Nov 23, 2024  
2023-2024 Academic Bulletin 
    
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2023-2024 Academic Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

School of Distance Education

The School of Distance Education is an administrative and academic unit that coordinates online learning across all colleges, monitors the quality of the delivery of online courses and degrees, and provides support to faculty and students involved in online learning.

 

The Associate Dean of the School of Distance Education is located in Griggs Hall B, GH 117, assocdeanonline@andrews.edu.

Mission Statement

The School of Distance Education 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 by creating a virtual community designed to nurture learning.

The School of Distance Education serves Andrews University by providing leadership, faculty and student support, and professional resources for online learning and educational technology. The School of Distance Education also manages a subset of Andrews University’s undergraduate online degrees.

Core Values

To accomplish our mission, the School of Distance Education 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.

History

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 of 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 is now located in Griggs Hall, which used to be the Lake Union Office.

Online Campus

The School of Distance Education provides support and oversight for all online courses, degrees and programs offered by Andrews University.

Online Delivery Modes

Andrews University modes and definitions of distance education are based on the United States federal distance education definitions and the 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 as 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 the following types of distance education course formats:

  • Interactive Online Asynchronous courses use minimal real-time interaction via video, and instead use online tools such as forums, recorded audio, recorded video, and interactive content to deliver primarily asynchronous instruction to students who are separated from the instructor. Learning activities have specified due dates. Regular, substantive, teacher-led, and meaningful interaction both with the instructor and with fellow students is expected. Real-time interaction via video is minimal and either optional, scheduled individually, or scheduled at a time convenient for all students. No additional penalties or extra work are created for missing a live session. There are no on-campus requirements. (This course type aligns with the federal definition for distance education.)
  • Interactive Online Synchronous courses use real-time, two-way live video to deliver primarily synchronous instruction to students who are separated from the instructor. Students engage in regularly scheduled synchronous live video instruction. The course schedule lists the synchronous meeting times so that students can plan. Real-time interaction with the instructor and fellow students is expected. Learning activities have specified due dates. There are no on-campus requirements. These courses may be taught to in-person students at the same time. (This course type aligns with the federal definition for distance education.)
  • 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 or real-time online courses listed above. (This course type aligns with the federal definition for distance education.)
  • Self-Paced Online 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 course type aligns with the federal definition for correspondence courses.)

Online and Blended Degrees

Andrews University offers a variety of online and blended degrees. Some programs include minimal on-campus components, some programs are entirely online, and those marked blended have a significant amount of time on campus. See the individual degree pages for more details. All online programs and courses must be approved by the School of Distance Education.

Online Courses

Online Student Services

Online Admission Services

Degree Students

Admission begins with completing the application at www.andrews.edu/apply.  Undergraduate and graduate admission requirements are the same for students studying on-campus or online.  Please refer to the Academic Policies sections of the bulletin for more information:

Guest, Visiting, or Non-Degree Students

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.  Such students use the same application at www.andrews.edu/apply, identifying themselves as guest or non-degree applicants. Learn more in the guest policy sections: 

Admission Services

Questions about completing an application or admission status are best addressed to the right contacts.

Online Financial Services

Fees and tuition for online programs of study are listed in the Financial Information  bulletin section, with additional details by program on this webpage.

Withdrawals and refunds for interactive online part-of- or full-semester classes follow policy for on-campus courses. Self-paced classes follow different withdrawal and refund deadlines. View the abbreviated calendar in the Academic Bulletin  for each semester for the deadlines to withdraw with full or partial refunds. All withdrawals after the last day to drop or add a course require a drop/add form. Follow instructions on the form and in procedural emails to students enrolled in online classes to send the form to those who must sign before the form can be sent to Academic Records. 

Federal Financial Aid

Federal financial aid may be available to online 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.
  • A minimum of 6 credits are registered for part-time and 12 credits for full-time eligibility.
  • Term-based 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 that is not part of a degree 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 financial advisor before re-registering.  

Financial Assistance

See the following sections of the bulletin for further information about tuition discounts and scholarships. Note limitations by campus.

Registration and Course Information

See the Online Courses listing for available Undergraduate and Graduate online classes. 

Online courses are offered in the following learning formats. 

Interactive Online Asynchronous Classes

Interactive online asynchronous classes have fixed start and end dates and fixed assignment and exam due dates. Students pick the time of day to study; there are no synchronous class attendance times but students need to log in to LearningHub several times a week. These classes are eligible for federal financial aid. Interactive online asynchronous classes usually have section numbers of 950-999.  To view all courses of this type, filter the course schedule by Schedule Attribute interactive online and by Instructional Method asynchronous in the Term selected. All Berrien campus course registration policies and term-based deadlines apply to interactive online asynchronous courses. 

Interactive Online Synchronous Classes

Interactive Online Synchronous classes also have fixed start and end dates and fixed assignment and exam due dates. Students attend classes at scheduled times through video conferencing. These classes are eligible for federal financial aid. Interactive online synchronous classes usually have section numbers 950-999. To view all courses of this type, filter the course schedule by Schedule Attribute Interactive Online and by Instructional Method Synchronous in the Term selected. All Berrien campus course registration policies and term-based deadlines apply to interactive online synchronous courses. 

Self-Paced Online Classes

Self-paced online classes can be started at any time, are student-paced, and are not eligible for federal financial aid. Self-paced online classes usually have a 901 section number. To view all courses of this type, filter the course schedule by Schedule Attribute self-paced online. All Berrien campus course registration policies apply to self-paced online 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 the class is recorded for transcript purposes.

Registration Holds

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 student profile page.

  1. 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 the Berrien campus.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.

Student Responsibility and Contacts

It is always the student’s responsibility to:

  • Consult the Academic 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 each student’s profile and financial aid SSB pages. Questions about the registration process or holds are best answered by the following enrollment counselors:

Online Student Support

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
  • In addition to orientation provided through your program department team, use online resources to succeed academically and thrive emotionally, socially, physically, and spiritually while studying online.
  • The current Academic Bulletin  communicates policies and procedures, and key contact information for all campus services.
  • The Andrews Agenda provides weekly news, announcements, and updates.
  • Follow, like and share #AUOnlineStudies on Instagram and LinkedIn for online student wellbeing and academic support posts each week
  • The Andrews 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, New Life, and One Place services are streamed online, and podcasts can be accessed at any time.
  • 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
  • Advisors help students connect with resources as needed. All online students are encouraged to communicate with their academic and financial advisors regularly, through email, phone, and video conferencing.
  • 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.

Library Access

Andrews University online students 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:

Proctored Examinations

Most online courses include examinations that are to be taken under supervision:

  • Students in the Armed Forces or in a corporation with an education center may take their examinations under the supervision of the entity’s education officer. 
  • Students taking Seminary or Math courses are required to use online proctoring through the School of 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. 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. Students will need a computer with current browser version, video and audio, and high speed internet to take exams online. 

To learn more about proctored exams online, email the Testing Coordinator at sdeexams@andrews.edu, or call 269-471-6566 if help is needed. 

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

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 the Center for Adult Degree Completion serves as the Prior Learning Coordinator for all Andrews University colleges. First discuss prior learning with your academic advisor, then contact the Adult Education Center for coaching in preparing for departmental challenge exams, validation of certification or other documentation, or portfolio preparation. Learn more about the 5 ways to earn credit for prior college-level learning here:

 

School of Distance Education Online Degree Support

Janine Lim, PhD, Associate Dean
Griggs Hall B, Room 117
269-471-6546
assocdeanonline@andrews.edu

______________, SDE Administrative Assistant
Griggs Hall B, Room 115
269-471-3438
assocdeanonline@andrews.edu

Services to All Andrews Online Courses and Degrees

Amy Spears, DLiT Director and SDE Online Course Manager
​Glynis Bradfield, Director, Center for Adult Degree Completion
Lileen Coulloudon, Online Quality Assurance Specialist
Stephanie Wilczynski, Curriculum and Learning Design Specialist

The School of Distance Education provides a wide variety of services for online degrees and courses offered by Andrews University. 

School of Distance Education Degrees and Courses

A subset of the undergraduate online courses and degrees at Andrews University are managed by the School of Distance Education. The academic departments approve faculty, faculty qualifications, syllabi, and textbooks; and SDE handles the student recruitment and advising, faculty contracts, faculty support and training, delivery and editing of the online courses, and the daily operations of the online degrees and courses. Degrees offered in this arrangement are as follows:  

The courses managed by the School of Distance Education are also available to guest students, either registering directly with Andrews University or through their home institution via the CAREonline Consortium.

A complete list of SDE courses can be viewed via this webpage or the School of Distance Education catalog.

School of Distance Education Faculty

Note that some faculty teach both for the School of Distance Education and their respective academic departments.

  • Art History
    • Kelsey Curnutt, M.A.
  • Business and Information Systems
    • Lileen Coulloudon, M.B.A.
    • Bari Courts, Ph.D.
    • Jimmie Flores, Ph.D.
    • Lisa Goolsby, M.B.A.
    • Robert Neely, Ph.D.
    • Satyanarayana Ramella, Ph.D.
    • Jamiel Vadell, Ph.D.
    • Simon Vaz, M.B.A
  • Behavioral Sciences
    • Justina Adalikwu-Obisike, Ph.D.
    • Delia Barone, Psy.D.
  • Biology
    • Andrew Rice, M.S.
  • Communication
    • Marsha Beal, M.A., M.S.
    • Delyse Steyn, D.Ed.
    • Kristine Walker-Fraser, M.A.
  • Education
    • Bradley Sheppard, Ph.D.
    • David Waller, M.Ed.
  • English
    • Bonnie McLean, Ph.D. 
    • Beverly Romero, M.A.
    • Jill Walker Gonzalez, M.A.
    • Brian Urias, M.A.
    • Stephanie Wilczynski, M.A.
  • History and Political Science
    • Adam Fenner, Ph.D.
    • Steve Jones, Ph.D.
    • Douglas Morgan, Ph.D.
    • Marcella Myers Ph.D.
  • Mathematics
    • Shannon Burton, Ph.D.
    • Marian Prince, Ph.D.
    • Cleon White, M.A.
  • Medical Laboratory Sciences
    • Melissa Poua, M.S.
  • Music
    • Rose Eide-Altman, M.Mus.
  • Public Health, Nutrition and Wellness
    • Stephanie Goddard, M.S.
    • Susan Singer, M.P.H
  • Religion
    • Gavin Anthony, M.A.
    • Enrique Baez Garcia, Ph.D.
    • Jean Cadet, MDiv.
    • Bonny Dent, MSPT
    • Martha Duah, Ph.D.
    • Daniel Duffis Gordon, MDiv.
    • Eriks Galenieks, Ph.D.
    • Erhard Gallos, Ph.D.
    • Natashia McVay, MDiv.
    • Ruben Munoz-Larrondo, Ph.D.
    • Alexej Muran, M.A.
    • Rodney Palmer, D.Min.
    • Melchizedek Ponniah, Ph.D.
    • Abelardo Rivas Santini, Ph.D.
    • Ronald Rojas, D.Min.
    • Davide Sciarabba, M.A.
    • Jan Aage Sigvartsen, Ph.D. 
    • Rahel Wells, Ph.D.

School of Distance Education Centers

The School of Distance Education operates four centers focused on online learning and instructional technology.

Center for Digital Learning and Instructional Technology (DLiT)

Griggs Hall B, Room 123
269-471-3960
www.andrews.edu/distance/dlit
dlit@andrews.edu
 
Amy Spears, Director
Lorena Bidwell, Learning Systems Administrator
Jeff Craig-Davis, DLiT Operations Coordinator

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.

Instructional Technology
The Center for Digital 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 called LearningHub; student response systems (iClickers); 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.

Center for Adult Degree Completion

Griggs Hall B 132
www.andrews.edu/distance/adult-degree

Glynis Bradfield, Director, glynisb@andews.edu, 269-471-3432, Room 132
Steve Fox, Testing Coordinator, sdeexams@andrews.edu, 269-471-6566, Room 130
Lisseth Pasillas, Academic Advisor, sdestudents@andrews.edu, remote

The Adult Degree Completion Center serves as the academic department coordinating programs for undergraduate online students 24 years or older. This center also coordinates credit for prior learning for main and online campuses, and student services for students taking any online classes.

  • Oversight of the BS Integrative Studies program
  • Academic planning and advising of students in School of Distance Education managed programs  (link to section)
  • Recruiting and marketing undergraduate online learning
  • Orientation, academic success and recovery support
  • Coordination of the Online Testing Center for Griggs International Academy and Andrews University undergraduate and graduate online classes with a proctored exam
  • Communicating spiritual, physical, and social wellbeing resources 
  • Credit for prior learning coordination across levels and colleges

Center for Continuing Education

Griggs Hall B, Room 208
1-800-471-6210 option #1
odl@andrews.edu
https://www.andrews.edu/distance/continuinged

Heidi James, Director

Andrews University offers Continuing Education courses in both credit and non-credit form. Bringing content through either on-campus departments or third parties, these courses are intended to help adult learners continue their education and gain necessary skills for employment or for personal enrichment. 

Our Partnered Teacher Professional Development courses are designed for K-12 teachers needing to earn graduate credit. These courses are not part of a typical degree program.  It is the student’s responsibility to ensure the credits they take work for their particular needs.

New courses are added during the year. Please refer to our website for a complete list and partner contact information.

Third-party partnerships offering graduate credit for teachers are:

  • EDCI 622: Courses offered in partnership with the Adventist Learning Community.
  • EDCI 626: Courses offered in partnership with Midwest Teachers Institute.
  • EDCI 628: Courses offered in partnership with The Connecting Link. 
  • EDCI 629: Courses offered in partnership with Advancement Courses, Inc.
  • EDCI 631: Courses offered in partnership with PLS 3rd Learning.
  • EDCI 635: Courses offered in partnership with Virtual Educational Software. 
  • EDCI 639: Courses offered in partnership with EdTechnology Specialists.
  • EDCI 641: Courses offered in partnership with Learners Edge.
  • EDCI 649: Courses offered in partnership with Creative Teacher Education Institute

Our Non-credit course options are both offered through third-party partnerships as well as various departments on campus.  They are intended for students who want to gain general knowledge, learn a new skill, upgrade existing skills, or enrich their understanding about a wide range of topics.  Upon successful completion of a course, students will receive a certificate.  Non-credit classes are NOT applicable toward a degree.  Upon completion of a series of required classes, some students can earn a non-credit vocational certificate. 

Seminary Online Learning Center

Seminary Hall, Room N307
Phone: 269-471-3962
Fax: 269-471-6202
solc@andrews.edu
www.andrews.edu/sem/sdlc/

Helena R. Gregor, Director

The Seminary Online Learning Center (SOLC) offers a variety of courses at the graduate level, and it serves not only students who are enrolled in different Seminary programs on campus and off campus, but supports students wherever they may find themselves in the country or around the world. Therefore, it extends Seminary education beyond the local community and national boundaries, wherever the need arises.

These courses are for those who want to learn, from an outstanding vibrant and diverse community of faculty, to effectively serve others and communicate God’s Word in the church, educational system, culture, and world.  Students can combine the online courses in ways that fit their unique needs and circumstances. Furthermore, these online courses can supplement advanced study or sharpen a theological understanding for any calling.

The Center administrates, coordinates and monitors the quality of the delivery of online courses in the Seminary.  It also provides support to faculty and students involved in distance learning. 

For a list of current offerings, see the Seminary Online Learning Center website. To register for a course, please go to the Registration Central, where you can add an online class just like any other on-campus face-to-face course. All non-degree graduate students please click here to see the steps you need to take to become a guest student. For more information, please contact the Seminary Online Learning Center, solc@andrews.edu

Consortium of Adventist Higher Education Online - CAREonline 

Andrews University participates in CAREonline, the Consortium of Adventist HigheR Education Online, which was established by the Adventist Association of Colleges and Universities (AACU) in the summer of 2020. Andrews University offers courses through the shared platform, Acadeum. We are also a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities Online Course Sharing Consortium, also served in the Acadeum platform. In addition to offering courses, Andrews University receives courses, when approved by department chairs, to fill gaps in students’ graduation requirements. A printed catalog for SDE-managed courses offered through CAREonline can be requested from the School of Distance Education.

The Consortium of Adventist Colleges and Universities is transitioning into the new CAREonline Consortium. In 1969, Home Study International partnered with Columbia Union College (now Washington Adventist University). In the 1990s, the agreement was expanded to include Andrews University and Oakwood University and branded as the Griggs Consortium. When Griggs University moved to Andrews University in 2011, the Griggs Consortium was rebranded as the Consortium of Adventist Colleges and Universities. This Consortium is ending as of 2021 and joining the Consortium of Adventist Higher Education Online.