FAQ’s

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.  Is online education exactly like taking a correspondence course?

The primary similarities between online education and a correspondence course are that (1) the course is written by the professor and (2) the course is designed for distance education.  However, the online learning environment is highly interactive, as the student regularly interacts with both professor and peers, allowing for a synergistic learning experience.  Below is a more detailed description of the online educational experience.

2.  Does the King’s University operate on a quarter system or a semester system?  What’s the difference?

The King’s University operates on a quarter calendar. There are three quarters in the academic year which occur from September to June (Fall, Winter and Spring) as well as a fourth Summer quarter.  During the academic year each session is ten weeks in length with an additional week for examinations. This contrasts with a semester system, which has Fall and Spring semesters of approximately 16 weeks (including a final examination week).

During each quarter, there are two consecutive online sessions which are each 6 weeks in length.

Presently, Messianic Jewish Studies courses are only offered in the Fall, Winter, and Spring quarters.

3.  As a Messianic Jewish believer, am I required to take exams on Saturday/Shabbat?

While exams for the online courses at The King’s University (TKU) are in several cases scheduled to take place on Saturday, the school has officially exempted all Messianic Jewish Studies (MJS) students from taking exams on Shabbat.  This policy is not limited to MJS courses, but extends for MJS students to all courses offered at the TKU.  MJS students may opt to take their exams on Sunday instead of Saturday.

In order to employ this option, it is the responsibility of the MJS students to confirm with their professors their need to take exams on the Sunday following the concluding Saturday of the online courses. The Office of the Registrar will immediately handle the exam date change to Sunday without any financial penalty to students for date changes.

4.  How long do courses last?

Online Courses are done in six-week increments.  There are two six-week online sessions per quarter.  During each online class, each student is required to login at 5 days/week, but the time of day is not important.

Modular Courses are done on-campus in Van Nuys, CA.  The classroom time for a 3-credit course is pressed into three 8-hour days of classroom lecture.  Typically these courses are offered back-to-back over a six-day period, so a student could complete 6 credits of classroom time within those six days.  Each class has additional out-of-class assignments (e.g. book critiques, research papers, exams, etc.) which are to be completed within 6 weeks of the end of the modular course.

Traditional classes for resident students occur over an 11-week period.

Presently, all of our the specifically Messianic Jewish Studies courses are offered only in the online and modular formats.

5.  Can a degree be earned entirely online, or would I need to relocate to Southern California?

The following degrees/certificates can be earned entirely online:

• Bachelor of Theological Studies with a Messianic Jewish Concentration
• Bachelor Certificate in Messianic Jewish Studies
• Graduate Certificate in Messianic Jewish Studies

Both Master’s Degree programs – Master of Divinity (M.Div.) in Messianic Jewish Studies and the Master of Practical Theology (M.PT) in Messianic Jewish Studies — require 45 hours of on-ground/on-campus credit to be earned.  These hours all can be earned in Modular courses.

Relocation is not necessary in the earning of any of the Messianic Jewish Studies Degrees/Certificates.

6.  How do the online classes work?

Students new to online education at The King’s will take Student Learning Development as their first online course. Student Learning Development is designed to maximize your comfort with the “Moodle” online learning environment and to ensure that you can access and participate in online courses without technical issues. The course will teach you how to use the various features and tools that enable you to communicate with the instructor and other students.

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 in 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 facilitates class discussion, provides important input, and oversees the course.

• On the weekend preceding each week, professors upload course lectures, reading requirements, and class assignments for the week.
• Lectures are presented in typed format, though the online learning environment software also allows for multimedia to be utilized as well.
• Online classes are done in what is called an “asynchronous” format. Each student is required to login 5 out of 7 days a week, but there is no set time each day when that must occur.  So at your convenience, 5 days a week, you login, read the material, enter your assignments, respond to the posts others have made, etc.  If 1:00 AM is what works for you, then that’s when you can do your assignments.  It provides maximum flexibility.  And when other students login, they will enter their assignments/posts, and then read yours and respond to yours.  This type of interaction is a critical part of the online learning environment.
• Weekly assignments typically include assigned reading portions followed by thought-provoking questions.  Questions are answered in Discussion Boards, somewhat similar in nature to a Facebook-type thread.  Ongoing interaction with the professor and other students is a significant part of the learning experience in the online environment. Therefore, not only are students to post their own answers to the given questions, but also they are to read the posts of other students and substantively respond and interact.   The time requirement varies per class, but you could expect approximately 10-12 hours of time to be devoted to each class per week in this format.

7. What are the requirements for taking online courses?

Just as on-ground student needs a car to get to on-ground courses, 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 the following: Adequate access to a computer and Internet service, motivated by the desire to learn. Courses do not require a high-speed Internet connection. For more information see Online Computer System Requirements

Before taking any online classes, The King’s University requires that all students take an online class called “Student Learning Development,” a comprehensive learning development course required of online learners to maximize online learning skills and effectiveness. Instruction provides a thorough introduction to The King’s University and to the online Socratic learning style.

8.  Do online classes require that I login to a class at a particular time each day?  Do all students have to be online at the same time?

No, all online courses are taught asynchronously. Although students must log into their online course 5 days out of 7, they may log in at whatever time of day is best for them.

9.  What is the difference between modular courses and online courses?

Online courses may be utilized from anywhere in the world, as long as you have a computer and Internet access.  They are 6 weeks in length.  All coursework is to be completed during those six weeks.

Modular courses occur over a 3-day period, 8 hours/day.  They are most often taught at the campus of The King’s University in Van Nuys, CA, although they are occasionally taught in a satellite location.  Students have six weeks following the 3-days of lecture to complete all coursework for the class.

10.  Is online education really an effective way to learn?

Yes. Studies have shown that online education students often score higher than those who attend courses on-ground. Online courses provide more opportunities  for direct interaction with the professor in addition to opportunities for regular class participation, which allows students to express their ideas more frequently and in greater depth.

11.  Are there any additional costs for taking online courses?

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.  See The Schedule of Tuition and Fees.

12.  What is the recommended number of online courses a student should take a quarter?

Courses are offered in two sessions every quarter.  Students who are new to online learning at The King’s may only take one course in their first session. After their first session, students may enroll for a maximum of two courses. So students who are new to online could take one course in their first session and 2 courses in their second session resulting in 3 courses for the quarter.

13.  Is financial aid available?

Yes.  In order to gain access to Federal Financial Aid, you will need to apply by accessing the Financial Aid Department at the website of The King’s University.  You can also contact the Financial Aid Department at The King’s University by calling 818.779.8040 or emailing your questions to financialaid@kingsuniversity.edu.

Jewish Voice Ministries, Int’l.  has also made available The Louis and Chira Kaplan Memorial Scholarship Fund. The scholarship application is available on the application download page.  To be eligible for this scholarship, applicants must commit to take a minimum of 12 quarter hours from the Messianic Jewish Studies Program over the three quarters of the academic year.

14.  I have earned college credit from another institution.  Will that credit transfer to the Kings?

In order to determine which credits will transfer, you will want to fax a copy of your official transcripts to the office of Admissions at 818.779.8429 or email them to the Director of Admissions, Marilyn Chappell, at mchappell@kingsuniversity.edu Mrs. Chappell will be able to accurately inform you as to which credits would transfer.

15.  How do I get started?

Applying for admission at The King’s University is a very easy process. Students are accepted for matriculation for any quarter in the academic year—Fall, Winter, Spring, or Summer. Applications are not reviewed until all of the steps have been followed and all of the information received.

1. Download your application for admission and request for transcripts. Fill out the application form and send it back to the institution. It is important that the entire application be filled out. Leaving parts of it blank or not including requested information may result in the application being delayed or denied.

2. Be sure to supply The King’s with official transcripts of all prior academic work for schools previously attended. Official transcripts must be sent from the previously attended school to The King’s directly. We are unable to accept transcripts from anyone but the prior institution. Be mindful that this can sometimes be a lengthy process, and most schools charge a small fee for the service. If you have any questions, please contact us. (818.779.8040)

Please have official copies of all transcripts sent directly from the issuing school(s) to:

Office of Admissions
The King’s University, 
14800 Sherman Way
Van Nuys, CA 91405-2233

Be sure that you send in the non-refundable $75 application fee with your application. Failure to submit the fee may result in the application being delayed or denied.

In rare situations, The King’s may need additional information in order to process an Application for Admission. The school may request a personal interview, psychological testing or other information as a part of the admissions evaluation.

16.  What if I am not necessarily interested in earning a degree, but would like to be a part of a particular course?

In that case, auditing a course as a non-credit student is a simple and inexpensive way to gain the knowledge and understanding you seek.  By auditing a course, you have full access to the class material.  While you will not be graded or earn credit, your level of participation will determine the benefit you receive from the course.  Maximum participation will result in maximum benefit.

17.  Do I need to take courses in any specific sequence?

Unless a course specifies that it requires certain prerequisites, then courses need not be taken in any specific sequence.

18. Am I required to take a certain number of courses each quarter?

No.  You can earn your degree or certificate at your own pace.  If your schedule only allows one class per quarter, that is perfectly acceptable.  Your choice of course load will ultimately determine the length of time it takes for you to earn your degree/certificate.

19.  Is there housing available at the King’s?

There are no dormitories at The King’s University.

20.  Is it possible to share a house with fellow students at the school?

It is possible, but the King’s does not officially coordinate housing arrangements.  Often students will find one another through advertising at the school.  There is a “placement” section on the King’s website at which students can list housing opportunities for potential roommates, etc.  This section, however, is only available to be viewed by students who have already gone through the process of admission and have been issued a username and password with which to sign in.