LEARN AND EARN IN THREE REIMAGINING HIGHER EDUCATION
H igher education is at a crossroads. Today, many students face challenges in meeting their basic needs and they cannot commit to four years to complete a college degree, while also balancing education with work and family responsibilities. The traditional college model is also too expensive, often leaving graduates with debt. Furthermore, many educational programs are not always aligned with employers’ needs, meaning that graduates are not properly equipped with the skills that competitively prepare them for employment, such as collaboration, communication, and critical thinking. To address these critical issues, National Louis University (NLU) recently launched Learn and Earn in Three (LE3),
personalized study plans, and interactive problem-solving exercises that mirror real-world scenarios. The technology enables students to refine their skills in a supportive and dynamic learning environment that is also personalized to their abilities. Moreover, the AI system analyzes student engagement and performance, allowing instructors to provide targeted supports to individual students more intentionally, accurately and preemptively. Students currently have two entry points into LE3. The first is through Accelerate U, NLU’s innovative workforce credential program. Launched in 2021, Accelerate U helps learners earn a credential in high-demand fields such as healthcare and information technology within six months,
on their way to full-time employment. Accelerate U students earn up to 30 college credits which they can then apply to an undergraduate NLU degree. Upon entry into LE3, Accelerate U graduates can complete the degree program in two- and-a-half years. The second pathway into LE3 is for students who have a full-time, benefits- eligible job, and who have 30 or fewer college credits. Similarly, these students will complete coursework and
a remarkable program that fundamentally reimagines higher education to meet student needs and prepare them for success. LE3 enables students to complete a bachelor’s degree in as few as three years, while also maintaining full-time employment. Students complete self- paced online modules and instructor- led classes, participate in activities as a cohort to build community, and receive personalized guidance from coaches throughout the program and up to six months post-graduation. In addition to an
NLU REINVENTS COLLEGE WITH LE3, A FLEXIBLE AND AFFORDABLE 3-YEAR DEGREE PROGRAM THAT LETS STUDENTS WORK FULL- TIME, LEARN ON THEIR OWN SCHEDULE, AND GRADUATE WITH REAL-WORLD SKILLS.
receive credit for employment on their way to the LE3 degree in as few as two-and-a-half years. In keeping with our approach to cost-effectiveness and affordability, NLU has set annual tuition for LE3 at approximately $10,000. Eligible students will be able to leverage state and federal financial aid, scholarships, and employer tuition benefits, enabling them to complete their degrees with minimal debt while maintaining financial stability through continued employment. LE3 represents an opportunity to fundamentally shift higher education, with a model that is scalable, affordable, fast and sustainable. This innovative approach not only makes degree completion more accessible, but also ensures that students can apply their education directly to career advancement and long-term success. Through this comprehensive program, NLU is creating new pathways for economic mobility and professional growth, particularly for students balancing work and other life responsibilities.
educational curriculum that focuses on durable skills, LE3 leverages the workplace as a classroom, allowing students to apply their newly-gained knowledge to their job in real time, while also earning college credit. Successful LE3 graduates will earn a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Development, which opens up opportunities across multiple fields, and allows learners to build the necessary skills to grow in the career of their choosing. Students will master skills in leadership, communication, problem-solving, and ethical decision- making – all of which are highly marketable skills that are sought by employers in a competitive environment. In the future, we anticipate adding additional LE3 degree options in response to student interests and market needs. A centrally-unique feature of LE3 is an advanced AI-powered learning system that transforms the educational experience. Unlike traditional online platforms, the LE3 system adapts to individual learning styles, providing real-time feedback,
LEARN MORE AT WWW.NL.EDU/LEARN-AND-EARN-IN-THREE
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