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Online Courses

Frequently Asked Questions

Please select one of the categories below for answers to your questions. If you cannot find an answer to your question, please contact Professional & Online Studies at 877.288.0423.

About Online Programs

Is Buena Vista University accredited?
We are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Does BVU offer online degree programs?
Yes, BVU Online currently offers a Master of Education degree for working teachers with two tracks – "Effective Teaching and Instructional Leadership" and "Teaching English as a Second Language" – and undergraduate degree completion programs in Business Administration, Health Services Leadership, and Organizational Leadership, and Psychology.
I am enrolled at one of the BVU Professional & Online Studies locations. Can I take online courses?
Yes, students at enrolled at a BVU Center may enroll in any BVU Online undergraduate course to supplement their face-to-face program.
How long are the courses or on what schedule do they run?
The BVU Professional & Online Studies programs run by terms, not semesters.
How long is each term?
Each term is 8 weeks long. All terms begin on a Monday and run through the last Sunday of the 8 week period.
When do the terms start?
Term 1: Sep/Oct, Term 2: Nov/Dec, Term 3: Jan/Feb, Term 4: Mar/Apr, Term 5: May/Jun, Term 6: Jul/Aug
The terms follow the academic year, not the calendar year. See the term schedule for specific dates.
Will my diploma be different or specify that it's from an online program?
No. Your degree will from Buena Vista University, and as a BVU student you will receive the same diploma whether you get your degree online, at one of the Professional & Online locations, or at the residential campus.

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Admissions/Financial Aid Questions

What are the admission requirements?
Visit the appropriate program page for specific Admissions requirements.
What is the tuition cost?
For the most current tuition costs, please see the Tuition & Costs page.
What is the admissions deadline?
Undergraduate: Admissions to BVU Online Program Office undergraduate programs are reviewed on a rolling basis. To ensure acceptance, be sure to have a completed application submitted at least two weeks prior to a term start.
Graduate: Admissions to the graduate program are reviewed approximately every four weeks. Applications must be completed and received at least 4 weeks prior to the start of the term in which you want to begin.
What if I do not have the prerequisites for the program?
Undergraduate: Students lacking prerequisites for the Business Administration degree completion will be required to attain those courses before entrance into the program. The BVU Professional and Online Studies program provides 15 locations around Iowa where we operate offices and provide face-to-face courses. One of our locations may help you to complete required pre-requisites.
Where do I submit my application?
You can apply online. Mail all of your required items (transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.) to:
Online Admissions Office
Buena Vista University
610 W. Fourth Street
Storm Lake, IA 50588
How much is the application fee?
There is no application fee.
What does the $80.00 technology fee pay for?
The $80.00 technology fee provides access to all required software, including the Microsoft Office Professional Suite, SPSS and the latest plug-ins used for courses, plus access to 24/7 technical support. This is a one time fee covering two years, charged to your account upon acceptance.
What is the estimated cost of books?
The estimated cost of each text book is between $80.00 and $150.00. Books are available to order online through the BVU Bookstore and can be delivered directly to your home.
When will I be notified of my acceptance?
Undergraduate: You will be notified of your acceptance usually within one week after receipt of your application.
Graduate: You will be notified immediately after the review process has been completed. Applications are typically reviewed during the second and fifth week of an academic term.
Does Buena Vista University accept transfer graduate credit?
Yes. Transfer of credits is limited as follows:
  • No more than six hours may be transferred into the student's program.
  • Transfer credit must consist of course work that has been obtained from an accredited graduate program within the past eight years.
  • Only course work with an obtained grade of "B" or above may be transferred.
  • The Admissions Committee will examine the courses for similarity of content and will approve or disapprove the transfer by a simple majority vote.
How many credit hours will transfer from my previous college?
Undergraduate: Students are required to complete a minimum of 60 credits from a four-year (baccalaureate) institution and a minimum of 30 credits from BVU, therefore, a maximum of 98 credits will be applied toward the degree, of which no more than 68 may be from a two-year college.
Graduate: Candidates for the Master of Education degree may transfer up to 6 hours of previous graduate credit with approval from the Graduate Education program.
How do I file for Financial Aid?
Eligibility for Financial assistance in the form of loans is determined by the Financial Assistance Office after completing the online Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the FAFSA (this link will open a new browser window). Check the Financial Aid page for details.
What is the deadline to file for financial aid?
Financial Aid information should be completed as soon as possible. Please indicate that your SAR (Student Aid Report) should be sent to Buena Vista University.
What is the federal school code for financial aid?
BVU's SAR code is 001847.

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General Course/Program Questions

How do I register for online courses?
Contact us at online@bvu.edu or 877.288.0423. You can also register online through Campus Connect .
Can I start at anytime during the year?
Students may begin a program during any of the 6 terms each year. Check the Term Schedule.
Do I complete the courses at my own pace?
No. Each course is divided up into 8-weekly workshops. The workshops begin on Monday and end on Sunday. Within each workshop there will be due dates to keep you on track.
The courses are group-paced: you can work ahead a little bit, but not so much that you'll lose the rest of the class.
Do I need to be online at certain times for class/group discussions etc.?
There are no set times that you will need to be online. However, your instructor may have optional chat times and within your group you may set times to be online.
How much time will I spend each week on class work?
Undergraduate: Students should expect to spend between 12-15 hours a week per class.
Graduate: Students should expect to spend between 15-18 hours a week.
These time-on-task estimates will vary from student to student, but they are based on the amount of time you would typically spend in class and work on assignments outside of class for a traditional, face-to-face semester course.
How many courses can I take at one time?
Undergraduate students may take up to two classes per term. Graduate students may take only one class per term and up to two classes during Term 6 (July-August).
Will I be able to complete my program within two years?
The course schedule is set up so that students may enter the program during any term and should be able to complete within two years as long as they maintain an appropriate load. When you enroll in the program, your advisor will develop a plan of study based on your needs and the schedule to keep you on track for achieving your goals in the desired time frame.
Undergraduate: Students would need to complete 10 courses per year to complete the program in 2 years, depending on transfer credit.
Graduate: Students would need to complete 5 courses per year to finish a degree within two years. The schedule does provide for taking courses in only 5 out of 6 terms, if desired.
Is there a spring or fall break during my course?
No, there are not breaks during the term. There will be a Holiday break after Term 2, at the end of the calendar year.
How do I order my textbooks?
All books for online courses can be ordered online through Buena Vista University's Lehnus Campus Bookstore operated by Follett, Inc. Books ordered from the BVU Lehnus Campus Bookstore are kept in stock for all BVU courses, and they ship the same business day if orders are received before 3 PM CST. You usually will get your books within 2-3 business days of placing an order. (If you choose to order from other online bookstores, you may not get your books on time. Remember, online book sellers do not necessarily keep books in stock, especially textbooks, so you may have to wait more than a week to get your books.)
For complete instructions on ordering books online through the BVU Lehnus Campus Bookstore, go to the Ordering Books help guide.

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Getting Help Questions

Is there technical support available?
Technical support is available through the BVU 2FIX Help Desk (800.248.4462). Students may also post help inquires (such as technical, library, financial aid, registration, etc.) through our BVU Support Desk system and will generally receive a response during the next business day. Help for non-technical questions is also available during regular business hours (8 AM – 5 PM CST) through the BVU Online Program Office office at 1-877-288-0423.
Who do I contact if I have problems or need help?
If you are having any technical problems and you are enrolled in a BVU Online course, you may contact the 2FIX Help Desk. For academic and student services questions or problems, you may contact the BVU Support Desk (student services questions) or call our offices at 877-288-0423 M-F from 8 AM to 5 PM CST. For course assignment questions, please contact your instructor.
How do I contact my professor(s) if I have a question?
Professors are always available to you via the "General Q & A" discussion forum in each course in ANGEL and via private email. Also, most faculty hold regular office hours when they will be available via telephone and/or online chat. Faculty will respond to emails and discussion area questions within 48 hours or less.

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Undergraduate Degree

How many credit hours are required for graduation?
Bachelor of Arts students need a total of 128 credit hours to complete their degree.

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Graduate Degree Questions

How many credit hours are required for graduation?
Master of Education students enrolled in the Effective Teaching and Instructional Leadership Track need to complete 30 credit hours. Master of Education students enrolled in the Teaching English as a Second Language Track need to complete 31 credit hours.
Can I complete my degree entirely online?
Yes. All of the classes are online and there is not a campus requirement.
How long does it take to complete the Master of Education program?
You can complete your degree in less than two years if you maintain continuous enrollment.
How many courses can I take at one time?
During terms 1-5, you can take one course per term and during term 6, you can take 2 courses (if available), which is a maximum of 6-7 courses per year.
How long do I have to complete my degree once I begin?
All requirements submitted in fulfillment of the master of education degree must be completed within a period of eight years.
Is there a thesis requirement for the Master's program?
No. Instead of a thesis, you will complete a capstone portfolio.

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Email Questions

How do I access my BVU email?
BVU uses an email program called Novell GroupWise. You can access it online at https://ngw.bvu.edu/gw/webacc.
What is my GroupWise Password?
GroupWise and Novell passwords are the same and are initially set to your full BVU ID. This password expires every 365 days.
What is the difference between GroupWise and ANGEL email?
Every Buena Vista University faculty member and student will get a BVU email account. BVU uses a program called Novell GroupWise as its email system and GroupWise WebAccess is the internet version, so your BVU email is often referred to as "your GroupWise email." For more information, please view the GroupWise Webaccess guide.
ANGEL has its own internal mail system that is course specific and entirely separate from GroupWise.

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ANGEL Questions

How do I log in to the ANGEL e-learning platform and use its tools?
Go to https://elearning.bvu.edu/ and log in using your BVU username and password. In your Courses list, you will see the ANGEL Orientation for Students – Go through this short course prior to the start of the term to become familiar with all the necessary tools in ANGEL.
What's my Username for ANGEL?
Your BVU Username is the first four letters of your last name followed by the first three letters of your first name (John Smith = smitjoh). You will use this same username for all BVU programs/applications, including ANGEL, GroupWise email, Campus Connect, and Library databases.
What is my ANGEL Password?
Your initial password for ANGEL is the last four digits of your BVU Student ID Number.
Why isn't my class for next term showing up?
Your course will not be made available to you until the Wednesday (i.e., 5 days) prior to the start of the term.
My course has started or is about to start (within 5 days of the start date). Why isn't my class showing up?
If you are a new student and have never attended BVU, it may take 1-3 days for all your accounts to be created.
If you are a returning BVU student and just registered for the course, you will be enrolled in your course twice each business day: between 11 AM-1 PM and between 4-5 PM.
Why won't the attachments button work? Why won't links in pages work (to websites, articles, etc)?
Many of the features in ANGEL, such as submitting attachments and links, require pop-up windows to open. If your browser uses a pop-up blocker, you will not be able open those windows (when you click on the button/link, nothing will happen). You will need to enable pop-ups for ANGEL.
I got locked out of a Quiz or Exam, what should I do?
If you are locked out of a quiz or exam, contact your instructor immediately and let him/her know! You should tell your instructor the title quiz/exam, which workshop it's in, and the problem you're experiencing (i.e., if you accidentally submit it before you were ready, if you don't see the link to access the quiz, etc). Your instructor will be able to either clear your attempt or contact the course administrator for more help.
Is there a way to read all the discussion forum postings at once, without clicking around?
Yes! Go to the discussion forum and click the Utilities link at the top (below the title). Select Print Discussion Forum link, and then Print Threads to see the entire forum, or select individual threads to view. A new window will pop-up with all the messages. You can then print the forum, or copy-and-paste it into a Word document to read off-line.
Can I make my ANGEL "Courses List " smaller?
Yes, if you have taken a lot of online courses you can clean up your courses list and only have the active courses displayed.
On your Angel Home page, click the edit button on the right side of the "Courses" section heading. Uncheck the older courses that you no longer want listed on your Home page. Click the Save button at the bottom. The courses you unchecked will no longer be listed on your Home page (you'll still be enrolled in them), making it easier for you to access your active courses.
I have dial-up internet. Is there any way I can make ANGEL load quicker?
Yes, you can disable the images by using the PDA mode.
Click the PDA button in the lower-left corner of Angel, then click the OK button. You'll see only the plain text, which will increase the speed at which you browse Angel. Click the Courses link to see a list of the courses in which you are enrolled.
To exit PDA mode, simply click the Normal Display link in the bottom navigation bar.

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Internet Browser Questions

How do I enable pop-ups in my browser?
You will need to enable pop-ups for ANGEL in order to use many of the features of ANGEL (such as attachments). Follow the instructions below to add the ANGEL URL "elearning.bvu.edu" to the list of allowed sites.
Internet Explorer: Tools > Internet Options > Privacy tab > Settings button > add the ANGEL URL
Mozilla Firefox: Tools > Options > Content tab > Allowed Sites button > add the ANGEL URL
Netscape Navigator: Tools > Options > Site Controls > Add Site button > enter the ANGEL URL and select "I trust this site"
I logged into my new course, but I only see stuff from my old course.
If you are using Internet Explorer for your browser, you will need to clear the History, Cookies, and Saved Files.
How do I clear my Browser's Cache or History?
Internet Explorer: Tools > Internet Options > General tab > Delete Cookies, Delete Files, Clear History
Mozilla Firefox: Tools > Options > Privacy button > then clear the History, Cookies, Cache
Netscape Navigator: Tools > Options > Privacy > Clear Cache, Cookies, Page History

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Technical Course Questions

What are the technical requirements to take a BVU Online course?
In order to take an online course or to complete a degree program, there are minimum technical requirements that your computer must fulfill. If your computer does not meet these requirements, you will not be able to properly access or view necessary course content.
What is the difference between WPD, WKS, RTF and DOC files?
WPD, WKS, RTF, and DOC are all examples of file extensions from word processing programs. The file extension is based on the program that was used to create the file.
  • WPD – WordPerfect file, which can only be opened with Corel WordPerfect software
  • WKS – Microsoft Works file, which can only be opened with Microsoft Works software
  • DOC – Microsoft Word (part of the Microsoft Office Suite), which can only be opened with Microsoft Word software
  • RTF – Rich Text Format, which can be opened with almost any word processing program, including Microsoft Word
I do not have Microsft Office; how should I submit my assignments?
If you use a word processing program other than Microsoft Word, you must save your files with the Rich Text Format (.rtf) so your instructor can open them. Simply use File > Save As and for the file type select Rich Text Format.
Open Office is a free office suite that works on multiple platforms. It is compatible with all other major office suites, so it will open and save *.doc files and *.rtf files.
Why can't I open Microsoft Office 2007 files?
The default file format in Office 2007 is a *.docx file (x for XML). Users with older versions of Office can download a compatibility pack from Microsoft's website in order to view the Office 2007 *.docx files. See the 2FIX tech blog for additional information.
Can I print a small portion of a webpage?
Yes, highlight the section you want to print, then go to the File menu and select Print. In the "Print Range" section, choose Selection (instead of "All"). Select your printer and click the Print button.
Alternatively, you could copy-and-paste the desired information into a Word document and then print that.

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