Connecticut State University System

OnlineCSU

Hartford, Connecticut

DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM

More than 15,000 students have taken OnlineCSU's undergraduate and graduate courses and participated in its academic programs. Online CSU is not a university; degrees are conferred and credits are awarded by Central, Eastern, Southern or Western Connecticut State University. Courses may be completed entirely online and do not require classroom attendance.

DELIVERY MEDIA

Because OnlineCSU is an asynchronous learning environment, students and teachers do not need to log in to the virtual classroom at the same time. The classroom is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Faculty and students share documents and interact regularly through the WebCT learning platform, which utilizes chat rooms, threaded discussions, e-mail and other tools to achieve learning objectives. Students taking online classes must have a computer running a Web browser, preferably Internet Explorer version 5.0 or higher, a connection to the Internet, and an e-mail account.

Off-campus courses are offered in a variety of formats, including face-to-face instruction, online courses, video conferencing, CD-ROM, or through combinations of delivery systems.

PROGRAMS OF STUDY

Three graduate degrees and two certificate programs are available via OnlineCSU. They include a Master of Library Science (M.L.S.) offered by Southern Connecticut State University, a Master of Science (M.S.) in educational technology offered by Eastern Connecticut State University and a Master of Science (M.S.) in data mining offered by Central Connecticut State University. A certificate in data mining is also available from Central, as is a sixth-year certificate in educational foundations from Southern. Additional programs are being added; students should check the Web site for details.

The M.L.S. degree is available from Southern's School of Communication, Information, and Library Science. The program integrates library science, information science, and instructional technology. It offers preparation for careers in various types of libraries, including academic, public, special, and school libraries, and a range of alternative information science occupations. The 36-credit degree program is accredited by the American Library Association. The school media specialist concentration is also approved by the Connecticut Board of Education and offers Connecticut-certified teachers the opportunity to obtain cross-endorsement as a school media specialist.

The M.S. degree in educational technology from Eastern Connecticut State University is a 36-credit program designed to provide practical educational technology skills. To prepare students for success in a highly technological and rapidly changing world, the program integrates educational technology applications with the expertise of professional educators and teachers of grades PreK-12. The program empowers graduates to meet and exceed outcomes standards in Connecticut and throughout the nation. The program is also unique because its curriculum is aligned with standards set by the International Society for Technology in Education.

The M.S. degree in data mining from Central Connecticut State University focuses on statistical methodology, machine learning, and business intelligence. Educated professionals with these skills are sought by industries seeking to improve products, marketing, sales, and customer service. Students gain hands-on experience with the Clementiner data mining software suite from SPSS, Inc., and other state-of-the-art programs to provide actionable results to real-world business problems. A certificate is also available; students should visit the Web site for further information.

The Connecticut State University System is the largest public university system in Connecticut, with more than 35,000 students and 150,000 alumni. OnlineCSU is the virtual classroom of the four Connecticut State Universities—Central Connecticut State University, Eastern Connecticut State University, Southern Connecticut State University and Western Connecticut State University.

OnlineCSU supports CSU's mission to provide affordable and high-quality active learning opportunities that are geographically and technologically accessible. The collaborative efforts of the four Universities provide a strong educational resource for students in Connecticut and around the world.

CSU institutions are fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and College and all credits are generally transferable.

The sixth year certificate in educational foundations program explores the framework of education. This versatile 30-credit program examines the world in which today's educator must function, from multicultural, American societal, legal, and moral perspectives.

STUDENT SERVICES

OnlineCSU offers a complete set of support services to its distance learners. This includes a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week, toll-free helpdesk to address technical issues and other questions. All OnlineCSU students are allowed full access to online library resources, a bookstore, tutoring and more through MyOnlineCSU, the program's distance education portal. In addition, on-campus services such as advising, career counseling, and financial aid are available to OnlineCSU students.

CREDIT OPTIONS

Students should refer to the offering university for information about transferring credit, work or life experience evaluations, or admission test waivers. Classes generally are three credits each. Graduate programs require a minimum of 36 credits.

FACULTY

All faculty members have extensive academic experience with advanced degrees and practical experience in their disciplines. Before teaching online, faculty members receive pedagogical and tools training to prepare them for the online education experience. In addition, CSU faculty members do not use "canned" content, having generally personally developed the course they teach.

ADMISSION

Admission information and applications are available online. Students seeking information about the M.L.S. and sixth year degree can contact Southern at 888-500-SCSU (toll-free). For information about admittance to the educational technology program, students can call 860-465-5292. For information about data mining, students can call 860-832-2862.

TUITION AND FEES

Effective with the summer 2004 semester, fees for Connecticut residents who are part-time students are $290 per credit hour for undergraduate courses and $365 per credit hour for graduate courses. Fees for out of-state residents who are part-time students are $362 per credit hour for undergraduate courses and $457 per credit hour for graduate courses. Each registration also requires a $50 online registration fee. During the regular academic terms of fall and spring, full-time Connecticut State University students must pay only the $50 online fee, as credits are billed as part of the student's full-time tuition. Full-time students taking classes during winter and summer semesters are billed as part-time students, as is the case with on-campus classes.

FINANCIAL AID

Students who receive financial aid may be able to apply all or part of this aid to OnlineCSU courses. Students who would like to apply for financial aid need to do so through their home university. Students at CSU institutions should refer to the corresponding university's Web site for specific information on financial aid policies and procedures.

CONTACT

OnlineCSU Student Services
Connecticut State University System Office
39 Woodland Street
Hartford, Connecticut 06105-2337
Telephone: 860-493-0001 or 860-493-0081
Fax: 860-493-0120
E-mail: onlinecsu@so.ct.edu
Web site: http://www.OnlineCSU.net

APPLYING

Generally, students may take up to three courses without formally matriculating at one of the Connecticut State University institutions. To apply to one of the universities, students should visit that university's Web site via http://www.ctstateu.edu. To enroll in an online course, students can create a new student account and register via the site listed below.