University of Wisconsin - Stout

Where is the list of online courses and the start dates? Click here to view the courses and schedule.

Quick Links to Questions

Registration University Student Email Account
Course Start/End Dates Registration Confirmation Process
Tuition, Receipts, Billing, Refund      Computer and Software Required
Textbooks and Library Access Online Participation
Final Grades and Transcripts

 

Registration and Tuition

University Student Email Accounts

Online Course Schedule

Registration Confirmation Process

Tuition, Receipts, Billing and Refund Information

Contact Information

Computer and Software Requirements

Textbooks and Access to the Library

Participation

Final Grades and Transcripts

Q. Do I need to apply for admission to the university's graduate program if I am only taking one online course?

No, if you are taking individual courses for licensure renewal, advanced certification, advancement on the salary schedule or documentation of professional development, complete the easy, no-hassle online registration form.

Educators who are registering for an online course do not need to apply for graduate admission to the university unless you are beginning a Masters degree program at University of Wisconsin-Stout. We welcome students who are not in degree-seeking programs and taking courses for licensure renewal or personal development.

For instructions about how to apply for University of Wisconsin-Stout Master of Science in Education degree program, check out the application process.

Q. How much is tuition for University of Wisconsin-Stout Online Professional Development courses?

Tuition for graduate online professional development courses is $330 per graduate credit for Summer 2008 and $347 per graduate credit for Fall 2008. The tuition is the same fee for in-state, out-of-state and international participants. Textbooks or software are not included in the tuition fee. There are no additional application or technology fees. There is a payment plan option for fall and spring semesters; the payment plan is not available for summer session. For additional billing questions, contact Student Business Services.
Phone: 715/232-1403
sbservices@uwstout.edu

Many participants apply for tuition reimbursement if the course meets their district's technology goals or school improvement plan.

Q. How do I register online?

OPTION A: Complete the secure online registration form . Please proofread your email address information carefully on the registration form. If you would prefer not to send credit card information over the Internet, you may fax your registration form.

OPTION B: Print this registration form (PDF file requires free Adobe Acrobat Reader ) and fax or mail the completed form to:
FAX: (715) 232-3385
MAIL: Attn: Darci Ward
Registration & Records
University of Wisconsin - Stout
109 Bowman Hall
Menomonie, WI  54751

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Q. When and how will I receive my u-bill?


Q. Is tuition for an online professional development course the same fee for in-state, out-of-state and international participants?

Yes, tuition is $330 per graduate credit for summer 2008 and $347 for 2008-2009. The tuition is the same fee for in-state, out-of-state and international participants.

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Q. How do I request a receipt to submit to my school district for tuition reimbursement?

If you need a receipt for tuition reimbursement, email wardda@uwstout.edu in the Registration and Records office.

Q. Will these course credits apply to my degree program?

Contact your degree/program advisor to determine whether the course you want to take will match with the overall plan for the degree program as an elective or required course.

Q. Is University of Wisconsin-Stout accredited?

University of Wisconsin-Stout is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges & Schools (NCA) located at 30 LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602. Phone: 312-263-0456 or 800/621-7440 fax #312/263-7462.

Q. When do the courses begin and end?

Registrations are accepted year round for online courses. Courses begin and end on specific dates during the spring, summer, and fall terms. Check the start dates listed in the online catalog. If the course has already been in progress three days, then you will be asked to wait until the next session begins.

Online courses are highly interactive and include expected dialogue between student and instructor and with class colleagues via the class discussion board. Students are required to participate in all class assignments and via the class discussion board. Each instructor provides rubrics which clearly defined expectations of student learning and calendars which list assignment and discussion posting due dates. If you are planning extended travel and will be away from a computer during the course, it's best to delay taking the class until the next session is offered.

Start and ending dates are listed in the online catalog .

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Q. I submitted my online registration form. Now what do I do?

If you are not a current University of Wisconsin-Stout student, it will take 72 hours on week days for the registration process to assign your user name, password and student ID number. Before the class begins, the Registration and Records office staff will email your university user name and university ID number to the email address listed on your registration form.

A few days before your course begins your instructor will contact you via email with information about how to begin the course assignments. Check your university email account to read the preclass welcome information.

Q. I've submitted my online registration. Is there a way to check to see if the university has received it?

You should receive an email confirming your registration within 2 working days. If you are concerned that your online registration may not have been received, feel free to email Joan Vandervelde, Online Professional Development Coordinator, vanderveldej@uwstout.edu or call 715-642-0209.

Q. Do I need to use a university email account instead of my home or school email account?

Yes, when the class begins, you will be expected to use your University of Wisconsin-Stout email account for all correspondence with your instructor. The Learn@UW-Stout courseware will only list your university email address for communication with the instructor, class peers, Continuing Education staff, as well as the business and registrar's office.

To login and check your university email go to the university homepage
http://www.uwstout.edu/
in the list of Quick Links (under the photo), at the far right side click on WebMail.

Your instructor will email preclass information to your UW-Stout university email address; be sure to have it set up prior to the first week of class and login to read the orientation information.

Q. What are the refund and drop/cancellation policies?

If, after submitting the enrollment form, you find that you need to drop the class before the first day of class, send a cancellation request by email to vanderveldej@uwstout.edu. (Telephone cancellations cannot be accepted).

UW-Stout Refund Policy:

For the four week courses:
100% refund if the course is dropped during Week 1
25% refund if the course is dropped during Week 2
0% refund if the course is dropped after Week 2

For the six week courses:
100% refund if the course is dropped during Week 1
50% refund if the course is dropped during Week 2
0% refund if the course is dropped after Week 2

For eight through eleven week courses:
100% refund if a course is dropped during Week 1
50% refund if the course is dropped during Week 2
25% refund if the course is dropped during Week 3
No refund is granted beyond the third week of the course.

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Q. How do I contact my instructor?

The course instructor's email address and phone number are listed in the faculty directory. If you have difficulty contacting your instructor, please email the Online Professional Development Coordinator, vanderveldej@uwstout.edu.

Q. How long does it take to complete a course?

The vast majority of our students have no difficulty completing a course within the scheduled timeline. Check the course description to find the start and ending dates, and feel free to email the instructor if you have any questions.

Q. Do I have to be online at the same time as everyone else? Is there a time each week that I have to be online with the whole class?

No, there are no scheduled "live" chats.

A wide variety of quality Internet resources are integrated as part of each course. Web-based discussion boards and email are utilized for instructor/student communication and class discussion.

While online education is highly flexible, there are weekly assignment deadlines. Additionally, your peer learners will depend on you for timely feedback as you interact via email and discussion boards or team and small work groups to complete assigned tasks. Therefore, students need to participate regularly each week. If you are planning extended travel away from a computer during the course, it's best to delay taking the class until the next session is offered.

In order to complete the online course requirements, you will need regular, reliable Internet access.

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Q. Can I take more than one online course at a time?

Yes. Some students take two online courses during a semester.

Q. As a distance learning student, will I have access to the university library?

Yes, University of Wisconsin-Stout Distance Learning Library Service is outstanding, and as an off-campus student you will have electronic access to many curriculum-related teaching, research, and scholarly resources. UW-Stout Library has an exceptional Ask-A-Librarian service for distance learning students.

Q. Who do I contact if I have questions about a specific online course?

Email Joan Vandervelde, Online Professional Development Coordinator.

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Q. How do I access my final grade report?

After the instructor posts final grades, you may access your grade report via the university website.

  1. Grades are available online through the UW-Stout portal called Access Stout.
    https://access.uwstout.edu/access/webadvisor

  2. After you login, under options under "Student Menu - Academic Profile" you may view and print a copy of your grade report by clicking on the "Grades" link or "Grade Point Average by Term" link. You may also click on the "Transcript" link to print an unofficial copy of your course grades.

    Many students submit the free grade report when documentation is required for school district tuition reimbursement or for a professional development portfolio.

    Grading System

If an official transcript is required, review the transcript request process.

Q. How do I request a transcript reflecting my coursework?

If an official transcript is needed for a certification agency or for school district tuition reimbursement, the transcript request process and fees are provided on the Registration and Records Office website. If you live overseas, you may fax the request form:
Fax (715) 232-2436.
If you have additional questions, email the Registration and Records office or call (715) 232-2157.

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Q. May I participate in University of Wisconsin-Stout online course with other instructors from my school?

That's an excellent idea. Collaboration is an essential part of online professional development. In fact, we encourage participants to help each other on assignments, and peer feedback is an important component. Consider registering with a partner or team of educators from your building or district to develop a unified focus that addresses local needs.

Q. Is this online course available to international teachers as well as teachers living in the United States?

University of Wisconsin- Stout online courses are available to educators worldwide who are able to access the WWW and e-mail via an Internet connection.

Q. What if I will be away from my computer for a few days?

If a participant will be out of town at a conference or on vacation for a few days, it is the responsibility of the student to contact the instructor, preferably, in advance of the class start date to discuss how you will complete assignments prior to your time away from class. If you are planning extended travel away from a computer during the course, it's best to delay taking the class until the next session begins.

Q. How do I find the online class materials?

Your instructor will send you an email with information about how to access your course website.

Q. Is a textbook required?

Check each course description for information about required textbooks and required software.

Q. How will we conduct class discussions online?

You will check your course discussion board via a password protected website to participate in class discussions. Also, the class discussion board will be utilized for posting some assignments. During the first week of class there will be orientation "practice" activities to help you become familiar with this conferencing tool.

You will set your own hours and determine when you participate in the class discussion and when you work on assignments. The class environment is asynchronous, available and active seven days a week, 24 hours a day. No matter where you are, you can participate at a time that is convenient for you. Your instructor will be online several times a day. Online chats for real-time conferences with the instructor are optional.

Q. How important is anti-virus protection?

VERY IMPORTANT. Make sure virus detection software is operating on ALL of the computers you use during an online class. Update your anti-virus software on a schedule (minimum weekly) to check for new viruses.

Run your virus software to scan *all files, regardless of type. Never open an e-mail attachment from anyone without virus-checking it first.

Turn on macro virus protection in Microsoft Word and beware of viruses in Word documents.

Update your Windows operating system with free security fixes from Microsoft.

 

Q. Do I need special software to take this class?

Review the list of compatible/recommended browsers and software programs for Learn@UWStout at the Online Help Desk. Check the syllabus to determine what specific software is recommended for course projects.

You need to know how to send and receive e-mail, how to log onto the Internet through an Internet Service Provider, and how to use a browser such as Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape or Firefox.

Since everyone has different computer experiences, we recommend the orientation activities.

Q. How do I know if my computer is powerful enough to take an online course? What are the minimum technology requirements?

Complete the system checkup on this website, https://uwstout.courses.wisconsin.edu/
by clicking on the link that says: Check your system.

If you have any questions about the system check results, please call one of the numbers listed below and indicate that you are a UW-Stout student needing help with Learn@UW-Stout . Help is available 7 days a week.

• 1-888-435-7589 select option 3
or
• 1-608-264-4357 select option 3

Check the resolution of your computer screen to see if it is set at 1024x768 or higher. If you are using an older computer and monitor, it may display things in a 'larger' format. This causes you to run out of room as you scroll left to right in the Learn@UWStout course website. On your computer's desktop screen, right click Properties --> then click on Settings. Increase the screen resolution to 1024x768.

 

Q. Can students purchase course software packages at a discount?

Any student who is an enrolled as a full-time or part-time student at a University of Wisconsin campus is eligible to purchase and use software distributed through the Wisconsin Integrated Software Catalog (WISC). Software catalog and ordering information.

Q. How often should I check the discussion board and my e-mail?

As a general rule, you should check your e-mail and the course discussion board 3-5 days each week in order to keep up with discussions, questions, and assignments.

You will receive a list of due dates for assignments at the beginning of each module. If you are unable to meet an assignment deadline, e-mail the instructor to discuss other options to meet your personal work schedule or family commitments.

Sign up for a University of Wisconsin-Stout online professional development class!

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