UPPER IOWA UNIVERSITY

Extended University
Fayette, Iowa

Upper Iowa University (UIU) was established in 1857 and has since become the largest private university in the state of Iowa. Unlike some of the newer schools offering distance learning programs, UIU has a beautiful residential campus on 90 acres with eight academic buildings and three residence halls. Upper Iowa also has seventeen sports teams, known as the Peacocks, who compete in the NCAA Division II. As a nonprofit, rapidly growing, four-year liberal arts institution of higher learning, UIU offers a wide range of high-quality degree programs to nearly 6,000 students worldwide. UIU provides educational opportunities to the global community, focusing on the future while preserving the traditions of the past. Upper Iowa University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (Web site: http://www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org; telephone: 312-263-0456).

Distance Learning Program

The Extended University's distance learning programs are offered through two primary modes of delivery. Its External Degree program offers Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Science degree programs with seventeen majors through independent study/correspondence, and its Online program currently offers a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) with seven business majors, criminal justice, emergency and disaster management, health-services administration, interdisciplinary studies, public administration, a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) and a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.). Courses offered through both External Degree and Online formats meet the same standards as courses offered through the residential University in Fayette, Iowa. The External Degree program, which began in 1972, has been successfully delivered to more than 10,000 learners. Upper Iowa's External Degree program was one of the first and most successful in the United States. Both the External Degree and Online programs continue to be vital components in serving both civilian and military learners worldwide.

Delivery Media

In the External Degree program, students communicate with instructors via e-mail, fax, and regular mail. Classes are self-paced with no minimum completion time. Upper Iowa's Online program is noted for its e-mail–like feel. Online students log on (via the Internet) just long enough to send and receive materials, anytime, anywhere, day or night. Most work is accomplished off-line, or through asynchronous communication. Online students may also communicate with their instructors through course software, e-mail, fax, or phone.

Programs of Study

Upper Iowa University has a long history of offering high-quality degree programs through distance learning.

In the External Degree program, associate and bachelor's degree programs are available in a wide range of academic areas, including accounting, business administration, criminal justice, emergency and disaster management, finance, health-services administration, human resources management, human services, interdisciplinary studies, management, marketing, psychology, public administration (general, law enforcement, or fire science), social science, and technology and information management.

Upper Iowa's Online program offers a Bachelor of Science degree with fifteen majors to choose from: accounting, business administration, criminal justice, emergency and disaster management, finance, health-services administration, human resources management, human services, interdisciplinary studies, management, marketing, psychology, public administration (general, law enforcement, or fire science), and technology and information management.

The M.B.A. offers six areas of emphasis: accounting, corporate finance management, global business, human resources management, organizational development, and quality management.

The M.P.A. offers four areas of emphasis: health and human services, homeland security, justice administration, and public personnel management. The course work focuses on the theories and skills that are the foundation for tomorrow's organizations, including organizational design, total quality management, self-managed teams, employee empowerment, change management, facilitation skills, high-performance work systems, and more.

Special Programs

Each summer, the External Degree program sponsors the Institute for Experiential Learning (IEXL) for undergraduate students. During an intensive weeklong session held on the Fayette campus, students have the opportunity to earn 3 semester hours of undergraduate credit while visiting the residential campus and networking with other learners from around the world.

Student Services

External Degree and Online students are provided with one-on-one academic advising via U.S. mail, e-mail, telephone, fax communication, and through use of a special software/courseware package (for Online program students).In addition to local university libraries, undergraduate and graduate students and faculty members have access to the Henderson Wilder Library holdings through Upper Iowa University's Web site.

Credit Options

Full credit is given to students for college-level courses completed at regionally accredited colleges and universities. Students can transfer a maximum of 45 semester hours for an associate degree, 90 semester hours for a bachelor's degree, and 12 semester hours for a master's degree. Other sources of credit include the American Council on Education (ACE), the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education support (DANTES) subject exams, and experiential learning.

Faculty

Upper Iowa University's distance learning program has more than 100 adjunct faculty members, many of whom have doctoral or terminal degrees. Faculty members are experienced in the areas in which they teach.

Admission

Admission criteria for undergraduate degrees include graduation from an accredited public or private high school or completion of the GED test or its equivalent. For the graduate program, prospective students must hold an undergraduate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. More information regarding grade point requirements, TOEFL scores for international students, and transfer credit is available upon request or on the UIU Web site.

Tuition and Fees

Associate- and baccalaureate-level tuition for courses taken through External Degree (independent study/correspondence) or at off-campus learning centers (classroom) for 2005–06 was $651 per 3-semester-credit course. Under graduate and graduate online (Internet-based) courses were $807 and $999, respectively, per 3-semester-credit course.

Financial Aid

Financial aid in the form of Federal Stafford Student Loans, Federal Pell Grants, Iowa Tuition Grants (Iowa residents only), Veterans Assistance, and Military Tuition Assistance is available. Recently, a total of $273,420 in financial aid was disbursed to 21 percent of Upper Iowa University's distance learning students.

Applying

Students may enroll in UIU distance learning programs at any time. In the External Degree program, students may start courses at any time. In the Online program, eight-week terms begin six times a year. Students should send official transcripts (including CLEP, DANTES, or DD-214), GRE/GMAT score reports (if required), and a completed Application for Admission form (available online or by contacting the school via telephone or e-mail) directly to Upper Iowa University.

CONTACT

Extended University
Upper Iowa University
605 Washington Street
P.O. Box 1857
Fayette, Iowa 52142-1857
Phone: 877-366-0581 (toll-free)
Fax: 563-425-5771
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.uiu.edu