Academic Catalogs
Undergraduate Catalog: |
2007 - 2008 Academic Information
School of Distance Education
Southwestern’s School of Distance Education (SDE) program is designed to extend the resources of the University outside of its walls. Located throughout the country are a number of adults who desire to continue their education without relocating to a university campus. Southwestern has developed a program where one may obtain an accredited education without relocating fami-ly or career. Through the School of Distance Education, a traditional Bible-based educational experience may be obtained through an innovative, quality academic format.
The School of Distance Education offers most University academic programs leading toward the Master of Arts, Master of Divinity, Master of Science, Master of Education, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Associate of Arts degrees. Contact the School of Distance Education for a current list of program offerings.
Each degree program is uniquely designed for the adult student to earn a degree without moving to the campus. There is also an opportunity to earn up to 25% of any baccalaureate degree (not available for Education Majors or AA, MA, MS, MDiv,or MEd degrees) from experiential learn-ing. This may be limited by a student’s previous college work or amount of experience. Up to 96 hours of transfer credit can be accepted (limit of 31 hours of non-traditional credit). An initial two-day enrollment seminar for credit is required for all students.
Who is this Program for?
Each semester, students from around the world who are at least 22 years of age enroll for course work in the School of Distance Education. Because of the flexibility of the program, a diverse group of students utilize the services of the School of Distance Education. Among those who benefit from this program are:
1. Individuals who were prohibited from finishing college due to circumstances or finances.
2. Individuals who have experienced job loss and need training for a new career.
3. Professionals who would like to receive credit for skills and knowledge already received through experience.
4. Ministers who desire to earn a degree while maintaining their present ministry.
5. Business professionals needing more skills to fulfill their job demands.
6. Professionals who need a degree to advance in their present vocation.
7. Retirees or Senior Adults who desire preparation for a new career or personal enrichment.
8. Teachers who need to complete their college degrees.
9. Christian school teachers who desire ACSI certification.
10. Graduate students needing Bible or Theology prerequisite courses.
A New Way to Learn -- How It Works
Students have the opportunity for face-to-face counseling with an academic advisor each semester regarding their degree progress. During the semester, students work under the professors’ aus-pices via attendance at course seminars and the use of the toll-free number and internet. Students have access to all college services, including the Library, Career Services, and Counseling. Student pictures appear in the Yearbook. Students also receive an ID card upon enrollment, which is useful for admittance to libraries around the country.
Many adults want some interaction time with other students and their professors, and yet not be required to move to a university campus. Southwestern has joined the best of two worlds! With the combination of opening seminars, telecommunications, and private study, individuals are able to obtain a quality degree that can “wrap around” personal schedules and commitments.
Seminar Week: Each new student begins the program with the Strategies for Student Success Course (GES 1122). This required course is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday of “Seminar Week.” During this one-time course, Southwestern’s staff will assist the student in designing a personal degree plan. This will provide an academic blueprint for the remainder of the program. Students will also receive instructions regarding the mechanics of the program and register for the first semester’s courses. Seminars for courses occur following the Strategies for Student Success course. Please refer to the section entitled “Initial Orientation: Strategies for Student Success ” course for more information.
Return Visits: Each subsequent semester, students from various locations and backgrounds arrive on Southwestern’s campus for two days of course seminars. During this time, registration for courses, purchase of study materials, visits to the University Library, and seminars with course professors occur. Students will then return home and complete all assignments under the supervision of their professors.
Work From Home: Each course syllabus is structured to provide step-by-step assistance through course assignments. Some web-based courses carry important content on line. Exams that require supervision are administered through a local proctor. Many assignments and projects are designed to take advantage of one’s particular work situation, thus increasing the quality of a person’s learning experiences. All assignments are graded promptly by the professors, and the students are notified of the results. The professor is as close as a computer, telephone, or audio/video player.
Any time students have questions regarding course material, professors may be contacted by email or by telephone. All professors are fully recognized and academically qualified members of Southwestern’s faculty. In addition, all academic programs and all courses taught through Distance Education reflect the same objectives as their on-campus counterparts. This insures that the skills and knowledge expected of distance education students are equivalent to those expected of fellow on-campus students.
Courses
Each semester a course schedule is published identifying the particular courses being offered the next semester. These schedules are uploaded to the Distance Education Web Page for review and pre-registration.
Although a full-time load is considered 12 hours each semester, many students have found it advantageous to adjust their hours depending upon their projected personal schedule for that semester. Time management and load determination are important issues discussed during the Strategies for Student Success course.
Enrollment Procedure
All adult students (22 years and older) admitted into Southwestern are eligible to apply for enrollment in the SDE program. All required steps for enrollment can be completed through the mail. Please refer to the section entitled "Admissions" for complete details.
Initial Orientation: Learning & Development Course
(August/January/May)
Upon admittance into the SDE degree program, the student is ready to attend the Strategies for Student Success (GES 1122) seminar. It meets for two days, beginning Monday and concluding Tuesday of seminar week. Upon arrival, new students complete an admissions check in, purchase the course manual and course materials. Orientation seminar attendance and enrollment in GES 1122 Strategies for Student Success are required of all new Distance Eudcation students.Students must successfully complete the two hour for credit course GES 1122 to be eligible to continue in the Distance Education program. Students who convert from the on-campus program and have already taken the on campus version of Strategies for Student Success are required to re-take the course in its Distance Education version. The purposes of this course are:
1. To enroll into the SDE program (GES 1122 is a required course worth two hours of college credit)
2. To discuss all past college credit being transferred into the SDE program.
3. To help identify a major field and specialization, and to establish an individual degree plan.
4. To design a personal study program which equips the student with proper time
management skills.
5. To introduce the facilities (including the Library) of the University to which all students have access.
6. To explain how to do a career analysis for the purpose of obtaining university credit for experience.
7. To provide information on how to obtain university credit by testing.
8. To give an opportunity to select the first semester’s course work and meet with the professors.
9. To answer all questions.
10. To discuss current issues in adult education.
Course Seminars (each semester)
To maintain active enrollment in Southwestern, SDE students return to the University at the beginning of each semester for course seminars. See the calendar at the front of the catalog for specific dates.
Course Seminars are repeated each subsequent semester until the completion of the degree program. The purposes of these seminars are:
1. To discuss the progress of the student’s degree program with the academic advisor;
2. To deal with problems in a student’s course work;
3. To integrate an individual’s study with fellow students;
4. To register for the present semester’s course work;
5. To receive course syllabi, course handouts, audio/video, and purchase textbooks;
6. To receive an orientation into new courses from the professors;
7.To renew friendships with fellow adult learners.
Although travel to campus, even for such a short time, presents some complications to studentsliving far from Southwestern, experience has proven that this periodic personal contact with theUniversity and its staff and faculty is vital for students to complete degree programs. NO EXCEPTIONS CAN BE MADE TO THIS REQUIREMENT.
Student Life
Southwestern is a denominationally sponsored university. All students, whether on-campus or in distance education, are expected to embrace standards of conduct that are represented by a deep consecration and devotion to Christ, clean conduct and conversation, modest apparel in dress and high biblical standards of moral conduct.
Credit for Experiential Learning
(This does not apply to Education majors, graduate students, or students pursuing an AA degree.)
Students can apply for credit on the basis of Experiential Learning and receive full college credit up to 25% of their degree requirements, depending upon their particular degree plan and their level of experiential learning. All non-traditional credit is counted in the 25% allowed. Non-traditional credit includes credit for Advanced Placement scores, ACT scores, CLEP scores, up to 12 hours of correspondence and Experiential Learning Credit. Generally, credit is given for Experiential Learning in specific course areas such as Biblical Preaching, Counseling, Computer Science, Business, etc. Students must apply these credits toward the requirements of their particular degree plan. These credits do not count toward residency requirements. However, students seeking experiential learning credit will register for the course APS 3313 Portfolio Development, which counts as residency credit. This course should be taken during the first semester of enrollment.
While attending the Learning and Development Course, instructions are given regarding the concept of obtaining credit for experiential learning. Students receive a Manual of Assessment of Experiential Learning when they enroll in the course, APS 3313 Portfolio Development. The Manual describes the level of experiential learning and competency that is required in each course area.
At the close of the semester, students present their portfolios for evaluation to the Portfolio Assessment Committee. This committee is comprised of SAGU faculty members representing the various disciplines at the University. After the committee evaluates the student’s portfolio, the student is required to meet with the committee. The committee will approve or deny credit for the portfolio. This committee will also determine the number of hours awarded as credit. The decision of the Portfolio Assessment Committee is considered final.