Erskine students may complete the MATS, MAPM, MDiv, ThM, and DMin degrees through Eskine Online. Some online courses follow the same academic calendar as on-campus courses, while other courses may be offered as 8-week intensives. Many traditional residential courses also make use of Erskine Online through hybrid or flipped models. The online classes use the Brightspace platform as the learning management system. Course access is restricted to
registered students (and auditors). Once admitted into the Seminary, students are issued an Erskine email and a student ID number which provide access to online courses and the Seminary’s student portal.
Online Admissions
Admission requirements and registration procedures for online students are the same as for inperson students. Likewise, all student fees and charges for online students and courses are the same as those for in-person classes. The requirements for admission into the Seminary’s degree programs are evaluated by the admissions office and the Graduate Committee (for master’s degrees) or the Postgraduate Committee (ThM and DMin degrees).
Online Course Drop/Add
Students who wish to add or make changes in their registration can do so in the student portal or submit a completed Drop-Add form (available on the Seminary website) to the Registrar’s office by the drop/add day (published in the Academic Calendar). The 8-week online classes scheduled for the second half of the semester (online term 2), students will be able to drop courses by a later drop day (published in the academic calendar). Students may not make any changes after the drop/add day or after the first meeting of an allday class without penalty. For full details on drop/add and withdrawal policies, please see the Academics section of this catalog.
Online Student Privacy
Student privacy in online coursework is protected in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), as online enrollment falls under the FERPA privacy and disclosure rules detailed in this catalog. Erskine Online accounts are verified by means of Erskine email accounts (SingleSignOn), with an added multi-factor authentication. Login information is strictly confidential and must not be shared. If login information is shared, disciplinary actions may be taken against the student, up to and including expulsion from the institution. Emails sent through Erskine Online’s learning management system are linked to student’s Erskine email account, providing privacy and confirmation of identity.
Confirmation of Student Identity
Erskine Online ensures that students who register in online courses are the same persons who participate and complete courses and receive course credit. Erskine Online verifies the identity of each student with every login attempt to both Erskine Online and the Erskine email system. Erskine Online verifies the identity of the student by utilizing multi-factor authentication through single sign on technology with the student’s official Erskine email account. The
student’s official Erskine email account is communicated to the student through the admissions/registration process. Upon receiving the official student Erskine email account, each student must immediately enroll in the multi-factor authentication process. The multifactor authentication process utilizes the Erskine email password as the first form of authentication and a number (or device) that the student is in personal possession of as the second form of authentication. There are no additional student charges associated with the verification of students’ identity.
International Students
International students who wish to enroll in online courses must be aware that the USA Patriot Act places certain restrictions on the use of distance education courses to complete degree requirements. International students must note that the USA Patriot Act stipulates that “No more than the equivalent of one class or three credits per session, term, semester or trimester may be counted toward the full course of study requirement if the class is taken online or
through distance education and does not require the student’s physical attendance.” For more information, please contact the Admissions and Financial Aid offices.
Federal regulation 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(f)(6)(i)(G) states:
For F-1 students enrolled in classes for credit or classroom hours, no more than the equivalent of one class or three credits per session, term, semester, trimester, or quarter may be counted toward the full course of study requirement if the class is taken online or through distance education and does not require the student’s physical attendance for classes, examination or other purposes integral to completion of the class. An online or distance education course is a course that is offered principally through the use of television, audio, or computer transmission including open broadcast, closed circuit, cable, microwave, or satellite, audio conferencing, or computer conferencing. If the F1 student’s course of study is in a language study program, no online or distance education classes may be considered to count toward a student’s full course of study requirement.
For more information, please contact Mr. Nathan Turner, nturner@erskine.edu.