Here are some frequently asked questions that you might have while navigating through the process to become a student at Brescia University Online!
Who should I call if I need assistance or need to talk with someone?
How do I register for a course?
What is the cost of my online course?
Where do I get information about scholarships and financial aid?
Who do I contact about questions relating to payments or invoices?
What are the minimum hardware/software requirements for success in an online course?
Where do I get information about my books for the course?
How do I get an email account and password for the online course(s)?
How do I drop an online course? Can I get a refund?
Will I have face-to-face meetings with my professor?
How many sessions will I have in my course?
What if I miss a live chat or assignment due date?
How will I take tests? Are they open book or on campus?
How many tests will accompany my course?
Will I have meetings involving all the students in my class?
If I submit my assignment on Monday, when will I get a response from my professor?
Will I need to be self-directed in order to succeed in online learning?
How do I get help if I cannot access my online course?
Tips for Being a Successful Online Learner
I am not a resident of the State of Kentucky. Is there additional information I need to be aware of?
Can I use an iPad to participate in online class at Brescia University?
Does Brescia University accept CLEP, AP and Dantes exams?
Does Brescia University offer internship opportunities for students?
1. Who should I call if I need assistance or need to talk with someone?
Call BUonline at 270-686-4353 or by email at [email protected]
2. How do I register for a course?
Once you have applied and been accepted to Brescia University you are ready to register. If you have not applied yet please complete our free online application form. You will also need to request official copies of ALL of your college/university transcript(s) and have them sent directly from the schools you attended to Brescia University. Students who have some college credits are not required to submit high school transcripts.
Please have all official transcripts mailed to BUonline – Office of Admissions at the following address:
Brescia University
BUonline – Office of Admissions
717 Frederica Street
Owensboro, KY 42301
Upon acceptance: contact your online academic advisor.
3. What is the cost of my online course?
Tuition rates for BUonline can be found HERE.
4. Where do I get information about scholarships and financial aid?
For more information about financial aid click here or contact our Financial Aid office by phone at 270-686-4253 or by email: [email protected].
5. Who do I contact about questions relating to payments or invoices?
Contact our Cashier’s Office by phone 270-686-4238 or by email: [email protected].
6. When are payments due?
For more information on payment dates, please visit: Student Accounts
For more information on payment plans, please go to: Payment Plans
For more information on paying for your courses online, please visit: Payment Information
Or you can contact the Cashier’s Office at 270-686-4238 or [email protected].
7. What are the minimum hardware/software requirements for success in an online course?
These are the hardware and software requirements for successfully accessing a web-based course. If you have questions, feel free to fill out a Helpdesk Ticket in the Information Technology Department.
It is highly recommended that students and instructors use the most current version of one of the web browsers listed in the above table to access Engage. These browsers are free, and the determination of which to use is a matter of personal preference. Note that cookies must be enabled in the browser. Most browsers have cookies enabled by default. If you are unsure of whether your browser is configured properly, contact Technical Support for assistance.
Because most courses feature content created using Microsoft Office programs like Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, it is highly recommended that students purchase these programs. There are various combinations of the programs for different prices, including some that are web-based and offered on a monthly subscription basis. Make sure you know exactly what you are buying and whether the purchase price represents a one-time expense or a year’s service fee. Some Microsoft Office configurations offer discounts for students, so consult your educational institution before purchasing anything.
8. Where do I get information about my books for the course?
Brescia University has partnered with Barnes & Noble College so you can order all of your books online for the best value. You can go to Barnes & Noble College by clicking here.
If you are receiving Financial Aid to pay for your books, you will need to contact the cashier’s office at [email protected] or by phone at: 270-686-4238.
If you have any questions about the process or you cannot find the book you need, please contact the Brescia University Bookstore at: 270-686-4255.
9. How do I get an email account and password for the online course(s)?
A Brescia email address must be used for all online classes. This address is automatically set up for all students as soon as they have registered for their class(es). Students are notified by mail or email once the account is established with login, password, and instructions for accessing the Brescia email account. Seven days before the online class begins, students will be emailed information about accessing their online class including a username, password, and access information.
10. How do I drop or withdraw from an online course?
Situations arise when students need to drop or withdraw from a course during their educational experience.
Drop: Is when a student is removed from the course before it begins and the course does NOT show on the student’s transcript.
Withdraw: Is when a student is removed from the course after it begins and the course DOES show on the student’s transcript with a W for the grade.
In the event that you wish to DROP a course, you may do so by contacting your advisor BEFORE THE DROP DATE. You MUST send your request in writing by email to your advisor for your request to be granted.
If you need to WITHDRAW from a course, you may do so by contacting your advisor BY THE WITHDRAW DEADLINE POSTED ON THE ACADEMIC CALENDAR. You MUST send your request in writing by email to your advisor for the request to be granted.
PLEASE UNDERSTAND THERE ARE FINANCIAL FEES THAT ACCOMPANY WITHDRAWING FROM A COURSE. To find out the cost of withdrawing from a course, please contact the cashier’s office at [email protected].
Dropping or withdrawing from a class will affect your financial aid. It’s imperative that you contact THE FINANCIAL AID DEPARTMENT as soon as possible if you want to drop or withdraw from a course. You can reach them at: [email protected].
11. Will I have face-to-face meetings with my professor?
Online courses at Brescia University have opportunities for weekly chat sessions. Attendance to the weekly chat sessions are strongly encouraged but not required. Please NOTE: Some social work chat sessions are required. During chat sessions you will be on the computer with your professor and classmates where you go over presentation and have chat discussions. It’s a great opportunity to interact with you classmates and ask questions of your processor. Please note that all of the times listed are in Central Standard Time, so you will need to adjust the time to the zone you live in.
12. How many sessions will I have in my course?
It depends on the course in which you are enrolled.
13. What if I miss a live chat or assignment due date?
Please contact your instructor as soon as possible.
14. How will I take tests? Are they open book or on campus?
Quizzes and tests are timed. They are automatically submitted when the allotted time has expired. The tests will be administered online and instructors will determine the format.
15. How many tests will accompany my course?
The number of quizzes and tests varies considerably from course to course. Thus the number and type of student assessments depend on the course in which you are enrolled.
16. Will I have meetings involving all the students in my class?
Contacts will occur through the chat room and discussion board within the course.
17. If I submit my assignment on Monday, when will I get a response from my professor?
24 to 48 hours.
18. Will I need to be self-directed in order to succeed in online learning?
Yes.
19. How do I get help if I cannot access my online course?
Contact the Help Desk center by visiting http://brescia-university.zendesk.com/hc/en-us or calling 1 (833) 652-0911.
20. Tips for Being a Successful Online Learner
• Log on to your course every single day,
Or a minimum of 3-5 days a week. Once you get into the online system, you will be eager to see who has commented on your postings and read the feedback of your instructor and peers. You will also be curious to see who has posted something new that you can comment on. If you let too many days go by without logging on to your course discussion group, you will get behind and find it very difficult to catch up.
• Be polite and respectful.
Just because you are anonymous, doesn’t mean you should let yourself go. Remember, you are dealing with real people on the other end. Being polite and respectful is not only common sense, it is absolutely obligatory for a productive and supportive online environment. In a positive online environment, you will feel valued by your instructor, valued by your classmates, and your own work will have greater value as well.
• Be able to communicate through writing.
In the virtual classroom, nearly all communication is written, so it is critical that learners feel comfortable in expressing themselves in writing. Be sure to use the spell check before posting responses.
• Be willing to “speak up” if problems arise.
Many of the non-verbal communication mechanisms that instructors use in determining whether learners are having problems (confusion, frustration, boredom, absence, etc.) are not possible in the online paradigm. If a learner is experiencing difficulty on any level (either with the technology or with the course content), s/he must communicate this immediately. Otherwise the instructor will never know what is wrong.
• Be able to meet the minimum requirements for the program.
The requirements for online are no less than that of any other quality educational program. The successful learner will view online as a convenient way to receive their education, not an easier way.
• Accept critical thinking and decision making as part of the learning process.
The learning process requires the learner to make decisions based on facts as well as experience. Assimilating information and executing the right decisions requires critical thought.
• Have access to a computer and connections to the WEB.
For most people the communication medium is a computer, phone line, and modem; the learner must have access to the necessary hardware and software as described above.
• Be able to think ideas through before responding.
Meaningful and quality input into the virtual classroom is an essential part of the learning process. Time is given in the process to allow for the careful consideration of responses. The testing and challenging of ideas is encouraged; you will not always be right, just be prepared to accept a challenge.
• Be open-minded about sharing life, work, and educational experiences as part of the learning process.
Introverts as well as extroverts find that online learning requires them to utilize their experiences. This forum for communication eliminates the visual barriers that hinder some individuals in expressing themselves. In addition, the learner is given time to reflect on the information before responding.
• Be self-motivated and self-disciplined.
With the freedom and flexibility of the online environment comes responsibility. The online process takes commitment and discipline to keep up with the flow of the process.
21. I am not a resident of the State of Kentucky. Is there additional information I need to be aware of?
• Brescia University’s tuition rate is the same for all students, whether in-state or out-of state.
• In addition to the established “Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct” including Grievance procedures, Brescia University is also subject to investigation of complaints by the Office of Attorney General of the MD Higher Education and Commission for students from the State of Maryland and the State of Georgia Nonpublic Postsecondary Education Commission for students from the State of Georgia.
22. Can I use an iPad to participate in online class at Brescia University?
Yes, you will need to download the Open LMS mobile app, you can download through the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store.
23. Does Brescia University accept CLEP, AP and Dantes exams?
Yes, Brescia University does accept CLEP, AP and Dantes exams for transfer credit. For more information click here.
24. Does Brescia University offer internship opportunities for students?
Yes, if you are a Social Work or Theology student, a field placement is part of your degree, but any BUonline student can participate in experiential education with approval. For more information, please click here.
