You must be a resident of the state of Alaska to enroll in the majority of the degree programs offered by distance through UAS. (The exceptions are the MPA program, the M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education, and the M.Ed. in Educational Technology). Please check with your local site coordinator for availability of required equipment. Some communities have not been set up yet for things like satellite delivered courses which are part of the MPA program delivery.
Although most degree programs offered by distance are not available to students living outside of the state of Alaska, non-residents can take courses offered by CD-ROM, Internet, or via traditional correspondence.
International students are welcome to take any of our traditional correspondence courses by UAF's Center for Distance Education.
Most distance courses today have homework assignment deadlines set by the instructor. Year-long courses, now considered traditional correspondence courses, do not typically have weekly deadlines. You must contact the Fairbanks campus' Center for Distance Education for more information.
Although the course content remains unchanged, some students find distance courses more difficult than traditional college courses. The following skills are essential for success in distance education: Work and learn independently, manage your time, gather information from a variety of sources, strong academic skills, goal-oriented and the ability to commit time. Determine if you possess these skills before attempting a distance course.
Courses are delivered through printed materials, audio and videotapes, telephone communication with the instructor, fax, CD-ROM, Internet, satellite and/or Email. Each programs main delivery method is listed on the Distance Homepage.
The cost of broadcasting satellite and audioconference courses is very high. The tuition and fees distance students pay do not necessarily cover all of the expenses required to take one of these courses.
For this reason, strict rules are enforced in communities where more than one person is enrolled in the same course. You may only take a satellite or audioconference course from your home if you are the only person in your community taking the course or if you are considered to have special circumstances. Otherwise, you must meet in a common area that will be provided to you upon enrollment. We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in this type of instance.
Distance courses match the on-campus versions very closely both in duration and in content. On-campus students spend 3 hours in class and 3-6 hours on the assignments per week. Although some distance students complete the course in fewer hours, many find they work more slowly studying on their own. Plan to spend 5-8 hours studying per week per course. Distance courses require a lot of work and time but the percentage of students who complete is similar to the on-campus sections and the average grade is often higher.
While tuition, technology fees and book/material fees are the same for distance and on-campus courses, students taking distance delivered classes are required to pay distance fees. On-campus students pay certain campus-related fees (for example the student activity fee) that extended site students do not pay.
Yes, in most instances if the student is admitted to a degree program. Financial aid does not fund yearlong correspondence courses. Most forms of financial aid require that the student be enrolled in at least 6 credits (half time status) to quality. Students may take classes from more than one UA campus and still be eligible for financial aid.
Work through the financial aid office at the campus that will award the degree you are seeking.
No, it is not necessary. However, classes taken before applying for a specific degree program cannot be guaranteed as meeting requirements for a program if the requirements change.