CE - Distance Education

How much is tuition?

2009-04-07T22:36:00Z

Please view the Tuition and Fees page for the most current tuition amounts for Online and Independent Study courses.

Use the below link to find the tuition tables for interactive broadcast and face-to-face courses.

How do I get a tuition refund?

2008-11-13T22:36:00Z

Online and Interactive Broadcast Courses (Semester Based)
These courses follow the on campus tuition refund policy listed on the USU website: Tuition Refund Policy

The following schedule applies to refunds for Independent Study (CD-ROM and Online Yearlong) courses:

Refund Period	Refund Percentage
Up to 7 weeks or 45 days	100% Refund (less $10 per credit handling fee and $10 per submitted assignment)
Up to 10 weeks or 70 days	50% Refund (less $10 per credit handling fee and $10 per submitted assignment)

Please note that if students wish to withdraw from a course they need to follow the refund information above. It is the student's responsibility to make sure that courses have been dropped. The system may purge your course if you have not paid for your courses by a certain date depending on the semester, but do not depend on this system as your only method of dropping courses.

What types of financial aid are available?

2008-05-01T22:36:00Z

Students must be admitted to the university to take advantage of financial aid.

Types:

Scholarships:
USU provides several types of scholarships available to all students.
Loans:
Students can receive loans for their education through the Financial Aid office.

Is it possible to earn a Degree (Bachelors, Masters, Doctorate) by only taking online courses?

2007-06-08T22:36:00Z

Most degree programs are taught through interactive broadcast, however we do have several new and exciting programs offered entirely or mostly online:

Certificates

Online Certificate in Personal Financial Planning

Bachelors

Masters

Can a proctor be asked questions if you do not understand something? Is it wrong to take advice from a proctor about a question on an exam?

2007-05-31T22:36:00Z

A proctor can assist in questions related to the taking of the test itself, but not related to actual exam questions. If there appears to be a problem with the exam, (ie. a page is missing) feel free to consult your proctor. A proctor should not give advice about any question on your exam. A student should not ask for assistance related to the content of an exam.

Is online tuition the same for both in-state residents and non-residents?

2007-05-31T22:36:00Z

Yes. Tuition for online courses is the same for utah residents as well as non-residents.

Who is USU distance accredited by and is a degree from Distance Education the same as "traditional" on campus degrees?

2007-05-29T22:36:00Z

The degree you earn through Distance Education is exactly the same as if you were a regular on-campus student; your degree is from Utah State University. The degree you earn through Distance Education will more than likely be accredited if the degree program is also accredited for on-campus students. There are a few exceptions, (example: BS Computer Science is NOT accredited like the on-campus degree). To have the most up to date information, please check with your degree's department for accreditation information.

How do I get my exam score?

2006-12-14T22:36:00Z

Your score will be sent to you in a letter, which is mailed to you. The Independent Study Office retains exams for three (3) months after you have completed the exam to ensure that it is recorded correctly.
You may also check your exam score on the Independent Study website, http://indstudy.usu.edu. The user name is the email address that is on file with the Independent Study Office and the password is your six-digit birth date. Please include the slashes. For instance, if your birthday were January 1, 1974 you would enter 01/01/74.

How do I drop/withdraw a course?

2006-12-13T22:36:00Z

Interactive Broadcast and Semester Based Online Courses

To drop a course, students must drop using ACCESS or visit the Independent and Distance Education Office or USU Regional Campus where the student registered and complete a drop form. Drop forms cannot be accepted after the drop deadline for a semester or over the phone. Please see the Registrar’s Web page at http://www.usu.edu/ registrar/dates/ for current drop deadlines. Military students going Temporary Duty (TDY) must make arrangements to drop classes prior to leaving.

Independent Study Courses

To drop a year-long course, students must submit the “Request for Withdrawal” form as found on the course CD-ROM or visit the Independent and Distance Education Office and complete a drop form. The form may be faxed to (435) 797-1399, scanned and emailed to de-info@ext.usu.edu, or mailed to Independent and Distance Education office.

Year-long course withdrawals are dependent upon the percentage of course completion. The following scale applies:

• First 20% of course completed, course can be dropped without notation on transcript.

• From 21% to 60% of course completed, course is dropped with a ‘W’ on transcript. This ‘W’ is not calculated into the students GPA.

• From 61% to 75% of course completed, course is dropped with ‘WF’ on transcript. This ‘WF’ is not calculated into the students GPA.

• Courses cannot be dropped beyond 75% of course completion and the student receives a letter grade. This grade is calculated directly into the student’s GPA. Withdrawals are not permitted during extension period – a grade must be received.

If I want to drop my course will the system drop it for me?

2006-12-11T22:36:00Z

Depending on the semester, it is university policy to drop courses for students who have not paid for their courses after a certain date. A listing of all your currently registered courses are available in ACCESS. Student should NOT depend on the system to automatically drop courses for them. It is the student's responsibility to make sure their courses are dropped if necessary.

To check which courses you are currently registered for:

Login into ACCESS
Goto: Student & Financial Aid » Registration » Add or Drop Classes » Select Term
A list of your registered courses will be available
You can ADD or DROP the necessary courses

What time is the testing center open?

2006-12-07T22:36:00Z

Testing Center Hours
Monday-Friday	8:30 a.m. - 9:30 p.m.
Saturday	10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

*Testing center hours effective as of August 24, 2009

The testing center also follows a certain holiday schedule

Exams should be scheduled with at least 48 hours notice.

What are Distance Education's office hours?

2006-12-07T22:36:00Z

Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Eccles Conference Center Room 102 (basement)

See our office hours page for holiday hours.

How long will I be eligible for a refund if I withdraw from a course?

2006-12-06T22:36:00Z

Online and Interactive Broadcast Courses (Semester Based)
These courses follow the on campus tuition refund policy listed on the USU website: Tuition Refund Policy

The following schedule applies to refunds for Independent Study (CD-ROM and Online Yearlong) courses:

Refund Period	Refund Percentage
Up to 7 weeks or 45 days	100% Refund (less $10 per credit handling fee and $10 per submitted assignment)
Up to 10 weeks or 70 days	50% Refund (less $10 per credit handling fee and $10 per submitted assignment)

I do not have a declared major can I take some general classes via online courses?

2006-12-06T22:36:00Z

You can take classes through distance education without declaring a major.  You can take as many classes as you would like once you reach a point where you get close to graduation you must become matriculated so that you can graduate.

ADMISSION

Admission to USU is not required for enrollment in Independent and Distance Education courses.  Most Independent and Distance Education courses are taught on the semester system, and courses follow the on-campus calendar (except for summer semester and Independent Study courses).  High school students may enroll in courses for college credit if they have completed their sophomore year, have a 3.0 minimum grade point average, and have a letter of approval from their parents/education counselor.  

ADVISING 

Contact the Continuing Education Center nearest you for more information regarding student advising. Continuing Education Center locations are listed in the Student Resources section of this catalog. Students may also contact the USU Advising Center at the following website: http://www.usu.edu/advising/.

Students seeking a degree in Business from USU must be advised through the Career and Educational Opportunities Center.  Joslyn Heiniger, advisor for off Campus students, may be reached at joslyn.heiniger@usu.edu

How many exams may be taken in one day?

2006-12-06T22:36:00Z

If you wish to take more than one exam in a day you would need to fill out the form that is provided with your course material to request permission from the instructor to take more than one exam in a day.

How do I register for courses?

2006-10-26T22:36:00Z

You can register a course a number of ways, please check our course registration options for more details.

What is a proctor and why do I need one?

2006-09-21T22:36:00Z

A proctor is an approved person capable of supervising a student while taking an exam. An approved person to proctor includes: college testing center personnel, superintendent, principal, county agent, military education director, or librarian. Relatives and co-workers are NOT eligible to proctor exams. Proctors are needed to ensure educational integrity while the student is taking the exam.

Most online and printed exams are proctored. Students who live in Cache Valley should take proctored exams at the Independent & Distance Education Office in Room 108H of the Eccles Conference Center. Please call (435) 797-9700 at least 48 hours in advance to schedule an exam. Students who do not live in Cache Valley and are unable to come to campus to take exams should complete the Request for Exam form. Please submit the Request for Exam form at least three days prior to the exam date scheduled with a proctor. This allows the Independent and Distance Education exam coordinator sufficient time to provide proctors with instructions and materials for proctoring exams. The Request for Exam form must include one of the following with whom a student has made arrangements to proctor the exam: college testing center personnel, superintendent, principal, county agent, military education director, or librarian. Students in foreign countries may name an official who holds an equivalent position. Relatives and co-workers are not eligible to proctor exams. Exams must be taken at an educational institution and not at the proctor’s residence.

Can I use scholarships?

2006-08-29T22:36:00Z

Yes, scholarships can be used as part of your financial aid package. You may also want to contact the financial aid office»

What about Admission?

2006-08-29T22:36:00Z

Admission to USU is not required for enrollment in Independent and Distance Education courses. However, online semester and interactive broadcast courses require students to register in Access, which requires an "A Number", for more information click here. Most Independent and Distance Education courses are taught on the semester system, and courses follow the on-campus calendar (except for summer semester and Independent Study courses). High school students may enroll in courses for college credit if they have completed their sophomore year, have a 3.0 minimum grade point average, and have a letter of approval from their parents/education counselor.

Several degree programs require admission to the university, if you are enrolled in a degree program please check with the program advisor.