Online/Distance Learning

Study at your convenience online, by DVD, videotape, or traditional correspondence. Colorado State University's online and distance programs are designed for anyone, from working professionals to retirees, who are seeking to advance their education without compromising quality for convenience and without settling for anything less than the resources and distinction of a great university.

Delivery Methods

Distance and online learning removes the traditional boundaries of time and location to offer you the flexibility not often found in other academic situations. You can set your own pace and choose the most convenient time and place to study.

Online

Colorado State uses WebCT (called RamCT) as its online learning platform for all academic courses and most noncredit courses. RamCT provides user-friendly access to course materials, discussion groups, assignments, exams, chat, and other learner services.

Some courses may also require textbooks, videotapes, CD-ROMs, or other media to provide additional materials and support. Online credit courses follow the University semester schedule whereas most noncredit courses are open entry, allowing you to complete the course at your convenience.

More information about RamCT such as login and browser requirements is available under Help.

Availability

Online courses are available worldwide to any student with access to the Internet. Students are responsible for their own internet access.

DVD / VCD

DVDs and VCDs, or "Video Compact Discs", contain higher quality video and sound than that of VHS tapes and can be viewed on DVD players and computers with DVD-ROM drives.

DVDs and VCDs are offered in either of the two formats:

"Live" Recording

Recorded daily in the classroom, each disc contains the day's lecture. Discs will be shipped the next business day (holidays excluded). Shipments should reach students in about five business days.

Pre-recorded

Classroom recordings from past semesters are shipped to the student at the beginning of the term; some courses may require two or more shipments. These discs can be purchased at an additional cost to tuition (unless otherwise noted in the course information) from the University Bookstore.

Pre-recorded VCDs must be returned to the originating department or office at the end of the term.

Availability

DVD and VCD courses are available to students in the United States, Canada, and U.S. Military addresses (APO/FPO). We are unable to deliver these courses internationally to foreign locations not served by U.S. or military postal services due to the difficulties and delays in shipping. Shipments to APO/FPO addresses are sent by U.S. mail; all other shipments are sent via UPS.

DVDs and VCDs can be viewed on conventional DVD players and in computer DVD drives.

Videotape

Videotapes are taped in VHS and recorded in two formats:

Weekly Videotape

Recorded live in the classroom on a daily basis; each tape has recordings of the entire week's lectures. The tape for the week will be shipped on the business day following the last lecture of the week (holidays excluded). Shipments should reach students in about five business days.

Videotape Set

These courses use prerecorded videotapes that can be purchased from the University Bookstore (unless otherwise noted in the course information). The cost of these tapes is not included in tuition but may be assessed as fees for the course. Some courses use two or more shipments due to the sequence of material on the tapes, and some have additional audio components.

If you are enrolled in an Independent Learning course, you may view tapes on-campus at the Morgan Library IVAC Center.

Availability

Videotaped courses are available to students in the United States, Canada, and U.S. Military addresses (APO/FPO). We are unable to deliver these courses internationally to foreign locations not served by U.S. or military postal services due to the difficulties and delays in shipping Shipments to APO/FPO addresses are sent by U.S. mail; all other shipments are sent via UPS.

Correspondence

These courses use study guides, textbooks, and other materials in-place of classroom instruction. Using these resources as a guide, you will complete assignments and mail them to our office for the instructor to evaluate and grade. Most courses require supervised examinations using a proctor.

Successful completion of a course is based on meeting all course requirements, including assignments and exams.

Availability

Correspondence courses are available world-wide.

Televised

These courses (a.k.a. telecourses) use televised programs, study guides, and textbooks to bring the learning to you.

Availability

Televised courses are available to students in Fort Collins on cable channel 11. Broadcast schedules are provided for each course.

CD-ROM

These computer-based discs are self-supporting programs that provide instruction, structured practice, and evaluation on your home or business computer. Students need to meet the minimum computer requirements as listed above.

Information on installation and technical support can be found in the documentation that accompanies the CD-ROM.

Availability

CD-ROM courses are available worldwide.

Instructor Driven

These courses do not use distance technology to provide instruction or materials to the student, but rely on individualized contact between the instructor and student. These courses are usually independent study, research, thesis, or dissertation courses that require out-of-class student work where instructors provide direction and assistance to students during the course via phone, fax, or email.

Audio Component

Certain courses have additional audio components. The audiotapes must be purchsed from www.learner.org.