How does the SES Distance Education Program work?

Once someone is accepted as distance student they will be sent an acceptance package which includes instruction on how to access the Distance Education materials (click here to apply to SES). Courses are then ordered during the appropriate time periods through Populi. Once the course begins, students will be able to access the appropriate lectures / assignments through their Populi account. Students then follow the instructions of the professor until the end of the course. Depending on how, where, or when course assignments and exams are completed the student may need to send them to SES to be graded. This process continues until all courses are completed and the student graduates from SES.

How similar is the Distance Program to the residency experience?

It is as close as one can get without being here. SES distance students experience the same classes that are taught in residency. SES does not want to substitute the classroom experience for "chat rooms" or mere reading supplements. Most courses comes with access to online audio and/or video lectures, but if the student wishes, video DVD's of the course may be purchased as well. 

What is the difference between a Distance Education degree and a resident degree?

Nothing. The degrees and course transcripts are the same for both formats.

What degrees are available through the Distance Education program?

Currently, the B.A. in Religious Studies, M.A.R., M.A. in Apologetics, and M.A. in Philosophy are the only degrees available through the Distance Education program. The D.Min. is mostly completed through Distance Education as well, but its requirements are a bit different from these other degrees. Be sure to view the most current catalog for a description of how the D.Min. program operates.

Is the Distance Education degree accredited?

Yes. All of the SES / SEBC degree programs are fully accredited.

Can degrees be completed entirely through Distance Education?

Yes. Distance students will have the same opportunity to take the same classes as a resident student. Of the four degrees currently offered in the distance program, each one may be completed entirely in distance. However, we encourage students to visit the campus whenever possible. We want to meet our students!

When visiting on campus, distance students usually prefer to take the one week modular courses that are offered during many semester "Reading Weeks" or during Winter (January), Summer (May-June), and Fall (August, and October) sessions. A given module runs for one week, Monday through Saturday (M-F 6:00pm-10:30pm and 8:00am-4:30pm that Saturday). Assignments for the courses are due a few months later. If required for the degree, Senior Seminar and Thesis Defense may be taken in residence during the "Reading Week" of the Spring semester that the student plans to graduate. There are also certain classes offered only as resident courses and some of them require registration the semester prior to taking them in order to complete prerequisite work for the module itself.

Can distance students achieve full-time status?

Yes. In order to maintain full-time (Seminary: 9 hrs., Bible College: 12 hrs.) or some part time status students may choose to enroll in multiple courses at the same time. SES strongly recommends that students enrolled in 9 credit hours or more per semester should not work more than 20 hours per week, and those working 40 hours or more per week should not take more than 6 credit hours per semester (mid-semester and Winter modules are counted as semester courses in the calculation of these numbers). It is also important to understand that course time restrictions remain the same and extensions are not granted due to coursework "overload."

How do distance students register for Distance courses?

An alert will appear on the home page of the student's Populi account when registration periods begin. Typically a student can expect to order classes about these times (usually one month before the start of the semester): Fall (July-Aug.), Spring (Dec.-Jan.), and Summer (April-May).

How do distance students register for resident courses (semester or module length)?

When a student of any status takes a course on campus or a live streamed course then that student is considered a resident student for that course. Resident procedures, fees, due dates, etc. will apply to that course (see Course Registration).

Are the assignments and exams the same for Distance Education courses as for resident courses?

Generally speaking, yes. Professors may make assignment changes to courses after the lectures were recorded in order to accommodate non-resident work (e.g., an oral report may be substituted for another assignment), or to simply update previous recordings (as it would be a waste of time and materials to re-record a course every time assignments get updated, changes are recorded on the syllabus and may be reflected in the assignment given through Populi). The Distance Education syllabus overrides anything contrary said in a recorded lecture.

How are exams taken?

Students may need to request the services of someone to serve as proctor for their exams. The proctor orders the exam and provides the space and time for the student to take the exam, then returns it to the school (see Proctor Guidelines). Some tests may be taken through Populi and will not need a proctor's assistance. As such, it depends on the situation whether a proctor will be needed or not.

What is the preferred order of courses?

Unless a pre-requisite is listed (e.g., see SM401 below), students may take courses in any order, but here are some useful guidelines:

• SM401 is a degree prerequisite (as of the 2007-2008 catalog) so if you have not had that, take it first.
• Watch for courses with prerequisites and plan ahead for those.
• Choose core classes until you know your major. Click here for a comparison chart of the Masters Degrees.
• If a degree required class is offered in a semester and it may be a while before it comes around again, then it is recommended to take that course the semester it appears.
• Follow course order in areas like Systematic Theology, Bible Survey, or History when possible.
• Try to meet your resident course requirements (if any) as soon as possible to avoid schedule conflicts down the road.
• Watch the Six Year Schedule for required modular course availability and plan accordingly.
• More difficult subjects may be better taken in residence since there is face-to-face professor and student interaction.

When are course assignments due?

It depends on the course and the guidelines laid out by the professor. Some assignments may be due one week from the giving of the assignment, while others may have until the end of the semester.

How are assignments / exams submitted?

There are three ways to send in assignments.

(1) E-MAIL (electronic files): The Course Information Sheet will include the exact e-mail instructions. E-mail must be sent by the course due date. Assignments must be sent as Microsoft Word (.doc files) or as a PDF. Exams will be provided electronically to exam proctors who may either print them out to be taken by hand or saved to a Microsoft Word file or PDF for e-mailing. Some assignments may be uploaded through Populi's filre sharing feature. Exam proctors have their own submission guidelines.

(2) REGULAR MAIL (hard copies): The Course Information Sheet or professor will provide the exact mailing instructions. Regular mail must be postmarked by the due date. Students should include a self-addressed stamped envelope for assignment return. Whichever submission form is used, it is important to keep back up copies in case of loss - exam proctors are given the same instructions.

(3) POPULI SUBMISSION (in-system submission): Some assignments / tests may be completed through Populi. If so, then the submission of the material will be automatically handled and the student will need to take no further action in the submission process for that assignment.

Can course time limits be extended?

In the event of certain emergencies a course extension can be requested (the form can be downloaded here). All requests are submitted to the office of the Academic Dean. Extensions are not automatic and only last for 30 days. If an extension is not granted, then the student should submit what work they do have as it's better to get a lower grade than an "F". Withdraws and extensions cannot be requested once a course ends. Keep in mind that course extensions do not extend the degree time clock (taking all four months for every course would make a two year degree take eight years to complete - and this without any extensions or breaks between courses).

When are course grades sent out?

Course grades are generally mailed out by the Registrar as soon as the professor finalizes a course. Once a course is finalized a student will be able to view their grade through Populi. Depending on the time of year, the nature of the assignments, extensions, and other issues this can take from a few days to several weeks. Professors may grade and return assignments individually if needed, or they may wait until everything has been submitted to finalize a course. Note that it is unlawful and against school policy to give grades out over the phone or via e-mail.

Can Distance Students contact professors?

Yes. Distance students have the same opportunities for communication with professors that resident students have. Both resident and distance students may phone, e-mail, or even write to their professors.

Can Distance Students contact other students?

Yes. Distance students will be able to contact other students taking the same class as well as having access to the general directory through Populi. Indeed, some assignments given by professors may specifically require peer-to-peer interaction.

Can distance students use the library?

Yes. Southern Evangelical Seminary will provide library services to distance students to the best of its ability. Students may consult the librarian concerning study and research needs, and every effort will be made to help them acquire the information they need to meet the requirements of SES courses. Students may phone, fax, or email title requests. Instructions for searching the SES library online are under Library. Students may keep books for three weeks from the time they receive them. A return mailing label will be included in the shipment, students pay return postage only. If students request books that the SES library does not own, then the student should be able to go to their local library and receive the needed texts through inter-library loan. When students request journal articles SES will provide free photocopies (within reason) of articles we own in compliance with copyright laws.

Can courses be audited (taken without credit) through the Distance Program?

It depends on what type of distance student you are. Only distance students in a degree program may "audit" courses through the distance program. Non-degree seeking students may not audit classes through the distance program. However, they may audit as many classes as they want in residence.