In 1918, the Church of God of Cleveland, Tennessee, began a small Bible institute known as the Church of God Bible Training School. Initially, there were twelve students and one teacher. By 1948, the school had grown and was renamed Lee College, which contained a junior and Bible college on campus. It was named in honor of F.J. Lee, the second president of the college. The school gained university status in 1997.
Today, Lee University is a private, comprehensive university located in the foothills of the Applachian Mountains. It is consistently ranked in the top tier in the South by U.S. News & World Report. It has also been ranked a “Best College” by the Princeton Review and is one of 141 colleges ranked as the Best in the Southeast.
Lee University has become one of the largest Christ-centered private institutions in Tennessee. It has gone remarkable transformation over the past two decades including growth in programs, enrollment, faculty experience and diversity. In addition, the school has expanded their mission and vision. Their mission is to offer liberal arts and professional education at all levels through residential and distance learning. Lee strives to integrate biblical truth with truth discovered through study and practice. Students are expected to have a personal commitment to Jesus Christ as Savior as this is the controlling perspective from which all educational foundations are developed.
Currently, there are more than 5,000 students enrolled at Lee University and the school is still sponsored by the Church of God International Offices. The school remains committed to the conservative, evangelical, Pentecostal religious positions of their sponsoring denomination.
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Lee University Accreditation Details
Lee University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. Accreditation means that the school meets or exceeds excellence in education criteria as set forth by the accrediting agency. In addition, specific programs are accredited by the following organizations:
- Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs
- Certification in Education for Public Relations
- Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education
- National Association of Schools of Music
- National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
Lee University Application Process
Students who wish to attend Lee University must complete an admissions application. Students must have their high school submit an official transcript and must demonstrate a 2.0 GPA. Students must obtain a score of 17 on the ACT or 860 or above on the SAT. Official test scores must be provided.
Students who have earned 15 or more semester hours at an accredited college or university are not required to submit high school transcripts.
Online students must provide an official college transcript if they have attended any college or university. Students under the age of 25 must provide copies of high school transcripts as well as ACT or SAT scores.
Graduate students must have earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university with a minimum 2.75 GPA. Students must submit to an interview with a program representative and provide official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Full-time undergraduate tuition at Lee University is $11,520 while graduate tuition is $600 per credit hour. Online tuition for undergraduate programs is $384 per credit hour and graduate tuition is $600 per credit hour. Financial aid is available by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In addition, students must apply separately for Lee Scholarships and Endowment Scholarships.
Grants and scholarships offered include:
- Asian Pacific Scholarship
- Centennial Scholarship
- Community College Graduate Scholarship
- Dean’s Scholarship
- Endowment Scholarships
- Family Tuition Discount
- Hicks Scholars Program
- Honor Scholarship
- John D. Nichols Scholarship
- Lettie Pate Whitehead Scholarship Program
- Music Scholarships
- National Sciences and Mathematics Scholarships
- Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship
- Poiema Ministry Scholarship
- Presidential Scholarship
- State Alumni Chapter Scholarship
- Tennessee Scholar Program
- Theatre Talent Scholarship
- Winters Emergency Loan Program
Students may also be eligible for federal programs that include grants, loans and work-study. Lee University also accepts veteran and active military benefits. State benefits may include the Tennessee Student Assistance Award, Hope Scholarship, Teaching Scholars or Minority Teaching Programs.
Online Degree(s) Available
Christian Ministry, Counseling Emphasis
Lee University offers an undergraduate degree in Christian Ministry with a counseling emphasis. Students are prepared for entry level positions in mental health facilities an social service agencies or may choose to advance their education at the graduate level. The program delivers general, Biblical, theological and practical training to those who currently hold positions in Christian ministry or who plan to obtain such positions upon graduation. Students are able to demonstrate a basic knowledge of Christian doctrines and utilize basic methodologies in Bible studies. Courses required include:
- Abnormal Psychology
- Christian Family
- Church of God History & Polity
- Crisis Intervention Counseling
- Doctrine of the Holy Spirit
- Gospel of John
- Introduction to Christian Ethics
- Introduction to Missions
- Lifespan Development
- Methods of Bible Study
- Methods of Counseling
- Ministry of Worship
- Minor Profits
- New Testament Survey
- Old Testament Survey
- Pastoral Counseling
- Personality Theory
- Psychology of Human Sexuality
- Romans and Galatians
- Spiritual Formation & Discipleship
- Synoptic Gospels
- Systematic Theology I & II
- Theories of Counseling
- Understanding Human Behavior
- Understanding Contemporary Society
- Understanding Economic Issues
In addition, students must choose three of the following courses as part of their collateral requirements:
- Acts
- Christian Theology
- Contemporary Protestant Theology
- History of Christianity I or II
- Prison Epistles
- Wisdom Literature
Upon completion of the program, students should be able to demonstrate expertise in interpreting Scripture and articulate the relationship between faith and Christian theology. Graduates will articulate an understanding of a call to ministry while having the ability to identify various aspects of Christian education in ministry. Graduates are able to articulate an understanding of the call to vocational ministry and identify various theories and methods in church counseling while identifying fundamentals of pastoral preaching.
For adult students who may have work, family or social obligations that make it difficult for them to attend traditional classrooms, Lee University offers online programs that offer flexibility so that adults can achieve their higher education goals. All programs are deeply rooted in the Christian faith and include instruction that connects Christianity with the program they have chosen to enter in order to prepare students for leadership roles with a foundation in faith.