Frequently Asked Questions About Distance Education

What is the completion time for a class?
Can I get an extension?
Can I get a refund?
What is my U of U Student ID?
What can I expect from my instructor?
Do I get college credit for these courses?
I am registered for an online course but still have not received any instructions. What should I do?
How quickly can I complete my course?
My first assignment is ready, how do I turn it in?
What grade did I receive on my assignment?
I need to take an exam, what do I do?
What are the Testing Center's hours at the University of Utah?
Why isn't my Independent Study class showing up on my University of Utah schedule for this semester?
I just moved and my address has changed; what should I do?
I need credit for a specific semester, will I get it?
What are the deadlines for graduation?
When will my class show up on my transcript?
Can I use the U's recreational facilities?
Can I use the U library?
What are other U of U/Distance Ed policies?
Telecourses Frequently Asked Questions

Completion Time
You have up to nine months from the day you enroll to complete all assignments and exams.

Extensions
Students may purchase up to six one-month extensions which are non-refundable, so plan carefully. Please contact the Distance Education office for the current cost of extensions. Each extension will go from month to month; for instance, if your course expires on January 17, purchasing one extension (regardless of when you purchase it) will change your expiration date to February 17. A second extension will take you to March 17, etc. Contact the Distance Education office for more information.

Refunds
As of July 14, 2012 refunds are no longer available.

What is my University of Utah student ID#?
The Distance Education office does not keep track of students based on Social Security numbers. Your University ID number (uNID) was assigned to you when you first enrolled at the U of U, and can be found on your welcome letter, along with your course expiration date.

What can I expect from my instructor?
It's important that you read your instructor's comments on assignments; this is one of the best ways that your instructor will communicate with you. Keep in mind that with a correspondence course it will take a little time to get assignments back. Allow a few working days for the instructor to grade your assignments/exams. If it's being returned to you via US mail, you'll want to make allowances for that as well. If you would like to contact your instructor directly look on the first page of your course manual (print courses), or the course syllabus on Canvas (online courses). If you have not heard back from your instructor after several attempts to contact them, let the Distance Education office know and they will contact your instructor for you.

Do I get college credit for these courses?
Yes. Credits are based on semester units. Many colleges and universities accept credit earned through the University of Utah's Online Independent Study courses. Check your institution's credit transfer policy and department/major requirements before enrolling. Military personnel should consult with their education officer. Teachers seeking endorsements and certification requirements should speak with their school district or state board of education recertification specialist.
NOTE: Credit for each course is awarded in the semester in which the final exam is taken.

I am registered for an online course but still have not received any instructions. What should I do?
You may want to check to see if your email service has directed any of our messages into a spam or junk mail folder by mistake. If it has, we ask that you add our email address (distance@aoce.utah.edu) to your email address book to prevent future problems. If it has not, please contact our office so we can verify your email address and try to send your course materials once again.

How quickly can I complete my course?
Courses may be completed anywhere between 8-16 weeks.

My first assignment is ready, how do I turn it in?
All assignments must be submitted in chronological order. Any assignments submitted out of order will be held in the office until the missing assignments are turned in.

Assignments for print courses may be submitted neatly written or typed by mail, e-mail, fax, or in person. Be sure to keep a personal copy of all your assignments. With few exceptions, assignments are sent electronically to your instructor.

Assignments for online courses are submitted through Canvas. All assignments must be graded and returned to you before you take your exam.

What grade did I receive on my assignment?
You will be notified by email for print courses, and Canvas for online courses. We are not able to give grades over the phone due to FERPA (privacy) regulations. We would be more than happy to compare your grade for you (i.e., "you received the same grade for assignment 6 that you received for assignment 2" or "your grade is 3 points higher than it was on assignment 4").

I need to take an exam, what do I do?
Make sure that all of your assignments previous to the exam have been returned to you graded - if they haven't, you're not eligible to take your exam yet. If they have, look below to see how to request your exam.

If you are a local student (meaning you live in Salt Lake County) you must take your exams at the University of Utah testing center. You will need to pay a $5 fee and bring a photo ID with you.

If you live outside the Salt Lake County area, you must arrange to have your exam proctored by a university or college testing center. You'll find detailed instructions in your course manual or on your course website.
Visit this link to request your exam.
NOTE: To receive a passing grade you must pass the final exam. The course grade - whether passing or failing - will be recorded with the University of Utah Registrar.

What are the Testing Center's hours at the University of Utah?
The Testing Center is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8am to 3pm, and Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4pm to 8:30pm. Visit their website for more information.
NOTE: The testing center will not have your exam if you have not requested it through the Distance Education office. Exams will not be sent until all assignments previous to the exam have been graded and returned to you.

Why isn't my Independent Study class showing up on my University of Utah schedule for this semester?
Independent Study classes only show up after a student has completed the course. If you need proof of enrollment before you finish, contact the Distance Education office.

I just moved and my address has changed; what should I do?
Notify the Distance Education office as soon as you can, so we can update your address in our database.

I need credit for a specific semester, will I get it?
You will receive credit for your class for the semester you complete your course based on the University of Utah's deadlines. This means that even if you enroll in Summer semester it does not guarantee you will receive Summer credit for the course. Contact the Distance Education office for more details.

Graduation Deadlines
Graduation deadlines are earlier than regular semester credit deadlines. Please contact the Graduation office for their credit deadlines. Plan ahead and finish your Independent Study course at least three weeks before the graduation deadline; this will ensure that the credit is posted to your transcript in a timely manner.
NOTE: Grades earned through Independent Study are not recorded until the class is completed.

Transcripts
Once you have completed a course and a final grade has been posted to your record, you can submit a transcript request online through the Registrar's Office. Please submit your request well in advance of any deadline to insure a timely delivery. For more information contact the Transcripts office at transcripts@utah.edu or 801-581-8965.

Recreation Privileges
A per-semester recreation fee allows Distance Education students to utilize the University of Utah recreation facilities for a period of three months. This includes the Fieldhouse (indoor tennis, racquetball, weight room) and the complete Health, Physical Education and Recreation (HPER) complex on the east side of campus. Call 801-581-3797 for more information. Remember to take a copy of your receipt with you when securing these privileges.

Library Access
Distance Education students may use the facilities of the Marriott Library, excluding the computer center. Students outside the continental United States may not borrow materials, but photocopies are available through an interlibrary loan.

Academic Honesty
To ensure that the highest standards of academic conduct are promoted and supported at the University of Utah, we ask that our students adhere to standards of academic honesty. This includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarizing, research misconduct, misrepresenting your work and/or inappropriately collaborating. Unacceptable academic behavior may result in failure of the class and notification of your parent institution or employer.

Accreditation
The University of Utah is a member of the Northwest Commission of Colleges and Universities.

Semester Units
The University of Utah operates on a semester academic schedule; Fall, Spring and Summer. The semester you complete your class is the semester you'll get credit based on the University of Utah's deadlines.

Privacy Act
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended, is a federal law that sets forth requirements regarding the privacy of student records. FERPA governs the release of records maintained by an educational institution and access to those records. Institutions that receive funds administered by the Federal Office of Education are bound by FERPA requirements. Failure to comply with them may result in the loss of federal funding. The Distance Education office, in keeping with FERPA, is forbidden from releasing personally-identifiable student education records or files to anyone but the enrolled student. No information will be disclosed to parents, spouses, children or friends of an enrolled student.

Academic Freedom Policy
Academic Freedom in the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge through all media is maintained at the University of Utah. This freedom is recognized as a right of all instructors, faculty, all administrative officers and all students.

Nondiscrimination and Disability Access Statement
The University of Utah is fully committed to policies of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity, and vigorously pursues affirmative action in all programs, activities, and employment with regard to race, color, national origin, sex, age and status as a person with a disability. Religion, sexual orientation and status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era are also protected under nondiscrimination and equal opportunity employment policies. The University seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. Reasonable prior notice is needed to arrange accommodations. Students should call 801-581-5020 or 801-585-1813 (both are TDD). Evidence of practices not consistent with these policies should be reported to the Employee Relations/Dispute Resolution office at 801-581-8365 (voice or TDD).