Which degree programs are offered 100% online?

• Associate of Christian Ministries

• Associate of Worship Leadership

• Bachelor of General Christian Studies

• Bachelor of Christian Ministries

• Bachelor of Biblical and Theological Studies*

• Bachelor of Biblical Counseling

• Master of Practical Theology*

• Master of Divinity*

*Messianic Jewish Studies concentration available.

How does online distance education work?

Typically, students log in on the first day of the course. Students will find the course syllabus, which provides essential information about the course and instructions concerning upcoming assignments, required reading from the textbooks and class participation on the discussion boards. Students will need to complete the assigned course work, submit assignments, ask questions and participate in class discussions. The professor for the course will facilitate the class discussion, provide important input and oversee the course.

Do all students have to be online at the same time?

Most of the content from online classes is delivered asynchronously: you can consume it on your own schedule. In light of recent technological advances due to the pandemic, many professors teaching online courses also offer live, synchronous Zoom sessions each week to supplement instruction. Each professor determines the timing of those live sessions and will work with you when you are unable to participate.

Do students like distance education?

For many, it’s the ideal way to learn. Work, family and other obligations can make it difficult to attend class on an established schedule. Online learning allows students to fit the course work into their life while maintaining an organized learning environment and the ability to interact with other students and the professor. Online students can study whenever, wherever and at whatever place works best for them.

Is this really an effective way to learn?

Yes. Studies have shown that online education students often score higher than those who attend courses on campus. Online courses provide more opportunities for participation, which allows students to express their ideas more frequently and in greater depth.

What are the benefits of participating in online classes?

Those who participate in online courses may find in addition to learning the course material, they also more fully develop essential life-skills such as self-reliance, independence, written communication skills, time management, goal setting, personal development and presentation skills.

How will the online course be taught?

Just like campus-based courses, online courses are taught by professors. The course syllabi describes the course, identifies the textbooks for the course, outlines the course assignments and provides a course schedule. Professors will facilitate class discussion through questions, observations and lectures. Students are encouraged to engage one another and the course material. Students may interact with the professor through the discussion boards or private email.

What is the recommended number of online courses a student should take a semester?

Most online courses are taught in accelerated 7-week sessions. Some are offered as a traditional 15-week sessions. Students new to TKU will be provided an online orientation before they start classes to help them learn what it takes to succeed as an online learner. It is recommended that working students enroll in a maximum of two 7-week courses concurrently, for a total of four online courses per semester. This will allow adequate time toward courses as well as maintaining work obligations. If you are a full-time TKU student, there is no maximum. However, note that each 7-week course requires approximately 12-15 hours per week, so plan accordingly and avoid overextending yourself.

How long are online courses?

A regular online course is seven weeks in length.

When do online courses begin?

See the Academic Calendar.What is the difference between online and on-ground class formats?

Online courses mirror The King’s traditional classroom-style courses in that they are professor-led, interactive, feature specific start and end dates, require textbooks and provide the same level of academic or professional credit as their campus-based counterparts. The major difference between the two formats is the interaction occurring within an online course is at your convenience at any time—day or night—during the week or on the weekend. There is no set time of day students must be logged into a course. For this reason, it doesn’t matter what time zone a student is in, they can participate in the same way as any other student.

Will I get to interact with my professors and classmates?

Online courses are highly interactive with professors and students engaged in dialogue each week. Although students and professors communicate and share resources by exchanging messages, our courses transcend the limitations of a typical email format by allowing all users to easily interact with each other. The result is enhanced dialogue between the student and professor and among the students themselves. Often, students will discover they get to know one another much better in online courses than in traditional campus settings.

How do I access the online classroom?

Our online learning platform, Blackboard, is web-based and accessible to most computers with Internet access. The only software required of students is a Microsoft Word-compatible word processor. Most word processors are able to open and save documents in .doc and .docx format. While students may find a variety of software to help them in their educational pursuits, there is no other software required to participate successfully in online courses. Students will be provided with login credentials once admitted to the institution. Students having difficulty logging in can contact blackboard@tku.edu for assistance. Once logged in to Blackboard, students are able to access the virtual classroom associated with the course(s) they are taking. The online classroom is divided into the seven weeks the course is in session and provides everything a student needs to successfully participate in the class. Students will find the course syllabus, weekly overviews, lectures, discussion forums, handouts, assignments and exams in the online classroom. Almost all courses follow the same set structure, so once a student learns how to navigate the online classroom in their first class, they will encounter much the same layout for all future courses.

What are the requirements for taking online courses?

Just as campus-based students need a car to get to their physical classrooms, students who desire to take online courses must have the necessary equipment and connection to get to their online courses. Equipment which is necessary for online courses includes: a computer and Internet service.

Which browsers are supported by Blackboard?

• Click here for a list of supported browsers.

• Click here to launch an automatic browser compatibility check.

How much does it cost to take courses online?

There are a few costs related to taking online courses at The King’s. Unlike many schools who have a separate higher tuition rate for courses offered online, the tuition costs for courses at The King’s is the same regardless of delivery method. However, an online fee is charged for every online course. For a list of current rates, visit our Tuition and Fees page.

How do I obtain textbooks for the courses?

A list of required textbooks will be available through TKU’s Online Bookstore, provided by eCampus, prior to the start of the course, and is available on the Campus Store page of TKU’s website. Students can access the list by logging in to the Online Bookstore.

Online courses at The King’s require the same primary textbooks as courses taught in the traditional campus-based setting. Additionally, the professor will post weekly lectures and may supplement course textbooks with additional handouts and/or prescribed reading.

How do I get started?

Complete and submit your application online here. If you have any questions contact the Office of Admissions to speak with an admissions counselor.

Blackboard Support

Mark Lopez
817.722.1769
mark.lopez@tku.edu