WKU Independent Learning, a Unit of the Division of Extended Learning and Outreach

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Policies and Procedures

Purpose

Western Kentucky University recognizes the need of many individuals to pursue educational experiences outside the traditional college classroom due to personal situations unique to each individual. Independent Learning opportunities are provided for undergraduate college students in direct response to this need.

Organization

You may enroll in a course at any time, unless otherwise noted. One full year is allowed for the completion of all continuous enrollment courses, or the student may elect to accelerate the process and complete the course in as little as six to eight weeks (three-hour courses). The study may be interrupted for short periods if necessary and resumed at some point later in the year of eligibility. It should be recognized, however, that without the structured, steady pace of classroom instruction an Independent Learning course requires considerable self-discipline and responsibility.

Each Independent Learning course consists of a set number of assignments for study and completion. Each assignment offers direction by the instructor including assigned readings and questions and or problems based upon the text or other course material. Upon completion, assignments are mailed or delivered to the Office of Independent Learning. Do not mail lessons to the instructor! You should write questions or comments directed to the instructor on the yellow lesson cover sheet provided with your course materials. All of the courses offered by correspondence are prepared and taught by members of the faculty of WKU.

The Honor System

Independent Learning is a privilege extended to eligible students. It is expected that students will exhibit a great sense of personal honor and integrity in preparing the assignments and completing the final examination. All work submitted for grading must be that of the student. You must read and agree to the conditions stated in the Memorandum of Understanding before taking an examination. Both the student and the person who is responsible for administering the examination must sign this agreement. Violation of these policies will result in a failing grade and the forfeiture of all fees.

Admission Requirements

Enrollment in a correspondence course does not require, nor does it constitute, formal admission to Western Kentucky University. The ACT is not a requirement for enrollment in an Independent Learning course. Any student who has fulfilled the proper prerequisites for a specific course may enroll. However, it is the full-time student’s responsibility to select courses, in consultation with his/her academic advisor or department head, which will satisfy degree requirements. Information regarding these requirements may be obtained from the student’s academic advisor or the registrar of the college or university where enrolled.

Course Load

Credit will be counted as part of the total load for the semester in which the student enrolls in an Independent Learning course. A student cannot enroll in more than 19 hours in a semester. It is strongly recommended that students not attempt more than six hours credit, through Independent Learning, at any given time. Students on academic probation may not enroll in more than three hours credit at one time.

Veterans and Active Military Personnel

All college courses offered by WKU Office of Independent Learning have been approved for veterans and other persons eligible under the provisions of the GI Bill. However, the course fee must accompany all enrollment applications. Each student must assume the responsibility for submitting the proper forms to assure payment of appropriate entitlements. Further information may be obtained from the Veterans Coordinator, Student Financial Assistance (270) 745-5482 at Western Kentucky University.

Enrollment Tuition/Fees

Enrollment tuition/fees must be paid at the time of enrollment. These tuition/fees represent the cost of instructional services only and do not include the cost of textbooks or other materials, which may be required in certain courses. Please, do not send cash through the mail! Make a check or money order payable to Western Kentucky University. We also accept VISA, MasterCard, and Discover. Enrollment tuition/fees cannot be transferred from one person to another. FEES MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. Increases may generally be expected July 1 of each year. Call the Independent Learning office for the current fee.

Textbooks

All required textbooks for Independent Learning courses may be ordered by phone with MasterCard, Discover, or VISA from the University Bookstore or online at http://www.wku.edu/Info/Bookstore/. (This link is located in the "Quick Links" drop-down menu on the top navigation bar.) Independent Learning cannot fill textbook orders nor does the office maintain a list of bookstore prices. Complete title, author, and publisher information is included with each course. Textbooks are available at the University Bookstore, Downing University Center, Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, KY 42101. Phone: (270) 745-5800 or 1-800-444-5155 or http://www.wku.edu/Info/Bookstore.

Transfers

Within three months after the enrollment date, a student may transfer from one Independent Learning course to another upon payment of a transfer fee. The transfer is granted, the new course must be completed within a year from the original date of enrollment not the transfer date. The transfer fee is $5.00 plus $3.75 for each lesson graded in the original course.

Refunds

If Independent Learning cannot approve the application for enrollment, the fee will be refunded. If the student voluntarily discontinues a course and makes a written application for a refund within the first six weeks following the enrollment date, three-fourths of the enrollment fee will be refunded less an additional cost for each assignment which may have been graded in the course. NO REFUNDS WILL BE MADE AFTER SIX WEEKS.

Revisions

Instructors may revise their courses at any time. Students who have completed less than five lessons prior to the revision date of a course will be sent a revised packet to complete. It may be necessary for the student to also buy a new textbook.

Completion Rate

A course must be completed (including the final exam) within 12 months from the date of enrollment. The enrollment date is that date on which the Office of Independent Learning processes the application. A maximum of four assignments per course will be accepted per week (M-F). The minimum time to complete a course is determined by the number of assignments. Since only four assignments may be submitted per week and at least two weeks should be allowed for processing the final exam, the minimum time for completion of a 3-hour course would be approximately six weeks. The one-year maximum time for completion is not available to veterans or other persons qualifying for full-time Veterans Administration benefits (see the section entitled Veterans and Active Military Persons), or for those that have signed a Financial Aid Agreement with us.

If you find yourself short of time at the end of the one-year limit and have made progress in the course, an extension may be granted if four lessons have been turned in. A fee of $75.00 is charged per course. All extensions are of six months duration and date from the original date of expiration-- not from the date on which the fee is paid. An extension is to be a one-time provision. All outstanding assignments and the final examination must be completed before the additional six months time expires.

Notice of Completion

Upon completion of a college-level course, a report is sent to the student and to the Registrar’s Office at Western Kentucky University where the record is entered upon an official transcript. A "W" appears on the transcript if the student withdraws from the course or allows the course to expire without completing the requirements (except in the case of the students receiving VA benefits).

Withdrawal

If a student wishes to be withdrawn from their course they must submit a signed letter with their student id number and the name of the course they wish to be withdrawn from to the Office of Independent Learning. Once the letter has been received and processed, a grade of "W" will be recorded on the student’s transcript.

Transfer of Credit

If a student wishes to have credits transferred to another College or University, a transcript must be requested from the Office of the Registrar. (This link is located in the "Quick Links" drop-down menu on the top navigation bar.) Upon receipt of a written, signed request from the student, the registrar will forward an official copy of the transcript to the designated institution or party. The Student ID Number must be included with the request.

Postage

The student is expected to pay the full cost of postage on assignments or other materials sent to the Office of Independent Learning. Western will cover the cost of postage for materials sent to the student (with the exception of the textbook orders from the WKU Bookstore). Western will no longer accept items that arrive with a "postage due" designation. To avoid possible problems with "lost" mail, be sure that the materials sent to the Office of Independent Learning are identified within and that the return address is clearly indicated on the outside envelope. Also, please DO NOT send lessons by certified mail.

Academic Advising

You need to check with your advisor to make sure that the course you enroll in will fit in your degree program and that you meet the prerequisites for the course.

Financial Aid

Check with Student Financial Assistance to see whether your on-campus financial aid will cover Independent Learning courses.

Repeating a Course

A course which has been failed cannot be repeated by Independent Learning without special permission.

Enrollment Limitations

A degree seeking student at Western Kentucky University may not receive more than one fourth of the required credit for a degree or certification via correspondence. For example, a four year degree requiring 128-semester hours credit would limit the student to a maximum of 32 hours earned by correspondence and not more than one half of the courses in the major or minor may be earned by this method. A maximum of 12 credit hours may be earned by correspondence in a calendar year.

Graduation

A course is complete when the final grade is reported the Registrar's Office. All course requirements, including the final exam, should be submitted for grading at least three weeks prior to graduation or any other deadline. If your course is not completed within this time frame, it may be reported on the following semester.

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