1. When do class schedules become available? When can I register for Southwestern Seminary Online classes?
Usually the schedule for the upcoming semester is available about the middle of the current semester. If you are already a student, you may register anytime during early registration and anytime thereafter, and if you are a new student, anytime during open registration and thereafter. These dates are on the Registrar’s calendar. You can also find your date and time for registration on WebAdvisor.
2. How do I register?
Students are able to register for online classes through the WebAdvisor on our Southwestern website. New students in their first semester, however, will register through the office of Web-Based Education.
3. How do I access my Student E-mail?
We provide an e-mail account for students at Southwestern on one of our own e-mail servers. Your e-mail account is web-based (like Microsoft’s Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail), so all you need is a web browser and an Internet connection to access it. Typically, your instructor will send all course-related e-mail to your student e-mail address. Access your Student Email now!
4. When do classes start?
Our Registrar’s Calendar will have the dates for the semester.
5. What is the deadline for adding a class?
This date will also be on the Registrar’s Calendar.
6. What is the deadline for dropping a class?
Usually the deadline for dropping a class with 100% refund is the same day as the deadline for adding a class. Three weeks after that, there is a 50% refund. See the Registrar’s Calendar for specific dates for your semester.
7. How do I pay for my class? (How do I get a bill for tuition?)
Once you are registered, your class will go onto your student bill. You can check your account in your student WebAdvisor account. As of Spring 2006 STUDENTS WILL NOT RECIEVE A BILL IN THE MAIL! Then, you may send payment in, pay in person at our Cashier’s office, or on our E-Cashier online. It is also possible to set up a F.A.C.T.S. payment plan.
8. The class I need is full. How can I get in it?
We encourage you to choose an alternative class or a campus class; however, we do also make waiting lists for online classes only. Contact the Web-Based Education assistant for more information.
9. How can I get on the waiting list for a closed class?
Simply e-mail Web-Based Education with your name, student ID, the course name/number, your functioning e-mail, and request to be added to the waiting list for that course. Be sure to add your specific reasons for needing in the class.
10. Can I get on a wait list through WebAdvisor?
No. Because of the different circumstances of online courses, you still have to go through the Web-Based Education assistant . Even if you try to get on a wait list on WebAdvisor, we will have no record of it.
11. How much of my degree can I do online? Can I do my entire degree online?
You can do 1/3 of your degree online. You can do 2/3 of your degree at extension campuses. However an overlying rule is that 1 year of your degree HAS to be on either the Houston campus or the Fort Worth campus. Now if you are pursuing a two year degree, such as the MACE, then half of your degree must be done at Ft. Worth or Houston. For more details of how that one year is defined for your degree, please see your academic advisor. Due to the value we place in on-campus education we will not offer a full degree online.
12. What degrees do your online classes service? (What type of courses do you offer online?)
We try to offer a variety of courses every semester so that there are a few courses for different degree plans. Usually there will be a few courses in Administration, a few in Pastoral Ministry, in Student Ministries, in Music, and there will always be an Old & New Testament course. We no longer, however, offer college (undergraduate) courses online. The College at Southwestern is its own entity, and you should contact them for more information. Only students that were already in the undergraduate program previously can still take our Web-Based Education courses.
13. How much do online classes cost?
2009-2010 online class tuition will be $346 per hour plus a $250 fee for each online class for non-Southern Baptist students. For Southern Baptist students, online class tuition is $173 per hour plus the $250 registration fee for each online class. If you are an Internet only student, and not taking anything at all on campus, there should not be any additional fees unless your course has a special fee attached. However, if you are taking any courses on campus, you will still have the campus and technology fees that accompany them.
14. I am interested in one of your extension campuses…
The Department of Distance Learning was split into two different sections on Aug. 1st, 2005. We now have Dr. Jim Wicker, as the Director of Web-Based Education, dealing with online courses only; Dr. Deron Biles is the new Dean of Extension Education, which means the extension campuses. You can contact his office by e-mail, or by phone, 817-923-1921 ext. 6700. For more information concerning Extension campuses, visit the Extension Education website.
15. Do you have live online chats?
Some professors do utilize live chats through Blackboard as part of their course instruction, but the Blackboard Discussion Board is a more popular means of communication. Professors will typically post questions or comments on the Discussion Board and students are expected to post answers and have further discussion with each other on the topic, usually within a week's time. Not all courses use the same format so specific questions about your course can be directed to your Professor or the Web-Based Education assiatant.
16. Do you work on your own time, or are there set times you have to log on to the class?
Our online classes are not time-sensitive in the sense that you would have to log on a specific day/days at a particular time. The assignments and tests are usually posted during a certain time. The students have a time-limit in which to finish it, usually a few days or a week. However, the students are responsible to check the announcements in their course to be sure nothing is due.
17. Do I still have to go through Admissions just to take one course? (I am not a student yet, so what is the next step to being able to register?)
Yes. Anyone wanting to enroll in an online course must go through the entire admissions process just as a campus or extension student would. You may contact the admissions office by e-mail, admissions@swbts.edu or by phone, 817-923-1921 ext. 2700
18. How do I get my booklist?
We provide a web link with a textbook list for online courses only. You will receive that information via e-mail about one month before classes begin. If you register after that time, you will receive that e-mail soon after you have been registered for the class. This web address can also be obtained from the office of Web-Based Education.
19. Can I get a syllabus in advance for my class?
You would need to contact the professor of your class.
20. Are there scholarships available for online classes?
First, you can ask your church for any financial assistance they could give you. Second, you can visit the Financial Aid website, to see if you qualify for any scholarships. If you do, contact the Financial Aid office to see if those scholarships will accept online only students. (Some do not.) Beginning in the Fall of 2008, students who are members of a Southern Baptist church will automatically receive a discount equal to one half the base tuition rate. (So a Southern Baptist student in the Fall of 2008 would pay $173 per credit hour plus a $250 fee for each online course.)
21. Where are the internet classes listed?
You can view a list of courses and their descriptions on this website, under Master-level course information. In order to view a list that indicates which courses are closed, see the Class schedules under the Registrar's office. The most up-to-date course list can be found in WebAdvisor, however.
22. Do I have to attend new student orientation if I am enrolled only in online courses?
Not currently. If you are not taking any campus or extension courses, you do not have to attend orientation on campus. An online student orientation is currenty being developed. However, once you do enroll in a campus or extension course, you will have to attend new student orientation that semester.
23. When are Admissions deadlines?
For the Fall semesters, it is July 15, and for the Spring semesters, it is December 1.
24. How will I receive my grades?
You may check your grades on your WebAdvisor account.
25. Do I have to choose a degree program to take online classes?
No, you can apply with the Non-degree/Certificate application. However, you still have to go through admissions to do this.
26. Is there any discount for IMB students on the field?
No. Our Financial Aid offices do not have any special scholarships for IMB students or online students. However, you are encouraged to contact the IMB office about any scholarship program they may have for furthering your education.