Online Course Information

Who Can Register

Anyone with an interest may apply. A recent change in Starr King School policy makes it possible for people contemplating seminary to enroll in Starr King graduate-level online course before committing to a degree program at SKSM. This provides an excellent way for people to explore their aptitude and interest in theological education and make a start towards a seminary degree. Upon application and admission to the M.Div. or the M.A. in Religious Leadership for Social Change, fees paid and credits earned in online courses will transfer towards the completion of the degree program.

No classes may be taken for audit, and there are no exceptions. If you anticipate being away for a week or so during a given semester, it's still possible to take a class, as long as you let your instructor know what dates you'll be away. However, your instructor will expect you to catch up with the class and complete all coursework.

Apply for an online course by writing a brief letter about yourself (no more than 150 words). Let us know:

• which course interests you,
• whether or not you're in seminary, and, if so, where,
• your reasons for taking the class,
• your complete contact information, including phone numbers.

Send this information to Cathleen Young (cyoung@sksm.edu), Online Education Director.

Before you participate in an online course, you'll be asked to read and abide by the copyright guidelines (click for copyright guidelines).

Shortly before the semester begins, we'll release codes that will allow you to access your course online. Courses remain available for one week after the online semester ends.

For 2008-2009, tuition for a 3-unit online course is $1,513; tuition for a 1.5-unit course is $756.50. In 2009-2010, tuition for a 3-unit online course will be $1,664; tuition for a 1.5-unit course will be $832. Some courses may include additional fees for books, readers or other materials. Tuition is payable by check or money order. Make checks payable to "Starr King School" and write on the memo line which course it's for (or include an accompanying note). Update your complete contact information, if necessary, and mail to:

Cathleen Young
Online Education Director
Starr King School for the Ministry
2441 Le Conte Ave.
Berkeley CA 94709

Refunds

There will be no refunds after the first day of class.

Most graduate level online courses span fifteen weeks, with fourteen weeks of instruction and a one week mid-semester break. Most instructors regard midnight Sunday to the following Sunday at midnight as a unit week.

Students are not generally required to log on to an online course at the same time. In other words, your online presence is not required as part of a "real-time" group unless an individual instructor designates specific real time of limited duration.

Typically, instructors require a reading assignment each week, and students respond to what they've read and to one another in a special discussion area accessible directly through Moodle or www.online.sksm.edu.

We ask our online students to complete mid- and end-of-semester course evaluations.

To participate in an SKSM online course, a high speed broadband computer is required. See the "Tech Support" button in the left margin of this page for computer requirements. Here you also find a link to the "Problem Report Form" to alert us to technical difficulties.

Credits and Transcripts

All graduate level courses are semester-long and offer three credits. Again, classes may be taken either for grades or on a pass/fail basis. Please let your instructor know which you prefer when you start the course.

Our online courses will appear on your transcripts, which may be obtained at the end of each course (after grades have been assigned) by e-mailing a request for transcripts to registrar@sksm.edu. Please state which courses you've taken, and when, then provide specific addresses for mailing, including the contact person's name, even if you think we have it.

Transcripts are mailed only upon request. First transcripts are mailed for free; subsequent copies cost $3 each.

Click for 2008-2009 Online Courses.

Registration for a limited enrollment course is at the discretion of the instructor.