Has anyone done Distance Learning at Franciscan University of Steubenville?

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Can anyone tell me of their experience (distance learning only, please) at the Franciscan University of Steubenville?
Application process?
The Distance Learning part?
Communication with professors?
If you had to actually go to the campus itself?
Did you receive financial aid from the university itself?
I’m interested in the Master’s in Theology but did not major in theology.
Thank you.
 
I was looking into this myself so I can only reply with what I learned through research. If you’re BA is not in theology, then you will need to fulfill some undergrad theology courses before you can actually start the MA program. You have to have a 3.0 GPA in your undergrad and 3 letters of recommendation, but that was waived for me when I applied as an undergraduate transfer, so I’m not sure if admission counselors would do that for the MA program.

FUS also has a residency requirement, but most people I was told that do distance learning, meet this by taking 2 courses or so in the summer THERE. I tried emailing the director of graduate admissions a while back but never received a response.

Hopefully there’s someone that’s done the program on here to answer these questions??
 
I am currently enrolled in their distance learning program. Because my past undergraduate and graduate work is not in theology or philosophy, I am currently working through the undergraduate prerequisite courses. The courses are enjoyable thus far, and most importantly, they adhere to Church teachings.

The drawbacks I can think of are that they do not use the Internet for course delivery, so you will not “meet” peers or engage in dicussions with other students. It is a program for independent, self-directed, and disciplined learners. If you want a program with deadlines, this will not be for you. You have 6 months to complete each course, so it really is up to you when and how often you apply yourself.
 
For the required undergrad classes, did you have to go to the campus itself? I thought the website stated that one must do so. Or are you doing those at home, too? Thanks for any info. you can give me.
 
You take the prerequisite undergrad classes at home. Each course has a big 3-ring notebook with outlines, assignments and readings, plus a CD ROM with MP3 recordings of each class lecture. It is structured like a semester-long course that meets about 3x week for 45 minutes, so there are a lot of lectures. There are also textbooks for each course. When you take an exam, you need to find a proctor–you fill out forms designating the proctor, and they mail the exam to the proctor. You then have 3 weeks to complete the exam upon receipt of a letter confirming the exam has been mailed to the proctor. The proctor must be a teacher or religious. I use my parish priest as my proctor and I take my exams at the parish house. Some courses also have papers instead of exams (which I prefer since i’m not a good test taker).

Let me know if you have any other questions.
 
I am also enrolled in the distance learning program at FUS. I completed my undergrad pre-reqs and have begun the first Masters level course.

Application process?
This was relatively easy. The most challenging part was getting the three letters of recommendation.

The Distance Learning part?
It is difficult being isolated from fellow students. I created a Facebook group for distance learning students to help rectify this but have not had too many join yet. I’m hoping danlaupat will consider joining it.

Communication with professors?
You can communicate with professors via email.

If you had to actually go to the campus itself?
As mentioned earlier, you do have an on-campus requirement which many fulfill via 3 week summer sessions. It can also be fulfilled at the Rome campus.

Did you receive financial aid from the university itself?
I don’t believe they give aid to DL students although they are eligible for the Stafford Loan Program.

More information is available at:
franciscan.edu/home2/Content/DistanceLearning/main.aspx?id=951
 
Hi Danlaupat!
Thanks for your posting! I’m very interested in the distance learning program for the Master’s in Theology at Steubenville. I too am not a good test taker and would also prefer the courses with the papers instead of the exams. My one question is about the exams. I’m not a good note taker, but you mentioned there is a notebook with outlines of each lecture. So my question is: Is the outline is sufficient enough to study from to do well on the exams?
Thank you sooooo much!
danlaupat said:
You take the prerequisite undergrad classes at home. Each course has a big 3-ring notebook with outlines, assignments and readings, plus a CD ROM with MP3 recordings of each class lecture. It is structured like a semester-long course that meets about 3x week for 45 minutes, so there are a lot of lectures. There are also textbooks for each course. When you take an exam, you need to find a proctor–you fill out forms designating the proctor, and they mail the exam to the proctor. You then have 3 weeks to complete the exam upon receipt of a letter confirming the exam has been mailed to the proctor. The proctor must be a teacher or religious. I use my parish priest as my proctor and I take my exams at the parish house. Some courses also have papers instead of exams (which I prefer since i’m not a good test taker).

Let me know if you have any other questions.
Click to expand...
 
Hi I’m excited to have found this thread! I’m also seriously considering the Distance program. Would you all like to share what your motivations are for going through the program? Are you going to work for the church?

I have a strong desire to work for the church perhaps the church in China since I’m Chinese. I’m still trying to discern whether or not to go for the degree.

Thank you for sharing!
 
I have looked at this one and Catholic Distance University (CDU). I do not know if anyone as info on that one but I have not decided which to go to yet. I would need the course before I could start the MA.
The plan would be to be involved at Church esp. something to do with teaching or RCIA or something like that or many even Deacon if possible. Just really not sure yet but trying to figure it all out.
 
I have also been looking into taking courses from Franciscan.
I like the flexible start time and having 6 months to complete the course. Many of the online courses have weekly requirements which I don’t think I could fulfill.
I looked into both Holy Apostles Seminary/College and Catholic Distance University.
Franciscan is by far the least expensive. Holy Apostles also offers either video or audio lectures which I like. But I think they have a definite start time. The deadline for registration for the fall semester was July 15th but they hadn’t posted which courses would be offered this fall yet.
One of our Sisters is working on her masters through Catholic Distance University. She just gets the lectures on paper. Some of the courses had online discussions that she had to participate in. There is a lot of reading and a lot of writing. I have no idea how this compares with the other two programs.
 
Thanks everyone for the info. I will be shopping for a Master’s program in about 2 years, God willing, and I will have to do a DL program. A lot of my undergrad is DL so I will be used to it by then. I would like to work for the Church in some capacity, perhaps teaching adult RE or RCIA, or a Priest’s assistant. I’m not even sure yet of what kind of degree is required to teach at the Church. Thanks for the good discussion!
 
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