Doane Open Learning Academy: Flexible Online Science Programs for Your Future

Doane University's Open Learning Academy (OLA) provides accessible, high-quality online science courses and labs designed to help students achieve their educational and career goals, removing traditional barriers to entry. Whether you need science courses for a health-related graduate program, medical school, or to simply enhance your knowledge, OLA offers a flexible and convenient learning environment.

Why Choose Doane Open Learning Academy?

OLA stands out for its commitment to providing a supportive and effective online learning experience. Here's what makes OLA a great choice:

Flexibility: OLA offers flexible course options designed to fit your schedule and learning style. Choose from instructor-led 8-week courses with structured deadlines or self-paced 5- and 16-week courses that let you progress at your own speed. OLA provides courses in 5-week, 8-week, and 16-week terms. You can learn the same material on a shorter timeline or over the full semester.
Accessibility: There's no application required to enroll in OLA courses.
Transferability: OLA credits have been accepted at major learning institutions across the country, including top Ivy League schools.
Accreditation: You will get a great education.
Rigor: We do online different.
Personal Support: We’re with you from start to finish, from the moment you register until the day you complete your course.
Experienced Faculty: Learn from dedicated and experienced professors. For example, Dr. Andrea Holmes, Professor of Chemistry at Doane University, received her PhD in organic chemistry from New York University and received a National Institute of Health post-doctoral fellowship at Columbia University in New York City. Dr. Holmes was the recipient of the National Science Foundation Presidential Early Career Award and the Henry Dreyfus Teacher Scholar Award. She has given hundreds of local, national, and international lectures, published two textbooks, authored more than 50 peer-reviewed articles, and holds several patents. Amna Qureshi earned a Master's in Neurobiology and Behavior from Georgia State University and brings over 12 years of teaching experience to her role as a Biology professor. She has spent the last 5 years specializing in online STEM education and is dedicated to creating a stress-free and supportive learning environment for her students. Amna is known for her enthusiasm and encouragement and is a true champion of student success.

Course Flexibility and Virtual Labs

Our STEM courses with labs have a mix of hands-on and/or virtual labs to ensure you obtain equitable experiences a student would have on our college campus. Students complete hands-on labs at home, replicating the rigor and skills of in-person labs. Courses that require hands-on labs will order a customized kit for each respective course.

Student Success Stories

Many students have found success through Doane's Open Learning Academy, using it to achieve their academic and career aspirations. Here are a few examples:

One student, currently a Biology major with a minor in Molecular Biology with the goal of becoming a Pharmacist, needed Organic Chemistry I or II to apply to pharmacy school, but their home institution did not offer it on their timeline. Doane’s Open Learning Academy provided the online lectures and labs needed to prepare for graduate school, helping them become ready a year earlier than anticipated.
Another student, who studied Integrative Neuroscience in undergraduate school and worked in clinical settings, needed to retake several courses to meet current medical school application requirements after earning a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with a concentration in Biology, followed by a Master of Science in Healthcare Administration, with 13 years of hands-on health-care experience. They were drawn to Open Learning Academy because of its flexibility and strong record of course transferability. The accelerated format and supportive faculty are keeping them on track to meet their application deadline for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine programs.
An aspiring physician assistant, who is also a current medical assistant, chose Open Learning Academy because of its flexibility, reputation, and high academic standards. They enrolled in Biochemistry and Organic Chemistry II as a post-baccalaureate student to complete their admission prerequisites and increase their GPA. Despite the course being online, their professors were accessible and provided ample instructional material featuring lectures, powerpoint presentations and homework assignments that I never felt underprepared for quizzes or exams and the hands-on lab component greatly enhanced my learning experience. They completed both courses in 8 weeks and met their application deadline.
Another student, working full-time to gain patient care experience, found Doane University’s Open Learning Academy to be the perfect program to complement their busy schedule.

Will Medical, Physician Assistant and Dental Schools Accept Online Prerequisites?

Each professional school sets its own admission policies. Some schools accept online science prerequisites without hesitation, while others still prefer in-person labs. medical schools accepted online prerequisites taken during the pandemic and are continuing to show flexibility (AAMC, 2021). Similarly, the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) noted that many dental schools accept online science courses, especially if they were taken at regionally accredited institutions (ADEA, 2020).

Read also: Tuition Fees at Doane

Available Courses

OLA offers a range of science courses, including:

General Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Biology
Microbiology

Your Next Steps to Enroll

Getting started with Doane University’s Open Learning Academy is a straightforward process:

Step 1: Check with Your Registrar or Admissions Counselor

Doane University credits are accepted at most institutions across the country. Before you enroll, check with your institution to ensure the courses will be accepted.

Step 2: Select and Register for Your Course

No application or a transcript is needed to enroll. Simply select your courses and provide your payment information and you’re ready to begin.

Step 3: Get the Details

Once your registration is complete, you’ll receive information regarding your student account set-up, course schedule and additional student service information.

Read also: A Look at Doane University

Step 4: Finish in 8 or 16 weeks

We offer multiple start dates with courses offered in both 8- and 16-week terms. The terms are August, October, January, March, May. We also offer accelerated 5-week terms in December, May and July.

Step 5: Transfer Your Credits

You can request your transcripts up to 30 days prior to completing your course.

Additional Information

Accreditation: Yes, please refer to the plan provider's distribution rules and regulations. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has updated rules and regulations on when students can use their tuition assistance benefits. The VA allows the use of tuition assistance benefits if a student plans to transfer the course credit to another school in which they are enrolled or may become enrolled as a degree-seeking student. To use tuition assistance, the primary school or home institution must send Doane University a Guest Letter authorizing specific courses.
Financial Aid: Yes, since Open Learning Academy courses are not eligible for Federal Financial Aid or a traditional payment plan, there are alternative private student loan options for a non-degree seeking student through a bank/lender. We encourage students to do some extensive research to determine if an alternative private student loan is the right fit for you. Please note that an alternative private student loan must be in the student's name, but can include a co-signer if required by the lender. Make sure that the private student loan that you are applying for is for a Non-Degree Seeking Alternative Private Student Loan. If you choose a private alternative student loan and have been approved through a lender's online application, the Doane Financial Aid office will need to certify the loan and register you for the course. Download and complete the OLA Request form.
Employer Tuition Reimbursement: Yes, please refer to your employer's tuition reimbursement policy in regards to non-degree seeking courses.
Form 1098-T: No, the IRS does not require universities to provide Form 1098-T documents for non-degree seeking courses.
Textbooks: All textbooks are integrated electronically into your Canvas course at no additional cost.
Tutoring: Yes, TutorMe is a free online tutoring service that connects students with qualified tutors in a wide range of subjects and academic levels.
Lab Kits: Lab kit fees are separate from your tuition. To obtain your lab kit, log in to your Canvas course and follow the directions in module one. Lab kits are purchased directly through a specific link provided by Science Interactive. Courses requiring lab kits are planned with shipping times in mind; your kit should arrive at your home within 5-7 business days.
Proctoring: Proctoring is only used in certain courses and may not be required for your course. Please review your course syllabi for proctoring requirements.
Transcripts: Official transcripts will be available 7-10 days after course completion. To order a transcript, visit our Transcript Request page or contact the registrar at 1.800.333.6263. Official transcripts will be issued by Doane University and are reflective of the course number and course name you are enrolled.

About Doane University

Learners who enroll in Doane University courses gain access to the institution’s 150-plus years of educational excellence. Doane’s purpose is to build leaders through teaching, learning and research opportunities. Doane creates distinctive educational experiences, immersed in the liberal arts, to prepare our students for careers and lives grounded in inquiry, ethics and a commitment to lead and serve in the global community. Established in 1872, Doane offers learning opportunities in Crete, Lincoln and other locations throughout Nebraska as well as online. Our programs enable learners to take not only the next step in their careers, but to apply what they learn throughout their lives. Doane faculty emphasize critical thinking, interdisciplinary study, communication skills and leadership development, as well as personal connections with learners whether in the classroom or across the globe. Learn more about Doane University.

DoaneX supports the development and global distribution of online education programs using the edX Platform. Since joining the edX consortium, Doane has offered classes to learners from many countries and regions, around the world. DoaneX offers Doane’s courses, Professional Certificates, MicroBachelors and MicroMasters, and Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCS). Browse free online courses in a variety of subjects. Doane University courses found below can be audited free or students can choose to receive a verified certificate for a small fee. Innovation, connection, and quality education firmly rooted in real-world preparation-these values are held in high esteem at Doane University. For more than 140 years, we’ve been achieving excellence in a broad range of academic fields while equipping students with everything needed for success and leadership, all while continually pushing boundaries forward and finding new ways to empower individuals.

Read also: Leaders from Doane University

tags: #Doane #Open #Learning #Academy #programs