BIG Changes for Students Taking COS Courses

NEW! Financial Aid Regulations
Due to changes in the federal financial aid regulations, important changes have been made to the financial aid payment options available in Correspondence & Online Studies (COS) courses. In order for a COS course to be considered for financial aid eligibility, you must follow the new guidelines provided by the UND Financial Aid Office.

The UND Financial Aid Office has a link specifically designed for students enrolling in COS courses who seek financial aid assistance. If you are seeking financial aid assistance, you need to read and follow the eligibility and disbursement regulations outlined at: www.und.edu/dept/finaid/Correspondence_Study.html 

NEW! Semester Start Dates for COS Courses
Although COS courses are not semester-based and you can enroll at anytime, the credits are recorded in the semester you enroll. The semester start dates for COS courses have now been moved to coincide with the “last day to drop a full-term course” on UND’s Academic Calendar. This means that you can now begin your semesters almost two months earlier than the on-campus semester start dates. Please note the new COS semester start dates:

• Registrations on or after November 4, 2006, will be recorded as 2007 Spring Semester credits.
• Registrations on or after March 31, 2007, will be recorded as 2007 Summer Semester credits.
• Registrations on or after July 7, 2007, will be recorded as 2007 Fall Semester credits.

If you are a COS student receiving financial aid who must complete your COS courses before the end of the on-campus semester dates, the early semester start dates are a big advantage. If you are receiving financial aid, you are encouraged to register for COS courses as early as possible so you have enough time to complete your COS courses. For example, if you are wishing to take COS courses in your Spring Semester, you should register in November rather than wait until January or later.

It’s New, It’s Cool, It’s Online

COS is continually working with UND faculty to provide more online courses. Here’s a look at our newest online courses:

Online Courses Coming in the 2006-2007 Academic Year:

Anth 345 – Forensic Science
Econ 201 – Principles of Microeconomics
Econ 210 – Introduction to Business Statistics
Econ 303 – Money and Banking
IT 300 – Technology and Society
Musc 100 – Introduction to the Understanding of Music
Soc 335 – The Family
T&L 252 – Child Development

Ever Wonder How UND Faculty Develop Online Courses?

Faculty interested in developing an online course work with the Online Team at the UND Division of Continuing Education. The team, which includes two instructional designers, two educational media developers, an editor, and student employees, supports instructors as they make use of various media technologies to create engaging online courses for students.

What the Online Team Does:

• Meet weekly with faculty to discuss challenges and content
• Develop practice activities and exercises
• Add video, audio clips and other visual learning tools
• Generate actual online testing environments
• Create a link between student and instructor

“By developing courses for COS I feel that I am able to give my students a choice of instruction that will best fit their learning styles and lifestyles.”

• Dr. Sandra Short, Department of Physical Education and Exercise Science

Faculty develop online courses because they allow you to:

• Experience flexibility and convenience
• Set your own schedule
• Study when and where you want
• Receive personalized service from COS staff
• Gather instructor feedback on all assignments
• Choose from 45 courses offered

The FAQs for COS

What courses does COS offer?

Over 90 undergraduate courses for academic credit are offered by mail, e-paper or online. The online format is available for over 40 courses. Many courses meet general education requirements.

Who teaches for COS?

All COS courses are written and taught by UND faculty and are overseen by various UND academic departments. COS invites faculty who would like to teach a course to contact them.

How do I take exams?

All exams must be supervised by a certified/approved proctor. Exams may be taken at Gustafson Hall or at any other approved location where a proctor has agreed to supervise an exam.

When can I enroll?

COS offers open enrollment, which means you may enroll at any time and take up to nine months to complete your coursework. The courses are not-semester based, but are recorded on your transcript in the semester in which you enroll.

If you are receiving financial aid, you need to complete your COS course by the end of semester for which you are receiving the aid. You should enroll as early as possible to give yourself enough time to complete your COS course. For more information, please visit: www.und.edu/dept/finaid/Correspondence_Study.html

Is tuition separate from campus tuition? What is the COS tuition?

Yes, tuition is separate from campus tuition and must be paid upfront to COS. Tuition is $120 per credit plus an additional $40 administrative fee per course. Financial aid may be available for COS courses. It is adjusted based on your enrollment in both on-campus and COS courses. You should contact the UND Financial Aid Office to determine your eligibility or visit: www.und.edu/dept/finaid/Correspondence_Study.html. If you are receiving financial aid, you must complete your COS course(s) by the end of the on-campus semester.

How do I enroll?

Applications can be submitted in five easy ways:

Online: www.conted.und.edu/correspondence
Phone: 701.777.2661 or toll free 800.342.8230
Fax: 701.777.6382

Mail: Department of Correspondence & Online Studies
Division of Continuing Education
University of North Dakota
Gustafson Hall Room 103
3264 Campus Road Stop 9021
Grand Forks , ND 58202-9021

In Person: Gustafson Hall (corner of Campus Road and Centennial Drive; near Twamley Hall)

Call or visit us between 8:00 am – 4:30 pm CST.

COS Staff

Program Coordinator: Julie Vatnsdal Program Assistant: Kari Holter Program Assistant: Terri Kemnitz Program Assistant: Diane Kinney Program Assistant: Patricia Young Administrative Secretary: Brenda Keller

Left to right: Julie, Diane, Kari, Terri, Brenda, Trish

For More Information

Department of Correspondence & Online Studies
Division of Continuing Education
University of North Dakota
Gustafson Hall Room 103
3264 Campus Road Stop 9021
Grand Forks, ND 58202-9021
Phone: (701) 777-2661 or toll free (800) 342-8230
Email: correspondence@mail.und.nodak.edu
Web: www.conted.und.edu/correspondence