Get help here with all course-related questions. If you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, email us.
Q. How do your online extension courses work?
A. Our extension courses are not lecture-based, they are asynchronous, so you can log in any time of the day or night to access the course materials. To facilitate the flow of discussion in the online course forums, each course is divided into units. You will be encouraged to progress through the course alongside the other participants.
Q. Do you offer scholarships for your extension courses?
A. Yes. Our policy is that no one should be excluded from our extension courses based on finances. Use this link for tuition support details.
Q. What time do your online lectures start?
A. Our online extension courses are not lecture-based, they are “asynchronous.” That means you can log in any time of night or day to study and post in the forums. This way people in different time zones can participate at their convenience. All courses also have course-wide webinars, and these are timed so that a majority of the participants can attend. We post Zoom video recordings in the course so those who could not attend can watch on their own time and benefit from the discussions.
Q. Who can take an extension course?
A. Members of any religion or no religion who are interested in our courses are welcome. Most extension courses are designed for young adults aged 18 to 30. Individuals outside this age range are welcome to express interest; priority will be given to those within the intended demographic. If additional spaces become available, we will contact those on the waiting list.
Q. What time of year do your extension courses start?
A. Our extension courses are spread throughout the year to allow learners to take more than one course annually. Extension courses typically start on a Wednesday, with a 1-week introductory unit, so that participants who have not yet taken our orientation course may do so. In the first week, participants will also be invited to introduce themselves to other learners taking the course. After that first unit, new course materials are posted on Wednesdays, and you will have one week to reflect on those materials and to complete any unit activities, such as discussion in the unit forum.
Q. How long are your extension courses?
A. The standard “Connecting for Change” course is 10 weeks long, including the 1-week orientation period.
Q. How much time will I need to devote to an extension course?
A. For a typical extension course, expect to spend at least four hours a week reading, watching videos, studying, attending course-wide Zoom sessions if applicable, and posting in the forums. The more time you put into your studies, the more you will benefit.
Q. What software do I need for the extension courses?
A. We use an educational platform called Moodle. It works with your internet browser (no downloads required). The self-study online Orientation course begins with a section on how to navigate in Moodle. You can also find all the info you need on Moodle here on our website: Moodle Tutorials page.
Q. Will I be able to access the extension course on my iPad or smartphone?
A. Yes. Moodle has apps for iPhones and Android phones. A desktop or laptop computer is recommended in addition to your mobile device.
Q. What payment types are accepted for extension courses?
A. We accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express. We cannot accept payment by PayPal or other money transfer options. An alternative is to pay by check. For more details see “Can I pay by check?”
Note that our graduate-level certificate program in Social Transformation is tuition-free.
Q. Can I pay for my extension course by check?
A. Yes, extension courses allow you to register without paying online. Simply select “Offline/Other” as the payment type on the checkout page. Checks or Money Orders should be made out to “Bahá’í Services Fund: Wilmette Institute” and mailed to Wilmette Institute, Bahá’í National Center, 1233 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201. You must include a note indicating the payment is for a Tuition FEE. Please also email the Registrar: learn@wilmetteinstitute.org to let us know when you have mailed your fee.
Q. Will I receive a grade or certificate for my extension course?
A. Extension course student work is not graded. Quizzes are to help you learn, not to assess your knowledge.
If you would like to obtain a Certificate of Completion for the course, you will need to complete a subset of activities selected by your instructor. Details can be found within each course.
If you do not understand the requirements for your course, we invite you to contact the office of Student Services for assistance: Email: learn@wilmetteinstitute.org; Phone: (847) 733-3466.
Q. What are the online forum guidelines for your extension courses?
A. Our courses aim to promote knowledge, insights and service in a coherent manner. By using our forums you are agreeing to follow these guidelines in order to enhance the experience for all participants in our learning community. [https://wilmetteinstitute.org/wi-forum-etiquette-guidelines/]
