But her passion is and was computing.  

LeDoux began considering grad school after encouragement from her advisor. Shortly after, LeDoux’s daughter — who was studying for her bachelor’s in informatics — told LeDoux about the 100% online master’s degree program.  

The two ultimately enrolled in the program together. Karen enrolled in the informatics generalist concentration online while her daughter, Emily, enrolled in the data analytics concentration as an on-campus student.  

“We actually had some online classes together; that was awesome,” says Karen. “You never imagine going to college with your daughter. You worry about embarrassing your kids. Instead, she was bragging about me being in the program. That was really special."  

The generalist concentration allowed Karen to expand her knowledge and skillset while learning which areas of informatics she enjoyed most.  

“They had virtual labs so you could get the feel for the application, whether it was networking or training AI models,” says Karen. “I liked seeing different things AI could do and learning more about the various algorithms. AI and data analysis were my favorite parts of the program. I found those areas fascinating.”

Karen says she undertook her graduate education with the same intent as her undergraduate degree: personal growth. She’s also cemented her family’s Ragin’ Cajun alumni status, adding two bricks along the University’s Walk of Honor, joining her father, oldest son, and daughter.  

Beyond a legacy of persistence, she sees the potential to apply her advanced knowledge to expand in new ways professionally.  

“I’m keeping myself open to additional opportunities,” she says. “When those doors open, you walk through them.”  

Embrace new opportunities! Enroll in one of �鶹ҹ��'s accredited online degree programs designed to fit your goals and your schedule.

Request Information

Apply Now