Frequently Asked Questions - Classes: Online College of Astrology

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Classes and Online Educational Process

These questions and answers will help you understand what is involved in taking classes at OCA.

1. How do classes work at OCA?

Classes are very much like the interaction in common chat rooms. There is a window into which you type. When you hit the "Enter" key on your keyboard, what you’ve typed appears in the window above for all to read. Your name appears automatically, you don’t need to type it in. You enter the classrooms with a pre-assigned password. There is a scheduled orientation for new students, to help familiarize you with the technical workings of the OCA and to answer any additional questions you may have.

2. What’s the difference between the Preliminary Education, Professional Training, and Continuing Education Departments?

The Preliminary Education classes, as the name implies, are designed for those who have no experience with astrological symbols and are starting from scratch. Continuing Education classes are for those who are interested in a particular astrological direction. These classes are open, without prior class requirement, to anyone interested and engaged in that topic. The Professional Training Department classes are a series of classes, which build one upon the other. The stated goal of these series of classes is preparation for the work of a trained, qualified, professional astrologer. Some basic knowledge of astrology is necessary in order to directly enroll in the Professional Training classes.

3. How does money work at OCA?

Class tuition can be paid by check, money order, major credit card, or PayPal. There is an administrative fee which is charged in addition to the class tuition for each registration. The tuition is normally paid in advance and in full. However, exceptions can be made in special circumstances. These arrangements need to be made with the College President. In the case of a withdrawal after registration, tuition refunds are made in accordance with the OCA Tuition Refund Policy. The administrative fee is non-refundable.

4. What are the classes like?

Classes at OCA are truly a joy to attend. There is, without exception, a dynamic mix of playfulness and serious structured learning in class. Each of our instructors is specially trained in creating rapport online. With the help of the individual student’s horoscope itself, the instructor uses each student’s strengths to fortify his/her weaknesses in learning the art and science of astrology. The class size is limited to a maximum of five, so each student can be sure of getting individualized attention both in class and in the e-mailed homework assignments. A vigorous mix of work and of play is cultivated during the class weeks and a relaxed atmosphere is accentuated. There is a reading assignment for each class and a homework assignment related to the reading is due after class. Feedback per e-mail is an important part of the learning process, where the student is challenged to dig ever deeper into his/her understanding of astrological symbolism.

There are two ways to study the basics: regular classrooms and the QuickStart Program. The QuickStart program allows the student to study at his own pace and still get feedback via homework to the instructor. The Basic classes are offered in the evenings and are 1-1 1/2 hours in duration. Professional Training classes meet on a weekly basis, are offered as day and evening classes for your convenience, and are 1 1/2 hours in duration. (All times are listed as U.S. Eastern Time.) Copies of the class transcript are posted at the site, so that each student may re-read and reflect on the class discussion. Instructors often add additional comments and thoughts into the classroom transcript in order to provide further clarity and insight into what had been discussed in class.

What makes learning in the OCA classroom unique is the live chat. Here the student interacts not only with the teacher but also with the other students, creating a synergy unique to astrological learning. Because it’s written, yet live, one has the opportunity to think carefully and edit what one says. As mentioned previously, copies of the class transcript are posted for perusal and for one’s records.

You can read what some other students had to say about attending OCA's classes here.

5. Can you give a brief example of a hypothetical class transaction?

Student1: I’m not clear on how that close Mars-Venus square works in my chart?
Instructor: OK, let’s look at that. Do you all have Student1’s chart in front of you?
Student3: Yes
Student2: yup
Student4: wait a sec
Student4: Ok, I got it
Instructor: Student1, tell a little bit about what angers you most often.
Student1: Hmmm, let’s see ... I actually usually get my dander up most in relationships...
Student1: there are some things my boyfriend does where I just see red...
Student1: it’s like it’s automatic, reflexive.
Instructor: Would you say that this gives you a strong feeling of, let’s say, aliveness?
Student1: Absolutely, my heart’s pumping, that adrenalin’s flowing and I always feel really juiced up. It’s almost sexual.
Instructor: Almost? :-) Can everyone see what’s going on?
Student4: uh, I don’t get the connection
Instructor: Her aggression (Mars) is consistently set into active motion by a quality of resistance (square) and through her partnership (Venus).
Student1: Oh, I see, that’s why I’m always ‘squaring-off’ with my partner.
Student2: Yeah, it’s like it creates a cosmic tension that must be resolved through struggle.
Student4: I get it now. My mother has that square and there was a great deal of tension between my parents. Actually, now that I think about it, I have a Sun-Moon square which gives this message in a similar way.
Student1: Really?
Student3: Amazing
Student2: Astrology can be so incredibly precise sometimes. I love that.
Instructor (inserted later for the transcript): Take a look at this list of names: Patty Hearst, Aleister Crowley, Woody Allen, Marquis DeSade, D.H. Lawrence, George Sand. It’s interesting to note that the things these people are known for, in addition to a decided quality they all have, is precisely symbolized by this Mars-Venus square. Of course, sign and house placement, rulership dynamics, other aspects and so much more symbolize more details of each of these individuals. Still, the Cosmic Principle symbol of Assertion and Survival is in a tense relationship with the Cosmic Principle of Balance and Relationship in each of these subjects. You can observe it in how their lives unfolded on the event level, and you can observe it in the quality of their being.

6. Can I start classes even if it’s a little late in the semester?

Yes, this is possible within 2 to 3 weeks after the start of the current semester -- if the student is willing to do the necessary catch-up work. Please contact the class Instructor or one of the Co-Directors of Education for more information.

7. Is there an equivalency exam at the OCA? In other words, if I want to register for classes in the Certification Department, can I begin at a higher level than at the beginning?

No. Experience has shown us that there is always some important piece of knowledge missing which cannot be gauged even by the best of equivalency testing procedures. If you feel you are advanced beyond the level of 101, then consider it a valuable review. Based on the feedback we’ve gotten, students have invariably learned important, new and unanticipated material, which is built upon in later classes. There is, however, the possibility of enrolling in 2 consecutive classes during the same semester, therefore taking 2 classes concurrently. This would need to be arranged directly with and approved by the OCA President.

8. I’d like to take classes in the Certification Department, but I’ve been studying astrology on my own for many years. Do I need to take all the classes that are listed or can I skip the things I already know?

You will need to begin with 101 and work through the classes in order because experience has shown us that there are often gaps in a student’s knowledge. As explained in #7, students invariably learn new and important material, and they often comment that the homework is challenging in ways they never anticipated.

9. Once I’ve graduated, what’s the procedure for becoming certified?

OCA works in cooperation with two major certification organizations: NCGR and ISAR. An OCA graduate has satisfied the requirements to become nationally certified.

10. How much time will I need to devote to class assignments and homework per week?

This depends, of course, on your own personal pace. On average, expect to study, read and do homework for at least 1 to 2 hours per week, not including class time.

11. What happens if I’m having problems with the material or homework?

In order to further support the learning process, each instructor is always available via e-mail to address any questions and respond to any ideas that you may have during the week between class sessions. Additionally, most instructors would be happy to meet with you in the classroom and work with you on a one-to-one basis so that you feel more comfortable with and have a better understanding of the material. This would need to be arranged directly between student and instructor.

12. How can I get information about individual faculty members?

Information and biographies of faculty members are found at this page.

13. Will I need books for the classes?

The weekly lessons are in the form of weekly downloadable documents that the instructor will post on the OCA website in an area restricted to students only. Most classes do suggest specific books in order to enrich and deepen your studies. A few classes do have required reading. These required books are usually not expensive and are an integral part of the classes that provide you with the opportunity to widen your scope of astrological knowledge. The books, required and suggested, are available through the OCA online bookstore. There are some that can be paid for and downloaded directly as e-books.

14. Will I need special software for the class lessons?

The majority of the lessons are in portable document format (PDF). In order to view and read PDF documents, you will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 (or higher) software installed on your computer. This is free software which you may download from the Adobe web site (click here to download now). The Acrobat Reader software is available for Windows, Macintosh, and a variety of other computer platforms.

15. Will I need astrology software for classes?

You can calculate and print charts at www.astrodienst.com. This will serve you well through the beginning classes. When you yourself get more sophisticated, you will desire good astrological software, simply because you can learn so much from playing with it. When that time comes, there are discounts for registered students in OCA’s online bookstore.

16. What software does the OCA use or recommend?

The faculty and staff of OCA use all the standard software packages (and some not-so-standard), both for the PC and the Mac. Individuals have their preferences, of course. In the last analysis, it depends on your budget, your interests, and your intended usage. Staff members are happy to advise students on software choices. In addition, you can get information for some software packages and see that there are discounts for registered students through the OCA’s online bookstore.

17. How long does it take to graduate?

Anywhere from 2 to 5 years, depending on regularity of class registration.

18. What happens if I miss a class?

Each class is recorded into a transcript, such as shown in the brief example of a hypothetical class transaction above. Each instructor receives the transcript from his/her classroom every morning, and it is uploaded into their private library for their students to download. This transcript serves several purposes, aside from providing an absent student the contents of the class they missed. It also allows students to have full and complete "notes" from the class.

Please note, however, that OCA does have a rule. If a student misses more than 2 classes in any one semester, that semester has to be repeated. This is, however, a very flexible rule. In other words, if there is a special situation behind the absences, and this is communicated to the instructor along with a plan for making up the work, then there is always a way to work around missed classes. Obviously, in the interest of the student him- or herself, there is a limit to this.

19. Are final exams required in classes?

Yes. The last class of each semester has an in-class final exam.

20. Are there grades at OCA?

Yes, OCA, like most colleges, works on a grading system. We feel this is the best way for a student to gauge his/her own progress and to understand where he/she stands both in comparison to other students and to his/her own potential. We also take into consideration classroom attendance and participation. Grades, however, are a means to an end. That end is always learning the material itself and the striving to achieve one’s potential.

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