Learn at your own pace, in your own space
Brandon Frazier, a UT senior and native of Knoxville, Tennessee, is pursuing an online undergraduate degree in Agriculture Leadership, Education, & Communications (ALEC) with a concentration in Leadership. He is one of the several students who are completing their undergraduate degree fully online. The ALEC department offers fully online degree programs at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels. ALEC’s online programs give you the flexibility to learn at your own pace, in your own space.
“My favorite part is the fact that there are no specific class times that you have to log in and have to be in that class at that certain time. You can do it on your own time, as long as you get your assignments submitted before they are due.”
— Brandon Frazier, online student, Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication
Benefits of Online ALEC Program
Here is what Frazier has to say about the online program:
Why did you select this program of study?
Frazier sees the benefits of the online program as being able to work a full schedule, and take care of his young child, but still have the opportunity to go to school at his own pace.
“I selected it because I work a full 40 hours on campus so going to class would have been extremely hard. I have a newborn, or 9-month-old baby at home, so just going to class would have been extremely hard so that’s why I chose the online program,” said Frazier.
What has it been like to be a student in the program?
“My favorite part is the fact that there are no specific class times that you have to log in and have to be in that class at that certain time. You can do it on your own time, as long as you get your assignments submitted before they are due.”
Frazier explained that he enjoys being outdoors, so he prefers time spent outside of the being classroom.
How will this program, or major, help you with your future career goals?
“There are certain things that will help me, but if I wanted to leave the university and go do something else after completing this major, I think it’ll definitely help with that. On the agricultural side of it, it’ll help me with certain things that I do on a daily basis.”
Frazier works for the athletic sports management services on campus. His everyday duties for the job include, taking care of all the athletic fields and doing all the landscaping for the athletic sites as well.
“I like it and might continue to do this after school, but there is always a possibility of getting something else,” said Frazier.
What’s been your favorite part of being in this program so far?
Frazier’s favorite part is completing everything on his own time, and not rushing to get from class to class.
“With it being on my own time it is a lot easier for me because I am terrible with time management and with this I know when something is due so I can log in then and submit it that day.”
He still gets to be around other students through his job working with the sports management services. “We have a lot of students from the turfgrass program come and help us work, so I get to interact with those students on many occasions,” said Frazier.
Since the ALEC department is fairly small, it is still really easy to connect with the professors on a one-on-one level. “I can come over to the agriculture campus anytime and meet with them, and they are always available,” explained Frazier.
What’s next for you after UT?
“After I graduate I will probably stay with the athletics program for a while, but later I may search and see if there is anything else out there, but if not I will stay and work here because it’s an awesome opportunity.”
Learn More
Would you like more information on the ALEC online bachelor’s program? Take the first step by completing and submitting a Request for Information form on the program page.
