Academic FAQ

1) What are course requirements?
2) What will online classes be like?
3) How are online classes different from on-ground classes?
4) What can I expect in an asynchronous class?
5) When do Baker University's School of Professional and Graduate Studies online courses meet?
6) What are the qualifications of the instructors?
7) Is there an attendance policy for online classes?
8) What constitutes "participation" in online classes?
9) How do I turn in written assignments?
10) Where can I go for help with writing assignments?

1) What are course requirements?
All of Baker University's online courses meet the same academic requirements as our on-ground courses. When you sign up for an online program, you experience the same course objectives, assignments, attendance policies, learning team projects, and learning outcomes as you would in a traditional classroom.
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2) What will online classes be like?
At Baker University, online courses are all asynchronous, meaning that they do not meet at a predetermined time. Online classes meet for weeklong modules, and you will "go to class" by logging into Moodle, Baker University's learning management system. Through Moodle, you receive all class assignments, including reading, research and multimedia, and you take part in class discussions through online discussion boards. With Internet access, you can log in and join your classmates.
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3) How are online classes different from on-ground classes?
Many students find that online courses require a good degree of self-motivation. In addition to self-motivation, success in an online course requires frequent visits to the course and active participation in the class. In on-ground classes, you meet your classmates and instructor face-to-face, but in online classes you get to know them through their postings. Although most of your learning time on ground occurs in a physical classroom, you will find that online courses generate self-directed learning.
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4) What can I expect in an asynchronous class?
An asynchronous class allows you to access course materials at any time during the weekly modules, take part in discussions with your instructor and participate in threaded discussions with your peers. You will be assigned readings, case studies, discussions and projects, all of which you will complete in a fully online setting. Even you presentations will be done online.
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5) When do Baker University's School of Professional and Graduate Studies online courses meet?
You can log in to your asynchronous classes 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You will need to log in at least one time each week to be present for attendance purposes, but to successfully complete the course, you will need to log in multiple times each week.
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6) What are the qualifications of instructors?
All Baker University SPGS faculty hold a master's degree, and several hold a doctorate in their teaching discipline. Coursework, lectures, facilitation and active-learning strategies are presented by experienced faculty members who have first-hand knowledge of the workplace. Class discussions focus on applications of learning that relate to your career and life. Our faculty bring valuable real-world experience to the class.
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7) Is there an attendance policy for online classes?
Attendance in an online course is defined as a learner who logs into the course shell a minimum of once during the class session. A class session is one week of instructional time (Monday 12:01 a.m. - Sunday 11:59 p.m.). Students must meet the minimum attendance requirements to stay active in the class. If a student misses more than 40 percent of class sessions he or she will not receive credit for the class. See the SPGS Catalog and Student Handbook 1.24 Mb for academic and financial penalties.
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8) What constitutes "participation" in online classes?
Asynchronous courses are designed to fit your life. They provide flexibility so you can log in each week at a time that is convenient to you. Students are marked as "present" in an asynchronous class by simply accessing the course once during the scheduled week; however, it is important that students understand that merely being marked "present" in an online class does not guarantee that they will successfully pass a course. In addition to attendance, other requirements must be fulfilled, such as weekly assignments, participation, research papers, quizzes and so on, which vary by course and instructor. The successful completion of all the required participation course work, assessment of course work, and participation determine the student's final course grade. Each student needs to play an active role in accessing his or her online class, as often as possible and fulfilling the necessary requirements for each week as described in the course syllabus.

Students are expected to participate actively in and contribute to the learning experience in the course. Participation means providing substantive comments, questions and contributions that advance the learning process for you or other learners in the course or both. Participation may include responding to questions and issues posed by other learners. Participation does NOT include submission of homework and other course assignments. Nonsubstantive comments, nongermane comments and comments with the nature of "I agree" or "I disagree" (unless the latter two are elaborated on to make them substantive) do not count toward meeting the participation requirement.
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9) How do I turn in written assignments?
Students can submit written assignments through Moodle. Instructors have the discretion to grant other options for submitting assignments. Options for submitting a written assignment to your instructor include submitting the assignment through an assignment link or posting the assignment to a discussion board. Your instructor and instructions within your Moodle course will provide more information on how you should turn in your assignments.
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10) Where can I go for help with writing assignments?
When you write a paper, you can find everything you need to research your projects and class work through the Collins Library. You can use the Baker University Collins Library to access a vast selection of books, and periodicals, as well as online databases, journals and other online services.

Assistance with grammar and MLA style and guidelines for academic writing are available online.

If you would like one-on-one help or have a grammar or MLA style question, you can request help through the student portal.
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