Remember that Guided Independent Study (GIS) courses are changing. After June 15, the GIS program will enroll students three times per year to coincide with the University's fall, spring, and summer registration periods. For more information, see Changes in Guided Independent Study Courses.
How many assignments may I submit at once?
But I'm in a hurry! What can I do to speed things up?
I have changed my mind and would like to withdraw from my GIS course; what are my options?
My nine months is almost up and I'm not done! What can I do?
How long does it take to receive an assignment back?
If I'm graduating this semester, what exactly needs to be done by the graduation deadline?
I've just signed up for a course and have nine months to complete it. When does that nine months start?
We always round up to the beginning of the next month. If you register any time in January, for instance, your nine-month enrollment period begins on February 1, which would make your deadline November 1. Of course, you should begin working on your course as soon as you enroll. Your deadline is not based on when you send in your first assignment, but on when you enroll. So if you wait six months to send in Assignment #1, you'll be left with only three months to do all the rest of the course work. Plan ahead. Nine months is plenty of time to finish your course, but it also goes quickly, especially if there are big gaps between assignments.
How fast can I go?
The minimum time in which you may complete a course is two weeks per semester hour of credit (e.g., six weeks for a 3 s.h. course). Most courses take much longer. Note: The minimum time begins when you submit your first assignment, not when you enroll.
How many assignments may I submit at once?
It varies by course—so check your study guide. Some courses require you to get a graded assignment back before sending in the next one, others allow you to submit a maximum number of specified assignments per week. To avoid delays, do not exceed the specified number of assignments that may be submitted per week.
But I'm in a hurry! What can I do to speed things up?
Work ahead. As soon as you send an assignment, start the reading for the next one; outline and draft your assignment. When you receive your instructor's comments on the first assignment, you can revise your work as needed and send it in. Fax and e-mail (where permitted by the instructor) will cut out some of the mail delay. Don't expect to complete an independent course in no time at all. Remember also that your instructor has many responsibilities other than responding to your assignments. Above all, don't cut corners, such as submitting more assignments per week than your study guide specifies.
I have changed my mind and would like to withdraw from my GIS course; what are my options?
Depending on how much time has elapsed since you enrolled, there are several possibilities ranging from eligibility for a partial refund to ineligibility to withdraw. A GIS Schedule of Significant Deadlines related to your course was mailed to you when you enrolled, you may also reference this information online.
My nine months is almost up and I'm not done! What can I do?
You have reason for concern: if you enrolled more than six months ago, you will not subsequently be allowed to withdraw from the course; moreover, the general policy regarding GIS coursework requires that you submit all assignments and exams in order to receive a passing grade. If you feel it is impossible to complete your remaining coursework in the time remaining, you probably have only two options: (1) receive a failing grade in the course and re-enroll for second-grade option (available for undergraduates only); (2) request a grade of "I" (incomplete), which will allow you an additional three months in which to complete the course. It is always in your best interest to begin work as soon as possible and to continue working steadily.
Please note: Instructors are in no way obliged to grant a student's request for a grade of I and some instructors never assign Incompletes. In addition, it is unlikely your GIS instructor will grant you an Incomplete if you have not already made significant progress in your coursework. If there have been extenuating circumstances, you should consider submitting documentation with your request for the Incomplete. The deadline for resolving a grade of Incomplete is twelve months from your original enrollment date in the course. If you do not successfully complete your course by this time, you will receive an "F."
How long does it take to receive an assignment back?
We ask instructors to grade assignments within 7-10 days of receiving them; keep in mind that it takes an extra day for an assignment to reach an instructor via campus mail and another day for its return to our office, instructors are not always immediately available for grading, especially at semester breaks, summer sessions, and holidays. Please allow extra days for mail delivery. If your assignment hasn't come back to you after three weeks, feel free to call our office, and we will check on its status. To help expedite turnaround of assignments, check to see if electronic submission online is a possibility in your course.
If I'm graduating this semester, what exactly needs to be done by the graduation deadline?
If you're graduating from The University of Iowa, you need to have finished and turned in all of your course work. (Check the official University calendar to see what the deadline is for any particular semester.) If you're graduating from another school, chances are you'll need to finish your course work earlier, so that a course grade can be entered in time for you to order a transcript. Allow at least two weeks for the grading of your final assignment or exam. Please plan ahead: don't forget the minimum completion time rule and the rules on assignment submission.
What are my options for paying for my course?
Does GIS offer any scholarships?
What about other financial assistance?
What does it cost to take a GIS course?
Can I get my money back if I withdraw from a GIS course?
What are my options for paying for my course?
You may pay by charging your fees and materials to MasterCard, Visa, or Discover. You may also request to be billed through The University of Iowa Cashier's Office. (Note: If you have an outstanding balance with the Cashier's Office, we will be unable to enroll you until any indebtedness has been resolved.) We do not accept cash or checks for payment. If you choose to be billed through the Cashier's Office, you may not pay that bill with a credit card.
Does GIS offer any scholarships?
Yes. See information about Scholarships and other financial aid opportunities.
What about other financial assistance?
For information concerning the use of federal financial aid for GIS courses, University of Iowa degree-seeking students should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid (http://www.uiowa.edu/financial-aid/ or 319.335.1450). You must pay for the course(s) at the time you register. If you qualify for financial aid, it will be disbursed on a reimbursement basis when you complete all or specified portions of the course work. GIS courses that are being applied to a degree program have been approved by the Iowa State Approving Agency for payment of GI BILL. Contact the UI Office of Veterans Services (319.335.0219) for more information.
What does it cost to take a GIS course?
See Tuition and Fees . Remember that you will also need to buy textbooks for nearly all courses.
Can I get my money back if I withdraw from a GIS course?
Yes, depending on when you request to withdraw your registration. The percentage of tuition refunded follows this schedule (cost of graded assignments, if any, is deducted): 90 percent within 4 weeks of registration, 70 percent from 4 to 6 weeks, 50 percent from 6 to 8 weeks, no refund after 8 weeks. You receive a list of significant deadlines for your course at the time of enrollment, they may also be referenced online.
Does a GIS course count in my GPA (grade point average)?
What if I don't finish the GIS course? What shows up on my permanent record/transcript?
I'm a student at a school other than The University of Iowa. Will my GIS course from Iowa transfer?
Will a GIS course count as graduate credit?
How do I transfer a GIS course to my school?
What should I do if I have a question about the grade I received?
May I take GIS pass/nonpass?
No. With the consent of the instructor, you may audit (take a course for no credit); if you want credit, you must take the course for a grade of A, B, C, D, or F.
Does a GIS course count in my GPA (grade point average)?
Yes. When you finish a GIS course, your grade is automatically entered on your University of Iowa permanent record.
What if I don't finish the GIS course? What shows up on my permanent record/transcript?
If you don't finish your GIS course by the end of your nine-month enrollment period, you will be assigned a grade of "F" that will appear on your permanent record. If you have made substantial progress in your course by the end of nine months, you may, with the approval of your instructor, receive a grade of "I" (incomplete). This grade will also appear on your permanent record. If you successfully complete your course within three months, a grade change will be made and the new grade will replace the "I" on your transcript. If you do not complete your course within three months, the grade of "I" will be changed to an "F".
I'm a student at a school other than The University of Iowa. Will my GIS course from Iowa transfer?
In most cases, yes, but be sure to check with the registrar's office at your school. It's their decision.
Will a GIS course count as graduate credit?
If a course is numbered 100 or greater (see Course Numbering), if you have registered in graduate status, and if there are no departmental restrictions (check individual course descriptions), then your course will count as graduate credit. Your transcript will read "EXTENSION GRAD MONTH-YEAR COMPLETED."
How do I transfer a GIS course to my school?
After you finish the course, contact the Registrar's Office to request an official transcript. Ask to have it sent to your school's office in charge of academic credit (usually the registrar). Caution: If you plan to transfer a course, please check with your school before you enroll in the course. Each school has its own rules about accepting transfer credit.
How do I order a transcript?
Official transcripts of your permanent record can be obtained from the Office of the Registrar, The University of Iowa, 1 Jessup Hall, Iowa City IA 52242-1316. For information on the current transcript fee or to order your transcript by phone, call 319.335.0230. A transcript request form that can be printed from the Web and mailed or faxed to the Office of the Registrar, is available at: http://www.registrar.uiowa.edu/transcripts/ . Students may also order transcripts through ISIS: http://isis.uiowa.edu/.
What should I do if I have a question about the grade I received?
Questions about the academic content of your course, including issues of grading, must be addressed to your instructor. Most questions are quickly resolved through written or phone contact. In the rare case of dissatisfaction that cannot be resolved with your instructor, consult the General Directions for your course for appeals procedures.
What does the course number mean?
Can I take a "full load" (4 or more) courses each semester?
Can I see what a course looks like before I enroll?
What are the assignments like? How many assignments and exams are there?
What does the course number mean?
The number before the colon identifies the department (016 is History, 032 is Religious Studies, etc.). The number after the first colon relates to the level of the course, some exceptions apply, see individual course descriptions. The number following the second colon indicates the delivery method for the course and section number. See Course Numbering.
- Below 100 = undergraduate
- 100–199 = undergraduate and graduate
- 200 and above = graduate
Can I take a "full load" (4 or more) courses each semester?
GIS courses are not semester-based; you can start at any time. We encourage you to start with just one course to get a feel for independent study and how to pace yourself. You can always sign up for another if you have time available to work on it. We strongly recommend that you not enroll in more than three courses at a time, and whenever possible stagger the month of your start date when enrolling in multiple courses in order to avoid facing all of your course deadlines at once.
Can I see what a course looks like before I enroll?
Yes. Visit http://continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/ccp/gis/courses/ to examine portions of Web courses that are available as public information. Alternately, if you live in the Iowa City area, you are welcome to preview GIS study guides in the Center for Credit Programs office at 116 International Center.
What are the assignments like? How many assignments and exams are there?
This depends on the course. For example, most math course assignments consist of working out sets of problems; a history course assignment may require one long essay or several short essays. Most courses include at least one proctored examination. The course descriptions in the catalog will show you the number of lessons and tests. Check out the public information provided about each course available at GIS Online or the actual study guide for more information. If the course is offered on the Web, a portion of the study guide (including a course outline) is available as public information (See GIS Online at http://continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/ccp/gis/courses/).
Am I admitted to the BLS program when I register for a GIS course?
Do I have to be admitted to the University of Iowa to register for a course? Am I admitted when I register for a course?
No and no. Anyone can register for a GIS course; you don't have to be admitted to a degree program at The University of Iowa, although you MAY be admitted to a degree program at The University of Iowa. And although GIS courses can be counted toward the requirements for a degree, just registering for a GIS course doesn't mean that you're admitted to a degree program.
Am I admitted to the Bachelor of Applied Studies (BAS) or Bachelor of Liberal Studies
(BLS) program when I register for a GIS course?
No. Admittance to the BAS and BLS programs is separate from enrolling in a GIS course. The BAS and BLS are external degree programs that you can complete through GIS courses (and also Saturday & Evening courses, off-campus courses, and other options). Find out more about our BAS and BLS programs online or contact our office (e-mail credit-programs@uiowa.edu or call 800.272.6430) for more information.
How can I take an exam if I'm not in Iowa City?
Why can't I take the exam before my assignments are graded?
How can I take an exam if I'm not in Iowa City?
We will send the exam to an approved proctor in your home community. See the examination information online or in your study guide for details.
Why can't I take the exam before my assignments are graded?
Because your instructor may have comments on your assignments that will help you prepare for the test.
What should I do if I have uncertainties about an assignment?
What can I do with my textbooks after the course is done?
What is the best course to take?
What if the course I ordered isn't what I expected and I want to take another one instead?
What should I do if I have uncertainties about an assignment?
Contact your instructor. Feel free to ask questions, just as you would with an instructor in a classroom course. If you call our office, we can usually transfer you to your instructor. Or you can send us a note, and we'll forward it. If your instructor uses e-mail, you can send a message to our office at credit-programs@uiowa.edu and we'll forward it. Other information on contacting your instructor may be found in a welcome letter or in the course study guide.
May I fax my assignments?
Yes, except for a few courses. (For example, you cannot fax calligraphy assignments.) The fax number for GIS assignments is 319.335.1360.
May I e-mail assignments?
This is possible in many courses, though not all. Most Web courses have online e-mail forms that may be used for submitting assignments. Since GIS students are provided with University of Iowa e-mail services, they are encouraged to make use of these services in Web courses especially, and to submit assignments electronically when appropriate. Otherwise, contact our office at credit-programs-lessons@uiowa.edu for instructions for submitting assignments by e-mail for a particular course. Usually, assignments may be e-mailed if they are plain text (no foreign characters, scientific symbols, or graphics) or if they are sent as Microsoft Word attachments. Some instructors will respond to you via e-mail. For others, we will print the assignment for the instructor and then proceed via regular mail. (In some situations, especially when submitting assignments from outside the United States, e-mailing assignments can save considerable time and mailing expense.) Some assignments are not compatible with e-mail; contact our office if you have questions.
How do I get textbooks?
Most students order textbooks from Iowa Book, L.L.C. in Iowa City (e-mail
iowabook@iowabook.com); there is an order form in both print and online study guides, located in the "General Directions and Forms" section. Alternately, orders may be placed online at http://www.iowabook.com/. Iowa Book is a private bookstore and is not owned by the university. If you are not ordering from Iowa Book, check to make sure that you obtain the exact edition(s) specified in the Introduction to the course or on the GIS Textbook Order Form. Some materials may only be obtained through Iowa Book.
What can I do with my textbooks after the course is done?
If the books are still being used for your course or others, Iowa Book may buy them back. Call Iowa Book at 319.337.4188 to find out. Our office does not buy or sell textbooks.
What about library resources?
Currently-enrolled Guided Independent Study students are automatically eligible for access to University of Iowa library resources upon registration. These resources include document delivery services, access to electronic databases, and reference services. For more information, see the Distance Education Library Services homepage at: http://www.lib.uiowa.edu/disted/.
What is the best course to take?
This depends on what course fits into your academic plans. What are your strengths and interests? A course that seems easy to you might be a struggle for another student. Some courses assign many readings, some fewer—just as in on-campus courses. Check out the public information provided about each course available at GIS Online or the Course Descriptions to get an idea of course requirements before you sign up.
What if the course I ordered isn't what I expected and I want to take another one instead?
You can change courses, as long as you do it within two months of your date of enrollment. It costs $25. Call our office for help.
Contact Us | Last Updated
5/23/07