What is the distance education format?

• Coures are designed to present content in a variety of formats (online and correspondence) that promote the student's development and higher-level learning using analysis, synthesis, and evaluation skills.  Students will receive a detailed study guide, prepared by ORU faculty, for each course in which they are enrolled.  Students will demonstrate comprehension of course material through responses to objective questions (matching, short answer, and multiple choice), written work (such as answering essay questions, preparing written papers and doing book critiques), and interacting with classmates in discussions and group projects (in online courses).  Careful attention has been given to ensure that the spirit and ethos of Oral Roberts University are maintained in SLLE courses.

What is a degree plan sheet?

• Your degree plan sheet lets you know which courses you need to complete in order to graduate including General Education, Major, Minor, and Elective courses.  It includes any courses transferred into the University as well as those you have compleged at ORU.  Once you recieve your degree plan sheet, it is important to save it and follow it when selecting courses in which to enroll.  You should not deviate from it without permission from your advisor.

How will I be advised?

• Each student will be assigned an advisor who is available to guide you through your degree program. Your advisor can help you determine in which courses you should enroll, including the suggested order or combination of courses in which to enroll; answer questions on University policies and procedures; and ensure that you are fulfilling the requirements for your chosen degree program and graduation.

How will ORU communicate with me?

• You will be assigned an email address with an "@oru.edu" domain.  In order to protect your identity and sensitive personal information, ORU will only communicate with you via your ORU email address. 

What is a Proficiency Test?

• A Proficiency Test is a comprehensive test that determines the student's foundational knowldege of English and Mathematics. The results of these tests indicate the appropriate courses in which the student needs to enroll in order to be successful in our academic programs.

Why do I have to take LGEN 114?

• LGEN 114 Distance Learning Strategies is a course designed to orient the student to SLLE's  distance learning approach and format, University outcomes, philosophy  of assessment, ePortfolio, and various study strategies. The student is also acquainted with the nature, philosophy, and lifestyle of ORU.  The course combines theory and practice to help the student develop technology skills necessary for navigating ORU's online systems and discusses practical strategies for success in a distance learning program.

How long do I have to complete my courses?

• ORU online courses are designed to be completed in 8 or 16 weeks. Assignments and course requirements will vary for each online course.  Correspondence courses are designed to be completed in four months (length of a typical semester).  They are designed to include three written assignments (each taking approximately one month to complete) and a comprehensive final examination.  When a student enrolls, the student will be assigned specific due dates for each assignment and the final exam.

How will I know what my assignments are?

• Detailed Study Guides have been prepared for each course offered in SLLE.  Study Guides can be found on Desire2Learn, D2L, ORU's course management system.  If you are enrolled in an online course, your class will be on D2L.

What courses will transfer toward a degree at ORU?

• Transfer evaluations will be conducted when you are accepted into the External Degree Program. Colleges must be regionally accredited for credits to be transferable to ORU. In most cases, universities, junior colleges, and community colleges are regionally accredited schools. Credits from two-year Bible colleges affiliated with the Association of Biblical Higher Education (ABHE) and International Christian Accrediting Association (ICAA) will be given consideration for transfer credit.

How will I take my final exam(s)?

• Final exams for online courses will be taken online.  Final exams for correspondence courses will be taken with a live Proctor (if the student lives outside of a 100-mile radius of Tulsa, OK) or on campus (if the student lives within a 100-mile radius of campus).

How will I receive my grades?

• Grades will be posted on VISION. To access VISION, go to vision.oru.edu. Enter the "Secure Area." Enter your Student ID (Z Number) and PIN. Click on "Student Services & Financial Aid." Click on "Student Records." Click on "SLLE Assignment Tracking."

How will I receive my books?

• Books and other materials necessary for coursework can be purchased online from the ORU Bookstore.  Book costs vary from course to course.  Materials will be shipped to the student at the student's expense.

How much does it cost?

• The cost for tuition is $250 per credit hour for undergraduate correspondence courses.  Please call for the cost of online courses.  Most courses are 3 credit hours each. There are administrative fees of $20 assessed per course.

What are my payment options?

• Payment may be made by check, money order, or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover). Financial aid is available for applicants who qualify, have completed full admission requirements, and are pursuing a degree through the SLLE. A “Free Application for Federal Student Aid” (FAFSA) must be submitted each year.
• Oral Roberts University also offers a payment plan through Tuition Management Services (TMS) for tuition on credit courses (payable in four monthly installments). The plan may be used for tuition and fees only and does not cover the cost of books. While no interest is charged, there is an enrollment fee of $56 per term. For more information about the TMS payment plan, contact ORU’s Student Accounts office at 918.495.6370.

Can I use VA benefits for correspondence?

• ORU maintains a liaison office for all Veteran Services. Veterans who are enrolled in correspondence coursework through ORU’s School of LifeLong Education may be eligible to receive educational benefits under the specific chapters of Title 38 and 10 United States Code. Please direct all inquiries to ORU’s Verifications Officer at 918.495.6552.

If I drop a course, can I get a refund?

• Tuition refunds for correspondence courses will be granted upon receipt of written requests received within eight weeks of the enrollment date. The amount of refund is determined according to the following schedule:

                 1-2 weeks                100% of tuition
                 3-5 weeks                50% of tuition
                 6-8 weeks                25% of tuition
                 After 8 weeks           No refund

What are other ways to earn credit toward a degree?

• Various modes of instruction and evaluation of learning experiences can be utilized. Academic credit can be obtained not only through our courses but also by transferring credit from accredited colleges, by Prior Learning Assessment, or by taking summer on-campus courses residentially. Credit through examination may be gained by submitting scores from Advanced Placement and CLEP exams or by testing out of ORU for-credit courses via faculty-constructed comprehensive exams.

What is Prior Learning Assessment?

• This process recognizes the knowledge that adult learners have gained through non-college courses, on-the-job training, or personal study. The knowledge must apply to a course(s) in the ORU curriculum. Students document such knowledge by enrolling in a portfolio-development course called Prior Learning Assessment/LGEN 101. Students will receive 3 hours of elective credit upon satisfactory completion of the course. In addition, the resulting portfolio is submitted to the Portfolio Assessment Committee for evaluation. Up to 30 hours of credit may be awarded through the portfolio evaluation process. Credit granted upon evaluation at ORU provides advanced standing in ORU degree programs and may not be transferred to another college or university prior to graduation from ORU.

Is this a “real” degree?

• Yes, all of our baccalaureate degrees are fully accredited. Oral Roberts University is accredited by the The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.

Additional questions?

• Feel free to email, call, or write us if you have any further questions.

Email:                slle@oru.edu

Telephone:        800.643.7976 (Toll Free)
                          918.495.6989
Fax:                   918.495.7965

Address:          ORU School of LifeLong Education
                         7777 South Lewis Ave.
                         Tulsa, OK 74171.