Course Information
Semester Dates
- Summer 2009, May 26 - August 14
- Fall 2009, August 24 - December 18
- Spring 2010, January 14 - May 14
- Summer 2010, May 24 - August 13
- Fall 2010, August 23 - December 17
- Spring 2011, January 13 - May 13
- Summer 2011, May 23 - August 12
Will My Distance Degree be Different than an On-Campus Degree?
All distance courses offered in this program are exactly the same as the courses offered on campus. Many courses are recordings of current on-campus classes and are put online immediately after each lecture is completed.
An online course will be accessible and utilized by both distance and on-campus students. Frequently, instructors combine their on- and off-campus students via e-mail or the Internet to work on projects together or to 'chat' via a discussion room or message board.
Your transcript and diploma will look the same as an on-campus student's with no reference to whether the degree was completed on or off campus.
Accreditation
Kansas State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA) of Colleges and Schools. In addition, K-State's engineering undergraduate programs are all accredited, most by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) or the Computer Science Accreditation Board (CSAB). CSAB is the lead society within the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) for accreditation of programs in computer science, information systems, and software engineering, and is a cooperating society for accreditation of computer engineering. See www.abet.org or www.csab.org for more information about ABET and CSAB.
K-State's engineering faculty are all fully engaged in the accredited undergraduate programs, leading-edge and state-of-the-art research, and high-quality graduate instructional programs.
Class Sessions
Courses offered in this degree program will be taught via the Internet. Courses run on a semester basis: Spring (mid - January to mid - May); Summer (dates vary); Fall (mid - August to mid - December).
Students are encouraged to enroll early, but no later than two weeks before the beginning of the semester. Students who enroll on or after the first day of class will be charged a late fee and may experience delays in receiving course information and materials.
Engineering courses require students to have access to a computer and the Internet. (See Computer Requirements.)
Exams
Most courses will require that students identify a proctor who will supervise the taking of exams by the student. An "Examination Proctor's Agreement" will be provided to each student who is enrolled. A proctor must be identified and the agreement returned to the Division of Continuing Education at the beginning of the semester.
Computer Requirements
Most courses post video or provide audio for lectures, as well as assignments, resources, etc., on the web.
Computer requirements include a computer running Windows XP or higher, or Macintosh OS X 10.3 or newer, a sound card and speakers, a CD and DVD drive, and high-speed Internet is needed for most courses. See http://public.online.k-state.edu/support/system_requirements.php for specific information on recommended systems.
Course Information Packets
An online Course Information Packet providing detailed information about each course, as well as K-State policies and procedures, will be made available to distance students after they enroll. A 'welcome' e-mail will be sent from the DCE Facilitation Center approximately one month before the semester begins, confirming students' enrollments and directing them to the online Packet website. Students should read their Packet(s) very carefully, following instructions for ordering textbooks and any other requirements for beginning their courses on time.
