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About TRU Open Learning

Thompson Rivers University, Open Learning (TRU-OL) is the division of Thompson Rivers University (TRU) that specializes in providing mature learners with flexible learning options, open access to education wherever possible, and a wide variety of course and program choices, meeting the needs of its own students and helping other institutions and organizations meet the open and online learning needs of their communities.

Pioneering a new age in education

TRU-OL is situated in the new BC Centre for Open Learning located on TRU's Kamloops campus, located in the Interior region of British Columbia, Canada.

TRU is a public institution and a member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada (AUCC). TRU-OL collaborates with BCcampus, other educational institutions, professional bodies, industry, and business, and is a founding member of the Canadian Virtual University.

Open Learning Organizational Chart PDF Document

Mandated by government to provide the province's open learning programming and an open learning educational credit bank, TRU-OL opens the door to accessible, recognized and quality post-secondary education, providing learning opportunities in a print or web-based format or a blend of the two, with programs tailored to each student's personal needs.

Supported by over 100 highly respected and qualified Open Learning Faculty members who telecommute from all over BC, over 16,000 students a year take courses toward 52 degree, diploma and certificate programs, including 220 TRU distance courses and another 200 delivered through consortium institutions, as well as a further 34 language courses that can be challenged. Credentials awarded include adult secondary school completion, certificates and diplomas (including advanced and post-baccalaureate) associate degrees, and bachelor's degrees.

Students completing certificate, diploma, or degree programs by distance through TRU-OL are awarded a Thompson Rivers University credential, and most universities, community colleges, provincial institutes, businesses, industries and professional associations recognize the credits earned in programs and courses offered through TRU-OL.

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About Open Learning

Flexibility

TRU-OL aims to offer as many opportunities as possible so that learners can complete university diploma and degree programs in a way and time frame suited to their lifestyles and livelihoods, whether they need just one more credit or an entire program.

Prioritizing customer service, ensuring academic integrity and setting a high standard for quality products across the curriculum, TRU-OL strives to make all levels of post-secondary education available at a time, place and delivery modality convenient to the learner and actively focus on being customer-oriented and student-centred from inquiry through graduation.

Co-operative arrangements with other educational institutions, community organizations, industry, business, and professional associations provide students with choices in earning recognized credentials.

Course Registration and Scheduling Choices

Most distance courses delivered by TRU-OL are offered on a continuous basis, so that students may register throughout the year.

Courses with continuous registration delivered by TRU-OL are designed for students to complete within a specified time at a place and pace that suit their needs (self-paced).

Labs, clinicals, selected classroom offerings, and some paced courses have fixed start and end dates.

Open Admission

The flexible education environment offered by TRU-OL includes a continuous enrolment schedule and an open admission policy that sets it apart from other BC institutions. TRU-OL's openness also extends to students at other colleges and universities who can choose to stay at their home institution and register with TRU-OL for the courses they need.

  • Courses or programs can be completed by distance, as well as on campus.
  • Enrolment in courses and programs can take place at any time and from anywhere.
  • Program admission and course registration have few restrictions.
  • Most programs have low residency requirements.

Credit Bank

Students may take advantage of TRU-OL's Credit Bank service, which allows students to receive credit for courses and programs completed at other universities and colleges, and to have their work and life experience and non-traditional education recognized and accredited through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) in order to build a customized educational plan and maximize the benefits of previously gained skills, experience and learning.

Learning Options

Paced Courses

Some courses delivered by TRU-OL are offered as paced where a group of students works through the course together. Paced courses have specific start and end dates. Students start the course on the same date, submit assignments (and project examinations when appropriate) by specific due dates, and write their final examination at a pre-determined session. Extensions are limited and granted only in exceptional circumstances. Labs are not eligible for extensions.

Independent Study with Open Learning Faculty Member Support

TRU-OL distance courses are offered as independent-study courses. Students complete courses by studying on their own and receive instructional support from highly qualified Open Learning Faculty members.

Students can communicate with their Open Learning Faculty member by email, phone, or regular mail for print courses and also by electronic conference for most web courses.

Varied Course Delivery Formats

Courses delivered by TRU-OL are offered in the following formats:

  • Print-based. Course is print-based. A few print-based courses have optional Web content and/or Web interaction. Internet access is not required to complete a print-based course. Students registered in print-based courses can communicate with their Open Learning Faculty member by email, phone or regular mail.
  • Web-based. Most Web-based courses have some printed materials. All Web-based courses have mandatory Web content, and most have Web student-to-student interaction. Internet access is required to complete a Web-based course. Students registered in Web-based courses can communicate with their Open Learning Faculty member by email, phone, electronic conference or regular mail.
  • Online. Course is fully online in a paced, cohort, faculty-led model. Online courses use of a variety of online communication technologies and involve a high level of interaction among students and with the course Open Learning Faculty member. Some Online courses may have textbooks or other resources (DVD, CD) when online resources are not available. Internet access is required to complete an Online course (high speed is recommended). Students in Online courses will communicate with their Open Learning Faculty member through the online course mechanisms, but may also use email, phone or regular mail.
  • In-person. Course is delivered face-to-face in a classroom setting or as a lab, clinical, workshop or fieldwork.

Not all delivery formats are offered for each course. Course materials may include audiocassettes, CDs, DVDs, videos, or similar/other media.

Open: for business

TRU-OL works to help businesses and organizations enhance the qualifications of their employees and members through specialized professional development programs, and has already made progress in its aim to offer courses and programs in non-traditional areas such as trades, technology and other applied disciplines, like TRU's brand-new Bachelor of Technology in Trades and Technology Leadership degree program.

International opportunities

Also helping TRU-OL become a recognized leader in open and distance learning is TRU's international education division, TRU World. TRU's success in the international arena already serves as a model for other institutions in capturing global markets in post-secondary education. The combination of TRU-OL and TRU World will serve to enhance opportunities for students and faculty on many levels, wherever they are in the world.

TRU-OL offers a world of opportunity through Open access to over 400 courses and approximately 57 programs including certificate, diploma, degree and post-baccalaureates. The various programs available for study at Open Learning are recognized internationally by other educational institutions and employers. Visit our Open Learning International Students web pages to learn more.

For more information on Open Learning options visit www.tru.ca/distance/programs or phone 1.800.663.9711.