Student Services, Support and Frequently Asked Questions
Services
Secure Online Payment
You may pay your bill online using Visa®, Discover® or Mastercard® via our secure server.
Program directors
Academic advising
During your first semester, you will be assigned an academic advisor who will recommend schedules, monitor your progress, answer program-related questions and direct you to appropriate support services.
Career services
The career center has a graduate career advisor who will help you develop a career plan. A number of services are available including job postings and career counseling. You may be interested in these other job databases, which are available online:
Working with the graduate career advisor and your academic advisor, you will prepare a career plan during your first semester. This plan includes:
- Review of prior academic experience.
- Review of prior professional experience.
- Identification of any recommended experiential learning
- Career and educational goals.
- Resume and portfolio development.
During your program, the career advisor will notify you of opportunities, experiences or resources related to your career plan. During the term you begin work on your thesis or portfolio project, the career advisor will contact you regarding job search strategies or other career needs you may have at that time.
Spiritual development support
The university is committed to supporting spiritual development for all students, including students in both traditional and online programs. In addition to faith and learning issues, which are part of each course, you may contact Ron Kopicko, the University chaplin, at rkopicko@arbor.edu, for spiritual direction and/or support.
Several members of the department faculty have experience and training in pastoral care and spiritual direction. For students in the MSFL, a faculty member will be assigned to pray for you on a regular basis and will be available to you as a mentor in spiritual formation.
Your SAUonline community
Community is important at Spring Arbor University and is part of our mission. The Spring Arbor University Concept calls for a community of learners distinguished by our life-long involvement in the study and application of the liberal arts, total commitment to Jesus Christ as our perspective for learning, and critical participation in the contemporary world.
In our online program, we are intentional about building community through collaborative, online educational experiences, including threaded discussion groups, electronic mail and other Web-based interactive media. You will also work through your foundation courses as a cohort, building relationships that will last throughout the program and throughout a lifetime.
During your first year, you will take the basic core and foundation courses with the same group of students. This allows you to build strong and supportive relationships with your peers. In addition, our academic advising and spiritual development programs are designed to connect you to faculty members who care about you and your long-term success.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is online learning? What does asynchronous mean?
SAUonline allows for discussion boards or virtual chats with your faculty and classmates. Some coursework is done using e-mail. SAUonline has the e-mail addresses of your faculty and your classmates. Within semester limits, the SAUonline courses are totally asynchronous, which means students may sign on and work any time, 24-7. Asynchronous learning is where the instructor and the students need not be in the same room at the same time, nor do they need to be on the computer at the same time. Except where the faculty member has set test dates, chat reviews, etc., students do not need to sign on at the same time as other students or at the same time as the instructor.
What is the duration of the courses?
SAUonline courses vary in length. Depending on the courses' subject matter and number of credit hours, they can range from eight to 15 weeks.
How do I get to my classes?
After you apply and are accepted, you will receive a welcome packet in the U.S. mail. This packet will contain instructions on how to set up an account in the MySAU Portal and from there, you will register for classes. Once in MySAU, click on the SAUonline icon in the top navigation bar to enter your courses.
How do I get my textbooks and other learning resources for the course?
Students can order books for their online course directly from our online bookstore. SAUonline has entered into an agreement with eCampus to supply students with textbooks.
How do I hand in assignments?
In graduate education, generally, the most common assignment is the research paper. Therefore, you must be able to send an attached file to your e-mail software in SAUonline. You will also use something called the "Digital Drop Box" within SAUonline. This is simply a central place within your SAUonline site where you can "post" written work (does not require e-mail).
What about exams?
One of the most common forms of online examinations is the open book exam. You might also take an exam that is a password protected file on the Web which contains an examination for you to do after the professor sends you the password. You send it back after a designated period of time. For other purposes, you might even have to stipend a proctor who will be with you while you answer examination questions that have been sent to you by your faculty, which you e-mail back after a period of time. SAUonline also offers your faculty the opportunity to give timed examinations electronically.
How do I use the library?
First, you have a responsibility to search out some local library support in your own home area. Second, the library services link on the MA Home gives you access to all electronic databases and services we offer. You can also contact the communication librarian, Stephanie Davis at sdavis@arbor.edu, who is available to assist online learners with their research needs.
How can I contact my professor?
On each course syllabus your professor will provide his/her e-mail address, the University’s fax phone number as well as a phone/voice-mail number and office hours. You are free to contact your professor or any other faculty member at any time. Also, an e-mail directory of all Spring Arbor University e-mail addresses is available within the MySAU portal.
How do I get my grade for a distance course?
The most common way for receiving grades in graduate school is by U.S. mail after the semester is over and faculty submit grades. Students receive a mailed grade report form shortly afterwards. SAUonline has an option for you to view your grades within the program.
How much do the SAUonline courses cost?
Look at our tuition and fees site for the current rate. Campus undergraduate students will be charged according to the current campus tuition rates and policies.
What are my payment options?
A student may choose one of the following payment methods:
• Pay online with Visa, Mastercard or Discover through registration. Visit online billing.
• Send in payment by check or money order payable to Spring Arbor University.
• Call 517.750.6477 to pay with credit card. We accept VISA, MasterCard or Discover. Please have your credit card number and expiration date ready.
• Pay in person by cash, check or credit card at the business office or at one of the adult studies centers. Click here for locations.
Will financial aid be available to me?
Eligible students may qualify to receive all federal, state and/or Spring Arbor University aid upon application. Visit our financial aid section.
What sort of technical equipment do I need to take this course?
For a complete list, visit our technical requirements area.
What if I have a technical problem or question when I am online?
For help with technical questions contact the Help Desk at 877.728.9880 or e-mail at helpdesk@arbor.edu.
What if I need help with course work or deciding what courses to take?
You will be able to ask the instructor questions via your SAU WebMail account. The instructor may also provide his/her telephone number and office hours, during which you can speak to the instructor in real time. Each program also has an advisor you can contact. Advisors listed below.
Master of Arts in Organizational Management (MAOM): Betty Buss can be reached at 800.968.9103, ext. 15424 or e-mail her at
bettyb@arbor.edu.
- Master of Arts in Communication (MCOM): Dr. Wally Metts can be reached at 800.968.9103, ext. 1491 or e-mail him at wmetts@arbor.edu.
- Master of Arts in Spiritual Formation and Leadership (MSFL): Dr. Ken Brewer can be reached at 800.968.9103, ext. 6552 or e-mail him at kbrewer@arbor.edu.
- Bachelor of Arts in Management and Organizational Development (MOD): Paul Johnson can be reached at 800.968.9103, ext. 4316 or e-mail him at pjohnson@arbor.edu.
Can I transfer the credits for an online course to another university?
As a fully accredited institution of higher learning, Spring Arbor University students have had their work accepted at colleges and universities everywhere. Coursework taken through Spring Arbor University may be transferred to another college based on the credit needs of the student and the policies of the receiving institution.
Do I have to be a full-time student to take an online course?
No. You do not have to be a full-time student to take a course at SAUonline.
How many SAUonline courses may I take?
Students wishing to take more than six semester hours must enroll in a degree program or be admitted as a part-time enrollee. There are currently no limits to the number of courses a student may take online. Students are encouraged to contact their advisor before registering for online courses.