Registration
IUP students register for distance education courses
through the URSA website, just as they
register for any other course. Non-IUP students must register through the
School of Continuing Education by using the application
form. When your application form is received, we will make
every effort to enroll you in your course. Once enrolled, you will receive
written confirmation and shortly thereafter, a bill from the Bursar's Office for
tuition and fees (which includes a deadline for payment).
Dropping/Withdrawing from a
Course
Non-IUP Students:
To drop a course (before
the drop deadline
date), or withdrawal from a course (after the
drop deadline date),
Non-IUP students must contact the School of Continuing Education via e-mail at
ce-info@iup.edu
or
telephone 1-800-640-7421. Depending on the date you withdraw from a
course, certain fees will still apply. Failure to notify IUP will result in continued billing,
the complete loss of tuition and fees paid, and an "F" grade.
IUP Students:
Regular IUP students can drop a course during
the Drop/Add period or withdraw
from a course BEFORE the
Withdrawal Deadline
Date through the URSA Website. After the Drop/Add
period, regular IUP students must follow the procedures for a withdrawal. For details on the Individual
Course Withdrawal Policy, please see the
Registrar's Website.
For information on refunds, please see the
Bursar's Website.
Failure to notify IUP will result in continued billing,
the complete loss of tuition and fees paid, and an "F" grade.
NOTE TO ALL DISTANCE ED STUDENTS: Non-Payment of fees and/or
non-participation in your course DOES NOT constitute a withdrawal
from the course.
2-3 Weeks Prior to the Beginning of the
Course
-
Be
sure your computer meets minimum technical specifications.
-
Order textbooks: Books for the online courses are available at the
IUP Co-op Store. It is
recommended that you call the store 2 or 3 weeks prior to the beginning of the
course in order to receive your books by mail before classes begin. Call the
IUP Co-Op Store at 800-537-7916.
-
Set
up your IUP e-mail account.
-
Obtain software, etc. listed in the description of your course.
-
Update your mailing address.
-
Learn about WebCT
(instructions below under "Course Competencies").
Student
Responsibility of an E-mail Account and Logging into URSA
When you
receive notification that your application and registration have been approved,
you will also receive instructions for accessing your IUP e-mail account. IUP uses e-mail
as a standard form of communication with its students. You will receive an
introductory letter from your instructor, which will be sent to your IUP E-mail
address, several weeks before the first day of class. Check your IUP
e-mail account regularly!
IUP's URSA Website is where you will find
your computing information necessary for accessing IUP Email, your registration
information, your final grade, and much more.
Please use this account to communicate with your professor and to receive
official communications from IUP. Step by step instructions for logging into
URSA and setting up your IUP email account are provided
here.
Basic
Abilities
Some basic
abilities applied here are: ability to use a mouse (double-click, block, drag,
and drop), using a web browser such as Internet Explorer, the use of e-mail,
navigation of the Internet, and the ability to download and install plug-ins and
required software.
Hardware
and Software Requirements
Because
WebCT is based on the Internet, you will need to have access to a computer and
the hardware and software resources needed to access the Internet. Suggestions
for each are listed below:
- The computer must be
robust enough to run one of the recent web browsers and download files in a
reasonable amount of time. For personal computers, we recommend at least a 486
personal computer (or its equivalent Apple or Unix machine) with at least
eight Mbytes of RAM.
- You will need to be able
to reach the World Wide Web, either through a network at your place of
business or through a modem connection from home. The modem should be at least
28.8 bps. If you can, use an Internet Service Provider (ISP) that has a local
access number so that you can avoid long distance charges.
- The browser that you use
is important. WebCT requires a browser that is both Java and Javascript
enabled. This option needs to be set in your browser. For best results in
WebCT, use Netscape 3.0, 4.0 or Internet Explorer 4.0. Early versions of
Internet Explorer and Netscape have problems with JAVA. If you would like a
browser tune-up to ensure your browser settings are optimized for running a
WebCT course visit
WebCT Browser Tune-up.
- Account with an Internet
Service Provider (ISP) for Internet access
- Active e-mail account
Some courses may require additional hardware
and software. For Example some courses have video files to be viewed using Media
Player, which requires additional hardware.
WebCT Course
Competencies
Develop
WebCT competencies - almost all IUP distance education courses use WebCT. In order to successfully complete a distance education
course you should develop competency in WebCT using functions like e-mail,
discussion, and quiz.
Learn more about course competencies...
By the first day of the scheduled course,
your instructor will give you access to your course on WebCT.
University Proctored Exam Arrangements
If
you live more than fifty miles from main campus and your instructor requires a
proctored exam, you must make the arrangements. It is your responsibility to recommend
someone who fits the criteria and provide the contact information to the
instructor of your course. A proctor cannot be a member of your family or
household. Please note that the university cannot pay for proctor service.
See the Proctored Exam page for complete
instructions.
Access Grade
Students obtain grades electronically
at IUP. You will not receive your grades in the mail but will access them via
the web at the IUP URSA website. In
the "Students" area, select "How to Access Grades". |
