Anderson University is expanding an online academic program that gives adult learners the option of taking self-paced courses toward earning a degree quickly—and affordably.
A fully online nursing degree launches this fall, the latest addition to Anderson’s Flexible Degree Program—the first of its kind in South Carolina.
“Professionals returning to earn their bachelor’s degree bring a lot of experience that Anderson University values, but they also have demanding schedules at home and on the job. Through the combination of expert faculty, innovative instructional design, and leading-edge learning technologies, the Flex degree format offers a high level of academic quality, workforce alignment and convenience for online learners,” said Dr. Josh Herron, Dean of Online and Continuous Learning at Anderson University. “The Flex approach specifically measures learning and not just a set amount of time in a course.”
AU’s first Flex degree, in Human Services, launched in 2018. Online student Corey Davis said it was the perfect fit for him.
“I have a lot of things pulling me away from school work, so the Flex model allows my schedule to be my schedule,” he said. Other students say the competency-based approach to the Flex degree allows them to apply skills and knowledge from the field directly in their assignments.
Housed in the Anderson University College of Health Professions, the AU Flex degree in Human Services allows students to take their own journey—at their own pace—while mastering the art of immersing themselves into the lives of others. Concentrations have expanded to include Healthcare & Human Services Management, Gerontology and Behavioral Health.
The addition of the fully online RN to BSN Flex degree allows even more professionals to show what they know through the competency-based design and accelerate time to degree on a schedule that works for them. The Flex RN to BSN degree requires 10 nursing courses for a total of 28 hours, and is aligned to national accrediting bodies.
The recently revised Adult Studies Core Curriculum, friendly transfer policies, and the ability accelerate in Flex courses where students demonstrate knowledge means students can finish quickly and save money.
“We are excited about the AU Flex program because it provides our students an opportunity to gain a degree in a unique approach competency-based education,” said Dr. Don Peace, dean of the College of Health Professions. “With this flexible approach, the student sets their deadlines for accomplishing tasks which enables them the ability to complete their coursework more rapidly. The student then is evaluated by how well they demonstrate program competencies, not how long it takes them to learn.”
Innovation in online learning has become a hallmark of the AU experience. AU was recently recognized as having the No. 1 “Best Online Bachelor’s Program” among all institutions in Upstate South Carolina by U.S. News & World Report.