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About Brenau University

Brenau University is a private, nonprofit institution accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate, baccalaureate, master’s, specialist and doctoral degrees.

We are committed to empowering our students to prepare them for their chosen path. At Brenau, we care about your success and are here to help you fulfill your potential and make a positive impact on the world.

Why choose Brenau?

Brenau has a 140+ year history of offering transformative learning experiences to our students. We strive to offer expanded access to education by serving first-generation students, U.S. military service members, veterans and families, and traditional and nontraditional students. No matter who you are or where you come from, we’re invested in your success, and you belong at Brenau.

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Fast Facts

140+ years of excellence

20+ years of teaching online

No application fee

9:1 student/faculty ratio

No standardized test scores required

SACSCOC-accredited university

Generous transfer credit policy

Student success

Many of our students are required or choose to take licensure or certification exams before practicing their professions. Our students excel in these exams. Our 2022 President’s Report featured the following pass rates:

  • 100% Georgia Assessments for Certification of Educators (GACE) pass rate
  • Peregrine Common Professional Component national percentiles:
    • 94% Master of Business Administration
    • 98% Bachelor of Business Administration

Our mission

Brenau University challenges students to live extraordinary lives of personal and professional fulfillment. As students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees or non-degree programs at Brenau campuses and online, each prepares for a lifetime of intellectual accomplishment and appreciation of artistic expression through a curriculum enriched by the liberal arts, scientific inquiry and global awareness.

Our vision

Brenau University will become a nationally recognized leader by empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds and equipping them for success through transformative experiences. With an enduring commitment to serve each student, Brenau will continue to pursue excellence while meeting the changing needs of our community and the world.

Our values

At Brenau, we adhere to following values:

Know each learner is different. We take the time to understand every student because our differences make us stronger.

Strive to fulfill potential. We challenge and inspire students to enhance their gifts and transform into leaders and changers.

Put the student in the driver’s seat of their educational journey because we know potential is unlocked at Brenau. From here, you can.

Our history

Brenau University was founded in 1878 as the Georgia Baptist Female Seminary by Dr. W.C. Wilkes. In 1900, H.J. Pearce, who was the institution’s president, named it Brenau, which is a linguistic blend of the German word “brennen,” meaning “to burn,” and the Latin word “aurum,” which translates to “gold.” This combination embodies our motto, “As gold refined by fire.” Today, Brenau University consists of The Women’s College, the coed Undergraduate School and the Sidney O. Smith Jr. Graduate School.

Frequently asked questions

Explore our FAQ page to find answers to questions you may have about the online programs.

They will not. There’s no difference in the diplomas presented to graduates of the online and on-campus programs.

We were founded in 1878. Learn more about Brenau’s history.

There is. Brenau is committed to embracing and celebrating diversity — in all dimensions — as a necessary component of academic and professional excellence.

Absolutely! Graduates of online or on-ground programs are strongly encouraged to walk in their graduation ceremony.

Brenau University challenges students to live extraordinary lives of personal and professional fulfillment. As students pursue undergraduate and graduate degrees or non-degree programs at Brenau campuses and online, each prepares for a lifetime of intellectual accomplishment and appreciation of artistic expression through a curriculum enriched by the liberal arts, scientific inquiry and global awareness. Learn more about us.

We are accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

It will not. The diploma is the same for all graduates, whether their program was completed online or on ground.

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