[ARCHIVED CATALOG] 2011-2012 Undergraduate Academic Catalog 
    
    Dec 03, 2024  
[ARCHIVED CATALOG] 2011-2012 Undergraduate Academic Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

The Center for Online Learning



Saint Leo University's Center for Online Learning (COL) was established in October 1998 to meet the needs of adult students and offer the best attributes of traditional classroom education along with today's cutting-edge computer technology. The Center offers busy working adults the opportunity to earn an associate's or bachelor's degree entirely online at http://online.saintleo.edu. No conventional classroom attendance is required. Through the Internet, COL provides students with the benefit of advancing their education without having to travel to a campus. Saint Leo's COL students receive the same associate's and bachelor's degrees as do their campus-based counterparts. The administrative staff, student services coordinators, and academic advisors can be reached at The Center for Online Learning, Saint Leo University, 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd., Suite 214, Tampa, FL 33602. Toll-free: 877/856-2144. You may also e-mail your questions to the following addresses:

Application: http://online.saintleo.edu
Admission: coladmission@saintleo.edu
VA benefits: colvabenefits@saintleo.edu
Graduation: colgraduation@saintleo.edu
Student Involvement: colinvolvement@saintleo.edu
Help Desk (eLion, Windows Live mail, and my.Saintleo.edu): helpdesk@saintleo.edu
Help Desk (eCollege): 866/501-1636
Student ID: id.cards@saintleo.edu
Update contact information: http://my.saintleo.edu. Log in. Click on eLion. Click on Students. Click on Information Change Screen.
Online help request: http://www.saintleo.edu/col/FAQ/Help.cfm

Center for Online Learning Degree Programs

Associate of Arts

Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Science

Academic Regulations and Definitions

Each of COL's courses uses a standard textbook and an online learning system. Participating via the Internet, students are expected to complete reading and homework assignments; hand in assigned papers, projects, and essays; and take online quizzes and examinations. Conversations with classmates and professors use an asynchronous message board. All professors have office hours via chat sessions and are available by e-mail and telephone.

To register for classes with COL, new students may call 888-875-8265. Continuing students must register via eLion through the University's website.

One course is considered part time, two or more courses full time. Students must apply for admission prior to taking classes but may take up to four classes before applying for admission to the University. Financial aid is available only to those students who have been admitted and have matriculated.

All students must participate in the Strategies for Success course. This mandatory pass/fail course gives students the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the process of online education, online library resources and services, and the policies and procedures of the University. All students are subject to English and math placement tests.

All students are required to take the same comprehensive examinations for graduation as on-campus and Continuing Education students, and may choose to attend the oncampus commencement ceremonies.

In addition to courses that constitute the student's major, all students must take the University's LINK (General Education) curriculum. The goal of the University's LINK core curriculum is to provide undergraduate students with an understanding of the University's Benedictine-inspired values and Catholic traditions while focusing on the liberal arts and sciences and introducing undergraduate students to an understanding of the knowledge needed to succeed in college and in lifelong learning. Saint Leo University seeks to graduate students

  • who exhibit skills in learning, writing, reading, critical thinking, technology applications, numerical applications, and adjustment to college life;
  • who exhibit skills in dealing with fundamental human questions regarding the nature of human reality, the ways in which human beings come to know the world, and issues of human morality;
  • who have learned to love learning, who understand the importance of the liberal arts as the basis for all learning, who find the curriculum relevant, and who are prepared to become lifelong learners; and
  • whose employers will indicate a positive satisfaction level with these graduates and their preparation level for suitable employment and/or graduate studies.

Library

Extensive information resources are available to all students through the Daniel A. Cannon Memorial Library. For online students, the library website (www.saintleo.edu/library) and the Ask-a-Librarian feature are designed to aid remote access to the library's resources and services. Online students may also call the reference desk at 800/359-5945 for person-to-person assistance from a reference librarian.

Computer Specifications

Saint Leo University highly recommends all students have:

  • Pentium 4 or higher PC
  • Windows XP or Windows 7
  • Internet Explorer 7.0 or higher
  • Video display 800 x 600 or greater
  • 2 gigabyte of RAM or higher
  • wired or wireless ethernet
  • Internet service provider (broadband recommended)
  • Sound card and speakers
  • CD/DVD-ROM

Software Requirements

  • Microsoft Word 2010, Excel 2010, Access 2010, and PowerPoint 2010
  • Adobe PDF 9.0
  • Adobe Flash Player 10.0

Please note that there may be software components accompanying textbook materials that are not MAC compatible. Students may experience problems using these tools as a result. Saint Leo University cannot be held responsible for students experiencing difficulty with software components that are not MAC compatible.

Technical support can be reached at 866/501-1636, 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Strategies for Success

All new students must successfully complete and pass Strategies for Success prior to their first eight-week term at Saint Leo. This two-week course introduces and acquaints students to online academic life, preparing them to be successful, active, independent learners and thinkers. University policies and procedures are also reviewed.

University Placement Exams

All new students will be placed in MAT 003  and ENG 002  unless the prerequisites for placement into higher courses are met. Prerequisites for placement into higher courses can be met through transfer credit or placement exam scores.

The placement exam process is critical in determining students' abilities and knowledge. Placement exams are designed to gauge students' aptitude and skill level in the given subject areas. Saint Leo University wants students to succeed in their academic pursuit. By accurately placing students in the appropriate courses, Saint Leo University is assisting in the achievement of that goal. College work requires a certain proficiency in English and math necessary for further study in higher-level courses.

Foundation Courses

Foundation courses are designed to provide students with the basic academic and personal skills needed to complete a college education. These courses provide a practical orientation to collegiate life, and they prepare students for the challenges and opportunities associated with completing a four-year college education. Additionally, these courses provide basic instruction in such areas as learning, writing, reading, critical thinking, computer science, and mathematics. Generally, these Foundation courses are completed during a student's first year of college.

 

This course does not satisfy a LINK (general education) requirement in English or elective credit for the associate's or bachelor's degree. This course is designed to remedy the special problems of students whose English preparation reveals marked deficiencies in verbal skills. To ensure competence in oral communications, a speech component is included. Course fee may apply. Offered every term.

 

This course does not satisfy a LINK (general education) requirement in mathematics or elective credit for the associate's or bachelor's degree. This course is designed to help students build a foundation for algebra. Topics include algebraic expressions, order of operations, linear equations, inequalities, introduction to graphing, polynomials, exponents, and factoring. Offered every term.

Student Services, Academic Advisement, and Program Coordination

my.Saintleo

Center for Online Learning students have access to the my.Saintleo portal. With a single login, students will be able to access iROAR, eLion, e-mail, and the Daniel A. Cannon Memorial Library. The portal also offers access to the Pearson Learning (formerly eCollege) classroom. my.Saintleo features a personal calendar, contacts list, briefcase, and much more. my.Saintleo is located at http://my.saintleo.edu.

eLion

The University provides Internet online registration services through the eLion system. Students will receive a login and password to the eLion system and are also provided an email account that will be the formal mode of communication between the University and the student. Access to eLion is available through http://my.saintleo.edu.

Academic Advising

Students at the Saint Leo University Center for Online Learning can count on the Center's professionals to provide them with the guidance they need to achieve their educational goals. The Center has professional academic advisors charged with the responsibility of advising students and reviewing programs and courses. The administrative staff can help resolve academic matters. All are available to assist and support by telephone at 877/856- 2144 and by e-mail or online at http://www.saintleo.edu/col.

Honor Societies

Delta Epsilon Sigma

Delta Epsilon Sigma is a national scholastic honor society for students, faculty, and alumni of colleges and universities with a Catholic tradition. It was founded in 1939 to recognize academic accomplishments, to foster scholarly activities, and to encourage a sense of intellectual community among its members. More than 100 colleges and universities have received charters to establish chapters of Delta Epsilon Sigma. Delta Nu is the local chapter of Delta Epsilon Sigma.

Sigma Beta Delta

Sigma Beta Delta, the international honor society in business, management, and administration, was founded in 1994. The Saint Leo chapter was established in 1994 as one of the founding chapters. Sigma Beta Delta was established to encourage and recognize scholarship and accomplishment among students of business, management, and administration and to encourage and promote aspirations toward personal and professional improvement and a life distinguished by honorable service to humankind. Sigma Beta Delta espouses three principles: wisdom, honor, and meaningful aspirations. Sigma Beta Delta members are challenged to pursue wisdom throughout their lives, to accept honor as a constant companion throughout their lives, and to aspire to goals that will chart them on the path of wisdom and honor throughout their lives. Sigma Beta Delta inducts eligible students and qualified faculty based on their sustained scholastic and personal achievement in business, management, and administration and a dedication to the principles of wisdom, honor, and meaningful aspirations.

Learning Resource Center

Online tutorial services are available 24/7/365 for all COL courses via a licensing agreement with Smarthinking. Online access information to Smarthinking is located in each COL classroom.