Karitsa Kerns, Metropolitan College Business Administration Graduate 2014
Karitsa Kerns, Metropolitan College Business Administration Graduate 2014

From Dream to Goal
Karitsa Kerns represents the vision of Metropolitan College. She currently runs her own Tax and Accounting firm, and is making all her dreams come true. “When I started my degree in Metropolitan College, I came to realize that I could take control of my life and get to the places where I wanted to be,” said kerns.
Five years ago, Karitsa didn’t know how much her life would change as she took one of the most defining steps of her life: enrolling in Metropolitan College at JCSU to obtain her Bachelor’s degree.
Karitsa had always wanted to go to an HBCU, but with a full time job in a busy company’s accounting department, and as a single mother of two, it was not easy or even realistic for her to enroll in a traditional college program. “One day I saw a billboard on Beatties Ford Road about Metropolitan College at JCSU, and my life changed forever,” said Kerns. She then did some research and found out that Metropolitan College offered options that could help her combine her studies with her highly demanding life.
Karitsa was a little scared in the beginning of this journey, because she knew it was not going to be easy for her to juggle so many different responsibilities as an adult student, single mother of two and full time worker. But one thing was very clear in her mind: she wanted a better life and wanted to serve as a role model for her two kids, a five and a 15 year old at the time.
The Master Plan
Karitsa’s determination was much stronger than any obstacles that might have come between her and her goal. So she put up a plan to make sure she had all the resources she needed in order to succeed in this endeavor. The master plan included obtaining support from her family and friends and taking advantage of Metropolitan College’s solutions for adult students. These solutions include accelerated programs, meaning that what typically takes place in a semester is conducted within an 8-week term; evening schedules; and online classes. All these options made it realistic for Karitsa to be able to manage her time efficiently, while taking care of her many other duties.

The financial part of going back to school was hard too, so Karitsa started looking for support in her workplace. After discussing her plan with her manager, she found out that the company offered tuition reimbursement for the employees, so she enrolled in that program.

But she continued knocking on doors to obtain as much help as needed, so she advanced her research process and applied to several scholarships and financial aid, which helped alleviate the cost. “I created a strong support network and the $10,000 scholarship I got was a great incentive, but still sometimes it got tough and I wondered if I was going to make it,” Karitsa said, while some tears inevitably show in her eyes, as she remembers both her joy and her struggle.

Staying Strong Throughout the Journey

During the hard times, Karitsa found relief and motivation from her peers and professors. She felt like she had the perfect environment at Metro, because she could relate to the experience and challenges of other adult students. Among the factors that helped her get through, Karitsa cherishes the small and personalized groups and the family knit interaction with her classmates, faculty and advisors. “I felt like my professors and peers really appreciated and understood my experience and views as an adult learner,” she stated.

Karitsa graduated in 2014 in Business Administration with a concentration in Management, and soon after she got a promotion at her job. “When I graduated and realized what I was able to do I felt like I could conquer the world. Obtaining my degree at Metropolitan College gave me the confidence I needed to continue growing and pursuing my dreams,” said Kerns.

Ms. Kerns has continued capitalizing on her potential, and is now close to finishing her MBA. She also left her 15 yearlong job and founded her own company KNK Tax and Accounting Services LLC. You can contact her at karitsakerns@gmail.com or call her at 980-201-6870.

“Obtaining my degree at Metropolitan College gave me the confidence I needed to continue growing and pursuing my dreams.”

Ms. Karitsa Kerns on a photo session with Metropolitan College's Instructional Designer, Mr. John Bannister.
Ms. Karitsa Kerns on a photo session with Metropolitan College's Instructional Designer, Mr. John Bannister.
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Johnson C. Smith University’s eLearning Department supports distance as well as computer-assisted face-to-face courses by providing infrastructure administration of the learning management system, supplemental resources, and training. JCSU’s online courses have the same outcomes and objectives as courses which are offered on the campus, and therefore require as much commitment to access and learning as does any on campus course. However, online learning allows the student to receive college course instruction regardless of time and location. We provide assets in order to assist students and instructors in becoming successful in the online environment JCSU fosters.

Course Delivery

Students are challenged through lectures, discussion questions, writing assignments, projects and exams, just as in face-to-face instruction. All work is completed online during either an eight week or sixteen week academic period.

Online learning is flexible and convenient but also requires that students exercise time management, log into class on a regular basis, be an active participant, and maintain open lines of communications with fellow students and the instructor. At times, your coursework may be asynchronous, where you complete assignments on your own schedule in accordance with the course syllabus. However, other times synchronous instructional activities may be required, and you must log in at a specified time for real-time meetings. Students who participate in the online learning environment are also expected to be familiar with Johnson C. Smith University’s Policies and Procedures, as well as these guidelines established for matriculation of online, hybrid, or computer-assisted on-ground courses.

Please note that you will require a web camera to take the online courses.

accreditation

Johnson C. Smith University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and masters degrees.  Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Johnson C. Smith University

degreeswith a purpose.

Accelerated degrees:

Accelerated degrees are fast paced courses, but they are not a short cut. Rather it’s a 7-week immersion on a subject. In less than 2 months, receive in-depth knowledge, master a class, and then off to the next one. It’s not a grind, it’s motivational, and flexible for your life. Take night classes, online classes, in person classes, or a combination of all three. Whatever it takes to get where you know you want to go, we offer the education and support to aggressively apply yourself to getting your degree.

Business Administration – Accounting:

Plug yourself into America’s 2nd largest banking city with a Business Administration Degree with an accounting focus. Learn the knowledge and skills necessary to get your foot in the door of this highly lucrative industry. Our program is an interactive and rigorous learning experience that develops skills in business communications, strategies, and business principles, including auditing and individual federal income tax.

The online and campus business administration programs comprise of the same courses. The Business Administration – Accounting curriculum consists of a total of 122 credit hours. Once a student completes the Literal Studies course requirements and the Business Administration major course requirements, then the Accounting (24 credit hours) can be fulfilled. Accounting has been known as “the language and basic tool of business”, but over the years the field of accounting has significantly changed to keep up with the technological advances, augmented government regulations, numerous tax law modifications, the globalization of businesses, and the on-going restructuring of corporations. The demand for accountants is growing and possibly the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) summarized it best in a publication:  “Accounting: The One Degree with 360 Degrees of Possibilities”: “You may already have an idea about what you want to do for a career. Then again, maybe you’re not so sure. Either way, there’s one degree that gives you the education to succeed at just about anything in the business world. It’s an accounting degree. Accounting opens doors in every kind of business coast to coast. It can give you the foundation you need to go on and become a CPA. It can prepare you to become a partner in an accounting firm, to pursue a career in finance or corporate management, to work in government, or even to become an entrepreneur. In fact, no matter what you decide to do, having an accounting background can open doors wide.”

Business Administration – Management:

There are 13 Fortune 500 Companies in Charlotte, and our program is designed to feed ambitious professionals into this fertile job. Classroom knowledge is bolstered by a strong internship program that equips our students with the principles and practical knowledge to operate both large and small businesses.

The online and campus business administration programs comprise of the same courses. The focus of the programs provides an interactive and rigorous learning experience that will produce socially conscious scholars’ preparation to be competitive in this changing global economy. Students are expected to use their business knowledge in a wide variety of careers including general management, human resources, finance, operations management, and entrepreneurship. Those who complete this Management concentration are expected to plan, organize, direct, and control the functions and processes of a firm or organization in a professional, ethical, and efficient matter because of the knowledge and practical theory exposure from the curriculum.

Students who successfully complete their major in Business Administration learn how to communicate clearly and effectively, utilize good time management, be competent in technology, and much more. These core business classes and the Concentration in Management expose various business models to help students strategize and analyze to become proficient with strong business acumen. The more these students get involved in this curriculum the more they are prepared to enter professional life as informed citizens who are able to not only communicate but to think critically and collaboratively, along with demonstrating positive results in their field of study.

The Business Administration – Management curriculum consists of a total of 122 credit hours. A Business Administration major is required to take 46 credit hours of courses. In addition, Business Administration majors must take a concentration in Management (15 credit hours).

 

Criminology:

Best described as the study of making the law, breaking the law and society’s reaction to breaking the law. Criminology degrees lead toward careers as Special Agents for the FBI, DEA, ATF, Juvenile Probation Officers, Caseworkers, Drug and Alcohol Abuse Counselors, and Crime Analysts, among others.

Our students learn the skills necessary to bag evidence, dust for fingerprints and photograph the crime scene. They also learn about criminology from a legal standpoint, the chain of custody and any fourth amendment issues related to processing crime in a courtroom setting.

As a major in our criminology program, you’ll learn about the three major components of the criminal justice system:

  • Law enforcement
  • Courts
  • Corrections

You’ll also have the opportunity to go behind the crime scene tape and network with some very prominent professionals in your field.

Through a practical understanding of every aspect of the criminal justice system, including child abuse, crime scene and white-collar crime, you’ll be fully prepared to enter the workforce.

Where will I study criminology?

Your criminology classes will have access to the latest smart technology for an enhanced learning experience.

You’ll also have the opportunity to tour local prisons, police departments and corrections facilities. In these environments, you’ll have the unique opportunity to talk with workers and inmates for a firsthand perspective on the criminal justice system.

Possible Career Paths

According to the College Board, students can pursue careers as:

  • Clinical psychologists
  • Correctional officers
  • Government lawyers
  • Mental health and substance abuse social workers
  • Probation officers and correctional treatment specialists
  • Research psychologists

Social Work:

Learn a range of skills and methods to help people: child service, clinical, therapeutic services, and community development. This programs leads to a variety of careers from advocacy organizations and healthcare to government and corporate human relations. Receive traditional class room training, then put theory to practice through our active involvement with surrounding neighborhoods, Charlotte, and beyond. We are connected with the National Association of Christians in Social Work, The National Association of Black Social Workers, and our Field Education program continuously evaluates new partnerships to further our students’ opportunities.

Sport Management:

Learn sport finance and sport public relations with an emphasis on real world knowledge. The program applies to a variety of career paths that include: sport finance, sport marketing, sport law, pro-team administration, and college team administration.

The online sport management program enables students from across the nation to benefit from the array of Charlotte’s sport opportunities including: NBA, NFL, and minor league sport franchises, as well as private and public sport organizations. Our program helps students obtain invaluable practical experiences working in the industry in various sport marketing, event management, facilities management, and ticket sales capacities with events such as: the CIAA Basketball Tournament, the NCAA Regional Basketball Tournament, the Dr. Pepper ACC Football Championship, just to name a few.

The Sport Management curriculum consists of a total of 122 credit hours. Of this total, 54 credit hours are designed to provide students with a wealth of theoretical knowledge in various content areas relevant to the sport industry including, but not limited to: Sport Marketing, Sport Law, Sport Facility and Event Management, Sport Sociology and Ethics, and Sport Psychology.

Our program is Named #18 Among Great Small Colleges for a Bachelor’s Degree in Sport Management (2015) and Among the 50 Most Affordable Selective Colleges for Sports Management (2015) www.sports-management-degrees.com

Interdisciplinary Studies:

The actions of one person can have an amazing impact on society. However, today’s social issues are so complex, they require some pretty creative answers.

As an online interdisciplinary studies major at JCSU, you won’t be confined to just one program of study. Our flexible program allows you to combine two or three disciplines and fields of study to create a unique major that fits your career goals.

What will I study as an interdisciplinary studies major?

Your education as an interdisciplinary studies major begins by a problem or question that you want to answer. The disciplines that you combine for your degree in interdisciplinary studies will give you different points of view to analyze the problem and help you come up with an innovative solution.

Through close work with the advisors in your chosen programs, you’ll plan your academic goals around research topics that are interesting to you.

A major in Interdisciplinary Studies consists of 63 program credit hours. These courses consist of 15 credit hours of Required Core Courses (see below), 30 credit hours in a Major Concentration Area, and 18 credit hours in a Minor Concentration Area. In addition, all students must take 46 Credit Hours of Liberal Studies courses, and at least 6 elective hours. A minimum of 122 credit hours is required for graduation. Students must comply with all the University’s requirements for graduation, including the General Education requirements (Liberal Studies Program) and Senior Paper. The student must earn at least a grade of C in the required courses for the Major and their prerequisites.

Required Core

The required core of fifteen hours consists of:

IDS 231 Introduction to Interdisciplinary Studies (3 Credit Hours)

IDS 331 Junior Seminar (3 Credit Hours)

IDS 431 Senior Seminar I (3 Credit Hours)

IDS 432 Senior Seminar II (3 Credit Hours)

PLS 234 Personal Branding (3 Credit Hours)

Certificate Program: Lactation Consultant

The Lactation Consultant Training Program (LCTP) is a certificate program comprehensive Pathway 2 Lactation Consultant Training Program administered through the Metropolitan College of Professional Studies at Johnson C Smith University, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The primary goal of this program is to help diversify the field of lactation to include more people of color, positively impact health outcomes and help address breastfeeding and health disparities and inequities.

The LCTP is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Lactation Education Accreditation and Approval Review Committee (LEAARC). The program earned its initial accreditation on May 17, 2019 and is current until 2024.

CAAHEP 25400 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 158 Clearwater, FL 33763 (727) 210-2350

At this time, the LCTP is an in-person course only. There are no online components to this training program.

Click here to learn more about the history of the program.

Click here to meet the staff in charge of the program.

Click here to see the infographic with great data and insight about the program.

Overview

The Lactation Consultant Training Program (LCTP) will be launching its first class in the Fall of 2019. It is a CAAHEP accredited Pathway 2 Training Program housed within the Metropolitan College of Professional Studies at Johnson C. Smith University, in Charlotte, North Carolina. It is the first Pathway 2 lactation consultant training program in the country that is housed at a Historically Black College/University (HBCU).

The African American population has the lowest rates of breastfeeding duration, and the highest incidence of infant and maternal mortality. Due to the complexity of the issue of racial/ethnic breastfeeding and health disparities and inequities, and the fact that the solution is multi-factorial, the LCTP is designed to increase the number of International Board-Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLCs) of color. This evidence-based strategy to create more inclusive patient-provider relationships also helps meet the demand for diversification in the field of lactation.

Students receive a solid foundation in breastfeeding and human lactation as well as public health and social work perspectives. Content considers equity, population and program-based applications, the social determinants of health, and factors and barriers specifically affecting women of color.

The program consists of both clinical and didactic components; during the program, students complete a minimum of 90 hours of didactic instruction and 300 hours of clinical instruction over the course of two semesters. Clinical hours are earned through the attendance of one clinical day a week. The clinical lactation experience includes primarily direct supervised practice and competency attainment in a hospital or outpatient setting, with the student beginning by observing the preceptor and progressing to providing care under the guidance of the preceptor. In addition, students participate in experiential sharing and topic review, shadowing of WIC breastfeeding coordinators and peer counselors, and attendance at breastfeeding support groups, prenatal education classes and lactation conferences. Students attend a weekly 3-hour classroom session and participate in research presentations, lecture, and clinical case study sharing. The didactic learning also includes project assignments, quizzes and exams.

Didactic Courses Registration Names: HED 395 and 396

Clinical Course Registration Names: HED 495 and 496

Successful completion of all clinical and didactic coursework, competencies, passing grades for HED 395, HED 396, HED 495 and HED 496 AND the attainment of 300 clinical hours and 90 didactic hours are required for graduation from the program. The Program Director then issues a letter of verification of completion of the program that may be submitted to the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) for the student to sit for their exam.

 Click here for more information about the IBCLC exam.

 Funding/Partners

Technical assistance and initial funding for Year 1 of the Lactation Consultant Training Program was provided by:

  • The Carolina Global Breastfeeding Institute (CGBI), University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as a part of project RISE: Lactation Training Model (Reclaiming, Improving, and Sustaining Equity). RISE is funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and is a collaboration between CGBI, the National Association of Peer and Professional Lactation Supporters of Color (NAPPLSC), community stakeholders, and University partners.
  • Novant Health Foundation in support of their Diversity and Inclusion initiative.

Application

Admission and Application Overview

Admission Policies and Procedures

Frequently Asked Questions

Lactation Training Program Student Handbook