INDIANA UNIVERSITY

School of Continuing Studies
Bloomington, Indiana

Distance Learning Program

The IU Independent Study Program (ISP) is one of the world's largest. It offers more than 200 undergraduate courses by correspondence, more than 100 high school courses by correspondence, and a growing inventory of undergraduate and high school online courses. Each year, it enrolls more than 14,500 students from all fifty states and from twenty-five other countries. The Independent Study Program has won fifty-four course awards from the University Continuing Education Association, more than any other program of its kind.

Delivery Media

The IU Independent Study Program courses use such technologies as the World Wide Web, e-mail, electronic learning guides, CD-ROMs, computer software, and audio cassettes and videotapes. Students may interact with their instructors by toll-free phone, e-mail, and the World Wide Web.

Programs of Study

Through the IU Independent Study Program, students can take individual courses, earn an Indiana University high school diploma, or complete all degree requirements leading to an IU Associate of Arts in General Studies (60 semester credit hours) or an IU Bachelor of General Studies (120 semester credit hours). Students may now earn both degrees online.

ISP courses are open to all students. In fact, many students at other educational institutions use ISP courses to fulfill degree or diploma requirements at their home institution.

Student Services

Students should visit the IU School of Continuing Studies Web site to find course information and enrollment forms. Students can contact the School 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They can enjoy a one-on-one relationship with their instructors either by phone or e-mail. Students enrolling in Independent Study Program courses receive a free IU e-mail account. Through the IU Bloomington Libraries Distance Education Services, students can obtain a library code for borrowing books; order books, articles, and other library materials to be delivered free of charge; get reference help; and learn how to search the library's catalog and databases.

Credit Options

Students can use a variety of options for earning credit toward their Associate of Arts in General Studies and their Bachelor of General Studies. Students who started their college education at another accredited college or university should be able to transfer a considerable number of credits to Indiana University. Other options include credit by examination, credit for self-acquired competency, and military service credit.

Students pursuing the Associate of Arts in General Studies must successfully complete at least 15 of the 60 required credit hours at Indiana University or through the IU Independent Study Program. Students pursuing the Bachelor of General Studies degree must successfully complete at least 30 of the 120 required credit hours at Indiana University or through the IU Independent Study Program.

Faculty

The 2004–05 ISP teaching faculty included 41 high school instructors and 135 University instructors.

Admission

Admission to Indiana University is not required for taking ISP courses. Students need only fill out a registration form for the desired courses.

Indiana University (IU) was established in 1820 in Bloomington, Indiana. There are now eight IU campuses located throughout the state of Indiana. Indiana University has 116 academic programs ranked in the nation's top twenty. For fall semester 2002, the all-campus enrollment was 98,710 students (graduate and undergraduate).

Indiana University has offered University distance education courses since 1912 and high school distance education courses since 1925. It is accredited by the North Central Association.

Students wanting to earn an Associate of Arts in General Studies or a Bachelor of General Studies must submit an admission application to the General Studies Degree Program office. For more information, students should contact the General Studies Degree Program as listed below.

Tuition and Fees

Fees are the same for all students, regardless of where they live. The 2004–05 fee for University ISP courses was $125.40 per credit hour. The 2004–05 fee for high school ISP courses was $120 per 1-credit course and $60 per half-credit course. Students seeking admission to the General Studies Degree Program pay a $50 application fee ($65 for international students). Fees are subject to change.

Financial Aid

At this time, Indiana University is unable to administer federal or state financial aid for students pursuing degrees entirely through distance education, including those students enrolled in ISP courses.

CONTACT

School of Continuing Studies
Owen Hall
Indiana University
790 East Kirkwood Avenue
Bloomington, Indiana 47405-7101
Phone: 812-855-2292
800-334-1011 (toll-free)
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://scs.indiana.edu/guest/petersons_indepth.html

Applying

There are no residency requirements for enrolling in Independent Study Program courses or applying to the General Studies Degree Program, and no on-campus meetings are required; these programs are open to students worldwide.