The Pentecostal Theological Seminary offers a comprehensive program of online courses. The seminary utilizes two course delivery methods: online (asynchronous) courses and SYNC (synchronous) courses. Online courses take place fully at Populi course sites. In addition to utilizing Populi, SYNC (synchronous) courses are offered live at a designated time via video conferencing software.
With faculty advisor approval, students enrolled in the Master of Divinity may complete 2/3 of the required credit hours through online education. The Master of Divinity requires the equivalent of a minimum of one year of residential coursework.
Online courses generally follow the PTS Academic calendar in the same manner as on-campus courses (with the exception of summer J-term sessions which are 8-weeks in length).
Weekly, active, and constructive engagement, including substantive responses to others in the course, is required. Weekly attendance is determined by student participation, primarily through the online discussion forums.
Online courses are not work at your own pace (directed or independent study).
Online courses are collaborative in nature. Students are required to contribute to the ongoing dynamic of the course every week to aid in the development of vibrant learning communities in which student formation is a communal reality.
Participation Guidelines. These guidelines are general in nature and apply to all online courses taught at Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Policies related to student participation, as well as the specific policies of each course, shall be posted on each course syllabus:
Students must log in to their online courses several times per week to access class content, assignments, and updates from instructors, as well as to fully engage in the ongoing class discussion.
Weekly attendance is determined by active/timely participation, primarily in course discussion forums.
It is the student's responsibility to maintain internet access. As course sites are always available throughout the semester, viable excuses are limited for late participation/submission of assignments. The instructor(s) determines the penalties for late submission of coursework as detailed in the course syllabus.
All participants are required to use the assigned @ptseminary.edu email address for Seminary correspondence. Course interaction should take place exclusively within course sites (Populi).
Professors should respond to student inquiries promptly, (normally within 24 hours, but no later than 48 hours of receiving the inquiry) during regular business hours: Monday-Friday, 8AM-5PM (Eastern). Professors are not expected to “teach” online courses during weekends, holidays and scheduled Seminary breaks.
All assignments must be submitted online at the Populi course site.
Attendance guidelines for online courses are as follows:
Attendance is measured by participation in online discussion forums. Students who post after the due date for initial comments in each discussion form will be marked tardy for the class week.
Regular attendance and participation are critical to the effectiveness of online courses as a communal activity. Students who are marked absent for two or more meetings in an online course will have their grade reduced by one letter grade. More than three absences will result in the students being dropped from the course or receiving a failing grade.
All courses follow the Seminary calendar so that students attend for an entire semester (12 weeks of coursework; J-term online courses meet for 8 weeks.)
GUIDELINES FOR SYNC (synchronous) COURSES
Instructional Model
SYNC courses follow the PTS academic calendar in the same manner as on-campus courses.
SYNC courses must be attended each week.
SYNC courses are not work at your own pace (directed or independent study).
SYNC courses are collaborative in nature. Every student is expected to participate and contribute to the ongoing dynamic of the course every week.
Policies related to student participation, as well as the specific policies of each course, shall be posted in each course syllabus.
Full attendance for online students in a synchronous course is measured by participation in the course, i.e. being seen and heard by the instructor and fellow students. Registering for a SYNC class demonstrates an understanding that the student is required to be actively available for the entire duration of each class session.
Absences of more than one hour of class time for each credit hour must be specifically excused by the instructor. Unexcused absences in excess of two hours of class time for each credit hour will normally require that the student be withdrawn from the class or have his or her grade reduced for the course.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
To navigate online courses, basic computer skills are necessary. The following list identifies a minimum set of skills necessary for an effective online course experience.
Understand computer terminology and how the terms are applied.
Effectively use a word processor, in particular Microsoft Word, and its basic operational functions.
Ability to use the copy, cut, and paste commands.
Ability to save document files to your hard drive or other data storage media/devices including the cloud.
File sorting, creating new files, directory trees, etc. are necessary for effective management of course and student records.
All courses may not require use of spreadsheets, but ability to navigate in this environment is certainly a plus.
The skill to change basic computer settings (e.g., display settings, firewall settings, etc.).
Trouble-shoot basic problems.
Search for, find and view web sites by use of a browser.
Maintain general knowledge and use of e-mail including receiving, sending, opening and viewing messages and email attachments.
Send e-mail with an attachment.
Ability to upload and download files.
Participate in online discussion groups.
Download and install programs or documents from the web.
Trouble shoot basic navigation and Internet access problems.
Successfully navigate the Populi course site.
Email the Office of Online Learning at ptsonline@ptseminary.edu with any questions.
Material presented as part of an online course may not be published, distributed, or reprinted in any manner without written permission of the instructor or other resource persons designated by Pentecostal Theological Seminary. Materials specific to the course professor, in particular lecture notes (written, audio and video), remain the intellectual property of the author.
Due to the design, delivery method and availability of online courses, a student may not apply for Incomplete Grades (grade of I) and Extensions of Time (grade of E) to complete coursework. Students enrolled in online courses must complete all course work according to the published online course schedule (normally the same as the Seminary Class Schedule) and receive a grade issued by the professor of record. If necessary, students may withdraw from online courses by following the adopted Seminary withdrawal process.