Flexible Learning with Experience (FLEX) Program
FLEXible learning may enable you to complete your bachelor’s degree in as little as two years while attending college part-time. Either a Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) in Fashion Merchandising or a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree can be earned through LIM College’s FLEX Program.
Complete your bachelor’s degree with a combination of online courses, hybrid courses (50% online/50% face-to-face) and traditional face-to-face courses. It is also possible to receive academic credit for prior learning and work experience.
Is the FLEX progam right for me?
What is Prior Learning Assessment?
Student Progress
The Prior Learning Process
How to Apply and Register
Costs
Student Financial Aid
To learn more or to apply to the FLEX Program contact LIM College’s Center for Graduate Studies & Continuing Education.
Our FLEXible approach to completing your bachelor’s degree includes:
- Transfer of 60 completed college credit hours from an LIM College associate degree or another accredited institution
- Complete remaining required courses for your degree by taking:
-online courses
-hybrid courses (50% online / 50% face-to-face)
-traditional face-to-face courses - It is also possible to receive academic credit for prior learning and work experience.
The FLEX Program is right for you if you:
- wish to earn your bachelor’s degree in Fashion Merchandising
- earned an associate degree (or have 60 credit hours of competed college coursework)
- have five or more years of full-time work experience
What is Prior Learning Assessment?
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is a method used by many colleges and universities to award college credit for what individuals learn through work or life experience. Through this process LIM College faculty will evaluate FLEX student portfolios and award credit for this learning when they determine it to be similar in content, depth, and breadth to what they consider college-level learning achieved through taking the specified course.
Earn your bachelor’s degree in 2 years!
You can complete your Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) in Fashion Merchandising or Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in Fashion Merchandising degree in as little as two years.
You will begin by applying and being admitted to LIM’s FLEX program. An Academic Advisor will work with you to:
- identify degree requirements that you have met through transfer credits
- plan your course of study toward completion of your bachelor’s degree
- identify required courses for which you have sufficient knowledge through your work/life experience to petition for credit
- set a timetable for taking the remaining courses to complete your degree
The progress of a typical FLEX student is shown below:
Preparing documentation of prior learning
The first course you will take after being admitted to the FLEX Program is Portfolio Development (PORT 300). In this online course you will learn how to prepare portfolios that document your prior learning through work/life experience. At the conclusion of the course you will have prepared at least one portfolio petitioning credit for a required course and submit it for review.
Portfolio submission process
A fee of $125 per petitioned credit hour is charged upon submission of the portfolio. You are responsible for paying this fee regardless of whether or not the portfolio is approved. The FLEX Program Coordinator will review your portfolio to make sure it is ready for faculty review. Your portfolio will then be submitted to qualified faculty members for review and approval. If supplemental documentation is requested, you will have one opportunity to submit additional information. When your portfolio is approved by faculty reviewers, course credit will be awarded. If your portfolio is not approved, you then have the option of taking the course.
Application
1. Students interested in the FLEX Program should begin by completing the application for Continuing Education. In addition to the completed application, you must provide:
- An updated resume, work history or curriculum vitae
- Official transcripts from all colleges attended (other than LIM College)
- Personal statement describing who you are and why you are interested in completing your bachelor’s degree
- Names of three references (one personal, two professional)
Transcripts and materials may be mailed to:
Continuing Education Coordinator
LIM College Center for Graduate Studies & Continuing Education
216 East 45th Street, 8th Floor
New York, NY 10017-3304
questions to ce@limcollege.edu
2. Once accepted to the FLEX program, students will meet with an Academic Advisor either in person or on the phone to discuss transferrable credits, course credits likely to be petitioned for and determine a plan for the course of study to meet the remaining requirements for a BPS or BBA degree from LIM College.
3. Together with the Continuing Education Coordinator, students will determine which course(s) to register for and which petitions to work on before the start of each semester.
Registration and Payment
4. Payment of registration fees, deposits and tuition for course(s) can be made by logging into LIM College’s secure E-Cashier site at http://www.limcollge.edu/pay
FLEX students are required to pay a $500 deposit each semester before enrolling in any courses.
5. Once a tuition deposit or payment is received, students will be able to register online for courses. All course registrations are based on scheduling and availability.
What does it cost to enroll in the FLEX Program?
The semester costs associated with obtaining your Bachelor’s degree from LIM College through the FLEX Program are:
Application fee (non-refundable) $40
Per credit hour for work /life experience petition $125
LIM College undergraduate tuition for enrolled courses $695 (per credit hour)
Technology fee (part-time student) $75
Matriculation maintenance per semester that student is inactive $50
Additional fees may be associated with certain courses.
FLEX students are required to pay a $500 deposit each semester before enrolling in any courses. This deposit is applied to the tuition and fees for the enrolled semester.
You may make online payments or arrange for a payment plan online at http://www.limcollge.edu/pay
As a part-time student, you may apply for financial aid if you are enrolling in six or more course credits (not petition hours) by contacting the Office of Student Financial Services (located at 12 East 53rd St. on the third floor). Office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Friday 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Mailing Address:
LIM College
12 East 53rd St.
New York, NY 10022
Attn: Student Financial Services
Phone: (212) 752-1530 Ext. 389
Financial Aid Fax: (212) 750-3452
Student Accounts Fax: (212) 750-3473
Email: sfs@limcollege.edu
