University of Southern Indiana

Prospective Students

Are distance education courses for you?
Take this 10-question self-quiz to help you assess whether or not distance education suits your circumstances and lifestyle.

Need information about admission to USI?
Admission information is available online for both undergraduate and graduate programs. Special students taking only one distance education course or non-USI students should contact the USI DE Learning Center Coordinator via email or telephone at 800/813-4238. The USI DE Learning Center does not determine how courses taken from other institutions will transfer to USI or how USI courses transfer to other institutions. For information about the transferability of courses or to request or submit a transcript, contact the Office of the Registrar. Students who have attended USI in the past may need to be readmitted if they have not attended for a semester or more. Tuition and Distance Education fee information is available online.

Interested in registering for a distance education course?
The starting point for most students is advice and permission from a faculty advisor. Permission from a faculty advisor is required to register for distance education courses. The USI DE Learning Center can provide information and assistance related to course offerings and distance education programs. USI students who have declared major areas of study should obtain the name of a faculty advisor in their school for assistance in planning their courses. Students should consult the university calendar for admission and registration deadlines to allow ample time for consulting with an advisor. Undecided USI students who have not yet declared a major area of study should obtain the name of an advisor in University Division.

Sample syllabi for many USI distance education courses are available through USI's Blackboard system. Click on Course Catalog, and then select the Distance Education and Online Courses folder. Here, click DE Syllabi under the Course ID listing to access the site. Instructors have the option of listing their course syllabi here and are responsible for updating the information. If you have questions about a particular syllabus, please contact the instructor directly.

If you would like to take one or more USI distance learning courses without seeking a degree, you may qualify for Special Student status. Contact the DE Learning Center for details. Non-USI students seeking to enroll in distance education courses offered by USI can contact the USI DE Learning Center for assistance.

Many courses use Blackboard course management software to deliver content and facilitate communication with the instructor and among students in the course. To participate fully in these courses, you will need access to a computer that meets the guidelines outlined below.

Computer technology requirements to take Internet-based courses:

An IBM or IBM-Compatible PC Pentium II or greater processor (Plus Windows '98 or higher) OR Macintosh Power PC-68040 or greater processor PLUS

     256 Megabytes of RAM (512 Megabytes recommended)
     500 Megabytes of free hard disk space
     Graphics-based web browser that must be Java-enabled (Examples include MS Internet Explorer 6 or later, Netscape 7.1 or later, Firefox 1.5 or later.)
     Broadband Internet connection
     E-mail account provided to registered USI students through MyUSI.
     CD-ROM
     Sound card and speakers

NOTES: 1) Some courses may require the use of technologies such as streaming audio and video or large file downloads requiring more processor power, more computer memory, and/or a high-speed internet connection for good performance. 2) Check with the instructor regarding software preferences before making a software purchase. 3) Please also review USI's Data Communication and Computer Use Policy.

Interested in taking a course offered through the Indiana College Network?
Consult USI's "How-To" Guide for the Indiana College Network, available online or in the Office of Distance Education. Then, visit the ICN website and search the extensive database of courses offered at colleges and universities throughout Indiana. Please note that you must first get academic advisor approval for the course before our office can facilitate your registration at the partner institution. Contact the DE Learning Center for further assistance.

Interested in learning more about Blackboard? Visit USI Blackboard's Support site at http://instructech.usi.edu/learning/blackboardsupport/.

8600 University Boulevard - Evansville, IN 47712-3596 - 812/464-8600

EMBOSSED USI LOGO