Questions
- How does online and distance education work?
- What undergraduate degree programs do you offer?
- Will I be expected to come to campus? What are the on-campus requirements?
- Do I have to go to campus to take my exams?
- I am an adult student returning to school. What can I expect?
- Are your programs and courses accredited?
- Will UNL distance education courses transfer to other colleges and universities?
- How do I get started?
- I have questions about what courses I should take. Do you have an academic adviser?
- How much do your courses cost?
- Is financial aid available?
- Where do I find out what courses are available?
- Where do I get the required textbooks and materials for my course?
- Will my computer be able to handle online courses?
- Is there technical help available?
- Do I have access to library services?
- Do I need a student identification card?
- Are students with disabilities able to take distance education courses?
- Who do I contact if I have more questions?
Answers
1. How does online and distance education work?
Distance education classes are delivered using a variety of resources such as: Internet, e-mail, videoconferencing, CD-ROM and Blackboard, an online learning management system. Each UNL course may be delivered using one of these resources or a combination of resources. Most online and distance courses follow the regular university semester calendar. Some undergraduate courses are taught in a self-paced, independent study format, called Open Enrollment courses.
Most distance courses do not have a regular meeting time. These courses are called asynchronous and primarily use the Internet, e-mail and Blackboard. Even though these courses do not have regularly scheduled meetings, students are still required to meet assignment and exam deadlines as outlined by the instructor.
Some distance classes meet at scheduled times, including those that are delivered via site based or desktop videoconferencing. These courses, called synchronous, may require students to meet at least once a week.
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2. What undergraduate degree programs do you offer?
At this time, the University of Nebraska-Lincoln offers one undergraduate degree (Applied Science) and three undergraduate certificates (Agriculture & Natural Sciences Legal Studies, Meat Culinology, Public Policy Analysis) that can be completed entirely online. See online.unl.edu/Undergraduate.aspx for more information on these programs. The Bachelor of Science in Applied Science is a degree completion option, i.e., for students who have completed at least 64 credit hours or two years of college. Please click here to learn more about our online programs.
Other University of Nebraska online undergraduate degrees, such as the on-line Bachelor of General Studies degree through the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration through the University of Nebraska-Kearney, can be found at onlineworldwide.nebraska.edu.
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3. Will I be expected to come to campus? What are the on-campus requirements?
While we hope you will take the time to visit our campus and visit with our faculty face to face, we understand this may be difficult. In most cases, undergraduate programs and certificates can be completed entirely at a distance.
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4. Do I have to go to campus to take my exams?
Undergraduate X courses often require that exams be taken on-campus. Open-enrollment courses often require proctored exams. For more information regarding how to obtain an approved proctor and for testing center information, please refer to the courses tab on the College Independent Study page. Most graduate courses administer exams online. It is a good idea to take your exams during hours when the Information Services Computer Help Center is staffed in case you encounter any technical issues.
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5. I am an adult student returning to school. What can I expect?
You can expect a high quality educational experience that will challenge you to set high goals and will support you along the way. Exploring higher education program options can be a daunting task, especially if you are concerned that you've been away from higher education too long. The staff at the Office of Online & Distance Education is here to help you navigate your return to school and will be your gateway to accessing UNL services and programs. We realize that with a job and/or family commitments, traveling to campus to earn your degree isn't always possible. Whether for professional or personal enrichment, to work on your degree, or just to earn a few credits, we are here to help you.
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6. Are your programs and courses accredited?
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln has been accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools since the association first started accrediting colleges and universities in 1913. In addition, various colleges, schools, departments, and programs within the University of Nebraska–Lincoln are accredited by their respective professional accrediting agencies (for example: architecture, business, education, engineering, journalism, nursing and psychology).
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7. Will UNL distance education courses transfer to other colleges and universities?
UNL distance education courses have the same learning objectives and outcomes as their on-campus counterparts. Therefore, if another university accepts a UNL course, they will accept it regardless if it is taught on-campus or online. If you are considering transferring credits earned through UNL to another institution, you should always secure approval from the receiving institution to make sure the credits will be accepted before you register for any of our distance education courses.
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8. How do I get started?
The first step in applying for a degree program or enrolling in a semester-based course is to be admitted to the University. Undergraduate students apply through the Undergraduate Office of Admissions. Students can begin College Independent Study (open enrollment) courses at any time; finish many in as fast as five weeks or take up to six months to complete. Admission to the University of Nebraska is not required.
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9. I have questions about what courses I should take. Do you have an academic adviser?
Undergraduate students who have questions regarding which online courses to take can contact the Office of Online & Distance Education's Academic Adviser, Dr. Bob Mathiasen. Students who are admitted to UNL in a degree program, should consult an adviser at their respective UNL college. Visiting students from other institutions should get course approval prior to enrolling in any courses.
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10. How much do your courses cost?
Tuition and fee rates vary from program to program and can be found on each of the individual program pages and on the Costs page.
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11. Is financial aid available?
For information about financial aid, contact:
Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid
16 Canfield Administration Building
P.O. Box 880411
Lincoln, NE 68588-0411
Phone: (402) 472-2030 or (800) 742-8800, ext. 2030
Fax: (402) 472-9826
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12. Where do I find out what courses are available?
If you wish to enroll in a semester-based online course, you can view a list of available courses. If you want to view online courses, click on "Additional Search Criteria" and select "Distance Delivery" from the Location field. A list of available Open Enrollment courses can be viewed on the College Independent Study page. A list of Summer Reading Courses can be found here.
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13. Where do I get the required textbooks and materials for my course?
The Office of Online & Distance Education carries all the required and optional textbooks and materials for Open Enrollment courses. These can be purchased alongside the courses in the Webstore. See the How to Enroll tab on the College Independent Study page.
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln also has a University Bookstore where texts for some semester-based courses and Summer Reading Courses can be purchased.
Contact them by phone: (402) 472-7300 or (800) 735-6835; e-mail: nutext@unl.edu; or fax: (402) 472-7970. You are not obligated to purchase your books from this vendor.
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14. Will my computer be able to handle online courses?
Online courses require frequent access to a computer, high speed Internet and various computer applications.
It is important that you are familiar with the technical requirements of your program and test your equipment ahead of time. To determine if your browser and computer settings are compatible with Blackboard, please click here. Software and technology assistance is also available through the Information Services Computer Help Center.
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15. Is there technical help available?
Information Services provides a variety of services and support to the University community. These services include help with telephone, campus network and Internet services, online course registration, online degree audits, e-mail accounts, computer sales and service, and instructional technology support for students.
For technical assistance, contact the Information Services Computer Help Center, toll-free (866) 472-3970 or local (402) 472-3970; email: helpdesk@unl.edu.
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16. Do I have access to library services?
Through the University Libraries, distance students have full remote access to electronic and print resources, liaison librarian instruction, reference assistance and delivery of materials to their home or desktop. Upon registration in a UNL distance course, each student is issued a library user number. Services are extended each semester for continuing distance students. Students also have remote access to electronic reserves, electronic journals and circulation renewal.
Note: Students who are only enrolled in an Open Enrollment course and are not also enrolled in a semester-based course are not charged the $3.00/credit hour library fee and thus, do not have access to UNL library services.
For library assistance, contact Professor Kate Adams, Distance Education Coordinator, phone (402) 472-2560.
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17. Do I need a student identification card?
All admitted University of Nebraska–Lincoln students are assigned an NU ID# which is used for library services.
If you need a student ID card, and if you are a distance education student living/working in Lincoln, please go to the NCard office in the lower level of the Nebraska Union on the UNL campus. You may schedule an appointment after regular hours with the NCard office by calling (402) 472-7331.
If you are not a Lincoln area distance student, please contact the Office of Online & Distance Education at (402) 472-5515 for your NU ID number and the distance student NCard application.
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18. Are students with disabilities able to take distance education courses?
The Services for Students with Disabilities Office works with students to provide reasonable accommodations for those who have documented disabilities.
All accommodations are authorized on an individual basis and must be approved through the Services for Students with Disabilities Office. To request accommodations as a distance student, contact:
Services for Students with Disabilities
132 Canfield Administration Building
Lincoln, NE 68588-0401
Phone: (402) 472-3787, TDD (402) 472-0053
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19. Who do I contact if I have more questions?
Please do not hesitate to contact the Office of Online & Distance Education if you have further questions or concerns.
We can be reached at 1-866-700-4747 (toll-free in the U.S. and Canada) or (402) 472-2175, e-mail: unlextended@unl.edu.
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