Belmont Abbey College

The Catholic College of the South

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Belmont Abbey College Adds Cybersecurity, Computer Science, and Digital Marketing – Three New Online & Hybrid Undergraduate Programs

Belmont Abbey College Adds Cybersecurity, Computer Science, and Digital Marketing – Three New Online & Hybrid Undergraduate Programs

Belmont, N.C. (April 3, 2024) – Belmont Abbey College announces the addition of three new online and hybrid academic programs. Focused on the digital and computer sciences, the new degrees provide students with expertise in high-demand areas where employers search for talent. The college introduces Bachelor’s Degrees in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, and Digital Marketing.

Through a strategic collaboration with Rize Education, Belmont Abbey College has expanded its program offerings to include cutting-edge online courses that prepare students for successful careers. Available in both hybrid (combining on-campus and online courses) and fully online formats, these programs provide students with a dynamic and flexible educational experience. This collaboration offers numerous benefits, including a flexible schedule, access to industry experts nationwide, and the opportunity to acquire resume-ready skills. Combined with the Abbey’s core in the liberal arts, these degrees promise a well-rounded experience that will equip students for the workforce. 

The BS in Computer Science degree offers a dynamic learning experience tailored to suit students’ diverse interests in computing. The curriculum empowers students to analyze problems using expertise in computer technology, critical thinking abilities, research proficiency, and adeptness in articulating solutions across different audiences. Project-based and portfolio-building classes will help graduates produce impressive resumes before graduation and hone skills that hiring managers demand. Potential careers with this credential include work as a Computer Programmer, Database Analyst, or Software Developer.

The BA in Cybersecurity at Belmont Abbey College prepares students with technical expertise and business acumen, positioning them for lucrative and in-demand roles in this rapidly expanding field. Dedicated to cultivating ethical leaders committed to innovation, this program aims to redefine excellence in cybersecurity education. Through inventive curriculum, hands-on experience, and a focus on ethical decision-making, this program empowers students to adapt to and mitigate emerging digital threats, safeguarding organizations and communities in an increasingly interconnected world. Graduates with a degree in Cybersecurity can join the professional world as Forensic Examiners, IT Auditors, and Security Analysts.

The BA in Digital Marketing degree, available as an online major or in-person minor, helps students develop as nimble thinkers, skilled in both the art of persuasive communication and the science of data analytics. Belmont Abbey’s program gives students a deep background in both, along with the intuition needed to blend them into an effective strategy. The program begins with core business fundamentals rooted in Catholic values and then teaches digital marketing concepts critical for today’s emerging marketers. Individuals with a BA in Digital Marketing can work in several capacities, including Advertising, E-commerce, Market Research, and Technology. 

Dr. David Williams, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Dean of Faculty at Belmont Abbey College, expressed his excitement about the new academic offerings, stating, “We are thrilled to expand our program offerings to meet the evolving needs of our students and the demands of the job market. Rooted in the principles of Catholic and Benedictine education, these new academic programs will not only equip our students with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in high-demand fields but also instill in them a sense of responsibility to contribute positively to the world around them.”

These new programs are available starting this fall through a partnership with the Lower Cost Models Consortium (LCMC) and Rize Education. The LCMC is a strategic partnership of private colleges and universities nationwide, collaborating with Rize Education to provide access to a cutting-edge curriculum that prepares students for successful careers.

According to Kevin Harrington, CEO of Rize, “We are proud to collaborate with Belmont Abbey College in delivering high-quality online courses that prepare students for success in the most in-demand fields. Our partnership will give students the tools they need to thrive in the rapidly evolving job market.”

Belmont Abbey College remains committed to providing its students with a well-rounded, liberal arts education that prepares them for future success. By expanding its academic offerings to include Computer Science, Cybersecurity, and Digital Marketing, the college is ensuring that its graduates are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to excel and ethically lead in today’s workforce.

For more information about the new undergraduate programs, click here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  April 3, 2024

Sarah Bolton

Marketing Project Manager

Belmont Abbey College

704-461-7016

SarahBolton@bac.edu

 

Megan McCorkle

Head of Marketing

Rize Education

mmccorkle@rize.education

About the Lower Cost Models Consortium (LCMC): The LCMC is a national consortium of over 130 fully accredited, non-profit colleges and universities formed in 2015. Members of the LCMC are committed to working together to address the challenges of increasing costs in higher education by implementing innovative programs and reducing institutional costs for these programs to pass along savings to students. In this way, the LCMC hopes to develop new models of higher education that benefit students while simultaneously contributing to the sustainability of accredited, nonprofit, 4-year institutions.

About Belmont Abbey College: Founded in 1876, Belmont Abbey College is a private, Catholic baccalaureate and liberal arts institution. Our mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified. Guided by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Benedictine spirit of prayer and learning, we welcome a diverse body of students and provide them with an education that will enable them to lead lives of integrity, to succeed professionally, to become responsible citizens, and to be a blessing to themselves and to others. Our beautiful and historic campus is conveniently located just 10 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., and is currently home to more than 1500 students. For more information, visit https://belmontabbeycollege.edu/.

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Belmont Abbey College Ranks Among Top Schools for Online Master’s Degrees in 2024

Belmont Abbey College Ranks Among Top Schools for Online Master’s Degrees in 2024

Belmont, N.C. (February 5, 2024) – Belmont Abbey College begins the new year recognized as one of the best schools for online learning at the master’s level by OnlineMastersDegrees.org (OMD). Belmont Abbey’s Master of Healthcare Administration has been ranked 23rd in the country for programs with no GRE requirements, as well as 33rd overall.

Designed for working professionals who want to advance their healthcare careers, students can complete the Belmont Abbey College MHA program entirely online, with no on-campus requirements. Students have access to various support services, including academic advising, career counseling, and technical support. In addition, all faculty receive Quality Matters certification, a gold standard for instructors to demonstrate their mastery of online teaching and learning. 

This recognition comes at a time when enrollment in master’s degree programs is on the decline. A 2023 report by the Council of Graduate Schools states that enrollment dropped almost 5 percent from Fall 2021 to Fall 2022 despite increasing applications. The same report cites uncertainty in the value of a master’s as one of the main reasons for the downturn.

“With more students questioning whether a master’s degree is worth the investment, it is important to highlight the schools offering the best value,” said Kyle Darland, co-founder of OMD. “For the OMD rankings, this started with regionally accredited institutions with the lowest net costs. This includes tuition and fees but also looks at the amount of institutional aid their grad students receive. Overall cost is a major factor in most enrollment decisions.”

The rankings also consider value as it pertains to flexibility. Many master’s students need to balance work, family, and other responsibilities, making online learning a must-have option for colleges.

“Each ranked school offers at least one fully or partially online master’s program, and many have dozens across a wide range of subjects,” Darland said. “Online programs make earning a master’s far more convenient and may encourage people on the fence about enrolling to take the first step.”

To see where Belmont Abbey College placed on the full rankings, please visit Best Online MHA Programs. For more information on Belmont Abbey College’s Master of Healthcare Administration, visit www.bac.edu/mha.

For press inquiries, please contact Sarah Bolton at sarahbolton@bac.edu or 704-461-7016.

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Belmont Abbey College Announces New Online RN-BSN Program

Belmont, N.C. (August 4, 2022) – Today Belmont Abbey College announces the launch of its online RN-BSN nursing program. This comes alongside Belmont Abbey’s pre-licensure Bachelors of Science in nursing degree and is part of the institution’s focus on increasing offerings in healthcare education. The RN-BSN application is open now and classes begin later this month, with the first cohort of RN-BSN students graduating in 2024.

The RN-BSN program at Belmont Abbey College comes at a time when quality nurses are in high demand. “We’ve gone from a nursing shortage to a nursing crisis. We have an aging professional population, plus a shortage of nurse educators. Many clinical training sites shut down during the pandemic, but now that those sites are open we can continue our efforts to send nurses into practice,” says Dr. Carolyn Harmon, Dean of Nursing at Belmont Abbey. The accelerated RN-BSN program requires students to complete 34 credit hours prior to graduation, with qualifying candidates eligible to complete the program in 12-18 months. This format provides an avenue to get qualified nurses in action quickly. To facilitate the transition from a technical RN to a professional BSN RN, Belmont Abbey College signed on to the RN-BSN Uniform Articulation Agreement between NCICU (North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities) and the North Carolina Community College system. The agreement simplifies passage through the program for RNs who earned their initial degree in the North Carolina system. “The RN-BSN presents an incredible opportunity for Registered Nurses in the field to advance in their degrees and careers,” says Dr. Harmon. These graduates will emerge with the right knowledge and tools to provide exceptional patient care.

A nursing degree from Belmont Abbey College insures a solid foundation in theology, scripture, and philosophy while exploring the connection between faith and healthcare. “We recognize the value of Registered Nurses for their experience, knowledge, and commitment to the profession. We want to come alongside them and offer a flexible, affordable path to advancing their careers. The RN-BSN program allows us to help solve the issue of the nursing crisis by placing more qualified nurses on the front lines with a focus on patient safety and outcomes,” says Dr. David Williams, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Belmont Abbey College. 

Belmont Abbey College is collaborating with other institutions in Gaston County to make healthcare education more accessible. At Gaston Early College, students can complete high school and an Associates’ degree in medical services in five years. Students who want to continue their education are encouraged to continue at Belmont Abbey College. Additionally, the college is working with CaroMont Health to build a hospital on Abbey land that will open in 2023. This facility affords nursing students the opportunity to learn the best nursing practices and prepare for service and ethical leadership in the healthcare community.

About Belmont Abbey College: Founded in 1876, Belmont Abbey College is a private, Catholic baccalaureate and liberal arts institution. Our mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified. Guided by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Benedictine spirit of prayer and learning, we welcome a diverse body of students and provide them with an education that will enable them to lead lives of integrity, to succeed professionally, to become responsible citizens, and to be a blessing to themselves and to others. Our beautiful and historic campus is conveniently located just 10 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., and is currently home to more than 1500 students.  For more information, visit https://belmontabbeycollege.edu/.  

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New Online Professional Studies Programs

Belmont, NC, October 26, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Today Belmont Abbey College announces the addition of two new certification programs to its academic lineup in January 2022. The Business Basics and Leadership certificates offer flexible, affordable paths for students seeking to strengthen their foundations or get to the next level in their careers. As part of the Abbey Online program offerings, these certifications provide leading-edge skills and teach students how to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

“At Belmont Abbey, we tailor digital learning to fit our students’ needs, from flexible programs and affordable materials to support from academic advisors every step of the way,” said Dr. Brad Frazier, Chair and Associate Professor of Business at Belmont Abbey College. “Our students can achieve their academic goals online without compromising the benefits of traditional in-person learning.”

The Certificate in Business Basics addresses working professionals who find themselves in need of a grounding in business principles for their current or future jobs. Designed for the technical professional, this certificate provides an introduction to key business principles including accounting, finance, business communication. Business Basics delivers a solid foundation in basic business principles and allows students to position themselves to take on additional roles or new positions at the workplace.

“We believe in education that focuses on the whole person,” said Frazier. “Now more than ever, it’s important that we help our graduates build the knowledge, critical thinking skills, and morals necessary to thrive in the classroom and beyond. We are building future leaders, and we take that role seriously.”

The Certificate in Leadership allows students to obtain training in the field of leadership from experienced and exceptional faculty at Belmont Abbey College. In this program, students gain insight, knowledge, and experiences that are applicable in the workplace from day one. The curriculum focuses on leadership theory, organizational change, business communication, and other pertinent topics in a five-module, fifteen-week structure.

Belmont Abbey’s holistic liberal arts programs and degrees don’t just prepare students for their first jobs; they prepare them for the future.

To learn more about the Business Basics Certification Program, visit https://belmontabbeycollege.edu/academics/majors-degrees/business-basics/

To learn more about the Leadership Certification Program, visit https://belmontabbeycollege.edu/academics/majors-degrees/leadership/

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Belmont Abbey College Announces New Online Undergraduate Degree Programs

Today, Belmont Abbey College announces its first undergraduate online degrees in Business, Accounting, and Interdisciplinary Studies. These programs, already leading programs for the college for residential and commuter students, will now be fully accessible online. The Abbey Online program now brings an education in the Catholic liberal arts tradition to students seeking the greatest in flexibility without sacrificing quality.

“With Abbey Online we can now serve students who due to COVID or other challenges couldn’t move to Belmont to experience the Abbey in person,” said Dr. Feezell, provost of Belmont Abbey College. “We’re excited to reach those students at a price, and a flexibility that meets their needs.” The online degree programs are significantly less than in-person instruction at $349 a credit hour, and the online aspect gives those students the ability to manage their degree and their studies as they wish.

Beginning Fall 2021, Abbey Online students can experience Belmont Abbey College’s unique, personalized, experience to undergraduate students from the comfort of their home. Belmont Abbey College is seeking authorization to offer online programs to students in all U.S. states and territories. To see a full list of states in which Belmont Abbey College is currently authorized to offer online instruction visit bac.edu/abbeyonline.

The new undergraduate online degree programs will bring Belmont Abbey College’s unique, personalized, experience to undergraduate students across the country. In addition, all Abbey Online instructors will be trained by Quality Matters, a gold standard for instructors to demonstrate their mastery of online teaching and learning.

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