FLORIDA STATE UNIVERSITY

Office for Distributed and Distance Learning
Tallahassee, Florida

Distance Learning Program

Students learning from a distance receive the same high-quality education and degrees as those students who complete on-campus programs. No distinction is made on transcripts. Using the Internet and software designed specifically for online learning, students receive guidance from instructors, collaborate with classmates on projects, exchange ideas with course members, and contribute to online class discussions at any time of the day or night.

Most students currently enrolled in FSU's distance-degree programs maintain full-time careers. They attend to their online courses during non-work hours and without having to relocate to Tallahassee. Students may take proctored exams at an institution in their area.

Delivery Media

To provide distance students a comprehensive and easy-to-use online learning environment, FSU has partnered with an educational software corporation to create the leading product of its kind. Students "attend" class through course Web sites that deliver communication tools (including discussion boards, live chat, and e-mail) and course materials that are compatible with both PCs and Macs. FSU's online environment includes nearly every component of a face-to-face class, and some that are only possible via technology. Distance learning at FSU is accessible from anywhere an Internet connection is available.

Programs of Study

Bachelor's programs are available in computer science, interdisciplinary social science, nursing, and software engineering. Master's programs are available in adult education/human resource development, business administration, communication disorders, criminology/criminal justice, educational leadership, information studies, instructional systems/distance learning, mathematics education, nursing, physical education, risk management/insurance, science education, social work, and special education. Students pursuing these degrees online typically take one or two courses per semester and satisfy graduation requirements in two to four years.

Special Programs

Online certificate programs are available in adult education/human resource development, online instructional development, and special education.

Student Services

Florida State University has developed a team exclusively focused on supporting students in its distance-learning programs. Team members include lead faculty members, who are responsible for assuring course quality, mentors or graduate assistants, and distancelearning support staff. Mentors/graduate assistants are selected by FSU faculty members for their background and knowledge of the particular discipline as well as for their ability to guide and encourage a cohort of students. Mentors and graduate assistants are trained to provide each student with individualized tutorial guidance and attention in every course.

Credit Options

Students who have earned an Associate in Arts degree from a Florida public institution or completed at least 60 semester hours of transferable credit are eligible for admission to the University. Some programs may have additional admissions requirements. Master's degree programs are open to students who have earned a bachelor's degree and meet University graduate entrance and specific departmental requirements. Florida State University generally awards credit for classes that are offered at a comparable level and taken at regionally accredited community colleges, colleges, and universities in the U.S., and from fully recognized international institutions. After a student is admitted to the University, the Office of Admissions examines the student's transcripts to determine what credit will transfer toward a degree from FSU.

Since its founding more than 150 years ago, Florida State University (FSU) has been guided by its mission to meet the higher education needs of the people of Florida and the U.S. The University remains rooted in its tradition of encouraging critical inquiry, promoting lifelong learning, and responding to radical transformations within professions and society. University faculty members guide students in acquiring the knowledge and skills to learn efficiently and adapt quickly to new settings and challenges, long after earning their degree.

Faculty

Approximately 88 percent of the teaching faculty members hold doctorates or other terminal degrees. FSU has had five Nobel laureates on its faculty. The faculty currently includes five National Academy of Sciences elected members and two American Academy of Arts and Sciences fellows.

Admission

All applicants must submit official transcripts from each institution previously attended. Applicants for bachelor's degree programs with 60 or more transferable semester hours must have a 2.5 (out of 4.0) minimum GPA, unless they have earned an Associate in Arts degree from a Florida public institution and completed the University foreign language requirement. Individual departments may have additional requirements.

Master's degree program admission involves gaining acceptance by the department or school in which the applicant expects to study. While there are minimum University admission requirements, the departments can, and frequently do, set admission standards significantly higher than these minimums. Applicants should first determine departmental requirements.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition rates differ depending on whether a student is a Florida resident or an out-of-state resident, and an undergraduate or graduate student. Partial tuition waivers are available for online graduate students who reside outside of Florida, reducing their tuition to an amount comparable to the University's affordable in-state tuition rates. Complete information is available through the Web site listed in the Contact section.

Financial Aid

Distance students may have access to many of the same types of financial aid as residential students. To qualify, students need to be enrolled for at least six hours per semester. Qualifying for financial aid is sometimes a lengthy process, and should be started at least two semesters in advance of the term for which financial aid is expected. FSU's Office of Financial Aid provides assistance in determining eligibility for financial aid. The academic coordinator for each distance-degree program can also answer questions about obtaining financial aid.

CONTACT

Florida State University
Office for Distributed and Distance Learning
3500-C University Center
Tallahassee, Florida 32306-2550
Phone: 877-357-8283 (toll-free)
Fax: 850-644-5803
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://learnonline.fsu.edu

Applying

Applications may be submitted online and are accepted one year in advance of the start semester. The University deadline is July 1, but programs vary so applicants are encouraged to check the department Web sites. Notification typically takes four to six weeks from the time all necessary credentials are received. An initial orientation is required and available online. Students may register for courses online or by phone.