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1. What is the deadline for applications for distance learning courses?
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See the distance learning calendar here for all deadlines and important dates. It is recommended that you register early in order to reserve your spot in the classes. Payment details can be found in the application, but full payment is not due until the first day of class.
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2. What computer hardware/software requirements are there?
PHC's online course management system, ANGEL, is tested with and fully supports the following browsers:
- With PCs running Windows OS: Internet Explorer, Firefox and Mozilla
- With Macs running OS X: Firefox and Mozilla
In addition, several of the offered courses also require the ability to play and listen to audio lectures. Lectures are available in Mpeg Audio Layer (MP3) format and a streamed version of PowerPoint presentations.
Below is a five minute sample from a Constitutional Law lecture.
- Sample audio
Below is a link to a sample of a streamed lecture presentation from History of the United States I. Requires a java enabled browser.
- Sample presentation
These presentations require a Java enabled browser which includes Netscape Navigator Version 3 and later and Microsoft Internet Explorer version 3 and later.
If you are able to download and listen (and watch in the case of the presentation) to these files than your computer meets the hardware/software audio requirements for the PHC Online program.
Some professors put documents on their course web site in pdf format that will require the free Adobe Acrobat Reader program.
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3. Do you have to have an instant messenger type service?
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Instant messenger programs are not required but it might be nice to have as an additional way to correspond with other students. Both AOL's (AIM) and Microsoft's (Messenger) instant messengers are free to download.
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4. Is a dial up connection to the Internet adequate?
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You will not need more than a dial up connection to the Internet. Some of the classes will have electronic versions of the lectures available for download (see above). On a standard 56k modem with average connection speed it will not take more than 20 minutes to download a 50-minute lecture in MP3 format. The lecture presentations with audio (see above) are streamed which means you can watch and listen to it as it is downloaded but a broadband connection is still not necessary. Because of the audio formats we are using you will be able to listen to the lectures on your computer as many times as you want after they are downloaded.
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5. What textbooks or supplemental printed materials must be purchased and how are they obtained?
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The textbooks and/or supplemental materials will be required. These materials will be used by distance learning students in the same manner as used by traditional on campus students. Registered students will receive ordering information for their particular classes. Students will be able to order books online or over the phone. As an added benefit you may be able to purchase used books if they are available. If there is high demand for your textbooks you will be able to sell them back after the course is completed. Buy back is determined solely by the distributor and there is no guarantee that they will want to buy your book back. You will get a notice from the distributor near the end of your class notifying you of what books you have that they will buy back and what they will pay for them. The distributor will send you a prepaid shipping label and after they receive the books will send you a check.
Go here to view or buy textbooks for PHC distance learning classes.
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6. Can you explain the mechanics of the program? For example: Are there actual lectures? Are they in real time? Are they visual or audio only? How often will they be and how long will they last? Are there specific times a student must be logged on for a lecture, discussion, or test?
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The online components of all courses will mainly consist of communication between students with professors and fellow students. Some courses will have audio files of lectures available for download. Students will be given a syllabus that will outline their work. Papers will be written as they would on campus but will be submitted online and some quizzes and exams will be taken online with the use of proctors (qualified proctors will be required for exams; parents do qualify). All the students in your class will have the same deadlines for exams and papers and other assignments. This is the rule in order better promote online class discussion. Class discussion is a very important aspect of PHC courses and will be required for online classes. Most class discussion for the DL program will take place in message boards. Chat rooms will also be available for students to talk with each other at any time of day. Although there will be fixed deadlines for certain requirements, it is important to us that the courses are flexible enough to allow for work and family commitments.
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7. Approximately how much time should be set aside to excel in PHC Online courses? What will it take to do the readings, complete the assignments, study, take the tests?
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The PHC Online courses are designed so that a college student can do well with about three hours of study per class hour per week. Because there is no classroom meeting time (nor is there commuting time!) in distance learning, the time normally spent in the classroom should be added to your anticipated study time. For a three-credit course, this equates to a total time investment of about twelve hours of work per week per course. That number will go up when you are preparing for an exam or writing a paper. (Regard this time estimate as only a guideline.) Much depends on your personal study habits, the type of learner you are, and how fast you retain and understand the course material. Some students can spend six hours a week on a class and earn an A, while others may spend fifteen hours per week and earn a B.
We have designed the courses so that you do not need to spend much time online. Just like a traditional college student, most of your work will take place offline. The Internet will be used for research, communication with professors and students, paper submission, and test-taking.
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8. Is PHC Online accredited? Will my credits transfer from PHC Online to another institution?
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PHC has successfully achieved official accreditation status with TRACS (Transnational Association of Christian Colleges and Schools). TRACS is approved by the United States Department of Education (USDE) as a nationally recognized institutional accrediting agency and appears on the Secretary’s List of Approved Accrediting Agencies, which is provided in the Higher Education Directory. TRACS is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). Please see Accreditation and Authorization for details.
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From an accreditation standpoint, there is no distinction between PHC Distance Learning courses and our on-campus courses.
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Whether PHC courses (either on-campus or Distance Learning) will transfer to another institution is dependent on the receiving institution. Colleges are not required to accept transfer credits, and every college establishes its own transfer policies. (PHC’s own transfer of credit policy is viewable at http://www.phc.edu/admissions/transfercredit.asp) If the PHC courses you take fit well into another institution's degree program, then there is a good possibility they will transfer. PHC will assist you if you present your DL courses for transfer credit to another college. But despite our academic excellence and national accreditation, not every college will accept PHC transfer credits. If you anticipate transferring your PHC credits to another college, familiarize yourself with the receiving college’s transfer policy.
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9. What is the cost?
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PHC Online is competitively priced and reflects the quality of education expected from Patrick Henry College. Courses are $340 (2008-2009 academic year) per credit hour with no additional fees or costs other than books. Cost of books depends on the class but generally ranges from $50 to $130 per class. Titles and prices for books for each class can be found in the PHC Virtual Bookstore.
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10. Is financial aid available?
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Financial aid is not available at this time for Distance Learning courses because of the lower cost of this enrollment option. Financial aid is available for on campus students. Students are also strongly encouraged to seek financial aid from other private sources.
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11. Are there minimum age requirements for taking PHC Online courses?
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A student must be at least a junior in high school to enroll. A student who is under age 16 on the first day of class must obtain approval for admission from the Dean of Academic Affairs. Contact the admissions department to obtain approval. 540-338-1776
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12. Are SAT or ACT test scores required for the distance learning application?
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Applicants must demonstrate a level of academic achievement sufficient for success in rigorous college-level classes. If the student has taken the SAT or ACT tests, please have official scores submitted directly from the testing agency to PHC. Other nationally-recognized standardized tests may also be considered. Any student who has not taken a standardized test may substitute a letter of recommendation from a teacher who can comment on the student’s academic potential, writing skills, and motivation level. The letter may not come from a relative of the applicant.
Note that the full degree-seeking application does require SAT or ACT scores. See our information page on the Campus and Home program for details on the difference between these two applications.
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13. What is the deadline for application and registration for distance learning classes?
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The application fee will be waived for students who apply at least two weeks before the start of classes. We will continue to accept applications up to the first day of class if there is still space available in the courses of choice. Courses are filled on a first come, first served basis and in some cases will reach capacity several weeks before the first day of class. Call PHC at 540-338-8760 to learn if space is still available.
