About Online Courses
Some frequently asked questions about Online Learning at St.
John’s:
How much does it cost?
Tuition and fees for online courses are the same as tuition for on-campus
courses.
Do I have to go online at a certain day/time?
No. However, students enrolled in online courses must complete
required course assignments in the time allotted by their
instructor. A great benefit of taking online courses is not having
a specific day or time in which students are required to be online.
This time flexibility can work well for students who juggle a
career and other responsibilities. Please note, stable, daily
internet and computer access is required for participation in an
online degree program.
Keep in mind, in an online course, the student is assigned to read
text supplemented by online resources and then actively engages in
detailed online discussions with classmates. These discussions take
place by posting messages on a discussion board within the virtual
classroom, where each student is required to submit a certain
number of responses over a period of days. This is called a
threaded discussion. The instructor monitors the discussions and
gives feedback.
To participate in these discussions, registered students can simply
log-onto St. John’s Central, click the ‘My
Courses’ tab and select an online course to enter the virtual
classroom.
How much work is required?
Online courses require more work and preparation than traditional
courses. In order to be considered in attendance, an online student
must post responses and keep up with the discussion. This means
logging on every day to participate. On average, each online course
requires anywhere from 8-10 hours of time commitment per week for
reading, posting and completing assignments.
How do I connect with faculty
members?
In an online course, students will have daily interaction with
professors through email or the course discussion board. Some
faculty members may also be reached by phone or skype if so
indicated on their course syllabus.
What if I miss a session?
Online classes are always in session, so students can access the
syllabus and their assignments at any time through St. John’s
Central. Students are required to read everything thoroughly and
clarify any unclear items with their professor.
Will I ever meet my professors in
person?
Online classes do not require face-to-face meetings.
Are there group projects? How are they
handled?
Yes, faculty members will create groups of three to four students
to collaborate on assignments and projects. Students communicate by
posting their contributions on a discussion board, chatting online,
through email or even phoning one another. Specific details can be
obtained by emailing the faculty member assigned to teach the
online course you are considering, before you begin the course. You
can find the names of faculty members assigned to teach online
courses by navigating through our course offerings page.
What do I do if I have computer
problems?
Technical support is available via phone and
online. If necessary, students may need to bring in their
computer to our laptop shop.
Will it look good/bad on my transcript that I
took an online course?
Under New York State policy, transcripts give no indication that a
course was completed online. Successful completion of an online
course will provide you with the unique ability to develop
self-discipline and the skills of independent learning that are
increasingly important in the world today.
Do online courses use textbooks and do I have
to purchase them at the bookstore or are they
online?
Yes, online courses do use textbooks. Students will have to
purchase required textbooks for online courses just as they would
for any other college course. Please visit the University bookstore
online to find out what books are required for specific online
course/s. We advise all students to secure their textbooks in
advance to keep up with the demands of the class.