Frequently Asked Questions for Adult Students

Q. Can I really do this at this point in my life?
A. Yes! It is possible because adult students are highly motivated to reach their goals. If you have the desire to finish your education, our programs are developed to assist you as you pursue your educational goals.

Q. What is the value of an associate degree?
A. Our associate of arts degrees provide adult students with an excellent Christian foundation in the liberal arts by equipping them with the tools needed to be successful in the marketplace and in ministry. This degree also allows students to transition easily into bachelor's degree programs.

Q. How long does it take to complete the bachelor's degree program?
A. Bachelor's degrees can be earned in as little as 18-24 months, depending on the number of credits you transfer into your program.

Q. How many credits do I need to begin a bachelor's degree?
A. A student can be admitted in to our bachelor's degree programs with as few as 45 credit hours. Credits from another regionally accredited college or university will be assessed once all transcripts are received. Once transfer credits are evaluated, students will be advised on how they can quickly and efficiently complete their degrees.

Q. How many credits must be earned to receive an associate degree?
A. 60 hours of credit.

Q. How many credits must be earned to receive a bachelor's degree?
A. 120 hours of credit.

Q. I may have credits for training I have done in the military and at work. Who do I talk to about prior learning and alternative credits?
A. Many adult students earn college credit for prior life and work experiences. The Access program staff will work with you to explore the possibility of converting your work and other experiences to college credit. 

Q. Why should I study organizational leadership?
A. Point’s curriculum is designed to give the adult learner the breadth and depth of knowledge that creates the foundation for a successful career. The distinctive combination of liberal arts and business fundamentals -- taught with a Christian worldview -- will prepare each student for the global marketplace.

Q. Why should I study Christian ministries?
A. The Access Christian ministries program provides the knowledge adult learners need to effectively lead a church, a ministry within the church, or even a parachurch or other nonprofit organization.

Q. Why should I study human relations?
A. If you are interested in being a people helper, the human relations degree provides a solid foundation for understanding people and various ways to help them through difficult circumstances. If you are interested in one of the helping professions as a career, you will need to continue your education to at least a master’s degree in an area like counseling, social work, marriage and family therapy, chemical dependency, etc., to be eligible for state licensure. Point graduates with this degree have worked at the state Department of Family and Children's Services, women’s shelters, children homes, and in a variety of other helping jobs that do not require a state licensure. Others have moved directly into long-term ministry positions in the church. Many have used these positions as the financial base for continuing their education to the master’s or doctoral level.

Q. How much studying is required outside of the classroom?
A. Students should be prepared to spend 8-12 hours each week outside the classroom in preparation for class.

Q. What happens if I need to miss a night of class?
A. Class attendance is mandatory. However, an absence may be excused by notifying your instructor and the Access office. A maximum of one absence is allowed within a five-week course.

Q. When can I get started?
A. Almost immediately! We typically have five start dates during the year. Contact an enrollment specialist to apply today!

Q. What is the admission process?
A. Click here for information on the Access admission procedure and requirements.

Q. How much is tuition and what does it cover?
A. Click here for information on tuition and fees for the Access program. Point's Access students pay an application fee, a registration fee and tuition -- and that's all! Textbooks are included in tuition.

Q. Is financial aid available?
A. Yes, financial aid is available for all who qualify. As a full-time or part-time student, you will have the option to apply for grants and loans.

Q. How do I apply for financial aid?
A. Go to www.FAFSA.ed.gov and use our school code, 001547. This should be done as soon as you apply for admission.

Q. Are there resources available to adult students that would help me understand the financial aid process better?
A. This link can help you research information on financial aid for adult students.  

Q. What is tuition reimbursement?
A. Many companies realize how important it is for their employees to have the best and most up-to-date education. Because of this, many employers financially support degree completion programs for their employees.

Q. Will my VA benefits help pay for my education?
A. Contact our Financial Aid Office for more information on this topic.

Q. How do I transfer credits from another school?
A. Applicants should contact all previously attended colleges and request official transcripts to be forwarded to the Admission Office. Transfer credit is determined by the registrar on the basis that work must be from a regionally Accredited institution, be college level, and equal a 2.0 average.

Q. I am considering taking an online course to complete some of my elective credits. Can you explain what this would be like?
A. Simply stated, this is the delivery of courses and programs through the computer, using computer communications to link faculty and students. This process can occur between two computers in the same town, in the same state, or between computers on opposite sides of the earth. All students in this environment become actively involved in interactive learning groups.

Q. How does online learning work?
A. The process begins when a student enrolls in an online course. Two weeks before a course starts, a student will receive login instructions, as well as guidance from his or her advisor to orient him or her to the online course. Each student is expected to participate in the virtual classroom regularly. This includes participation, discussion, submission of regular assignments as required, and participation in team activities.

Q. How do I know when a class starts and ends?
A. Courses have regularly scheduled beginning and ending dates, and there are deadline dates assigned for your classroom activities (including your homework, assigned readings, and even virtual classroom discussion requirements). Your online instructor will give instructions to guide you through this process, so you should never be in the dark about what is required of you. Your advisor can also answer any questions you may have.

Q. What is a virtual classroom?
A. The virtual classroom is the common meeting area for all students assigned to class online. Each classroom has a unique name. Only students taking that particular class have access to the virtual classroom, thus ensuring privacy for a group of students in a course.

Q. I have trouble setting a schedule that requires me to be at the computer at the same time every day. How does your system allow me to attend class while others are not present?
A. This form of education is what is called “asynchronous.” This means what you do is not dependent on time or place. You go online to read lectures, participate in threaded discussion, and complete quizzes or exams.

Q. What does a typical class look like online?
A. Typically, courses are five to eight weeks in length. In the first week, the online instructor sends an introductory lecture to begin the study process for the week, and assigns homework or a paper. To stimulate discussions, the instructor would also typically include discussion questions related to the topic at the end of his or her lecture. As the week progresses, students work on readings, assignments and participate in classroom discussion, just as they would in a traditional classroom setting. However, students use the computer to participate in class discussions, to carry on private discussions with classmates or the instructor, to ask questions, and to receive any feedback. When assignments are due (a specific deadline is usually given for required work during the week), students send them to the instructor or to the classroom online. Instructors grade students' papers, provide feedback and comments, and keep students informed of their status on a weekly basis.

Q. Is an online course easier than an on-campus course?
A. Online and on-campus courses have the same outcomes expectation. The focus of the work is different, however. For example, all of your focus in an online course is toward reading and writing. This is not the case in a classroom setting, where part of your attention is to listening and observation.

Q. Is Point accredited?
A. Point University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award the associate and baccalaureate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Point.