
Browse F.A.Q. Topics
Credits
Will I receive the same number of Full Learning Week (FLW) credits as Learning Components Units (LCU) credits?
FLW credits and LCU credits are different credits, each awarded for the kind of training received. Should an Extension Studies student want to have their LCU credits become part of a degree with the UofN, they would apply to the Dean of the College who will be awarding the degree, to consider the LCU credits as Transfer Credit. The Dean would then evaluate the training received through the Extension Studies course, its appropriateness for the degree being pursued, and award FLW credit as they see fit. This is the same process as if you ask for prior learning from a different educational institution to be considered for Transfer Credit.Why are the courses limited to maximum 150 hours of focused learning activities?
Typically, Extension Studies courses are short part-time courses to serve the wider Body of Christ and are not a replacement for our Full Learning Week residential courses. Having courses which are not too long enables your participants to have the sense of accomplishment of completion of the training received. Should you desire to have a longer track of training, you can create a number of courses, Part 1, Part 2 Part 3 etc. with the prerequisites that the previous part needs to be successfully completed before enrolling in the next part.How do the credits earned with Extension Studies relate to a UofN degree path?
The credits earned through Extension Studies are LCU (Learning Component Units) with ONE credit earned for every twenty-five hours of focused learning activities. The student can request that any Extension Studies credits be considered for a degree that they are pursuing through the UofN. It will be the Dean of the College which is awarding the degree who decides if the Extension Studies courses taken are relevant for that degree, and if so how may credits will be awarded. So, for example, if you have completed an Extension Studies course in Barista skills, you might be able to make an excellent cup of coffee, but these credits would not be appropriate for a Biblical Studies degree.What credits will my students get with Extension Studies?
The credits earned in Extension Studies are called Learning Component Units credits, or LCU credits for short. One credit is earned for every twenty-five hours of focused learning activities. These credits validate the learning of the student with a UofN accreditation. If a student is pursuing a degree with the UofN, LCU are treated as transfer credits and as such, the Dean of the College awarding the degree will decide the credit value for that degree.
General
What do I need to know when creating an Online Extension Studies course?
Please visit our page outlining the parameters for online courses registered with the UofN and which will be able to earn LCU credit. Click the link here.Where can I find the different nation categories?
You are able to find the different nation categories by clicking here.Is there a lower age limit for someone to be registered for an Extension Studies Course?
Yes, they need to be at least 15 years old.What about the ‘DTS First’, principle for YWAM training?
Extension Studies is a complementary training platform designed to serve the many people who desire to engage with YWAM training but are not in a position to join our UofN residential schools, and therefore a DTS is not required for Extension Studies courses. Should a participant then desire to do further training with us and pursue a UofN degree then they would need to do a DTS first, and then the further UofN courses needed for the degree they would want to pursue.Can a YWAMer take an Extension Studies course?
Anyone can take an Extension Studies course, so yes of course.Some of our YWAM operating locations find the Extension Studies platform an ideal way to create ongoing part-time staff training programmes. All the values of our Extension Studies apply, which enables some great in-house training.How do I determine the level of my course, 100, 200, 300 etc?
The course levels are determined as follows:- 100 level, is the introductory level.
- 200 level is broad knowledge in a specialized field, moving beyond the introductory level.
- 300 level is specialized knowledge with growing depth in an area; the equivalent to an undergraduate level course.
- 400 level is broad and coherent knowledge with depth in underlying principles; moving towards the graduate level of training.
- 500 level is an advanced senior professional level.
What do I do if I am both the base leader and course leader?
If your course is at an introduction level, this should not be a problem, but if it is at a more advanced level, we would like to have your leader, whoever that might be give their confirmation that you are qualified to teach/lead the course you are planning.Can intercession be included in my Extension Studies course?
We value intercession and would encourage you to make it part of your Extension Studies course, but the Extension Studies course should be built around specific focused learning activities. These should be measurable with clear learning outcomes, so as important as intercession is, it would not normally be included in the credit hours of the course. An exception to this might be if you were teaching an intercession course, then you would need to have clear measurable goals/outcomes that you were able to evaluate during the intercession times.Do worship times count towards the “Focused Learning Activities”?
We value worship and would encourage you to make it part of your Extension Studies course, but the Extension Studies course should be built around specific focused learning activities. These should be measurable with clear learning outcomes, so as important as worship is, it would not normally be included in the credit hours of the course. An exception to this might be if you were teaching a course Ion worship, and then you would need to have clear and measurable goals/outcomes that you were able to evaluate during the worship times.Can an outreach be included in my Extension Studies course?
Yes, but not in the traditional sense and it will take some work on your part as course leader. Extension Studies Courses work by engaging the student in focused learning activities that have clear learning outcomes, and these need to be measurable. So, an outreach could only be included if you are able to identify, observe and evaluate such specific learning goals. These goals would need to be clearly identified in the registration process.What is the difference between Extension Studies and Online Extension Studies?
Extension Studies courses are run at a physical location, where the students come together to participate in the course. For more information about the differences click here. Online Extension Studies are courses which students from around the world can enrol, log-on, and study online. There are clear guidelines for Online Extension Studies courses. Click here for more information.What is an Extension Studies Course?
Extension Studies courses are created and led by YWAMers to equip and train people in a particular area. Every course is short and typically part-time andregistered at an existing YWAM Operating Location, even if it is held at a different location. Extension Studies courses are ways for us YWAMers to get the training we are passionate about out to the wider body of Christ, and beyond, in a way that has the backing and accreditation of the UofN. Extension Studies Courses:- Have focused learning activities with clear learning outcomes;
- These outcomes are measurable, so the student’s progress can be monitored, evaluated and celebrated;
- Each course is connected to a YWAM centre/base/campus with the agreement of the leader of that ministry;
- Are led by enthusiastic, knowledgeable YWAMers, eager to serve the course participant with the training they want to impart.
Grading
Why do I have to give a grade to my Extension Studies students?
All Extension Studies Courses have focused learning activities with clear learning outcomes. These need to be measurable to both the course participant and the course staff, so the progress of the student can be tracked throughout the course. The final grade is a way for both the course staff but especially the students to celebrate how far they have come with the journey of learning they embarked on.Can “Satisfactory” or “Unsatisfactory” be used as Extension Studies grades?
No, all Extension Studies Courses have focused learning activities with clear learning outcomes. These need to be measurable to both the course participant and the course staff, so the progress of the student can be tracked throughout the course with a final grade being given.How do I create a good grading or evaluation system for my participants and final course evaluation?
Having a well thought-through evaluation process that is clear for both the participants and the course staff is very important. Student evaluation, when done well, becomes a great encouragement to the participants as they see their progress through the learning journey. Click here for some training videos in evaluation and grading rubrics.
Registering
How do I create an Extension Studies course from my Full Learning Week (FLW) curriculum?
I want to take some Extension Studies courses: where can I find them?
Primarily, Extension Studies courses are courses YWAMers create to serve their targeted audience. If you are aware of such a course being run in your area or at a YWAM base or campus, then you can find out what the course in teaching and if you are able to join. There are a growing number of Online Extension Studies courses that are available for people to train with, but the Extension Studies platform is designed for YWAMers to serve the wider world with the training they are passionate about. Take time to read through the whole web site, it is very informative.How much detail do I need to provide about the course content?
When you register your Extension Studies course, we ask that you break down the course topics/activates into 5-7 hour learning units.This is for two main reasons:- So the course evaluators are able to get a real understanding of your course, and what the UofN Extension Studies Centre is approving.
- Should the student want this course to be included in a degree with the UofN, the College Dean will need to see exactly what the course entailed for them to award the appropriate number of FLW credits towards that degree.
Can I begin registration of the course after it has been completed?
We strongly advise against this as your course might not meet the criteria of an Extension Studies course. Should this be the case, we would need to refuse your registration.Should the seminar I am planning be registered under Extension Studies, or as a traditional Full Learning Week seminar?
I need help creating my Extension Studies course, what can I do?
There are a number of resources available on our help page, click here to access that. Contact the Extension Studies Registrar for ideas and support:[email protected]What happens after I submit my new Extension Studies course to the UofN?
Your course goes through an approval process as follows:- First, the Extension Studies Registrar looks through the submission to make sure everything has been completed properly;
- If there is anything that needs adjustment or explanation, our registrar will be in touch with you;
- When this step is complete, it is forwarded to the Extension Studies Director who decides the approval path;
- The course then is passed through the various course reviewers;
- If there are any questions or adjustments needed, the course will be returned to you for these to be made, after which you resubmit the course;
- Once the review process is complete, you will receive an email confirming its approval.
Where do I register my participants after my Extension Studies course?
This is the same place as you would register students after any UofN course. Watch this video taking you through the stepsHow do I register my participants for my Extension Studies course?
Watch a video explaining how to register your students when your Extension Studies course is completed.How do I re-register my Extension Studies course, so I can run it another time?
You re-register your course in the same place you would register your other UofN schools, the UofN Web App connected to your base/campus.How do I register my Extension Studies course?
You register your course in the same place you would register your other UofN schools, the UofN Web App connected to your base/campus.Can an Extension Studies course be created to train people in practical skills?
Absolutely! Extension Studies is a great platform for training people in practical skills. Remember, Extension Studies works on the basis of ‘focused learning activities’ so the skills you want to impart need to be broken down into measurable learning steps, so you can evaluate your students as they grow in these skills along with knowledge, godly attitudes.Where do I go to register my Extension Studies course?
Each Extension Studies course needs to be connected to one of our UofN registered bases or Campuses. You will register your course with your base/campus who grants you course leader status at their campus. This video will walk you through the steps of Extension Studies course registration.Where can I find an existing Extension Studies course curriculum that I can offer?
There are currently no pre-prepared Extension Studies courses for you to use; rather, Extension Studies is a platform for you to create the course which you see is needed to serve people who you are working with and want to influence. Once designed, you register your course on your base/campus UofN web app. It will then be reviewed by our team of Extension Studies evaluators, and when approved, you can offer the course on behalf of the UofN Extension Studies Centre, with an approved UofN Extension Studies certificate being awarded to your students upon their successful completion.