Independent and Distance Learning (IDL) is a program of the University of Minnesota's College of Continuing Education. IDL offers approximately 150 credit courses by mail and the Internet to learners throughout the world.
Course requirements for all IDL courses can be completed without visiting the University of Minnesota campus. The program has no entrance requirements.
Since 1909, the University has provided programs for independent learners. Today, IDL's courses cover almost every subject imaginable--from accounting, Afro-American studies, and computer science to English, nursing, and history.
Through the University's College of Continuing Education, accredited courses are accessible to anyone, anywhere, at any time, providing students with a convenient way to complete their degrees.
The IDL program attracts students from all over Minnesota, from all fifty states, and from many foreign countries.
IDL courses are taught by experts in their disciplines and, depending on the course, are available by mail or the Internet. Working at their own pace, students often have up to nine months to complete IDL courses.
Courses
IDL currently offers approximately 170 credit courses by correspondence and online. All IDL course requirements can be completed without visiting the University of Minnesota campus, and there are no entrance requirements.
Selecting a Course
You are responsible for registering in a course appropriate to your needs and educational level, and for completing it. Some colleges and universities set restrictions governing the acceptance of Independent and Distance Learning credits. If you want to use the credits in a degree or certificate program, check with an advisor for that particular program to be sure a specific course will apply to your program. Make sure you choose the course format that best fits your lifestyle, learning style, the requirements of any financial aid you have been receiving, and your academic needs. Generally, we recommend that you register in only one IDL course at a time.
Detailed course information is available online and can be sent to you. If the course you are interested in is in preparation, you may ask to be notified when the course is ready for registration..
Before registering, check with your adviser to determine whether the online course will count toward your graduate degree. If you are not admitted to a University of Minnesota graduate program, you may apply for temporary graduate-level status for one semester by contacting the academic department that accredits the course you are interested in (e.g., Public Health, Social Work, Rhetoric). Contact the department prior to registering. Graduate-level students will be assessed graduate-level or professional school tuition rates.
Online Semester Courses
Online courses held during specific semesters (term-based courses) combine the flexibility of self-study with the satisfaction of interaction. You register and progress through the course with fellow students, following a week-by-week calendar of assignments. Discussions in online courses are asynchronous (unless specified otherwise): you do not need to be online at specified times. Be sure to initiate your University of Minnesota e-mail account as soon as you receive confirmation of your registration.
These courses are different from other Independent and Distance Learning courses.
You need to complete the coursework in one semester. You need to meet weekly deadlines. Specific dates for registration periods and terms are given below.
Online courses will not meet in person. They use a course Web site for course content and discussions.
You do much coursework independently, using study notes, textbooks, and other materials. You and your instructor exchange assignments via the course Web site.
Some courses may have proctored exams that are not online. You schedule any proctored exams on your own, according to your instructor's schedule.
Exams
Most Independent and Distance Learning courses include a proctored final exam and one or more proctored midcourse exams. An examination scheduling form for each exam is included in the course study guide. Fill in the submission number and write either midcourse exam or final exam and attach the form to the exam when you submit it for grading. You must submit all assignments prior to an exam before you take that exam. Consult your study guide for any special restrictions on exams. Be sure to bring a submission form and photo ID when you take your exam.
Registration There are four ways you can register in Independent and Distance Learning courses:
1. In person
Visit a One Stop Student Services Center of the Office of the Registrar.
2. By mail
Mail your completed Registration and Cancel/Add form to University of Minnesota 200 Fraser Hall 106 Pleasant St. SE Minneapolis, MN 55455-0216 Or, request an IDL catalog and we'll mail one to you.
3. By fax
Fax your completed Registration and Cancel/Add form to 612-626-0008. Put your name and U of M ID number (if assigned) or SSN on each page.
4. By computer
Go to http://onestop.umn.edu/registrar/registration. Online registration is available only for students who have registered at least once during the two previous terms (excluding summer). The registration system is available Monday-Saturday, 6:30 a.m. to 2 a.m., and Sunday, 12:30 p.m. to 2 a.m., except on official University holidays. Most of the registration information you'll need to provide is private data; some will be used for identification and to establish your student record, and other information is required for federal reporting purposes.
What Happens after I Register?
After you register in an IDL course, you will receive a registration statement/study list from the Office of the Registrar. Once you receive your statement, your University e-mail account will be active. Go to https://www.umn.edu/initiate to initiate your account.
You'll receive a separate package from CCE with the course study guide and reading supplement (if used), along with submission forms, mailing labels, and information on how to contact your instructor. You should receive these materials two or three weeks after you register.
The contents are informative in nature. Candidates are advised to refer to the notice published on Official Websites of the organization(s) administering the particular Courses/Test(s) / Examination(s). National Network of Education strives to provide the latest, updated and correct information. Your participations will enhance our efforts. In case you have a suggestion or have spotted an error - please provide us your FEEDBACK.
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