Woods Online
Background
In 1973, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College expanded its mission to include the educational needs of adult women through distance education. Initially, the Women’s External Degree (WED) program was designed for women wishing to complete college degrees through a non-traditional model. WED originally required periods of student residency on campus to plan each semester’s work with advisors and instructors; some majors continue to have specified campus residency requirements. Some courses were, and still are, available as intensive/hybrid classes on campus, mainly on weekends.
In 2005, WED became the Woods External Degree program, as the College included men in its undergraduate online education. Now called Woods Online, most courses are offered in an 8-week format, with some remaining in the 16-week format. Students may enroll in online courses on a part-time or full-time basis.
Programs
The College offers online learners the advantages of a liberal arts foundation and professional preparation in numerous fields of study. Degree requirements are the same as those in the campus program. For information about general education and major requirements, see the Woods Core and Academic Programs sections of this catalog.
Woods Online courses include interaction with instructors and other students using a course management system through which assignments, quizzes, discussions and interaction with the instructor are done. Key points include:
- Coursework is described in syllabi available after registration.
- Group work may be required.
- Students are responsible for purchasing their books and materials.
- Access to reliable high-speed internet is required.
- Limited on campus requirements in some programs (education and music therapy equivalency).
The average course size is less than 20 students. Full-time students who begin with no transfer credit can earn their bachelor’s degree in four years if summer semesters are included (an average of 30-32 credit hours per year).
Orientation
Music therapy equivalency students must attend a campus orientation. All online students complete an Online Readiness course prior to initial registration. This course tests students’ computer systems and prepares them to utilize the College’s course management system as well as accessing other online systems and services. The readiness course can be completed in approximately five hours. Online courses are rich in multimedia and access to reliable high-speed internet is essential. A listing of current Woods online course offerings is available on the College website.
Registration
Full-time online students register for at least 12 credit hours per semester, starting and ending on dates posted on the course rotation schedule on the College website. The 8-week modules use a two-session structure within a 16-week semester. At the time of registration, students are informed of the start and end date of each course on their schedule.
Online students may also enroll in campus-based courses if they register in August or January as long as at least half of their courses are in the online format. Exceptions may be approved by the Director of Undergraduate Academic Affairs. It is the responsibility of students to indicate at each registration if they wish to register in a format that is different than their declared preference.
Through online courses, students achieve specific objectives and outcomes. Throughout the semester, regular contact is maintained between students and instructors through the College’s course management system, the student portal, email, and/or phone.
Course Participation/Attendance
Online students are required to have regular, substantive engagement in all online courses each week.
Policies
The Undergraduate Code of Conduct of Rights and Responsibilities explains program policies and procedures, as well as specific regulations regarding grades, incompletes, withdrawals and leaves of absence.