Frequently Asked Questions
Course Procedures
Q: Do I need to apply for admission in order to take a course?
No, simply submit an enrollment form which collects basic contact information as well as payment information. You will be a guest student of Taylor University.
Q: When does my course start?
The course begins on the registration date, which is the date tuition is paid.
Q: How long do I have to complete my course?
Guest students have four months to complete course. Degree seeking students, who are using financial aid, complete courses in traditional semesters (15 week time frame).
Q: How do I access Blackboard?
You can access Blackboard by logging into the Taylor portal at https://my.taylor.edu or directly at https://courses.taylor.edu.
Q: How do I get my textbooks?
The required textbooks are listed under the course descriptions found in the catalog. By clicking on the book, you will be directed to where the book is sold on Amazon.com.
Q: How quickly are assignments graded?
Professors have one week to grade each assignment. If three assignments are submitted at once, the professor will grade one assignment per week, returning the third assignment three weeks after receiving it. It is advisable to submit assignments intermittently throughout the course.
Q: How are quizzes and exams administered?
Quizzes and exams are facilitated online. Courses taught through correspondence (Greek, Hebrew, and music theory) are the exception and require a proctored exam. The proctor must be a pastor, educator, or librarian and cannot be related to the student. It is the student's responsibility to find a proctor.
Q: How do I reset my password?
If you forget your password or are locked out of Blackboard, please contact the IT department to have your password reset. Contact their office by calling 866.694.1385 or email itclientservices@taylor.edu.
Q: Can I extend my course?
Yes, though the policy is changing on September 1, 2012. Students who register prior to this date are eligible for up to six months of extensions, which are granted in three or six month increments. The fee for a three month extension is $75, six months $125. Extension requests and payment of the fee must be received prior to the expiration date of the original course enrollment. All students who register for a course on or after September 1, 2012, will be eligible for one - four month extension for a fee of $125. Extension requests and payment of the fee must be received two weeks prior to the expiration date of the course. Requests made within two weeks of the course expiration date will be denied.
If the course is not completed within the original enrollment period and the student does not request an extension, or if the student does not complete the course by the end of the extension period, a grade of "F" is issued. Students have the option of re-enrolling in the course and, while the old course and grade remains on the transcript, only the new grade from the repeated course will be counted in the cumulative statistics.
Q: What is the drop/withdrawal policy?
For students who register for a course through August 31, 2012 - Within 30 days from the registration date, the student may drop a course and receive a full tuition refund less a $50 fee. The course will not appear on the transcript. After this 30 day period and up to the course due date, the student may withdraw with a grade of "WP". If a student has received an extension for a course, the student may withdraw from the course with a grade of "WF". In either case, to withdraw the students pay a $50 fee and forfeits the cost of tuition and other fees. Course tuition, materials and other fees are nonreturnable and nonrefundable. Withdrawal requests must be received with the appropriate fee in order to be processed.
For students who register on or after September 1, 2012 – The refund schedule and transcript ramifications for students who withdraw from a course is as follows:
- Withdraw within 7 days of registration: 100% refund and course does not appear on the transcript
- Withdraw between 8 and 28 days of registration: 75% refund and course appears as a “W” on the transcript
- Withdraw between 29 days of registration and the original course due date: 0% refund and course appears as a “W” on the transcript
- Withdraw during the extension period: 0% refund and course appears as a “WF” on the transcript
To request to be withdrawn, contact the office at online@taylor.edu or 800-845-3149. The date the request is submitted will be honored as the withdrawal date.
Students may drop a course and add another within 7 days of the registration date. The student will pay or be refunded any disparity in tuition between the two courses.
Distance Learning
Q: What are the courses like?
The majority of courses are taught completely online through Blackboard, our virtual course management system. The exceptions are Greek, Hebrew, music theory, and professional writing courses which are taught through correspondence.
The courses are delivered in independent study format in which you work one-on-one with the professor. The syllabus as well as all of the assignments are located in Blackboard. Once registered, the student begins completing the assignments as outlined in the syllabus until fulfilling all of the requirements.
Q: What do the identifiers to the left of the course name mean?
The three letters (e.g. BIB) indicate the discipline or category in which a course is placed. The set of three numbers (e.g. 109) indicates the level of the course:
• 100 - 200 level courses - first and second year college courses
• 300 - 400 level courses - upper division courses; require advanced writing, cognitive and critical
thinking skills
Q: How much time is required?
The courses are college-level and require as much time and effort to complete as the same course taken on campus. Since each assignment is roughly equivalent to one week of classes, you should allot seven to ten hours for each assignment.
Taylor University Online
Q: Is Taylor University Online accredited?
Yes, Taylor University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.
Q: Are course credits transferable?
Yes, credits are transferable to most other institutions. Please check with your home institution to ensure the transferability of the course.
Q: Are credits recorded in semester or quarter hours?
Credits are recorded in semester hours.
Q: What are the term dates?
For students who enroll on or prior to August 31, 2012:
Students have six months to complete a course; however, the student is considered registered in the term in which his/her registration date falls though the due date will be in another term. The term dates are as follows:
• Summer 2011 term: May 24th - August 29th
• Fall 2011 term: August 30th - December 31st
• Spring 2012 term: January 1st - May 21st
• Summer 2012 term: May 22nd - August 27th
Even if a student enrolls in a class on the last day of the term, he/she is registered in that term. Example: A student registers for a course on August 29, 2011, he/she is registered in the summer term even though the course won't be due till February 29, 2012 - the following spring term.
For students who enroll on or after September 1, 2012:
Guest student registration dates will appear on the transcript as the actual registration and due date of his/her course.
Tuition
Q: How much is tuition?
Tuition is $350 per credit hour. High school students receive a discounted rate of $200 credit hour.
Q: Is the cost of textbooks included in tuition?
No, textbooks are not included in the cost of tuition. Therefore, students have the option of buying only the materials they need and do not currently have access to. We recommend purchasing books from an online vendor such as Amazon.
Q: Do you have a tuition payment plan?
Tuition payment plans are not available. Tuition is paid in full at the time of registration.
Q: Can I receive financial aid?
Students enrolled in a degree program with Taylor University Online are eligible for financial aid. Please visit the tuition page for more information.
Guest students are not eligible for financial aid from Taylor University. Please contact your home institution to check on your eligibility for a consortium agreement.
Q: Can I receive veterans benefits?
Yes, our courses have been approved by the Department of Veteran Affairs. Students entitled to receive veterans educational benefits should contact their Veterans Affairs administrator for details.
Q: What are consortium agreements?
Consortium agreements originate in the financial aid office of your home institution and are an agreement that your tuition for a TU Online course will be paid by your home institution. The course would be added to your semester cost at your home institution as well as your financial aid package.
Taylor University Online accepts consortium agreements from all other institutions. Please contact the financial aid department of your institution for more information.