Officers at Our Girl of the Lake College in San Antonio say they’ve acquired approval to launch a fast-tracked bachelor’s diploma that may be obtained in three years.
The brand new “Lake Specific” diploma monitor will likely be obtainable beginning this fall. College students enrolled on this monitor can earn a bachelor’s diploma in six semesters by a streamlined diploma plan with no extraneous electives. College students are required to declare a serious of their first semester.
OLLU’s accreditors, the Southern Affiliation of Schools and Colleges Fee on Schools, have authorized 4 majors for the three-year program: Psychology, Social Work, Criminology and Prison Justice, and Childhood Research, which prepares college students for careers in early childhood training.
In line with supplies offered by the college, the fast-track levels are lowered to round 95 credit score hours as an alternative of the standard 120 credit score hours. Officers stated the credit score hours will be lowered and not using a discount within the worth of a level as a result of college students are directed to minors which have “strategic course overlap,” quite than no matter electives take their curiosity. College students are additionally anticipated to take 15-16 credit score hours a semester, about 5 courses.
“This initiative displays our unwavering dedication to entry, affordability, and innovation in increased training,” OLLU President Abel Chávez stated in a press release. “By providing a three-year bachelor’s diploma choice, we’re empowering college students to attain their tutorial targets extra effectively whereas decreasing monetary burdens and opening doorways to profession alternatives sooner.”
OLLU officers stated they’re the primary college in Texas to be authorized by SACSCOC to supply three-year bachelor’s levels.
“This approval demonstrates that innovation and tutorial high quality can go hand in hand,” stated Stephen L. Pruitt, the president of SACSCOC, in a press release. “Our Girl of the Lake College’s method preserves the integrity of diploma necessities whereas thoughtfully reimagining how college students can progress by their training.”
A rising variety of faculties throughout the nation are contemplating providing three-year levels as a option to increase enrollment and save college students’ cash.
This story first appeared at Texas Public Radio.
