How does one take a course completely online?

The Mises Academy uses Moodle, the same software platform used by U.K. Open University and many other famous institutions. It features a friendly user interface, custom reporting, grades, transcripts, forums, readings, quizzes, and study questions: everything a class needs to not only replicate the physical classroom but to go the extra mile to even create advantages for all levels of education.

The live lectures and question and answer sessions are delivered via the Webex platform.

Are the lectures interactive?  How are questions addressed?

Questions are submitted before or during the live-video lecture in a “Questions for the Professor” forum.  There is also a chatbox for students to use during the live-video lecture (which uses the “Webex” video conferencing service).  Most professors only respond to questions after the lecture.  But some professors will take short breaks in the middle of the lecture to address issues raised in the chatbox.  After 45-60 minutes of lecture, the professor will address questions posted to the Questions for the Professor forum for 20-45 minutes.  If there isn’t enough time for the professor to address all the questions live, he will afterward submit written responses directly in the Questions for the Professor forum.  If there is still time after all the Questions for the Professor forum questions have been addressed, the professor will also field questions from the chatbox.

Are there exams?  How do they work?

Courses usually have multiple-choice quizzes. There may be brief weekly quizzes (~10 questions), or longer/less frequent quizzes.  Multiple-choice responses are automatically graded.  You will be able to see your score immediately after submitting, but you will not be able to review the correct answers until the quiz is closed (usually after a week or so).  Longer quizzes may have a 2-hour time limit.  You can save your progress, and return without submitting.  But doing so does not “stop the clock” for timed quizzes.  Some courses have mid-term and final exams which are a mix of multiple-choice questions and short-answer questions.  The short-answer questions are manually graded by the professor some time after they are submitted.  For smaller courses, sometimes essay exams are possible.

Does the Mises Academy offer degrees/certifications/credits?

Presently the Mises Academy does not offer transferrable degrees or credits. Upon completing a course, however, students will receive a digital, printer-friendly certificate of completion or certificate of participation.

What kinds of payment does the Mises Academy accept?

The Mises Academy accepts Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover, and Diner’s Club.

If I drop a class, can I get a refund?

If you drop the course during its first week (7 calendar days), you will receive a refund less a $25 processing fee. If you drop the course during its second week, you will receive a half refund. No refunds will be granted following the second week.

Can courses be audited or attended on a “pass/not pass” basis

Course cannot be audited for free, but they can be attended on a “pass/not pass” basis.

What does my computer system need to have to attend a course?

System Requirements

Video Lecture Sessions (Software: “Webex”): See here for Webex System Requirements.

Course Readings, Discussions and Assignments (Software: “Moodle”)

No download of “Moodle” software required.

Operating System:

• Windows 98 or higher
• Mac OS 10.1 or higher
• Linux

Connection:

• 56k V.90 modem or higher

Browser:

• Firefox 2.0 or higher is recommended for both Mac and PC.
  Free download: http://www.mozilla.com/firefox
• Internet Explorer can potentially cause errors.
• Opera and Safari will not show built-in html editor in Moodle.