FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

FAQs about Distance Education

Q: How can I enroll in a distance education course?
A: Admission and registration for a distance education     course is the same as for any other college course.     Once a student is admitted to the college, registration     may be done by phone, online or in-person at any of the     college's campuses. Withdrawal and refund policies     provided in the course schedule apply to all courses,     including distance education courses.

Q: How many distance education courses can I take?
A: You may take as many as you choose, within load      limits set for all classes. However, if you have not taken any distance education courses before, you      may want to "test the waters" by taking just one, then adding to that if you find the method meets      your needs.

Q: Are distance education courses easier than traditional courses?
A: No. They require at least as much effort and time as traditional courses, if not more. Because     students work primarily on their own without face-to-face contact with instructors, they will not have     the regular classroom reminders and clarifications available to students in traditional courses.

Q: What if I don't have equipment needed at home to access an internet course?
A: All of Columbia State's campuses in the college's service area have computer labs and learning     resource centers with open lab hours where the courses may be accessed.

Q: How is testing done in distance education courses?
A: Testing procedures vary by instructor but, in general, testing services for distance education classes     are available at all campus locations. Testing information is provided at course orientations and in     course syllabi.

Q: How may I buy textbooks that are required for a distance education course?
A: Books may be purchased at any of the college's campuses or may be ordered via the     college bookstore at www.bkstore.com/coscc. Textbooks for Interactive Television Courses will be the     same as those used in traditional classes and may be purchased through the college bookstore.     Textbooks for video courses should not be purchased until after course orientation, since they may     not be the same as those used in traditional courses. Textbooks for Columbia State Internet Courses     should be purchased following instructions provided on the course web pages or during the course     orientation. Textbooks for RODP classes must be purchased from the virtual bookstore on the     RODP site.