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Kansas State University

Program & Registration Information > General Course Information

Program & Registration Information

General Course Information

Semester Dates | Distance vs. On-Campus | Accreditation | Class Sessions |
Exams | Computer Requirements | Course Information Packets

Semester Dates

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Will My Distance Degree be Different than an On-Campus Degree?

All distance courses offered in this program are exactly the same as the courses offered on campus. Many courses are recordings of current on-campus classes and are put online immediately after each lecture is completed.

An online course will be accessible and utilized by both distance and on-campus students. Frequently, instructors combine their on- and off-campus students via e-mail or the Internet to work on projects together or to 'chat' via a discussion room or message board.

Your transcript and diploma will look the same as an on-campus student's with no reference to whether the degree was completed on or off campus.

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Accreditation

Kansas State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA) of Colleges and Schools. K-State's engineering undergraduate programs are all accredited, most by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET). ABET's policy is that a program may be accredited at only one level (either undergraduate or graduate, but not both) in a particular curriculum at a particular institution.

K-State's Department of Computing and Information Sciences' undergraduate programs are accredited by the Computer Science Accreditation Board (CSAB). CSAB is the lead society within the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) for accreditation of programs in computer science, information systems, and software engineering, and is a cooperating society for accreditation of computer engineering. See www.csab.org for more information about CSAB. ABET/CSAB's policy is that computing programs are only accredited at the baccalaureate degree level.

For more information on ABET's accreditation policies, see the ABET Accreditation Policies and Procedures Manual, Section II.B.8.c. Program Level (www.abet.org/forms.shtml). The same K-State faculty who instruct the accredited undergraduate program offer the graduate program, thereby maintaining the excellent quality of instruction at the graduate level.

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Class Sessions

Courses offered in this degree program will be taught via the Internet, with a very few exceptions that are delivered via CD-ROM, videotape, or a combination of media. Courses run concurrently with the corresponding on-campus class.

Students are encouraged to enroll early, but no later than two weeks before the beginning of the semester. Students who enroll on or after the first day of class will be charged a late fee and may experience delays in receiving course information and materials.

Engineering courses require students to have access to a computer and the Internet. (See Computer Requirements.)

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Exams

Most courses will require that students identify a proctor who will supervise the taking of exams by the student. An "Examination Proctor's Agreement" will be provided to each student who is enrolled. A proctor must be identified and the form returned to Division of Continuing Education at the beginning of the semester.

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Computer Requirements

Most courses post video or provide audio for lectures, as well as assignments, resources, etc., on the web.

Computer requirements include a computer running Windows XP or higher, or Macintosh OS X 10.3 or newer, a sound card and speakers, a CD and DVD drive, and High-speed Internet is needed for most courses. See http://public.online.k-state.edu/support/system_requirements.php for specific information on recommended systems.

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Course Information Packets

An online Course Information Packet providing detailed information about each course, as well as K-State policies and procedures, will be made available to distance students after they enroll. A 'welcome' e-mail will be sent from the DCE Facilitation Center approximately one month before the semester begins, confirming students' enrollments and directing them to the online Packet website. Students should read their Packet(s) very carefully, following instructions for ordering textbooks, electronic ID set up, and any other requirements for beginning their courses on time.

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Program & Registration Information > General Course Information