By Merritt Jenkins

Lee University Online has recently added a new associate degree program, which will be offered fully online starting January 2022.

“We are excited at Lee Online to be able to offer an educational hurdle for adult students to earn online in between our certificates and bachelor’s degrees,” said Dr. Joshua Black, executive director for Lee Online. “Lee understands that a four-year campus college experience is not possible for everyone, and this helps to provide another educational option for those not able to attend our campus.”

The degree, which was submitted for approval last summer, was spearheaded by Dr. Black and accepted by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) this month.

“The associate degree represents a new pathway,” said Rusty Wienk, director of Enrollment and Student Services. “This is an online opportunity, so it doesn’t matter where you live or what is going on in your life, or whether you work a full-time job or a part-time job. This is a pathway that will allow you to get a degree for a job, finish your education, or simply gain more knowledge.”

The associate degree is a two-year online program that will allow students to graduate with 60 hours, the completion of which may allow transfer into the third year of a bachelor’s degree.

The program offers asynchronous seven-week courses in general education and religion, as well as a variety of elective courses that allow students to explore specific areas of interest. Over the course of each term, students log in to classes for online instructions, videos, lectures, assignments, and discussions. Materials are available all day every day, and the instructor may schedule times to meet online with students.

“Lee Online’s associate degree offers students the chance to be first in class,” said Wienk. “Not only will students of this program be the first in their class, they will also have the opportunity to experience a first-class education.”

Lee University’s online program, surveyed along with more than 1,200 regionally accredited institutions by U.S. News and World Report, was recently ranked 75 among 337 U.S. schools with online bachelor’s degree programs.

Best Online Bachelor’s Programs is one of four rankings Lee received for the 2021 assessment. Other rankings include being number 75 in Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans, number 79 in Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs, and number 197 in Best Online MBA Programs.

“Not everyone is ready complete a full undergraduate degree program. The associate degree provides a great first step towards further education,” said Mr. Wienk. “We believe this program will provide students with a sense of accomplishment and t he confidence to do great things.”

Lee Online administrators are currently working on developing a scholarship for the associate degree.

Along with the associate degree, Lee Online offers seven undergraduate degree programs and multiple emphases, as well as four master’s degree programs. All bachelor’s programs require at least 120 credit hours and include core areas in general education and religion.

For more information about Lee Online or the associate degree, visit Lee Online or call (423) 614-8370. To apply, please visit https://www.leeuniversity.edu/apply/ and use the discount code ADLEE (case-sensitive).

For more information about SACSCOC, visit www.sacscoc.org.