Below is a list of frequently asked questions. If you have a question not addressed in this list, please contact the Academic Affairs office for more information.
- Are online studies right for me?
As we have worked with students in the online environment, the following characteristics are often present in the successful online student:
- Ministry or career-oriented. Most of our students concurrently carry ministry related assignments.
- Self-disciplined. Our students set their own schedule of study and interaction with materials and classmates.
- Collaborative. Our students engage in conversations with others as a crucial way to learn.
- Attentive to details. Our students have to "listen" carefully to instructions given in the online class by careful reading of all the details.
- Communicative through writing. Our students and professors "speak" in the online class by typing their comments and posting them in the discussion forums.
- Multi-tasking. Our students have integrated their WBS studies in with the myriad of other responsibilities that life and ministry presents them.
- Technologically willing. Some of our students start their online classes with a great deal of apprehension about computer technology. However, they find that if they can do basic word processing, know how to log onto the Internet, and are not afraid to take a risk, by the end of the required Online Orientation, they are well on the way to exciting online learning.
We acknowledge that online learning will NOT work for everyone. If you can identify with most of the items in this list, you most likely will be able to succeed as an online student.
- How does an online course work?
Online courses follow the "asynchronous group conferencing" model and last for 15 weeks in the Spring/Fall (12 weeks in the Summer). Weekly course load per course is comparable to that of a residential course. The group conferencing model allows students and instructors to access the course materials at a time most convenient to each of them individually. The concept of "content interaction" is crucial to the Seminary's Online education model. Courses are typically comprised of assigned reading and research, asynchronous dialogue forums, and written assignments and projects.
- Will I have to come to campus?
Yes, but you don't have to move or relocate. Students fulfill residential requirements for the M.Div. by attending four 2-week Residency events held each October (and sometimes in March). Accreditation standards (Association of Theological Schools) require that the equivalent of one (1) year of full-time study of any degree be completed in residency. The remaining courses can be completed through WBS Global Connections online program. For M.Div students, this means 50 of the 75 hours can be done through online courses. For the M.A. degrees, 25 of the 50 hours can be done online.
- What is the course load? How many courses may I take at one time?
The online program is designed to be part-time to allow for study while continuing ministry. The load will be very tough and demanding with six to eight semester hours each term.
- What degree may I pursue?
The online program is designed to deliver the core requirements for the M.Div. in the Pastoral Ministry concentration. Many of these courses will also apply towards the M.A. degree. Because of the extensive language and research requirements, the seminary does not have plans at this point to offer a full sequence of online courses for the Master of Arts in Biblical Literature degree or the other five concentrations in the M.Div. Regardless of degree choice, all online students will need to complete four residencies (or the equivalent) in addition to the Senior Seminar in their last semester.
- When do classes meet online each week?
Online courses at WBS are "asynchronous," meaning there is NO SET time when students "meet" online each week. Course materials and instructions are posted at the beginning of each period. Throughout the period, you complete assigned reading, participate in discussion forums, and submit assignments. Discussion forums are interactive and unfold across a period of time. Students log in and submit their work within the given timeframe (usually week by week) as their schedule and needs permit. There are specified guidelines for frequency of participation but specific days and times are left to the student's discretion. Within the parameters of period dates and dialogue instructions, you are largely able to participate according to your own schedule.
- What is the enrollment size for each course?
The classes at WBS Online range anywhere from 8-18 students. This number provides the optimum size for individualized learning within the context of a community of learners.
- What does 'group conferencing' mean?
Group conference involves two forms of interaction around course: conceptual and social. Conceptual interaction entails students engaging course concepts through textbooks, lectures, research, and other assigned resources and reflecting on those concepts in dialogue and written assignments. Social interaction entails students engaging with each other and the instructor through asynchronous dialogue forums. Informal and extra-curricular interaction may take place through emails, telephone calls, or VoiP conferencing using free software such as Skype. The group conferencing model places emphasis on both individual and collaborative reflection, critical thinking, communication, and life experience.
- Are there any special requirements for online international students?
International students are welcome to participate in classes at WBS Online. As an international student, you will not be living on the WBS campus or in the U.S. Before you attend the residencies here at the Jackson USA campus, you will need an F-1 student visa. The Academic Affairs Office will provide you with an I-20 which you will take to the US immigration office in your area to apply for the student visa.
If you are an international student CURRENTLY living in the U.S., you must be sure that your immigration status will allow you to be enrolled in a degree program. To discuss this matter, feel free to contact the Academic Affairs Office.
- Are Greek or Hebrew offered online?
The basic Greek language requirements for the M.Div. and M.A. degrees are offered online: six credit hours of Fundamentals of New Testament Greek, Greek Reading and Syntax (3 hours), and The Epistles with Greek (3 hours). Hebrew is not offered online.
- May I audit a course?
No. Because the online environment requires such high level of active participation, auditing a course will not be permitted. Theoretically, it is not possible to attend an online course without doing the work and being involved. If you do the work, you might as well get credit for that work.
- What are the technology requirements?
You will need a relatively new PC or Macintosh computer with one of the more recent operating systems (Windows 98 or newer for PC). Regular internet access is required in order to access the course materials and post your assignments. You will need Microsoft Word, a very common word processing software (or its equivalent such as the free Open Office suite (www.openoffice.org). Additional software requirements such as Acrobat Reader or Flash player are minimal and require no additional expense on the student's part. A sound card and printer, although not technically required at this point, are highly recommended.
- 500 MHz Intel Pentium III processor or greater, 256MB of RAM
- 16 or 32 bit color video display card set to display at 1024x768 resolution
- Windows 2000 or newer (PC), Mac OS 9 or newer (Mac)
- Internet access through an Internet Service Provider (ISP) account. We recommend a minimum of 56K dial-up for acceptable performance.
- A valid email account.
- A recently-updated web browser such as Internet Explorer 6.0 or Navigator 7.1, Safari (Macintosh), Firefox 1.02, or AOL. The browser must be enabled to accept cookies. The online and IT staff does not support versions of Internet Explorer prior to IE 6.0.
- Word processing software that is Microsoft Wardroom and Adobe Acrobat Reader.
- Installed and regularly updated anti-virus protection.
- What if I don't have high-speed internet access?
You can engage in WBS online courses adequately using a dial-up internet connection. A 56K modem is usually minimal, although students in rural areas with slower phone lines have participated. We have kept the technological threshold as low as possible in order to allow those students with low-band with internet access to be able to participate. Streaming video is not required in WBS Online courses. Audio, when used, is also available on CD or in compressed download format provided by the Online Office.
