About 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 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 (CVU).

Open Learning Organizational Chart

Mandated by the 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 print, online, web-based or blended formats, with programs tailored to each student's personal needs and support offered by over 160 highly respected and qualified Open Learning Faculty Members who telecommute from all over BC.

Each year, TRU-OL welcomes over 20,000 enrolments. Students may enrol in one of 55 degree, diploma and certificate programs, or have access to some 300 TRU distance courses and another 250 delivered through consortium institutions, as well as a further 34 language courses that can be challenged. Credentials awarded include adult secondary school completion, certificates, 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.

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 timeframe 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 to graduation.

Cooperative 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

Self-Paced Courses

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

These courses are also designed as independent study courses. Students complete these courses by studying on their own, within a specified time, at a place and pace that suits their needs, 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.

Paced Courses

Some courses delivered by TRU-OL are offered as paced, meaning a group of students work through the course together. Paced courses have specific start and end dates; therefore all enrolled students must begin the course, submit assignments and complete final exams on, or by, a predetermined date. Labs, clinicals and specific classroom offerings have fixed start and end dates.

Extensions to paced courses are limited and granted only in exceptional circumstances. Labs are not eligible for extensions.

Note: Courses delivered by consortium partners through TRU-OL are paced courses.

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. These courses are delivered primarily via packages of printed materials that are sent out to students. These packages may include other materials such as DVDs and textbooks. In these courses, students study individually at their own pace with Open Learning Faculty Member support. Some print-based courses include resources that require Internet access. All mandatory resources will be accessible at dial-up modem speeds while any resources that require higher-speed Internet access will be optional. Individual course details are noted in the detailed course descriptions.
Web-based. These courses are delivered primarily via the Internet using a learning management system. Web-based courses may include other materials such as DVDs and textbooks that are sent out to students. In these courses, students study individually at their own pace with Open Learning Faculty Member support. These courses require high-speed Internet access. Individual course details are noted in the detailed course descriptions.
Online. These courses are delivered primarily via the Internet using a learning management system. An Open Learning Faculty Member leads student studies in cohorts that are paced with a set schedule. This mode of delivery increases the contact and activities among students during their studies. Online courses may include other materials such as DVDs and textbooks that are sent out to students. These courses require high-speed Internet access. Individual course details are noted in the detailed course descriptions.
In-person. These courses require the student to physically attend a classroom, lab, clinical or practicum placement, workshop or other such setting. In-person courses may also require Internet access for required or optional web resources. Internet access is normally available onsite. Individual course details are noted in the detailed course descriptions.

Note: Not all delivery formats are offered for each course. Course materials may include CDs and/or DVDs.

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 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 550 courses and approximately 55 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 webpage to learn more.

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