After an overwhelming start to college in 2005, Sarah Beard returned home to St. Francisville, Louisiana, to find her footing.
Over the years, she raised two daughters, fostered children, and gained experience in a medical office, moving from front desk scheduling to the billing department. Still, almost two decades later, something felt unfinished.
“I wanted to be an example for our children that a college diploma is very important,” says Beard.
Though she once considered nursing school, the program’s demands would have required her to drastically reduce her work schedule — a sacrifice she couldn’t make while supporting her family.
Instead, she continued climbing the ranks, eventually becoming an office manager for a chiropractic clinic. It was there she began exploring online degree options.
“I wanted to do something in the medical field, so when I found out UL Lafayette had the Health Services Administration online program, I knew it was perfect for me,” she says.
On the Road to an HSA Degree
By 2022, Beard enrolled, quickly finding her rhythm in UL Lafayette’s online Health Services Administration program. The program’s affordability, with help from the Compete LA program, gave her the confidence to take the next step.
Complete LA is a college completion initiative designed for Louisianans who have stopped out of school for at least two years, qualifying them for a reduced tuition.
“The flat-rate tuition and no fees made it possible for me to go back to college without taking out massive amounts of student loans,” she says.
And with the flexibility of online learning, she could balance the coursework with her job and responsibilities as a mother.
“The eight-week courses were one of the main factors I was drawn to,” she says. “Being full-time can feel like a lot to keep up with, but I was able to do two classes each eight weeks and still maintain full-time status. It just makes the workload more manageable.”
But life didn’t slow down for Beard just because she was back in school. In 2023, she added wedding planning to her already full schedule.
Thanks to the support of her instructors, she was able to stay on track academically while preparing for her big day.
“One of my professors was very understanding and let me take a test a week early, so I didn’t have to take it the week of my wedding,” she says. “I still made a 4.0 that semester.”
The program both fit her life and deepened her understanding of healthcare operations. Through courses in leadership, finance, and healthcare systems, Beard was able to connect her real-world experience with new knowledge.
Her personal favorite, though, was HSA 409: Health Services Administration Capstone.
“That’s when you do your internship, which I was lucky enough to do with my current employer,” says Beard. “It gave me the opportunity to work more closely with my boss and work on some things that had been pushed to the side for a while, like updating our employee handbook.”
Looking Back and Moving Forward
The bonds Beard formed with her classmates remain one of her favorite takeaways from the program.
“We bonded really well, and we’re super excited to watch each other go forward and keep those relationships together.”
These connections, paired with the skills and confidence she gained, have set the foundation for her next steps. Now, with her bachelor’s degree in hand, Beard is building on that momentum.
“I’m starting my master’s in health administration this July,” she says.
To students currently navigating their own journeys, Beard offers this advice:
“Enjoy it, collaborate, communicate with your professors. Don’t get frustrated and give up. Remember that it’ll be worth it in the end.”
Learn more about how you can advance your career with a B.S. in Health Services Administration degree.
