Frequently Asked Questions About Telecourses

Distance Education Telecourses offer a flexible and convenient way to take for-credit University of Utah classes.

To take a Telecourse, you watch prerecorded video lectures on TV and study a course manual and textbook—all in the comfort of your own home. To further prepare for Telecourse assignments and tests, you can meet with your instructor in live review sessions held on the University of Utah main campus. You may also communicate with your instructor by phone, fax, or e-mail. Telecourses offer an array of times and locations for most exams.

University of Utah Distance Education Telecourses are broadcast on KUEN Channel 9 (check your course manual for course broadcast times; if you have a cable or satellite carrier KUEN may be aired on a different channel). If you miss or are unable to watch a scheduled broadcast, copies of each Telecourse lecture may be viewed at the Multimedia Center of the Marriott Library.

Many people like the time and location flexibility Distance Education Telecourses offer. Telecourses work particularly well for students with scheduling conflicts resulting from jobs or from caring for children or parents; students who need a specific on-campus class and discover that it's full; students who can't easily attend classes because of injury, illness, or transportation difficulties or costs; students who live in remote locations; and non-degree-seeking people who are taking classes for personal enrichment.

Yes. The difference comes in a Distance Education Telecourse's delivery of the course content. Instead of reporting to a specific classroom, your own living room becomes the classroom as you watch the lecture material on TV. Telecourses also offer a flexibility in testing times and locations and other conveniences to the student unmatched by on-campus classes.

Distance Education Telecourse instructors' office hours are listed in the course manual. You're free to call, fax, or email your instructor any time, and he or she should respond within a day or so. Telecourse instructors provide feedback, grade exams, etc. just as in an on-campus University course.

Yes. Telecourses are based on semesters and are charged regular campus tuition, therefore making them eligible for staff/faculty reduced tuition.

If you're looking for credit but prefer not to receive a letter grade, you may apply for the credit/no-credit option. With this option, your academic transcript will read CR for grades of C- or above and NC for grades of D+ or below. Ask the University's registration office for the required CR/NC form.

Yes, financial aid may be used for Telecourses.

FIRST: Choose a site (a main campus or off-campus extension location) convenient for you. This site is where you will typically turn in assignments and take exams; it's also where assignments and exams are returned after they are graded (by arrangement, you may also pick up assignments and tests and take exams at sites other than where you are registered). The sites include: U of U main campus, Bountiful, Murray (Cedar Park), Sandy, and Park City.

SECOND: Find the class and section number and course or class code number for your Telecourse. If you are not sure which course to take or want to investigate a particular class, search the Telecourse page (class and section numbers and course or class code numbers will be found on the result page(s) of your search).

THIRD: Register for your course(s). If you are a matriculated or a degree-seeking student you can register via the Internet through "Secured Student Access".

FOURTH: Pick up a course manual. Course manuals contain all the directions you need to complete a course. They are available one week before classes begin at the Distance Education Telecourse office (2180 Annex, east wing), and at the Bountiful, Murray, Sandy, and Park City sites.

FIFTH: If you want to get a jump on your Telecourse, an Information Sheet for each course is available approximately one month before each semester begins. Information Sheets contain the instructor's phone and office numbers and email address, the course textbook(s), broadcast times and dates, course orientation meeting dates, and the first two weeks' viewing and reading assignments. They are available online on each course information page as downloadable .pdf files, in the hallway on a display next to the Distance Education Telecourse Office (2190 Annex, next door to the Distance Education Main office), and at the off-campus sites.

Course manuals are available one week before the beginning of the semester at the Distance Education office (2180 Annex) and at the Bountiful, Murray, Sandy, and Park City sites. Textbooks are available through the University Bookstore. If you purchase textbooks from any other bookstore, carefully note the correct edition of the required text; this information is in the course information section of your course manual. You can sell textbooks back to the University of Utah bookstore under traditional buyback guidelines, provided they are in good condition, are still being used for the course, and are not overstocked.

The course manual contains the course syllabus, instructor commentary, video overviews, and study questions for each lesson. Read each overview and complete the reading assignment before viewing the video. Watch the video and then try to answer the study questions for that lesson. If you can answer them easily, without reference to the text, overviews or your notes, you should be prepared to take the exams.

Assignments vary from Telecourse to Telecourse. Consult your course manual for more information. Students in all sections may take exams at the University of Utah main campus with the instructor without prearrangement. Students may also take exams at their site of registration during specified testing periods without prearrangement. By arrangement with the Telecourse office (581-5752; sdunn@aoce.utah.edu), students may also take exams at satellite sites other than their site of registration. See your course manual for the specific testing dates, times, and locations. Bring valid photo identification such as a driver's license. Examinations will be given only on the dates and times found in the course manual. If you require special accommodation or have a specific problem with taking an exam on the dates and times listed, contact the instructor at least one week before the first of a particular exam's scheduled test dates to arrange an alternative time and location. Consideration will be given ONLY in documented cases of illness, family crisis, or severe scheduling conflicts. If an exam is missed without notifying the instructor, an E grade may be given for the test. If you live a considerable distance from campus or will be out of town during the quarter you may arrange to have a proctor, such as a head local or city librarian or high school principal, administer the exams for a Telecourse. Call the Distance Education Telecourse office at 801-581-5752 for more information.

Review sessions with the instructor are held on the U of U campus during the week preceding each scheduled exam. By attending the review sessions, you will be able to interact with the instructor, ask questions and gain a better understanding of the course material. Bring questions you have concerning the video segments, the text and additional readings, if applicable. See the syllabus page(s) for the dates, times and locations of the review sessions.

Graded assignments and exams are generally available within two weeks after the assignment due date or the exam date. Graded assignments and exams will be returned to the site where you are registered unless you indicate on them that you want them routed to a different site. Students may pick up their own exams or scores only; bring a photo ID. Exam results will not be given out over the phone or by email.

Information sheets (an outline of each course) are available at the Distance Education Telecourse office (2190 Annex) or at the front desk of all Continuing Education off-campus sites one month before classes begin. The same information is online via a link on each Telecourse course information page. Course manuals explaining everything students need to know to complete a Telecourse are available at the Distance Education main office (2180 Annex) and at the front desk of Continuing Education extension sites during regular business hours approximately one week before the semester starts.