FAQs: Courses - Details

1. What courses are available in the 3991 series for the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Liberal Arts?

   Any TRU-OL 3991 course will meet the program requirements for the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Liberal Arts; depending on what other courses you include in the program, you can take up to four 3991 courses to meet the program requirements.

   

2. When am I eligible to take Directed Studies 4991 for the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Liberal Arts?

   You can register for the Directed Studies 4991 course anytime. You can choose from any Arts and Science subject area (English, geography, history, etc.) for which we have faculty expertise.

   

3. How do I get my T2202a Tax form?

   The T2202a form is not available online for Open Learning. The forms are mailed out at the end of February and should arrive in early March. Students are encouraged to confirm their address is current by logging into http://mytru.ca and checking their personal information under the "Open Learning Student" tab.

   

4. How can I take a distance course delivered by the University of British Columbia (UBC) and recognized by TRU-OL?

   Please review UBC information or contact UBC Access Studies directly for availability and registration as a non-degree student in UBC courses listed on the TRU-OL Course Search pages. You must register for the courses directly with UBC. They provide materials and instructors for the courses, and oversee the course examinations.

   For more information go to: http://www.students.ubc.ca/mura/nondegree/index.cfm/study-options/thompson-rivers-university.

   Email: non.degree@ubc.ca or telephone, 604.822.1428.

   If you would like to use one of the UBC courses towards your program at TRU-OL, or another program elsewhere, contact your program advisor to ensure it fits your program requirements and request permission to take the course (Letter of Permission process at TRU-OL).

   

5. How can I take a TRU-OL course delivered by SFU or UVic?

   You may register in TRU-OL courses delivered by SFU or UVic without having to be admitted to the delivering institution. TRU-OL courses delivered by SFU or UVic appear on TRU-OL transcripts and are applicable toward the residency requirements for TRU-OL programs.

   If you are admitted at a later date to SFU or UVic, the courses you take through TRU-OL are treated as transfer courses when appropriate.

   Refer to the institution's website for more information about SFU and UVic distance courses.

   

6. If my major in my previous degree was in a similar discipline (e.g. English), can I take the current courses in that subject for the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Liberal Arts?

   Provided that your coursework or degree was completed more than seven years ago, this is permitted. If you completed your coursework or degree less than seven years ago, TRU-OL requires that you submit a detailed course description to avoid duplication of credit.

   

7. When do I have to complete my course delivered by TRU-OL?

   The date your course is to be completed is stated in your Welcome Letter.

   Exception: If you are a full-time financial aid student, your Study Contract with the Financial Aid and Awards Office specifies your required completion date.

   It may be possible to obtain one course extension beyond the completion date. Refer to information about course extensions.

   

8. What happens if I don't complete a course delivered by TRU-OL and fail to withdraw by the deadline?

   If you complete all of your mandatory coursework by your course completion date, your final grade is calculated with a zero (0) grade assessed for all incomplete coursework. TRU-OL recommends that you complete all assignments to achieve the learning outcomes for the course and to prepare for your final examination.

   If you complete some of your coursework but do not complete all your mandatory coursework by your course completion date, you are assigned a grade of "I" (Incomplete).

   If you do not complete any of your coursework (assignments and final examination) by your course completion date, you are considered to not have started the course and are assigned a grade of "W" (Institutional Withdrawal) 30 days after the course completion date.

   Information on mandatory coursework is available in your course package, online or from your Open Learning Faculty Member.

   Post-secondary institutions, including TRU-OL, do not delete the "I" grade from your student permanent record (transcript) even if you complete the course at a later date. The "I" grade may affect your application for admission to another institution, as the "I" may be converted to a zero in calculating your grade point average.

   The withdrawal deadline date is in your welcome letter.

   

9. Can I complete the Advanced Certificate in Liberal Arts while I am currently completing an undergraduate degree with TRU-OL?

   Yes, you can use courses to meet the requirements for the advanced certificate as well as your degree program. You can also pursue the certificate as a separate credential whether or not you have completed a previous credential.

   

10. Is TRU-OL developing a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Liberal Arts?

    TRU-OL is not planning to offer a Post-Baccalaureate Diploma in Liberal Arts in the immediate future.

    

11. If my previous coursework or degree was in a similar discipline (e.g. English), can I take the current courses in that subject for the Advanced Certificate in Liberal Arts?

    Provided that your coursework or degree was completed more than seven years ago, this is permitted. If you completed your coursework or degree less than seven years ago, TRU-OL requires that you submit a detailed course description to avoid duplication of credit.

    

12. Can I repeat a course and apply the course to my full-time course load?

    Repeat registrations can be used to make up part of a full-time course load only if you did not pass any assignments in the original registration period. All prior assignments are automatically carried forward to the current registration period. TRU-OL does not require that you complete assignments you previously passed. Therefore, since you are completing only part of the course, the value of the course cannot be counted toward your student loan course load.

    

13. If I am "technically withdrawn" from full-time study, how is my withdrawal date calculated?

    Your technical withdrawal date is calculated on the overall percentage of assignments submitted. For example, if you submitted one of five assignments in a course (regardless of assignment weighting), you are considered to have completed 20% of the course. For a four-month term of 120 days, you are considered to have withdrawn on the 24th day (20% of 120). The overall withdrawal date is a weighted average of your dates from your best nine credits. The date of your withdrawal determines the portion of your student loan and grant in over award.