In alignment with the university’s strategic plan, Saint Mary’s University is excited to announce its decision to enter into a 3 year pilot partnership with Straighterline, beginning in Spring 2022. Through this exciting new partnership, Straighterline provides Saint Mary’s Bachelor Completion students with flexible, low-cost, self-paced, online pathways to advance their degree. Straighterline’s competency based online course offerings help Saint Mary’s remain responsive to the needs of incoming students to provide a streamlined pathway to complete requisite coursework. Straighterline offers a self-paced, competency based online course format designed to help students facilitate entry into any one Saint Mary’s expanding portfolio of Bachelor’s completion programs. Student’s gain valuable experience learning in an online environment in courses that have passed rigorous standards set by the national American Council of Education (ACE). In partnering with Straighterline via their Pathways Program, students are provided with a streamline experience that welcomes them to the Saint Mary’s community and supports them at every step along the way:
- Admissions builds Straighterline into the student’s program plan
- Students register and take courses via a co-branded registration page and student portal
- Upon completion of coursework, Straighterline sends the student’s transcript directly to our Saint Mary’s Registrar, triggering our Admissions team to re-engage the student to transition into their designated SMU program.
“By focusing on the needs of our students, the new Straighterline partnership provides new online pathways that build more flexibility, affordability, and clear paths to obtaining a degree in the shortest amount of time,” Andrea Carroll-Glover, Vice Provost for Online Strategy and Programs, explains.
True to our mission, Saint Mary’s remains committed to supporting the emerging needs of today’s career-focused adult learners. The Pathways partnership with Straighterline will enable us to continue to make good on our promise to provide high-quality academic coursework that is affordable, flexible, and tailored to suit the needs of a diverse and evolving student population.
