Our Approach to Student Success

At St. Augustine College at Lewis University, education is designed around opportunity. Every program, support service, and partnership is built to help students move forward academically, professionally, and personally. 

Students have clear and affordable pathways from diplomas and associate degrees to bachelor’s programs. Whether you are starting college for the first time or continuing your education after an associate’s degree, our approach is built to meet you where you are and guide you toward what comes next. 

Flexible Pathways to a Lewis University Degree

Students arrive with different goals, backgrounds, and starting points. Our pathway framework makes it possible to begin your education in the way that works best for you while keeping a clear route toward a bachelor’s degree. 

For many students, this means starting with an associate’s degree and continuing toward a bachelor’s program, an option that provides flexibility, affordability, and strong academic preparation. 

From associates to bachelors degree
 

Transitional Language Pathway 

Start in Spanish. End in English. 

 

Designed for bilingual and Spanish-speaking students, this pathway allows learners to begin college-level coursework in Spanish while strengthening their English proficiency. Courses gradually transition into English as students progress through their programs, with bilingual faculty and advisors providing consistent academic guidance. Language and culture are treated as strengths in the learning process, helping students build confidence while preparing for long-term academic and career success.

 

The 2 + 2 Pathway

A Clear Route from Associate to Bachelor’s Degree 

 

The 2 + 2 Pathway provides a straightforward path for students who want to earn a bachelor’s degree after completing an associate’s program. 

 

Students complete their first two years at St. Augustine College at Lewis University and then seamlessly transfer into a bachelor’s program at Lewis University. This structure allows students to begin locally with personalized support while maintaining a direct pathway to a four-year degree. 

 

For many learners, starting with an associate’s degree before pursuing a bachelor’s makes higher education more manageable and affordable.

 

Benefits of the 2 + 2 pathway include:

  • Lower overall cost compared with traditional four-year programs
  • A clear associate’s degree transfer to a bachelor’s plan 
  • Continued academic advising during the transition to Lewis University 
  • A smooth path from an associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree completion

 

Many students choose this model when asking questions such as “Can I get an associate’s degree, then a bachelor’s?” or “What is the best way to move from an associate’s to a bachelor’s program?” The 2 + 2 pathway provides a clear answer. 

Access for All Pathway

Immediate Access to College Education 

The Access for All Pathway expands opportunities for students seeking an affordable and supportive place to begin college. 

Small Classes

Programs located at the Chicago campus provide access to diploma, associate, and bachelor’s degree options with small class sizes and close faculty engagement. 

Flexible Schedules

For many learners exploring affordable universities in Chicago, this pathway provides a strong starting point and a supportive community. 

One-On-One Support

Students benefit from an environment focused on personal attention, academic guidance, and practical career preparation.

A man looking over papers while a woman works on a computer besides him.

Personalized Support From Day One

Students’ success at St. Augustine College at Lewis University is built on consistent guidance and individualized support. 

 

From the first conversation with financial aid through the final semester before graduation, students receive hands-on assistance from advisors, faculty, and student services professionals who work together to keep every learner on track. 

 

Support includes: 

  • Academic advising throughout each program
  • Bilingual student services and mentoring 
  • Career planning and academic guidance 
  • Financial aid support and enrollment counseling 

 

Many of our programs are designed to prepare students for careers in high-demand fields, including: 

 

  • Medical Assistant 
  • Respiratory Therapy 
  • Pharmacy Technician 
  • Nursing 
  • Early Childhood Education 

 

Our 8-week course model also plays an important role in student success. Shorter terms allow students to focus on fewer courses at a time while maintaining steady academic momentum. Multiple entry points throughout the year make it easier to begin a program and stay on track toward graduation. 

Education That Connects to Careers

Academic programs at St. Augustine College at Lewis University are closely aligned with workforce needs across the Chicago region. 

 

Strong partnerships with healthcare providers, employers, and community organizations help ensure that the curriculum reflects real-world industry demands. As a result, students graduate with the knowledge and practical skills employers are seeking. 

 

Many career-focused programs maintain placement rates exceeding 90 percent through these employer partnerships. 

 

By connecting education to opportunity, St. Augustine College at Lewis University helps students build meaningful careers while strengthening the workforce throughout Chicago.

 

A Clear Path Forward 

Education should open doors, not create obstacles. At St. Augustine College at Lewis University, students have access to programs that are flexible, affordable, and designed to move them toward long-term success. 

 

Whether you are starting college, returning to school, or planning to move from an associate’s degree to a bachelor’s degree, our pathways provide a clear direction to provide the support to help you reach your goals.

FAQs

Yes. Many students begin with an associate’s degree and then continue into a bachelor’s program. At St. Augustine College at Lewis University, students can complete their associate degree and transfer into a bachelor’s program through our partnership with Lewis University. This pathway allows students to start with smaller classes and personalized support before moving into a four-year degree program. 

In most cases, credits earned during an associate’s program apply toward a bachelor’s degree. Through the 2 + 2 pathway, students complete their first two years at St. Augustine College at Lewis University and then transition directly into a Lewis University bachelor’s program. Academic advisors work closely with students to ensure credits transfer smoothly and that the transition to the bachelor’s program is seamless. 

For many students, beginning with an associate’s degree is a practical and affordable way to earn a bachelor’s degree. This approach allows students to build a strong academic foundation, explore career interests, and reduce the overall cost of their education before continuing into a four-year program. 

A 2 + 2 pathway allows students to complete two years at one institution and then finish the final two years at a university to earn a bachelor’s degree. Benefits often include lower tuition for the first two years, smaller class sizes, and a structured plan that keeps students on track toward graduation. 

Yes. St. Augustine College at Lewis University provides affordable college programs in Chicago designed to help students begin with a diploma or associate’s degree and continue toward a bachelor’s degree. Flexible schedules, bilingual support, and clear transfer pathways help make higher education accessible to a wider range of students. 

Students receive ongoing support from academic advisors, faculty, and student services teams. These professionals help with course planning, transfer preparation, financial aid guidance, and career planning so students stay on track from their first semester through bachelor’s degree completion.