Dallas Baptist University: Distance Learning Programs In-Depth

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Dallas Baptist University

Online Education Program

Dallas, Texas


DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM

The DBU Online Education Program features asynchronous learning, and students receive the same student services support that local students receive on the main campus. No on-campus component is required for any online course offered through DBU Online. In spring 2004, 911 students were served through DBU's Online Education Program. As DBU seeks to provide students with Christ-centered, high-quality higher education, DBU Online extends the University's reach past traditional geographical boundaries.

DELIVERY MEDIA

Utilizing the Blackboard.com delivery system, DBU Online courses are professor led and offer a variety of ways, including e-mail, chat rooms, and threaded discussion, for students and the professor to interact. In addition, professors may post online office hours and include telephone and fax information. To participate in online courses, students must have access to appropriate computer hardware and software and to the Internet through an Internet Service Provider(ISP). Information about technical requirements can be accessed at http://www.dbu.edu/online/PC_requirement.asp.

PROGRAMS OF STUDY

The Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree, with a major in Biblical studies, is offered through the Mary C. Crowley College of Christian Faith and is designed to prepare students for further seminary or university studies or for a lifetime of study and service without further formal training.

The Bachelor of Arts and Sciences (B.A.S.) degree, with majors in Christian ministries and psychology, and the Bachelor of Business Studies (B.B.S.) degree, with majors in business administration, management, and management information systems, are offered through the College of Adult Education. Adult students may earn up to 30 college credit hours through prior learning assessment, based on the recommendations of academic portfolio evaluators.

The Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) degree, with majors in management and management information systems, is offered through the College of Business and provides students with an exceptional educational experience to equip them for the global business environment.

The Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degree, with concentrations in eBusiness, finance, management, and management information systems, consists of a 24-credit-hour core plus 12 credit hours in a concentration. Applicants without undergraduate degrees in business may need 3–18 additional credit hours of foundational courses. The M.B.A. is offered through the College of Business.

The Master of Arts in Organizational Management (M.A.O.M.) degree, also offered through the College of Business, includes concentrations in general management and human resources management and is a 36-credit-hour program designed to equip students with the communication, leadership, and management skills necessary in today's business organizations. Special attention is given to adapting to organizational change and becoming a change agent.

The exclusively online, 12-hour eBusiness Certificate, offered through the College of Business, consists of four courses exploring such topics as technologies, design and development, entrepreneurship, and marketing at the master level.

The purpose of Dallas Baptist University (DBU) is to provide Christ-centered, high-quality higher education in the arts, sciences, and professional studies at both the undergraduate and graduate levels to traditional age and adult students in order to produce servant leaders who have the ability to integrate faith and learning through their respective callings. Dallas Baptist University celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1998. In fall 2003, DBU reached a record enrollment of 4,538 students from forty states and forty-five countries.

The adult degree-completion program received national recognition by the Commission for the Nation of Lifelong Learners, which recognized DBU's College of Adult Education as one of the most successful adult learning programs in the country. The Master of Business Administration is one of the few programs available online that is both regionally and nationally accreditated.

DBU is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 (telephone: 404-679-4501) to award associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees. The teacher education programs are accredited by the Texas Education Agency (TEA). The College of Business' Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) and Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) degrees are accredited by the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP).

The College of Education's Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree, with a concentration in educational organization and administration, assists students in the development of leadership skills for application in both public and private schools. The School of Leadership and Christian Education's M.Ed. degree, with a concentration in higher education, is designed for individuals interested in higher education administration, student person nelwork, university development/advancement, or teaching at the college level.

Central to the educational experience at DBU is the integration of Christian faith and values in each of these academic programs.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Through the College of Adult Education, adult students with at least four years of full-time work experience may earn up to 30 hours of college credit through prior learning assessment.

STUDENT SERVICES

DBU Online students receive the same high-quality programs, administrative support, library and technology access, bookstore services, academic advising, and University Writing Center access as on-campus students. Orientation for DBU Online is delivered via the Internet and is accessible to registered online students at least two weeks prior to the start of the semester. DBU Online provides a technical support HelpDesk with telephone and online support available 24 hours a day, seven days a week through Collegis, Inc.

CREDIT OPTIONS

For the B.A., B.A.S., B.B.A., and B.B.S. degrees, students may transfer up to 66 semester hours from accredited two-year colleges and an unlimited number of semester hours from accredited four-year institutions. Credit given on other regionally accredited school's transcripts for ACE, CLEP, AP, or departmental exams is transferable provided that the institution's testing standards are comparable to those of DBU. For the M.B.A., M.A.O.M., and M.Ed. degrees, students may transfer up to 12 credit hours of graduate-level courses from other regionally accredited institutions. Students may supplement their online education program by taking courses in DBU's various semesters and terms.

FACULTY

To assure high-quality learning, the faculty members who teach on-campus courses also teach online courses. Of the 120 faculty members who have taught in DBU Online, 49 are full-time and 69 percent hold a doctorate or another earned advanced degree. Graduate students do not teach at DBU.

ADMISSION

Prior to enrolling in an online program or course at DBU, students must be admitted to the University. Information regarding online admission is available athttp://www.dbu.edu/admissions. Students must also successfully complete the Online Skills Assessment, which may be accessed at http://www.dbu.edu/online/assess.asp, and receive approval from the Online Student Coordinator. To enroll in MATH 1301, Math for Liberal Arts, or ACCT 2301, Principles of Financial Accounting, the student must receive a satisfactory score on the Math Advising Tool(MAT). Information about the MAT is available from the Online Student Coordinator.

TUITION AND FEES

Tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students. Tuition for online undergraduate courses, as of June 2004, is $427 per credit hour ($437 per credit hour for graduate courses). Fees per semester range from approximately $35 to $300. Tuition and fees are subject to change. Students should visit http://www.dbu.edu/schedule/default.asp for the most up-to-date tuition and fee information.

FINANCIAL AID

A variety of federal, state, and private funds may be available for students who meet specific requirements. Campuswide, in the last academic year, more than $32 million in aid was disbursed, with 69 percent of the students receiving aid. For institutional scholarships, students must be in good standing and satisfactorily progressing toward their educational goals. Other eligibility requirements may exist for specific awards. For federal or state financial assistance, students must meet guidelines established by the U.S. Department of Education and the State of Texas. Students interested in financial assistance should contact the Financial Aid Office at 214-333-5363 or visit http://www.dbu.edu/financialaid/.

APPLYING

Students may apply online at www.dbu.edu/admissions/html, request an undergraduate admission packet by telephoning 214-333-5360 or 800-460-1DBU (toll-free), or request a graduate admission packet by telephoning 214-333-5242 or 800-460-1DBU (toll-free).

All undergraduate applicants must submit a fully completed admissions application form, a nonrefundable $25 application fee, and a 250-word essay relating why the applicant would like to attend DBU.

Traditional freshman applicants must also submit an official high school transcript, bearing the official seal of the school and showing final class rank and official scores of either the ACT or SATI. Official TOEFL scores are required for applicants who did not graduate from an American high school.

Transfer and adult student applicants must also submit official transcripts of all previous college and high school work or official GED scores and the results of either the ACT or SAT I examination (for applicants with less than 30 hours of acceptable credit only; ACT or SAT I scores are not required of applicants who will be 25 years of age or older on the first day of classes).

CONTACT

Amy Walker, Online Student Coordinator
Online Education Program
Dallas Baptist University
3000 Mountain Creek Parkway
Dallas, Texas 75211-9299
Telephone: 214-333-6893 800-460-8188
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://online.dbu.edu/

Graduate applicants must submit a formal Application for Admission to pursue a specified graduate degree program; a nonrefundable $25 application fee; official transcripts for each institution attended as an undergraduate, postgraduate, or graduate student; an official GRE/GMAT score report, if applicable; and a completed Statement of Purpose Form. M.B.A. and M.A.O.M. applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation and acurrent resume.

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