2019-2020 Academic Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
School of Distance Education
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The School of Distance Education and International Partnerships extends access to Adventist education beyond campus, community and national boundaries. We support our faculty and students around the world by promoting best practices in distance education and international partnerships, and by creating a virtual community designed to nurture learning.
The School of Distance Education and International Partnerships serves Andrews University by providing leadership, faculty and student support, and professional resources in the following areas: educational technology, distance education, compliance and off-campus programs. The School of Distance Education and International Partnerships also operates the Consortium of Adventist Colleges and Universities, Griggs University and Griggs International Academy.
To accomplish our mission, the School of Distance Education and International Partnerships is committed to these core values:
Excellence: We view each student as a special creation, endowed by God with individual talents and abilities that we encourage them to develop by providing a quality, academically rigorous Seventh-day Adventist Christian education at all levels.
Respect: We believe that it is our responsibility to uplift one another by demonstrating respect and consideration for all parents, students, and educators through learning that is student-centered and redemptive, and customer service that is helpful and friendly.
Integrity: We recognize that mutual trust rests upon a foundation of honesty and transparency. We are honest and straightforward in our dealings, both business and academic, and expect no less from our parents, students, and faculty.
Community: We believe that a safe learning environment and an accepting community are important to effective learning, especially in distance education. We strive to create a learning community where all participants (parents, students, faculty, and administrators) feel valued and understand that they are part of a team by providing opportunities for constructive interaction, and sharing of experiences.
Griggs University/Griggs International Academy began its work in 1909, when the General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists voted to offer correspondence courses to meet the needs of its members and workers who were unable to attend a traditional campus-based school or college. GU/GIA was originally called Fireside Correspondence School and was founded by Frederick Griggs, one of the pioneer educational leaders of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
In 2009, the Seventh-day Adventist Church leadership formed a Commission on Distance Education Models and Structure. The intent of the commission was to conduct an in-depth investigation of current best practices for distance education and make recommendations to the Church on the possibility to using distance education to meet the needs of the worldwide constituency.
In 2010, the Commission brought a recommendation to the General Council and to Niels-Erik Andreasen, president of Andrews University, that ownership of Griggs University be transferred to Andrews University. During the summer of 2010, Andrews University faculty and administration met and deliberated on the impact that ownership of Griggs would make upon the University structure.
At the October 26, 2010, meeting of the Andrews University Board, it was voted to accept the gift of Griggs University and Griggs International Academy. The School of Distance Education and International Partnerships is now located in Griggs Hall, which used to be the Lake Union Office.
Griggs Hall B
269-471-6570
Alayne Thorpe, Dean of the School of Distance Education and International Partnerships & Dean of the School of Graduate Studies
Carolina Gomez-Jones, Assistant Dean
Rose Warner, Administrative Assistant
Katrina Rayhill, SDEIP Financial Services Manager
The School of Distance Education and International Partnerships provides support and oversight for all online courses, degrees and programs offered by Andrews University.
Andrews University modes and definitions of distance education are based on the United States federal distance education definitions and the North Central Association Higher Learning Commission definitions of distance education.
Distance Education Programs are defined by the total package delivery of learning experiences included in the degree. Distance education includes any learning experiences that are not located at any Andrews campus, such as online courses, dissertations, independent studies, clinicals, etc. Distance programs have limited learning time on campus.
Distance Education Courses are defined by the NCA-HLC Definition: “Distance-delivered courses are those in which all or the vast majority (typically 75% or more) of the instruction and interaction occurs via electronic communication, correspondence, or equivalent mechanisms, with the faculty and students physically separated from each other.”
Distance Degree Students are accepted into Distance programs. Distance guest students are admitted to register for courses for transfer or personal development.
Andrews University offers four types of distance education course formats:
- Self-Paced courses are offered where instructional materials and examinations are provided by mail or electronic transmission to students who are separated from the instructor. Interaction between the instructor and the student is limited and is primarily initiated by the student. Self-paced courses may be delivered via paper; via electronic means such as email or a learning management system, or via DVDs, podcasts, streaming or similar one-way media transmission. Self-paced open learning courses are open for registration at any time and must be completed within 180 days of the start date. (This definition aligns with the federal definition for correspondence courses.)
- Interactive Online courses use the internet to deliver instruction to students who are separate from the instructor. Interactive online courses use the Internet to support regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor. This regular substantive interaction includes a significant amount of interaction initiated by the instructor. Interactive online courses may use synchronous (real-time) meetings, or an asynchronous paced format. Technologies may include: The Internet, satellite or room-based videoconferencing, web-conferencing, audio-conferencing, or web-based videoconferencing. DVDs, podcasts, streaming and similar one way media may be used only if they are used in conjunction with another technology that facilitates regular and substantive interaction between students and the instructor. (This aligns with the federal definition for distance education.)
- Regular and substantive interaction policy: The Andrews University Online Quality Assurance Committee has defined “regular and substantive interaction” as teacher-led, meaningful, and beneficial interaction between the teacher and the students. View full policy and guidelines.
- Synchronous Dual Format courses use technology to extend classroom lectures and other activities to students at remote sites in real time. These courses use video conferencing and other tools to provide access to a classroom experience for students at off-campus locations while otherwise maintaining a normal face-to-face classroom schedule. These courses mix on-campus and remote students, with on-campus students being face-to-face with their instructor and remote students participating simultaneously via technology. Students on-campus register for the on-campus section of the course, and remote students register for the interactive online section of the course. The two sections are cross-listed so that students can also interact outside of the real time session via the learning management system.
- Blended Learning courses include some time where the faculty and students are physically separated from each other and additional time where the faculty and students are in the same location. Blended learning scenarios include a face-to-face class that has reduced face-to-face time replaced with extended online assignments or a short intense face-to-face time supplemented with online learning activities. The blended learning course format uses the online activities to ensure that the course meets the credit hour definition requirements. The online portion of this type of course must meet the description of interactive online courses listed above. (This aligns with the federal definition for distance education.) Tours and intensives are also classified at Andrews University as a form of blended learning.
Andrews University offers a variety of online degrees. Some programs include minimal on-campus components, while some programs are entirely online. See the individual degree pages for more details. All online programs and courses must be approved by the School of Distance Education and International Partnerships.
- College of Arts and Sciences
- School of Business Administration (College of Professions)
- School of Education (College of Education & International Services)
- Teaching, Learning and Curriculum
- Leadership and Educational Administration
- College of Health & Human Services
- Seventh-day Adventist Theological Seminary
Browse a listing of the Online Undergraduate Courses.
Browse a listing of Online Graduate Courses marketed for guest students. See also the graduate online degrees above.
Fees and tuition for distance programs of study are listed in the Financial Information section, with details by program on this webpage.
Withdrawals and refunds for interactive semester or 8-week online classes follows policy for on-campus courses, with deadlines listed in the Academic Calendar for the current term. The Self-Paced Calendar lists alternate withdrawal and refund deadlines for self-paced open learning classes. All withdrawals after the last day to drop or add a course require a drop/add form submitted to the Office of Academic Records. Distance students contact their academic advisor for assistance.
Course load rules are the same for students taking any mix of on-campus or interactive online courses. However, the following funding limits apply:
- Andrews Partnership Scholarship/Andrews Gift are not available to students admitted to online undergraduate programs, as all have discounted tuition.
- Self-paced open learning classes (901 sections) are only available to degree students who are not U.S. residents and guest students on any campus. Self-paced open learning classes are not available to U.S. residents (including international students residing in the U.S.).
- While federal financial aid is not available for self-paced open learning, funding from sources other than Andrews University or U.S. federal aid may be applied toward self-paced open learning tuition and fees.
Federal financial aid may be available to Andrews University degree-seeking students if all of the following conditions are met:
- A student is a U.S. resident, admitted to a program that leads to an associate, bachelor or graduate degree.
- Course load determines your Financial Aid eligibility with the minimum of 6 credits for part-time, and 12 credits for full-time eligibility.
- Main campus or interactive online classes are completed within the semester they are registered.
Federal aid is not available for classes taken as a guest or non-degree student or as a student admitted to a certificate program. If you use Federal financial aid and need to repeat a course, review the Repeating Classes section of the General Academic Policies, then discuss this with your Student Financial Services advisor before re-registering.
See the following sections of the bulletin for further information about tuition discounts and scholarships:
The Andrews University’s School of Distance Education and International Partnerships operates the Consortium of Adventist Colleges and Universities, which grew out of the Griggs University Consortium arrangements between Griggs University, Andrews University, Oakwood University, and Washington Adventist University. The Griggs University Consortium began in 1969 with Griggs University and Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University).
The Consortium serves students around the world: students in partner colleges and universities within the North American Division, students in public universities wishing to take select courses from an Adventist perspective, and students at our partner institutions around the world. Courses are available for transfer credit from Washington Adventist University and Oakwood University. Information about all Consortium partner course offerings, tuition rates, fees, payment information, and procedures is available online at www.andrews.edu/distance/consortium. Printed catalogs can be requested from the School of Distance Education and International Partnerships.
Some Andrews University degrees are offered using primarily Consortium courses:
A complete list of Consortium courses can be viewed via this overview table, the Consortium catalog, and the Consortium registration packet.
- Business and Information Systems
- Bari Courts, Ph.D.
- Stephen Erich, M.B.A
- Jimmie Flores, Ph.D.
- Lisa Goolsby, M.B.A
- Simon Vaz, M.B.A
- Behavioral Sciences
- Cleran Hollancid, Ph.D.
- Stacey Nicely, M.A.
- Alicia Worley de Palacios, MDiv
- Arian Timoti, M.S.
- Penelope Webster, Ph.D.
- Biology
- Andrew Rice, M.S.
- Melinda Villanueva, Ph.D.
- Communication
- Marsha Beal, M.A.
- Delyse Steyn, D.Ed.
- Kristine Walker-Fraser, M.A.
- Education
- Denise Shaver, Ph.D.
- Bradley Sheppard, Ph.D.
- David Waller, M.Ed.
- English
- Dannyette Gadsden-Rouse, M.A.
- Bonnie McLean, Ph.D.
- Beverly Romero, M.A.
- Ashley Wynn, M.A.
- History and Political Science
- Adam Fenner, Ph.D.
- Steve Jones, Ph.D.
- Douglas Morgan, Ph.D.
- Marcella Myers Ph.D.
- Mathematics
- Jane Nesbit, M.A.
- Cleon White, M.A.
- Janisa Henry, M.A.
- Music
- Public Health, Nutrition and Wellness
- Stephanie Goddard, M.S.
- Susan Singer, M.P.H
- Religion
- Gavin Anthony, M.A.
- Guilherme Borda, M.A.
- Bonny Dent, MSPT
- Martha Duah, Ph.D.
- Erhard Gallos, Ph.D.
- Abner Hernandez-Fernandez, Ph.D
- Ray McAllister, Ph.D.
- Ruben Munoz-Larrondo, Ph.D.
- Alexej Muran, M.A.
- Rodney Palmer, DMin
- Zorislav Plantak, Ph.D.
- Ronald Rojas, Ph.D.
- Abelardo Rivas Santine, Ph.D.
- Jan Aage Sigvartsen, Ph.D.
- Michael Taylor, MDiv
- Sabine Vatel, DMin
- Physics
Griggs Hall, Room 123 and 136
269-471-3960
www.andrews.edu/distance/dlit
dlit@andrews.edu
Janine Lim, Associate Dean, Online Higher Education
Sven Pauliah, Assistant to the Associate Dean
Sam Villamizar, Learning Systems Administrator
Helena Gregor, Director, Seminary Online Learning Center
Amy Maydole, Course Manager
Lileen Coulloudon, Online Quality Assurance Specialist
Michael Gayle, Curriculum and Learning Design Specialist
Marsha Beal, Technology and Instructional Design Specialist
The Center for Digital Learning and Instructional Technology provides instructional technology leadership, support and resources to the faculty, staff, and students of Andrews University. DLiT serves main campus, online campus, and off-campus programs. DLiT also oversees the operations of the Consortium of Adventist Colleges and Universities.
The Center for Digitial Learning and Instructional Technology researches and promotes new instructional technologies. DLiT provides technology support for enterprise level instructional technology tools such as LearningHub, the campus Moodle learning management system; student response systems (clickers); Panopto, our video streaming and recording service; and Zoom, our webinar and videoconferencing software. In addition, we offer workshops, training and one-on-one consultation for pedagogical use of technology. We work collaboratively with various entities across campus to provide excellent service through processes and procedures to support main campus, online campus, and off-campus students and faculty.
The Center for Digital Learning and Instructional Technology provides coordination and review for online program and course development, as well as technical support, instructional design advice and training, and materials design and conversion for course development for main campus, online campus, and off-campus courses.
Glynis Bradfield, Director, Distance Student Services
Steve Fox, Testing Coordinator
Jennifer Ruiz, Academic Advisor
The Office of Student Services supports guest and degree students taking Andrews University courses away from main campus. Services include academic advising, online orientation and distance academic support, tutoring arrangements, accommodation monitoring, complaints management, and communicating options for spiritual, physical and social development available at a distance. Credit for prior learning and services for high school students taking Andrews University courses online, on campus, or through concurrent enrollment agreements are also directed through this department.
Admission begins with completing the application at www.andrews.edu/apply. Undergraduate and graduate admission requirements are the same for students studying at a distance and on-campus. Please refer to the Academic Policies sections of the bulletin for more information:
Degree admission requirements do not apply to students taking distance courses for personal growth, certification, or to supplement a program of study at another institution. Guest student use the same application at www.andrews.edu/apply, identifying themselves as guest or non-degree applicants. Learn more in the guest policy sections:
Questions about completing an application or admission status are best addressed to the right contacts.
Online courses are offered in interactive online and self-paced open learning formats. See the Online Courses listing for Undergraduate and Graduate online classes.
Interactive online courses have fixed start and end dates, assignment and exam due dates, and are eligible for federal financial aid. Instructors set assignment deadlines and create an interactive learning community. Interactive online courses are usually indicated in the course schedule with the section number of 999 (additional sections may end in 998, 997, etc.), with schedule attribute ‘interactive online’. To view all courses of this type, filter the course schedule by Schedule Attribute interactive online in the Term selected. All main campus course registration policies and Academic Calendar deadlines relating to the term or part of term in which the course is offered apply to interactive online courses.
Self-paced open learning courses can be started at any time, are student-paced, and are not eligible for federal financial aid. Self-paced open learning courses are usually indicated in the course schedule with the 901 section number. To view all courses of this type, filter the course schedule by Schedule Attribute self-paced and Part of Term open learning in the term selected. All main campus course registration policies apply to self-paced open learning courses other than those reflecting specific deadlines. Students have 180 days from the student-selected start date to complete undergraduate self-paced courses. Registration for self-paced courses follows the Self-Paced Calendar. Note that the start date selected by the student during the registration process determines the term (spring, summer, fall) in which this type of class is recorded for transcript purposes.
There are several types of holds on the registration process. Information about what to do to remove a hold is available when logged in to your personal iVue page.
- Holds for health, insurance, bookstore, and residence halls do not apply to students registering in online classes or those taught at a location away from main campus.
- Holds for international deposits and visas do not apply to international students, living outside of the United States, who are only enrolling in classes online or on a campus outside of the United States.
- International graduate students coming to campus for one month or less do not pay the international deposit, but will need visas and insurance as listed for on-campus programs.
It is always the student’s responsibility to:
- Consult the University bulletin and webpages to follow current policies and procedures
- Check with their academic advisor that distance courses will fulfill degree requirements
- Check with their financial advisor how the course type will impact their financial plan
- Complete the disability accommodations form and provide documentation if study accommodations are desired
Contact information for academic and financial advisors is available on the student’s ivue and finvue pages. Questions about the registration process or holds are best answered by the following enrollment counselors:
Students studying at a distance can access many services using technology:
- Learn how to apply, clear financially, register, request exams, and successfully complete studies online at www.andrews.edu/distance/students
- The current Andrews University Bulletin at www.bulletin.andrews.edu communicates policies and procedures, and key contact information for all campus services.
- The Andrews Agenda at www.andrews.edu/agenda provides weekly news, announcements and updates.
- Follow Andrews University’s facebook page, twitter feed and other social media for regular postings of life at Andrews.
- The Andrews Directory at www.andrews.edu/directory includes contact information for all current faculty, staff and students.
- Departmental updates are emailed to students registered in specific programs of study. Check your Andrews email regularly.
- Pioneer Memorial Church services are streamed online, and podcasts can be accessed at any time. New Life and One Place serve vibrant worship communities with some content online too.
- Videos of chapels and vespers are available through the Andrews University Youtube Channel
- The Student Association Youtube Channel includes many more videos of student events
- Listen to Andrews University’s classical radio online 24/7 at WAUS
- All online students are encouraged to communicate with their academic and financial advisors regularly, through email, phone, and video conferencing. Advisors help students connect with resources as needed.
- Tutoring, career and mental health counseling, and disability accommodation can be arranged through the Online & Non-traditional Student Services Director (learn more at www.andrews.edu/distance/students/).
- An online grievance form provides students with tools to formally register a complaint about any aspect of the educational service provided by Andrews University. The procedure for lodging a complaint is outlined online.
Registered students of Andrews University have full and free access to the resources and services of the James White Library via phone, fax, e-mail or the Internet. Such services include:
- Access to the James White Library Catalog (JeWeL)
- Access to the Library’s Online Databases which include full-text articles from many thousands of periodicals
- Online Instruction, Tutorials and Research Guides
- Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery Services
- Reference and Consultation Services
- Download software, such as Endnote, for research and writing
- FAQs and Ask-a-Librarian—www.andrews.edu/library/RefDesk/services/ask.html
- Online access to these services is available through use of the Andrews University username and password supplied during the admission process. Off-campus program students, staff and faculty may apply for Andrews University username and password through the Off-Campus Library Services Web page or by calling 269-471-3283.
Proctored Examinations
Most online courses include examinations that are to be taken under supervision:
- Students studying at or near another university or college should arrange with the institution’s testing department for proctoring on campus.
- Students in the Armed Forces may take their examinations under the supervision of the education officer.
- Students taking Seminary or Math courses are required to use online proctoring through the Distance Education Testing Center.
- All other students may choose online or local proctoring.
If local proctoring is chosen (as applicable), make arrangements before filling in the exam request form provided within the course space. Proctors must have academic responsibility in a university, college, school, military or workplace continuing education setting, and be available to proctor at their place of work. Instructions will be communicated to the proctor, once approved, and the student notified via email when the exam has been issued. Learn more about proctored exams online, email the Testing Coordinator at sdeexams@andrews.edu, or call 269-471-6566 if help is needed.
If online proctoring is chosen, students use on online calendar to schedule exam sessions during office hours. Details are provided within the course space, and further information about how online exams work is available online.
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)
Students can estimate how previous course work may apply toward an Andrews distance degree by reviewing the requirements listed in this bulletin. Prospective students may request an evaluation of their transcripts using the online application process.
Credit for prior college level learning that is not documented through academic transcript may be earned through advanced placement, standardized and departmental challenge exams, validation and proficiency assessments. Students may apply for academic credit for prior college level learning through personal achievements and professional expertise. Assessment of portfolios are done on a course-by-course basis, either by Andrews University faculty evaluators or through the Council on Adult and Experiential Learning.
The Director of Distance Student Services serves as the Prior Learning Coordinator for all Andrews University schools. Contact the Prior Learning Coordinator after discussing prior learning with your academic advisor. Learn more about the 5 ways to earn credit for prior college-level learning here:
Challenge Exams
Permission to take a challenge exam may be requested by contacting the department offering the class. Prior learning through professional or personal experience must be closely aligned to the learning outcomes of an Andrews University class. A student may complete the Credit by Departmental Exam & Validation Assessment Form with approval from their advisor and the department offering the class.
With NAD Union certification registrar approval, Adventist teachers may also apply to take online challenge exam. The Consortium of Adventist Colleges and Universities currently offers Andrews University challenge exams for Adventist heritage and religion courses, and Washington Adventist University challenge exams for education courses. Taking the full course is advised when a teacher has not attended Adventist schools and/or completed teacher training at a non-Adventist college or university. Review the Andrews University Challenge Exam Request Form for full policy, procedure and course information.
High school students who meet admission criteria can enrich their high school studies by taking Andrews University lower division undergraduate courses. Classes approved for high school registrations are available in three formats: on-campus face-to-face, interactive online, and concurrent enrollment.
Concurrent enrollment, a service available to Adventist Academies, is a two-step process. First, the Academy seeking to offer an Andrews class on their campus submits a school application to the Andrews Off-Campus Department. If this application is approved after review by the Andrews University department offering the requested class, student applications can be submitted to take the Andrews University class on the Academy campus, taught by the approved Academy teacher.
In all formats, it is the prerogative of the high school to decide whether to count the college credit towards high school diploma requirements. Tuition for up to two Andrews University classes per semester is discounted to the special high school rate plus the guest fee per semester for students prior to graduating from high school, reaching age 19 by September 1 in the current academic year, or taking the GED or equivalent US high school completion test. Note that the high school tuition rate does not apply to fees or surcharges on specific courses, individual music or flight lessons, independent study or reading courses, or international language courses which are prerequisites for advanced degrees and courses taken off-campus.
Special consideration is given to Andrews University schools. Up to two Andrews University classes per semester, when approved by Andrews Academy or Griggs International Academy are included in full Academy tuition.
Learn more about all pre-college services Andrews University provides for 0 to 18 year olds at www.andrews.edu/services/precollege/
Griggs Hall, Room 212
269-471-6515
ethanj@andrews.edu
Ethan Jones, Director of Compliance
Brittany Huset, Assistant to the Director of Compliance
The Director of Compliance assists the School of Distance Education and International Partnerships to carry out its academic mission with integrity and in accordance with the policies of Andrews University and our accrediting bodies, and in compliance with federal, state and international regulations.
Griggs Hall, Room 124
269-471-6570; FAX 269-471-2804
griggs@andrews.edu
www.griggs.edu
La Ronda Forsey, Associate Dean K–12/GIA Principal
Kathy Iwasa, Associate Principal / GIA Registrar / Testing Coordinator
Lamar Nangle, GIA Vice Principal
Cindy Canel, K-8 Coordinator
Rebecca Tedeschi, GIA Educational Technologist
Deirdre Wilkens, GIA Curriculum Specialist
Gabrieal Melgar, GIA Director of Student Services
Millie De Angel, GIA Enrollment Counselor
The School of Distance Education and International Partnerships operates Griggs International Academy (GIA), which offers an accredited K–12 Adventist distance education program that serves students in North America and internationally. There are a variety of delivery styles offered through GIA: online courses, paper-based courses, school sites—adapting to the needs of individuals or supplementing a school program. The mission of GIA is to provide educationally sound, values-based, guided independent study and distance education programs that build a foundation for service to God, church and society. These programs and courses respond to learner needs in the context of a lifetime learning experience.
Griggs International Academy, operated by the School of Distance Education and International Partnerships, is accredited by:
- The Accrediting Association of Seventh-day Adventist Schools, Colleges, and Universities
- Middle States Association for Colleges and Schools Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools
- The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Council on Accreditation and School Improvement / AdvancED
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