A Lee University sign on campus.Lee University has received approval from the Tennessee Board of Nursing to begin a nursing degree program, according to a news release.
The Christian university based in Cleveland, Tenn., says the decision will allow students to be admitted to the new program this fall.
"This puts us on a path to achieve one of our most important institutional dreams: to prepare nurses who will work in Bradley County and around the world with a combination of superb training and a servant's heart," Lee president Paul Conn said in the release.
Lee received preliminary approval from the board last May.
The university plans to offer a bachelor of science in nursing that includes a traditional four-year track as well as a one-year track for registered nurses who are already working professionals, to earn bachelor's of science degrees.
The school plans to admit approximately 40-60 freshmen for the traditional track and approximately 20-25 for the RN, according to the release. When the four-year pipeline is full in 2018, the school of nursing aims to have over 240 students.
The nursing school will be located initially in the Math and Science Building with plans for a new building by the fall of 2016.