Frequently Asked Questions
How are on-campus education and online education different?
Students admitted to The University of North Carolina's online programs learn the same material and benefit from the same high-quality educational experience as campus-based students. Online classes are designed and taught by the same faculty who teach classes in on-campus programs. When you graduate from a UNC institution, no distinction is made between online or on-campus credits. Your degree is from UNC.
Online and campus experiences are not identical. Students certainly benefit from being immersed in the rich learning environment available on campus. But online learning provides ample opportunities for students to interact with instructors and fellow students and has the advantage of being flexible and convenient,. Many students prefer online learning, citing, among other things, a greater willingness to express their views to instructors and classmates.
Your online classmates will generally be like you—people with job and family responsibilities who seeking the many benefits of higher education. Faculty members who teach online students frequently praise the high motivation, keen interest, and excellent study habits of "non-traditional" students.
Online classes are not "canned" or "cookie cutter" experiences. Each online course reflects the teaching perspective of the faculty member who designed it and teaches it, and employs technology and learning experiences appropriate to the course content. As instructors transform their classroom courses for the online environment, they often make content revisions that they susequently incorporate into their on-campus classes.
On-campus or online, The University of North Carolina is dedicated to maintaining the academic excellence for which it has been known for more than two centuries.
How do I access library materials?
The libraries of all UNC institutions offering online programs and courses support distance-learning students with multiple online resources such as information databases and online journals, as well as research assistance via various e-reference services. Any student enrolled at any UNC institution may access materials housed at the libraries of all other UNC institutions. More information about university libraries may be found here.
If you are not near a UNC library, you may make arrangements with your local public library or a local college or university library that is not affiliated with UNC, access the statewide NC LIVE network of electronic resources, or consult NC Knows, which is staffed by reference librarians around the clock.
How do I know if online learning is right for me?
The following self-assessment, adapted from an East Carolina University document, will help you decide whether distance education is the right choice for you. In addition, several other online self-assessments and recommendations developed at University of North Carolina campuses may be viewed at the distance education sites listed on the "About Online Learning" tab.
Self-Assessment Check List
- I have good reading and writing skills.
- I feel comfortable expressing my ideas, comments, and questions in writing.
- I will find out whether my program requires attendance at any class meetings held at designated times, via the computer, or on campus. I will assess whether I can meet these obligations.
- If my program provides little face-to-face interaction through video technologies or campus visits, I feel that I have the self-discipline needed to learn without this type of interaction with my instructor and course mates.
- I have an interest in developing "virtual" partnerships with faculty members and course mates. I recognize that these partnerships might rely on an array of communications methods—for example, email, web discussion spaces, instant messaging, and even the old-fashioned telephone.
- I am willing to dedicate the same amount of time and effort to a distance education course that I would to a classroom-based course.
- I have the necessary time-management skills to enable me to balance distance education coursework with my professional and personal responsibilities.
- I am able to meet deadlines and keep track of my assignments when using the postal service or on-line file transmission.
- I have or can obtain access to the necessary hardware and software required by my program.
- I feel comfortable using technology to complete my coursework, and if I am unfamiliar with the hardware and software used in my program, I feel comfortable learning it with the support provided.
How does UNC ensure the quality of its online courses and programs?
The quality of online courses and programs is extremely important to the faculty and administration of the sixteen campuses of The University of North Carolina. We strive to achieve the highest level of instructional quality and student satisfaction in all our online offerings. Our online offerings adhere to several external standards of quality.
- All sixteen institutions in The University of North Carolina are accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. SACS is one of the six regional accrediting agencies recognized by the National Board of Education. Earning college credit from an institution accredited by a regional accrediting agency is the surest way to have your college credit recognized and accepted by employers and other universities. SACS has quality standards for distance education programs that all courses and programs affiliated with The University of North Carolina Online must follow.
- Many of our programs and departments are individually accredited by discipline-specific accrediting agencies. We encourage students to inquire of their prospective programs about program-level accreditation.
- The University of North Carolina endorses the Southern Regional Education Board's (SREB's) Principles of Good Practice. A consortium of the K-20 educational systems of the sixteen southeastern states, SREB works with state governments and other stakeholders to improve teaching and learning.
- The UNC Online Quality Workgroup, comprising representatives from all campuses, works in partnership with The UNC Faculty Assembly to continuously update campuses on best practices in online teaching and learning. Through the work of this group, all UNC institutions have documented the processes and policies they use to ensure that online courses are of the highest quality.
How much will an online program cost?
If you are located in North Carolina, you will pay a tuition rate that is comparable to the tuition rate you would pay on campus, either as a North Carolina resident or an out-of-state student. You may obtain more information by clicking on the "tuition" links provided with each online program description. If you are a distance education student who is not enrolled in on-campus classes, you will not be charged certain fees that apply only to on-campus students. You will receive more information about these policies when you contact the program in which you are interested. If you are a non-North Carolina resident living outside of North Carolina, you will pay a tuition rate established by the program to cover its costs of instruction. Rates vary by program. Check with the program in which you are interested for more information.
I am a community college student.
The University of North Carolina Online lists several baccalaureate-completion programs. All of these programs currently rely on community colleges to provide coursework for the first two years of requirements. The online baccalaureate-completion program provides the "upper division" courses to allow you to complete your undergraduate major.
- Click here to search for baccalaureate-completion programs offered through The University of North Carolina Online.
- Click here for general information about the NC Community College System and transfer articulation agreements between NCCCS and The University of North Carolina.
- Click on the "2+2 Degree Completion" box to the right to see descriptions of online baccalaureate-completion programs that articulate with a corresponding community college online program.
- If you or your spouse are stationed at a North Carolina military base, click on the "Military Education" box to the right to get information on both online and site-based offerings available to you.
If you're a junior or senior in high school, The University of North Carolina is developing programs to help you get a jump start on your college career. The classes are actual online college-credit courses, taught at your high school. These courses are the same online courses taught to full-time undergraduate students and have been designed by the same faculty. If you complete these courses satisfactorily, you can earn college credit at the same time you're satisfying your high school graduation requirements. Students in these classes are far more likely than those in Advanced Placement classes to receive course credit from the college or university of their choice.
The first UNC online program designed specifically for high school students is UNC Greensboro's iSchool. Visit the site for more information. http://ischool.uncg.edu.
- Earn multiple hours of college credit before you enter college
- Student Successes
- Program Quality
- Computer Resources Required
- Registration and Course Offerings
Earn multiple hours of college credit before you enter college
UNC Greensboro's offers over sixty online college credit hours of introductory-level college courses in general education. Categories of courses include fine arts, social and behavioral sciences, reasoning and discourse, historical perspectives, global/non-western studies, philosophical/religious/ethical perspectives, and mathematics. These courses are the kinds of courses all students are expected to take in their first year of college, regardless of their major. This means that if you earn a grade of C or higher, the course credit can transfer to your college program.
With most college majors requiring over 122 hours of credit, earning out as many as 30 hours of credit before you start your college program can give you a great head start.
The UNCG iSCHOOL program was a fast-paced course that gave me a better idea of what to prepare myself for in college. I would recommend it because of the credit it can give you in college—which means fewer classes to take. Former Riverside student, attending UNCG.
Take as many courses through UNCG iSCHOOL as possible. It's a good way to get a taste of college. It will save you money and help you graduate in four years. Former West Rowan student, attending NC State.
It's not just about the credit; it's about experiencing difficult styles of teaching and learning and becoming a better all-around student. Former Mt. Tabor student, attending Furman.
In spring, I will already be a sophomore because I transferred so many UNCG iSCHOOL credits and I'll be able to graduate in 3.5 years to get started on graduate degrees. Former Mt. Tabor student, attending Virginia Tech.
I would definitely recommend UNCG iSCHOOL classes, especially to those who hope to continue their education well beyond high school. These classes will help prepare a person for college both through academic enrichment and skills in time management. Gaining a new perspective on a subject is a much-needed experience, especially in a world where so few people are presented with that opportunity. Former Orange High student, attending UNC-Chapel Hill.
I would recommend UNCG iSCHOOL, because you end up with a transferable college transcript. In AP courses, the credit you may receive depends on the final AP exam. Former East Forsyth student, attending Ferrum College.
UNCG's iSchool is a nationally accredited concurrent education program that offers an award-winning complement of high-quality online courses and degrees. For information on how your school can partner with UNCG iSchool to offer online courses, click here.
UNC Greensboro is no newcomer to online instruction. UNCG has a decade of experience in concurrent education and has helped thousands of students in both public and private high schools earn tens of thousands of hours of college credit. The iSchool offered its first online courses in 1999 and has been recognized by both the U.S. and N.C. Distance Learning associations for the quality of its online education.
Surveys show a 100 percent retention rate for UNCG iSchool students between their first and second semester on campus--a particularly vulnerable time for new students. Recent program graduates report an average GPA of 3.3 (on a 4.0 scale) during their first semester at college.
The computer and network resources required are simple and flexible.
- You'll need high-speed internet connectivity, typically provided over DSL, cable or T3 lines.
- Your computers can be either Windows- or Mac-based, with 600 MHz or more of operating speed and 190 MB RAM.
- You can use either the latest Windows or Macintosh Internet browser software and will need Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint programs.
- Courses take advantage of the latest Flash and QuickTime plug-ins, as well as Real Audio player and Acrobat reader-–all typically preloaded on today's PCs (and easily downloaded for free from the Web).
- Computers should be sound-capable, with a screen resolution of 1024x768 or higher.
Registration and course offerings
A description of how to register for courses is available on the UNC Greensboro iSchool website. A list of current course offerings follows.
ATY 213: Cultural Anthropology (3 credit hours) UNCG
DCE 200: Dance Appreciation (3 credit hours) UNCG
ESS 220: Physical Fitness for Life (3 credit hours) UNCG
MAT 150: Pre-Calculus I (3 credit hours) UNCG
MAT 151: Pre-Calculus II (3 credit hours) UNCG
PHI 121: Contemporary Moral Problems (3 credit hours)
PSC 100: American Politics (3 credit hours) UNCG
PSY 121: General Psychology (3 credit hours) UNCG
SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology (3 credit hours) UNCG
SOC 201: Social Problems (3 credit hours) UNCG
I am not a North Carolina resident.
Many of our online degree and certificate programs have national and international enrollments. Some programs actively seek students who are not located in North Carolina because they add a real-life dimension to programs that are preparing individuals to work in teams with members around the world.
If you are not a North Carolina resident, you will pay a higher tuition rate than in-state residents. Check with your program to determine the tuition rate that applies to you.
If you live outside the Eastern Time Zone, check with the program to ensure that you will be able to meet requirements for synchronous conferences and course deadlines. Also check to see if the program has occasional on-campus attendance requirements.
I am stationed at a military base in North Carolina.
The "Military Education" link on the right side of this page has been created for you.
- You can find information that is useful to you, such as the NC Military Tuition Policy, the Troops to Teachers program, and links to other military-related education and benefits sites.
- You can click on the "NC Military Bases" tab and go to a specific page created for your base. On that page you will find information about site-based programs offered by UNC institutions on the base or nearby, contact information for the UNC campus office located at the base, and contact information for your base's education services office.
- A "Frequently Asked Questions" link on your base page addresses questions relevant to your particular base.
I want more information about a specific online program.
When you find a degree or certificate program that interests you, just click on its title to bring up a description of the program. The description includes program and admission requirements, information on tuition, and contact information.
The left side of the page gives you several options.
- Click "Printer-Friendly Version" to print the program description.
- Click "E-mail This Page" to e-mail the description to yourself or someone else.
- Click "Contact Me about This Program" to bring up an electronic form asking you for your contact information. When you submit this form, you will receive an automated e-mail containing an electronic document (PDF format) that describes the UNC campus offering the program, along with a description of the program. You will also receive follow-up information and further opportunities to ask questions about applying and enrolling.
I want to find an appropriate online program
- Click the "Programs" tab, above, to see a complete list of all online programs offered through The University of North Carolina Online. You may sort the list by program area, degree level, and campus, or view programs offered in specific content areas.
- Click the "16 Campuses" tab above, to read short descriptions of each of UNC’s sixteen institutions of higher learning, along with campus contact information, lists of online programs offered by each institution, and more.
- Go to the "Advanced Search" link at the right side of this page to investigate programs or courses by specific parameters such as "program level," "subject," or "institution."
- Click on "SearchAssist" at the right side of this page for help narrowing your options to your specific area of interest.
- The "Military Education" link at the right side of this page takes you to the web site created by The University of North Carolina specifically to offer online education information to North Carolina-based members of the military services and their families.
- Via the "2+2 Degree Completion" link, community college students can learn about programs that allow them to earn their baccalaureate degree from The University of North Carolina.
I want to find an online course.
It's easy to use The University of North Carolina Online to find an online course.
- Click the "Courses" tab at the top of this page to search for online courses available from UNC campuses for fall semester 2007.
- Click on the course title to find information on how to contact the campus and apply for admission to the course.
Faculty and staff of The University of North Carolina may take up to three courses per year tuition-free (including online courses). Regulations on this benefit may be viewed at this site as a .pdf document. The Human Resources office of your institution will have a form for you to complete to request authorization for the tuition waiver. Complete this form and submit it along with the required course application (described for each course in the Courses section) to the campus offering the course in which you are interested.
Tuition waivers are also available for North Carolina residents at least 65 years old and for certain family of deceased or disabled emergency workers. Regulations on this benefit may be viewed at this site as a .pdf document. When you find a course that you are interested in taking, contact the Human Resources office of the institution to obtain the appropriate tuition waiver form.
Visit the distance education sites of our campuses.
If you already know what type of online program you are seeking, you can use this site to identify that program and contact it directly for more information. On the other hand, if you wish to consider your educational options, we invite you to visit the online education websites of UNC's sixteen campuses. As you explore these sites, you will discover a variety of useful information and features. You will also find information about site-based distance education programs offered by UNC institutions at community colleges, military bases, public schools, hospitals, and other locations around the state.
Elizabeth City State University
North Carolina A&T State University
North Carolina Central University
What about financial aid for students in online programs?
You may apply for financial aid. Anyone seeking federal financial assistance should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). A student eligible to receive federal financial aid who, to fulfill program requirements, enrolls in classes at both a UNC institution and a community college during any given term may report, for financial aid purposes, hours taken at both institutions. Financial aid offices at both campuses must be involved in this process.
If you need help or more information than is provided on this website about credit transfers, applications procedures, or admissions, please contact representatives of the programs or institutions to which you are considering applying; they are best able to answer your questions. Contact information may be accessed via the “16 Campuses” and “Programs” tabs at the top of this page.
If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about this website, you were unable to get an answer from the program or institution, or you just don’t know who to ask, please use the Contact Us Web Form or you can call our toll free helpdesk phone line at: 866.236.2674.
Will I need to come to the campus?
Most of the online programs offered by University of North Carolina institutions are entirely online or use materials (e.g., books and cd-roms) that you can use at home. Some programs, however, require site-based sessions for a variety of purposes (such as orientation, testing, and clinical or laboratory experiences). Each program listed on this site provides information about site-based activities that are required, and you should read the program description carefully and decide whether you can meet the site-based requirements. If you live in North Carolina, you may find a site-based program away from a UNC campus (University of North Carolina institutions offer site-based programs at community colleges and other locations throughout the state) that meets your needs. Click here to explore the site-based off-campus offerings of each campus.
