Frequently Asked Questions
While answers here reflect online perspectives, where main campus differs, note reflect variations.
In order to maxmimize student success, faculty approve certain lower division courses for high school students that meet admission criteria and course prerequisites. Consult the list of Courses Approved for High School Registrations each time you apply. If you have completed several Andrews University courses with high grades, and would like to take a class not on the pre-approved class list, email precollege@andrews.edu noting the class you are interested in and why you think you're ready for this more challenging class. If you've taken prerequisite classes at another college or university, include an unofficial copy of that institution's transcript. We will review your request with the department chair for a decision within a week.
Good question. You do need to choose carefully. Read the Degree Fast Track information.
Learning to take responsiblity for balancing study, work, and play, while growing physically, spiritually, socially and academically, is important. As the opportunities to take college courses expand, some believe that more is better. But a study at the University of North Carolina suggests that five college courses are beneficial. More than five make little difference to levels of achievement and could negatively impact success, as students come to college exhausted and unprepared for the broader challenges of college life.
After you complete the application online, the online orientation (in the first term you register in one school year), and get all signatures on the registration form, email it to precollege@andrews.edu If all is complete, an email usually confirms registration within 2 business days. If you wait until the deadline or skip steps, it takes longer.
Registrations are processed in the order received as long as there are seats available and all prerequisites and admission criteria are met.
The courses are developed by Andrews University professors to be taught at the university level to earn university credit. They are rigorous and recommended only for high performing students who meet Andrews University admission criteria.
Yes. If students turn 20 by September 1, they are ineligible for the high school tuition rate, but are welcome to continue taking Andrews University courses at the regular university student rate. The lower age limit is not specified; rather, students must be completing grade 10, 11 or 12 or an equivalent level in another country.
To be eligible, students must be attending an English medium school, with a GPA of 3.0 or higher and recommended by the School. 91% of students who met our admission criteria in recent years earned A or B grades.
Some of the classes are lecture-based, some are more participatory, depending on the discipline and instructor preference, among other factors. In distance education, lecture-based classes may take a variety of forms. Students may watch class-length video presentations or shorter lecture segments, interspersed with review sections. All courses, however, include some interaction with the teacher and classmates, online and on campus.
The level of interaction within a course varies from course to course and depends on the discipline. Instructors also interact with students through email discussion and chat, initiated by both instructor and students, as needed.
All classes are created, developed, and taught by experienced Seventh-day Adventist Christian teachers and scholars qualified in their discipline. Courses are built upon a Christian worldview. The principles of Christian faith are integrated into learning through intentional curriculum planning as well as more informal interactions between faculty and students in and out of class.
Classes are structured to complete in a 15-week semester. When a student logs into the online learning management system called learninghub, each course has its own learning space. In the orientation module, students learn how to access learning materials, participate in discussions, complete and submit assignments, request and take exams.
Online class instructors are qualified adjunct faculty; main campus courses may be taught by adjunct or full-time faculty. Online students are guided through lessons with audio-visuals and/or written instructions. Instructors will post questions, tips, and reminders in the class news and interact with students in the discussion assignments. Their contact information is posted in online classes and students are invited to email or call instructors with any questions.
Interactive online courses, like courses taught face-to-face on campus, start and end on fixed dates, and have specific deadlines for assignments and exams. Students do not need to be 'in class' at a specific hour each day for online classes; they can participatte at a time that fits their schedule best. Setting up fixed times for learning is important; daily is ideal.
Students are prompted to fill in a form in their course space with contact information for a proctor or supervisor. The registrar, librarian or testing coordinator at a school will be the best choice for a proctor. Relatives or friends may not proctor exams.
Most exams are completed online. Approved proctors are sent a specific code to enter in the course space at the time the student schedules to take the exam. So the location for the exam should be a quiet room free of distractions with a computer with internet access.
Math courses have paper exams. Approved proctors will be sent the exam to hold untili the scheduled exam time. The proctor will be responsible for returning the completed exam as instructed.
An email will be sent to the student noting when the proctor has been contacted. The student is responsible for setting up an appointment with the proctor to take the exam, and for paying for mailing costs, if a completed exam should be mailed.
Signing the student's application form indicates the school approves this student taking a college course. They have met the admission requirements, and demonstrated academic and independent learning ability to enable them to succeed in this college experience.
Providing space for the student to work online during their free period, and being avialable to answer questions are appreciated. Students who need help should first communicate with their course instructor. If the instructor decides that tutoring is needed, the School of Distance Education Student Services office will assist in finding the right level of support, which may include tutoring online.