SOUTHERN POLYTECHNIC STATE UNIVERSITY

Extended University
Marietta, Georgia

Distance Learning Program

The Office of Distance Learning (ODL) provides administrative, marketing, and technical support for distance learning activities at SPSU, which has offered distance learning options in a variety of formats since 1995. Academic programs maintain the responsibility for program selection, content, and delivery, and ODL assists with administration and marketing and provides full technical support, including development and delivery support. Methods of distance delivery at SPSU include video-conferencing, the Web, and satellite.

Delivery Media

All online courses require daily access to the Internet and a computer capable of running both current versions of Web browsers and standard productivity applications. Students communicate with their professors and class members primarily through e-mail. Assignments are completed using word processing software, such as Microsoft Word. Other software requirements vary with each course. The majority of distance learning courses use WebCT (Web Course Tools), a Web-based course-management system that is accessible through an Internet browser (such as Internet Explorer, Netscape, or Mozilla). WebCT requires specific versions of browsers and the installation of the Sun Java run-time environment.

Programs of Study

SPSU offers the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (WebBSIT), the Master of Science (M.S.) in quality assurance, the undergraduate-level construction management certificate, and the graduate-level certificate in technical communication. In a consortium with four other institutions, SPSU offers the Bachelor of Science degree entirely through online courses. Offered since 1997, the M.S. program is designed for anyone working in quality, training, and related disciplines and meets the needs of professionals who support total quality, continuous improvement, and process management within an organization. Consisting of 20 credit hours (six graduate courses), the certificate in technical communication is offered entirely in a Web-based learning environment that allows professionals already working in the field to update and expand their skills. For those new to the field, the program is an opportunity to learn desirable information design and communication skills that are sought by today's employers. The construction management certificate in specialty construction requires 19 semester hours and includes courses in building mechanical, electrical, and plumbing loads; the estimating process; project management; and energy conservation.

Special Programs

The internship program is a short-term work experience in a professional environment that emphasizes learning versus earnings. Designed to enhance academic, personal, and professional development, the program assists students in making a smooth transition from the classroom to the world of work or provides students with insight about potential careers. Usually, an internship is a one-time experience for a student who has attained at least some academic preparation in a professional field.

Student Services

Technical assistance is available through the University System of Georgia's help desk and through SPSU's information technology help desk. Many resources are offered on the Career Services Web site, including tips on resume writing and posting and links to job-search engines. Resources available at SPSU's Johnson Library are outlined and can be accessed through the library's Resources for Distance Learners Web page. Academic advising takes place with a faculty member in the student's major department.

Founded in 1948 as a unit of the Georgia Institute of Technology at the request of the Georgia Business and Industry Association, Southern Polytechnic State University (SPSU) is a special-purpose institution in the University System of Georgia, with about 3,700 students. The University's mission is to provide the residents of Georgia with university-level education in technology, engineering technology, arts and sciences, architecture, management, and related fields. SPSU offers a flexible schedule of day and evening classes for programs at the associate, baccalaureate, and master's levels to highly motivated students. A significant number of working professionals are enrolled as part-time students. The growing graduate programs introduce students to research that is industrially, technically, or applications focused.

Credit Options

In general, students can be awarded some transfer credit for course work already completed elsewhere. Distance learning M.S. students can choose the online graduate seminar class as the final course, which delves into special technical topics not normally covered in other courses. A technical semester project is required. Alternatively, distance learning students can choose to complete QA7503, a two-semester research methods project class, as their final course. This course requires two intensive full-day Saturday on-campus meetings, one in October and the other in March. At the second meeting, students present their completed research projects to faculty members and students.

Faculty

The faculty strives for excellence in teaching and service, providing a laboratory-centered and/or professionally oriented education that fosters problem solving, ethical awareness, and a desire for lifelong learning. All classes are taught by experienced, dedicated faculty members, not teaching assistants. At SPSU, teaching is the top criterion for promotion and tenure. All faculty members are required to have relevant work or research experience.

Admission

Incoming freshmen must have completed a minimum of 16 units in English, math, science, history, and foreign language and must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 and a minimum SAT score of 1000 (42 on the ACT).

Tuition and Fees

In 2005–06, undergraduate tuition is $180 per credit hour; graduate tuition is $216 per credit hour. Those enrolled in the WebBSIT program pay $265 per credit hour. The technology fee is $75 per semester.

Financial Aid

Each year, approximately 90 percent of undergraduate students receive aid, consisting of loans, scholarships, grants, and work-study assignments. Graduate students can receive aid through loans or a work-study program. Information about aid available to distance learners is available through the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.

CONTACT

Dawn Ramsey, Dean
Office of Distance Learning
1100 South Marietta Parkway
Marietta, Georgia 30060-2896
Phone: 678-915-3713
Fax: 678-915-3576
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://eu.spsu.edu/distancelearning/

Applying

Undergraduate applicants must submit the completed application form, a $20 nonrefundable application fee, all official high school and college transcripts, and official SAT or ACT scores. Graduate applicants must send in the completed application form, a $20 nonrefundable application fee, two copies of all official college transcripts, and three letters of reference. The application deadlines for the summer, fall, and spring semesters are May 1, August 1, and December 1, respectively.