Adrian College announces two new 3-year applied bachelor’s degree programs
Posted Thursday, November 12, 2026
Author: Frank Hribar
Adrian College has announced the addition of two bachelor’s degree programs designed to expand educational opportunities for transfer students, working professionals and individuals who previously attended college but did not complete a degree.
The new Applied Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Applied Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing programs will offer 90-credit pathways to a bachelor’s degree, compared with the 120 credits traditionally required for undergraduate degrees. Both programs are part of the Degree-in-3-Year initiative and are scheduled to begin in January 2027.
“Adrian College has had a long history of adapting its academic offerings to meet the needs of students and the communities we serve,” said Jeffrey R. Docking, Ph.D., president of Adrian College. “These programs represent another step in that effort. As higher education continues to evolve, institutions must consider new approaches to maintain academic quality while providing students with greater flexibility in how they pursue their educational goals.”
The programs will emphasize applied business education in management and marketing, with coursework intended to develop skills relevant to organizational leadership, business operations, marketing and professional practice.
Andrea Milner, Ph.D., vice president and dean of academic affairs, said the new degrees reflect the College’s efforts to provide academically substantive programs through alternative degree structures.
“The development of these programs required us to examine how academic requirements can be organized to provide a focused and coherent undergraduate education,” Milner said. “Our objective is to maintain appropriate academic expectations while creating degree pathways that are responsive to the educational backgrounds and professional goals of the students they are intended to serve.”
Adrian College has identified three primary student populations for the programs: individuals transferring from community colleges or other institutions, former college students seeking to complete unfinished degrees, and working professionals interested in earning additional academic credentials.
Antonis “Tony” Coumoundouros, Ph.D., president-elect and dean of graduate studies and continuing education, said the programs will provide additional opportunities for individuals whose educational experiences have not followed a traditional four-year path.
“Many prospective students have already completed meaningful college coursework or established themselves professionally but have not earned a bachelor’s degree,” Coumoundouros said. “These programs provide an opportunity to evaluate their previous academic work, identify what remains to be completed and develop an appropriate pathway toward graduation. For many returning students, having that clarity is an important first step.”
As part of the initiative, Adrian College will work with prospective students to evaluate previously earned credits and determine how those credits may apply toward degree requirements. Students will be able to explore individualized academic plans based on their educational backgrounds and remaining coursework.
Adrian College also plans to develop relationships with regional employers interested in supporting educational advancement among their employees. Such partnerships could help identify working professionals who would benefit from completing a bachelor’s degree as part of their career development.
Frank Hribar, D.B.A., vice president for enrollment and student affairs said the College’s recruitment efforts will focus on helping prospective students better understand their existing academic standing and the requirements necessary to complete a degree.
“One of the challenges for returning students is simply understanding where they stand academically and what it would take to finish,” Hribar said. “We want to make that process more transparent by helping students determine which credits apply, what coursework remains and how they can move forward.”
Adrian College plans to introduce the programs through outreach to community colleges, its former students, regional employers and adult learners.
Additional information about the Applied Bachelor of Business Administration in Management and Applied Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing programs, including admissions requirements and degree-completion options, will be available through the Adrian College Office of Admissions.
