Live Better U enables employees to pursue affordable bachelor’s degrees
Walmart, the world’s largest private employer, has added Wilmington University’s Health Sciences bachelor’s degree to the options available through a college education benefit program it offers 1.5 million employees nationwide.
The addition of WilmU’s Health Sciences degree reflects the scale of Walmart’s health & wellness business – with more than 40,000 associates working in this area nationwide – as well as a growing demand for workers in the economy overall.
“Wilmington University honors Walmart’s commitment to preparing employees for higher-paying careers via its healthcare initiatives,” says President Dr. LaVerne Harmon. “Our Health Sciences degree program can fulfill the needs of employees who hope to pursue meaningful positions that support Walmart’s role in making healthcare programs accessible and affordable to its customers and communities.”
Under the retailer’s Live Better U educational benefit, part-time, full-time, and salaried associates in the U.S. are eligible to earn undergraduate degrees and certificates through select colleges and their online courses for just $1 per day of studies. The company covers the remaining cost of tuition, books and fees.
“Walmart aims to be the market leader in providing retail workers a path to careers in growing fields like healthcare,” says Ellie Bertani, the company’s senior director of learning strategy and innovation. “We are thrilled to work with Wilmington University to provide thousands of our associates the opportunity to earn college degrees in this field.”
Live Better U added degrees and certificates from WilmU’s College of Technology to its available options in June. WilmU is accepting employees’ applications to the College of Health Professions’ Health Sciences program effective immediately.
Overseen by Denver, Colorado-based Guild Education, a partner of Wilmington University, Live Better U is designed to cultivate an educated workforce that is not overwhelmed by student loan debt.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the healthcare industry is likely to create three times as many jobs over the next decade as all other occupational fields combined. An aging population, longer life expectancies, and increased access to health insurance will require the hiring of millions of new employees, not to mention the replacement of retiring ones.
“WilmU’s bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences is responding to that need,” says Dr. Angela Herman, who chairs the program. “It delivers a science-based education, an understanding of health care issues, and professional and leadership skills. Our instructors are active practitioners who bring their professional experience to the courses they teach. In short, the program qualifies students for a wide range of healthcare-associated careers.”
For more information about WilmU’s Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences degree, please visit wilmu.edu/health/health-sciences.aspx.