Time management - Can you balance your time among
courses, family, and work?
Motivation - Are you motivated to take the course/degree
and complete it?
Flexibility - If you like flexibility (taking courses
on your own time), then distance education may be for you.
Self-directed - You will receive some instruction
and direction in a distance education course, but a lot of the learning
will be self-directed; you are in charge of how much you learn!
We have provided an online self-assessment
to help you determine your strengths in a distance education environment.
What is the distance education experience like?
Is it like a "regular" classroom?
Depending on the technology used, it may look
like a "regular" classroom, if it's being delivered by interactive
videoconferencing or by videotape. But in most cases, it's not like
a regular classroom. Distance education courses are provided through
some type of technology (videotape, videoconferencing, Web/WebCT, streaming
video). You probably will have some feeling of isolation, because most
likely you won't be in a classroom with other students. But you do have
the flexibility of accessing your course on your own time. You'll also
find that you will probably be able to interact with the instructor
more often through mediated channels (phone, email, chat) than you would
be able to do in a large class.
In a distance education environment, how do I communicate
with my professor?
In a traditional classroom setup, you have
the opportunity to ask questions face to face. With distance education,
you can still interact and communicate with your instructor, but it's
a little different. In videoconferencing, you still can ask questions
of your instructor through the interactive audio and video (the instructor
can see and hear you through a television monitor, and you can see and
hear the instructor). With other types of technology, the communication
methods may be through chat sessions, electronic bulletin boards, the
telephone, and email.
What technology will I use in my distance education
course?
This depends on the course. The technologies
that UF uses include CD-ROMs, Web, videoconferencing, videotape,
and streaming video. You will need to check with your college and possibly
with a course's instructor to find out which technology is used. We've provided short descriptions of delivery methods to help explain how these are used at UF.
Will I have to travel for my distance education
course?
Generally, you will not have to travel on
a regular basis to a central location, if it is a Web-based course.
For videoconference courses, however, you may have to travel to a site
that has the videoconferencing equipment. Occasionally, a distance education
class will require a special class meeting at the Gainesville campus
or other centralized location. In some cases, this may require an entire
weekend at the beginning of the term. Refer to individual course descriptions
to determine whether a given course has such a travel requirement. The
instructor should also notify you of such requirements.
Admission, Registration, Financial Aid, and Degrees
What degrees can I earn via distance education at UF?
You can earn a variety of degrees and certificates as a distance education student at the University of Florida. You can earn a bachelor of science degree, master's degrees, certifications, and even doctorates in various areas. For a list of current distance education programs, visit the UF's Distance Learning pages on Degrees and Certificate programs.
What courses are offered via distance education at UF?
The UF distance education courses which are currently accepting student registrations are listed on the Distance
Learning Courses page. Some of these courses have open enrollment - where a student may start and finish a course at any time - while others follow a traditional semester schedule.
As a distance student, how do I apply to UF?
If you are only taking one course, you will generally apply to UF as a non-degree seeking student.
If you are applying to a degree program, you will need to formally enroll as a degree-seeking student, and must meet all of UF's admissions standards. Individual programs may also have additional requirements.
We have provided a page summarizing the basic UF admissions and applications.
The standard UF admissions deadlines may or may not apply, depending on the specific distance education course
or program. Please contact the person or program responsible for the course or degree program for more details.
How do I obtain my distance education materials
(videos, books, readings)?
Material and supply fees are assessed for certain
courses to offset the cost of materials or supply items consumed in
the course of instruction. Material and supply fee information is available
from the academic departments offering the course. To obtain materials, you must contact the specific academic
department or college. They have the materials or will direct you to
where you need to go to purchase the materials.
Student Resources