SELF-PACED ONLINE DEGREE PROGRAMS
Lourdes University offers working adults self-paced online degree programs to complete their business or nursing degrees quickly.
Modeled on Competency-Based Education (CBE), self-paced online learning at Lourdes is an instructional model that measures your abilities, skills, and competencies rather than seat time in the classroom. Lourdes offers CBE in several formats, such as entirely online, hybrid, or face-to-face. Each Lourdes self-paced online learning format provides opportunities to demonstrate what you learned and receive credit for mastering a skill or topic.
Lourdes University’s self-paced online programs enable you to complete competencies when your schedule allows by leveraging an adaptive learning platform that permits faculty to set release conditions. So, when you master a competency, you can move on without waiting for your instructor or classmates. Because you control your schedule, you can also take longer on a competency if you need more time to review the course material.
Frequently Asked Questions
Lourdes University Academic Affairs provides these Self-Paced & 100% Online Learning Degree Program FAQs to help Lourdes prospective and admitted students, professors, and staff fully understand the benefits and details.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF SELF-PACED ONLINE PROGRAMS?
There are several benefits to competency-based education programs.
- Flexible – Students can choose when to complete their courses and how they use their resources, and they can take courses at their own pace.
- Pricing Benefit – Students pay one flat fee of $5,000 per Self-Paced Online/CBE term (four-month term). In comparison to the traditional tuition and fees, that is significantly lower. In addition, a student who is familiar with a field of study can accelerate through a program rather quickly. As a result, students can decrease program completion time, thus creating an affordable tuition rate.
- Accessible – Courses are designed by an Instructional Designer who assists faculty with developing accessible learning activities for all learners.
- Communication – Communication is personalized to a student’s learning experience.
- Student Accountability – Students take charge of their schedules and learning assignments. Faculty facilitate the learning process.
- Alignment – Program outcomes, course outcomes, learning activities, and assessments must align within each course.
- Support – Students have access to a variety of support services. A unique support service within a Self-Paced Online/CBE model is a Success Coach. A Success Coach serves as a student’s mentor throughout the program and aids with retention, completion, and personalized support for students.
WHAT SUPPORT DO I HAVE FOR LOURDES SELF-PACED ONLINE/CBE PROGRAMS?
Success Coach
The Success Coach works directly with students to ensure successful completion of self-paced online/competency-based education programs. Success coaches provide support and motivation and equip students with the necessary resources to be successful. Coaches use learner-driven data to offer a personalized coaching experience for students.
Program Advisor
A program advisor will help you establish a plan of study. While you have control over when you complete your courses, the program advisor provides advice so that you can earn your degree at an accelerated and affordable rate.
Facilitator
Your program facilitator is an active member in the field of study and a qualified mentor. Each facilitator conducts research, works in the Nursing field, obtains appropriate teaching credentials, and advocates for personalized learning. These professionals assist you with all academic-related questions throughout each course.
Academic Support Services
While students in a competency-based program will complete their requirements using a different instructional model than traditional students, all students will have access to University support services online and on campus. Students in a competency-based program can select which resources to access and when they require assistance. That allows a customized learning approach, as students can choose how and when to use academic resources.
CAN I RECEIVE FINANCIAL AID FOR SELF-PACED ONLINE/CBE PROGRAMS?
Financial aid is available to full-time students enrolled in a Lourdes Self-Paced Online/CBE program. Full-time is considered six (6) or more credit hours for a graduate student and twelve (12) or more credit hours for an undergraduate student. Students must complete a FAFSA application to determine the award amount per term.
IS PERSONALIZED, SELF-PACED ONLINE EDUCATION A WORKFORCE MODEL?
While one of the many goals of competency-based programs is to prepare students for their field of study, Lourdes University provides a holistic educational experience. Rooted in Catholic and Franciscan traditions, Lourdes provides a values-centered education that enriches lives and advances academic excellence by integrating the liberal arts and professional studies.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF FACULTY IN A SELF-PACED ONLINE PROGRAM?
Faculty have a critical role in self-paced online/CBE degree programs. Relationships, consistent feedback, and providing academic support are crucial to the retention of students in competency-based education programs. While students can accelerate their learning speed, faculty guides the learning path for students by creating engaging learning activities, answering students’ questions about academic content, building relationships, and staying engaged with student progression.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE A LOURDES SELF-PACED ONLINE/CBE PROGRAM?
That depends on you. You have control of your coursework. The average coursework completed within a term is three to four courses. If your schedule and ability allow, you can complete more than the average amount of classes per CBE term. As a result, this will decrease program completion time and reduce your overall tuition.
Degree Programs
Lourdes University is accredited by nine national, regional and professional organizations including the Higher Learning Commission and the Ohio Department of Higher Education (formerly known as the Ohio Board of Regents).
The Baccalaureate Degree Program in Nursing and Master’s Degree Program in Nursing at Lourdes University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, 655 K Street NW, Suite 750, Washington, DC 20001, 202-887-6791.
The Baccalaureate Degree Program and Direct Entry Master’s Degree Program are approved by the Ohio Board of Nursing.
Lourdes University DNP Nurse Anesthesia Program is fully accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA) through fall 2026.
Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Educational Programs (COA)
Address: 10275 W. Higgins Rd., Suite 906, Rosemont, IL 60018-5603
Phone: 224-275-9130 | Website: www.coacrna.org
The College of Business and Leadership at Lourdes University has received specialized accreditation for its business programs through the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) located at 11960 Quivira Road in Overland Park, Kansas, USA. For a list of accredited programs please view our IACBE member status page.
Fifty percent of Lourdes University Competency-Based Education (CBE) programs receive funding from the U.S. Department of Education’s Title III Strengthening Institutions Program grant, which provides $1,111,719 over five years. Non-government sources finance the remaining CBE costs.
Video Overview
Learn how to take advantage of self-paced online degree programs designed for working professionals like you.
Competency-Based Education Advisory Board
The Competency-Based Education Advisory Board helps consistently improve Lourdes’ competency-based education programs and consists of accomplished experts in various fields of study.
About the CBE Advisory Board
Purpose
The Competency-Based Education (CBE) Advisory Board is in place to help consistently improve the strategic plan of competency-based education programs at Lourdes University. The CBE advisory board consists of several accomplished experts in various fields of study.
Mission Statement
To create a flexible and holistic educational experience for students through strategic planning and collaboration with community leaders.
Vision Statement
Our vision for CBE programs at Lourdes University, is to provide each student with a meaningful and personalized education that prepares them for their profession. Our vision for the advisory board is to help achieve the vision set forth for CBE programs at Lourdes University
CBE ADVISORY BOARD OBJECTIVES
Executive Board
- To provide opportunities for members to contribute to the success of students who are enrolled in CBE programs at Lourdes University.
- To provide members with professional development opportunities for competency-based education and higher education. This may include workshops, webinars, Lourdes University CBE Certificate, seminars, guest speaker sessions, and other Lourdes University affiliated events.
- To provide members with collaboration and partnership opportunities with local and national professionals.
- To provide members with educational, engaging, and purposeful service work.
Member (15 people per year) – Expectations
- Attend 3 meetings per year (1 Fall, 1 Spring, and 1 Summer). They can be held via Zoom or in person.
- Engage with at least one CBE professional development activity, once a year. This may include workshops, webinar, Lourdes University CBE Certificate, seminar, guest speaker session, CBE journal review, and/or other Lourdes University affiliated events.
- Review CBE courses, or strategic plans, and/or overall goals and provide feedback to aid with the continuous improvement or CBE programs at Lourdes University.
- Share opportunities where students can gain professional and volunteer experience.
Benefits of the CBE Advisory Board
- Optional CBE Lourdes University certification designed by our CBE Instructional Designer
- Opportunity to collaborate with local and national professionals.
- Three meetings per year with opportunities for professional development, informative speakers, and a delicious brunch.
- Invitation to campus social events throughout the year.
- Become a leader and innovator for new CBE initiatives in higher education.
CBE Advisory Board Contact Form
If you are interested in becoming a CBE Advisory Board Member, please complete the brief contact information form. You can access the form by clicking the link below:
