University of Houston

Educational Technology and Outreach—Distance Education

Houston, Texas

DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM

Serving more than 16,000 students annually, UH Distance Education offers junior-, senior-, and graduate-level credit courses each semester. UH has the highest number of upper-level and graduate enrollments in distance education courses of any university in the state of Texas. Students may complete degrees through a combination of classes offered online, via television and/or videotape, and through face-to-face or live interactive classes at three off-campus sites in the greater Houston area.

DELIVERY MEDIA

UH Distance Education courses are delivered face-to-face, live interactive (compressed video) at off-campus sites, or asynchronously via tape, cable, public broadcast, or online. Students in asynchronous classes may be required to participate in scheduled, real-time sessions with the instructor and/or other class members. Special arrangements must be made for lab requirements in some degree programs. Proctored exams are arranged as needed. In order to take classes through UH Distance Education, students must have access to the Internet and have a reliable e-mail address.

PROGRAMS OF STUDY

UH Distance Education students may complete degrees in several fields of study. All admissions, degree program requirements, course work, and prerequisites are the same as for on-campus students. Courses generally carry 3 credits. The number of credits needed for degree completion varies by program. Students can obtain more detailed information through the UH Distance Education Web site at the address listed below.

Undergraduate Distance Education program areas include consumer science and merchandising, English, history, hotel and restaurant management, and technology leadership and supervision. Undergraduate courses are available at the junior and senior level. Freshman- and sophomore-level courses may be taken on the UH campus or transferred from other institutions.

Graduate degree program areas available through Distance Education include hospitality management and kinesiology. In the Houston metro area, graduate degrees in computer science, educational leadership, health, industrial engineering and post-baccalaureate teacher certification are available at off-campus teaching centers. Most of these programs are 36-hour, non-thesis options.

Additional credit courses outside of these program areas are available each semester. Students not seeking a degree may enroll in a limited number of selected credit courses.

STUDENT SERVICES

University of Houston's award-winning Distance Education program provides students access to excellent academic support services.

Library support is provided for enrolled students through access to the UH Online Catalog; support includes borrowing privileges, reference services, remote access to electronic databases, guides to research, mail delivery of journal articles on request, and cooperative arrangements with other libraries.

Computer support services that are available to all enrolled students include e-mail and a World Wide Web browser. Documentation, training, and software are also available.

The University of Houston (UH) is the premier urban teaching and research institution in Texas. Founded in 1927, its activities include a broad range of academic programs encompassing undergraduate, graduate, and professional education; basic and applied research; and public service programs. Its professional schools include architecture, business, education, engineering, hotel, law, optometry, pharmacy, and social work. It is the doctoral degree granting and research-oriented component of the University of Houston System.

Serving more than 34,000 students, University of Houston educational programs include full-time programs for traditional students and part-time and evening programs for employed individuals. Research laboratories and institutes work directly with area corporations and governments, while public service programs contribute to and enhance the cultural and social climate of the community. UH has placed special emphasis on outreach and access for students, both locally and internationally.

These services for Distance Education students include admissions (online and via mail), registration (online and via telephone), fee payment (online and via telephone and mail), book and videotape ordering (online and by telephone, fax, and mail), remote-site proctored exams, online paper exchange (at the discretion of the instructor), and online advising.

The University of Houston is an equal opportunity institution. Accommodations on the basis of disability are available. For more information, students should contact the Center for Students with Disabilities (telephone: 832-842-7104, TTY: 713-749-1527, Web: http://www.uh.edu/csd/).

CREDIT OPTIONS

Upon application for admission, students must submit transcripts from work completed at all other post-secondary institutions. The amounts and types of credit transferable to the University of Houston depend on the degree program.

FACULTY

The University of Houston has 1,900 full- and part-time faculty members. All UH faculty members teaching Distance Education courses participate in special training programs and ongoing assessment.

ADMISSION

Undergraduate admission is based on graduation from an accredited high school, college transfer, or entrance examination, or through a combination of these criteria. Graduate applicants must have an earned bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Individual programs have additional specific requirements.

TUITION AND FEES

In 2004–05, tuition and fees for one 3 credit hour undergraduate course are $705.50 for residents and $1479.50 for non-residents; for a graduate course, the cost was $849.50 for residents and $1623.50 for non-residents.

For two courses (6 credit hours), the undergraduate cost is $1150 for residents and $2698 for non-residents; the graduate cost is $1438 for residents and $2986 for non-residents. Rates are subject to change. Additional college fees may apply.

FINANCIAL AID

General financial aid programs through the University of Houston include the Texas Public Education Grant, the Texas Public Educational State Student Incentive Grant, Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, the Federal Perkins Student Loan, the Hinson-Hazelwood College Student Loan, the Federal Stafford Student Loan, the Federal Parent Loan Program, and other loan and scholarship opportunities based on merit or need. In 1999–2000, approximately 65 percent of all University of Houston students received some form of financial assistance.

CONTACT

Distance Education Adviser
Educational Technology and University Outreach
Distance Education
University of Houston
111 C.N. Hilton
Houston, Texas 77204-3051
Telephone: 713-743-8627
Fax: 713-743-3300
E-mail: DEadvisor@uh.edu
Web site: http://distance.uh.edu

APPLYING

To enroll in any UH credit course, students must first be admitted to the University of Houston. Complete admission information is available through the UH Distance Education Web site at the address listed below. The Texas Common application is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.applytexas.org for undergraduate, graduate, and international admissions.