Prospective Students Frequently Asked
Questions About Online Learning
The following is a list of questions that are frequently asked by prospective
Students about Park's Online Learning Programs. See also:
FAQ's for currently enrolled students.
How do I Apply?
Apply online today or contact us toll free at 1-877-505-1059. There is a $25 application fee that can be paid online with a credit card or you can phone in your payment information. For admission to Park University, as a degree-seeking student, we must receive official transcripts from every institution that you have attended. Official transcripts are those that are sent directly from another school to Park University or transcripts that have been sent to the student, but are still in a sealed enveloped and marked “OFFICIAL”.
Send official transcripts to:
Office of the Registrar
PMB 27
Park University
8700 NW River Park Drive
Parkville, MO 64152-3795.
Students who have not yet completed 30 hours of accredited college coursework will be required to submit an official copy of either a high school diploma, GED or equivalent.
Read our in-depth application process and procedures guide.
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How do I transfer credit?
Transfer credit is evaluated by the University Registrar's Office. Once you have submitted "official" educational transcripts, the Registrar's Office will evaluate your previous college credit. This evaluation may take 2 - 3 weeks. A degree audit will then be available for you to view on your student web portal.
Send official transcripts to:
Office of the Registrar
PMB 27
Park University
8700 NW River Park Drive
Parkville, MO 64152-3795.
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Why might someone take a course Online?
Online learning offers students high-quality instruction even if they can't attend courses face-to-face due to their busy work, family, or travel schedules. Most Online courses take place without a physical classroom and without fixed class hours. Free of those limitations, students have the means to overcome geographic distance and can balance busy work and family schedules with their coursework. Online classes involve a lot of reading, writing, and practical application of what you are learning. Students and faculty report that the level of interaction and processing in an Online classroom is often deeper than what they experience in a face-to-face course.
There is no back of the room in an Online classroom. Students have time to process their thoughts and ideas before they share them with their instructor or classmates. Many social barriers are eliminated Online, and many students you might not hear from in class will become active participants in an Online course.
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Are Online classes easier than face-to-face?
No. Online classes take as much or more time as a class you might take on campus. Online courses are never out of session. Students are expected to log on and contribute to discussion several times a week. That also means reading messages every week from the instructor and other students.
There are no conclusive studies comparing the two methods, but initial studies indicate that Online students perform as well or better than their in-class counterparts.
Early single-institution studies and anecdotal evidence suggest that Online learning at least holds its own with the face-to-face classroom. For some, in fact, Online learning may result in better comprehension. 91% of Park University's Online students report that they feel that they learn as much or more in an Online course than would have if they had take the class in a face-to-face format.
For any course, learning ultimately depends on the quality of the instructor and of the course material. The method, too, is important. Courses that encourage Online discussion and interaction between students, their peers and the instructor typically demonstrate higher levels of participation than traditional courses.
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Are Online Courses self-paced?
Park University’s Online courses are instructor-led, with term start and end dates and due dates for assignments and tests that are assigned at the beginning of the course. Undergraduate courses are 8 week terms.
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Do I just do everything by myself?
You are encouraged to interact with your fellow students in Online discussion areas and through email, ask them questions & challenge each other when necessary. Most of our Online instructors try and facilitate group learning so that you are able to get to know your peers. Many say that they get to know their professors and classmates better than they might have in a traditional classroom.
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Is there an instructor and how do I communicate with him/her?
Quality Online courses, like those you'll experience at Park University, emphasize communication between students, their peers and the instructor. Online course participants often say they feel they are part of a tight-knit community. Many even say that they get to know their professors and classmates better than they might in a traditional classroom.
Communication is facilitated by Online discussion areas, which is like a virtual bulletin board where students post their ideas and questions. The resulting conversations and debates often resemble those typically found in graduate seminars. Email, Online chat rooms and whiteboards also offer the ability for students to communicate with their professor, work on group projects together, chat Online, and view documents together.
Content Comes Alive
There is also a wide array of interaction that is available in the Online course, from interactive web pages, group projects, Microsoft PowerPoint and Macromedia Flash presentations. Segments of video and audio presentations and guest lecturers are also found in today's Online course.
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How many hours do I have to be Online each week?
Students are expected to complete 5 hours of Online activity per week including but not limited to responding to the weekly conference discussions, sending/receiving Email, reading and viewing Online lectures, completing Online quizzes and tests, and conducting research over the World Wide Web. You will also need to read textbooks and complete homework assignments and group projects outside of your Online course.
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Do I need to be Online at a certain time?
Our Online courses are asynchronous so you do not have to be on at the same time as your instructor or classmate. This makes it possible for students all over the world to take Online courses with Park University.
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Are these courses going to be transferable to another college/university?
Yes!!! There is no difference in transferability of Online courses and face to face courses. Transfer of credits is based on whether the course you took at one University or college is similar to the curriculum at another university. Park University is regionally accredited, which is the standard accreditation among reputable higher education institutions in the US.
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Will it show on my transcript that I took classes Online?
No. There will be no difference on your transcript whether you took your course Online or in a face-to-face classroom.
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What is Park Google Apps?
Park Google Apps is the University email account assigned to each applicant. All important University information will be communicated to you through your Park Google Apps account.
Your password for the first time use is your MyPark Portal password.
You will receive an email to your Park Google Apps address that will notify you when you are able to login to your class.
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Do I ever have to come to campus?
Not for class, but you may need to make arrangements to take a proctored exam. Proctored examinations may be taken at any one of
Park University’s Campus Centers (if you live within one hour). Students may also make arrangements with local colleges or universities or public libraries to take their proctored exam(s).
See:
www.park.edu/Online/proctoredform.asp?s=&c=online
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How do I turn in assignments?
Assignments will be turned in by email to the instructor or in the discussion areas. Very rarely will you ever use standard mail to submit an assignment.
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Are there tests involved?
Exams may be taken Online, by paper and pencil, or by emailing papers and assignments to your faculty. Most undergraduate courses require a Final Proctored exam in Week 8.
See:
www.park.edu/Online/proctoredform.asp?s=&c=online
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Do Online courses cost more?
Park's Online course tuition is the same tuition whether you are an Online student or a student on campus, but there is an additional per credit hour online fee. There is a discounted rate for active duty military students. Please contact your Campus Center to find out about those rates.
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Can I use Financial Aid?
Financial assistance or Veterans Benefits may be awarded to full and part-time students who qualify.
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Are Online degrees accredited?
Park University’s Online degree completion and graduate degrees have the same level of accreditation (regional accreditation by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools) as our traditional on-campus degrees.
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Do I need to be proficient in using a computer?
If you've managed to find this web page and you can send e-mails, you've already demonstrated enough knowledge to take a course Online. Many Online courses require students to use little more than a web browser and email software. Students should have a basic understanding of uploading, downloading, and attaching files in e-mail.
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What kind of computer/technology will I need?
For a list of Technical Requirements for Park University Online Courses please
click here.
Use the "Browser Test" found on the above web page to check the components of your Internet browser.
The browser test will provide the necessary instructions for making the most of your browser's functionality and your Online experience.
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What are the Term Dates for Online courses?
For a list of term dates, click here
and select 'Online Courses'.
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Who do I contact for advising?
Enrollment Counselors are available to advise Online students click here.
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When does registration begin?
To see a list of all the registration & other important dates please
click here and select 'Online Courses'.
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