College Credit Courses in High School Online - The University of ...

2007-08 2009-2010student handbookCollege Credit Coursesin High School OnlineRevised July, 2009

UNCG iSchool tm ContactsUNCG iSchool Help Deskonlinehelp@uncg.eduAIM: uncgischool336.334.9782 local866.940.6247 toll freePlease call the UNCG iSchool Help Desk regardingall iSchool queries. The Help Desk will route you tothe appropriate group.....................................................................................Beth W. Boyett, Director of School Partnershipsbeth_boyett@uncg.edu....................................................................................Margo Flanagan, Program Managermargoflanagan@uncg.edu....................................................................................Alice Jagnandan, Program Manageralice_jagnandan@uncg.edu....................................................................................Nichole McGill, Registrarntmcgill@uncg.edu....................................................................................Pat Wyrick, Program Assistantpcwyrick@uncg.edu....................................................................................UNCG Division of Continual Learning336.315.7737 fax336.315.7044 local866.334.2255 toll free....................................................................................UNCG Division of Continual Learning websiteFOR MORE INFORMATION:http://ischool.uncg.eduischool.uncg.edu915 Northridge StreetPO Box 26170Greensboro, NC 27402–6170

Why You Should TakeUNCG iSchool Online CoursesSave time, save money.Regardless of which college major you plan to pursue,you’ll have to take a number of courses that arefrequently referred to as General College Requirements.They’re a fact of life and they will cost you (and yourparents) money. With this in mind, it makes sense thatany college credit you start college with is literally moneyin the bank. UNCG iSchool offers you the opportunity totake the courses you know you’ll need and, if you area student at a N.C. public high school, they’re alreadypaid for by the State of N.C. You’ll be able to tailor yourcourse load to fit your schedule and, theoretically, graduatefrom college early (or at least on time).Spend your school day more productively.You’re in school for most of your day anyway, so why notput your time to better use? UNCG iSchool courses aregenerally classified as “concurrent enrollment,” whichmeans you earn both high school AND college creditat the same time. If you have an internet connection athome, you’ll be able to spend additional time workingon your online courses there too.Get the credit you deserve.Some college credit programs are based on how well youdo on one placement exam. UNCG iSchool is different.The grade you earn during the entire course is yours tokeep. Earn a “C” or better and your college credit shouldtransfer anywhere UNCG credit transfers. It’s the creditthat matters.Have access to some of the best instructors.When you’re taking a UNCG class online, you’ve got alot of people who want you to succeed. There is a UNCGinstructor teaching online. There is a trained high schoolfacilitator right there in the computer lab with you. Thereis an online help desk that can help you when you have aproblem. And, in the online environment, chatting withyour classmates is encouraged, not discouraged.Credit you can take with you.Even though you are taking UNCG courses and receivingUNCG credit, your credit will follow you pretty muchwherever you decide to go to college. Our credit transfersuccess rate is 93% and that’s for public AND privateinstitutions of higher learning.CONTENTSWhat You’re Getting Yourself Into 2....................................................................................Communication from UNCG 2....................................................................................Academic Integrity 2....................................................................................Registration 3....................................................................................Flexible Schedule 3....................................................................................Textbooks 4....................................................................................Who Do I Call? 4....................................................................................Grading 5• Obtaining Your UNCG Final Grades• Getting Your Final Grades on the Web....................................................................................Scholars Program 5....................................................................................How to Transfer Your College Credit 6• High School and College Credit• Credit TransferItems in blue are hyperlinked.Just click on them to takeyou directly to the URLs.• Obtaining an Official Transcript of YourUNCG Academic Record....................................................................................Dropping and Withdrawing 7....................................................................................Student Responsibility 7....................................................................................Other Important Information 8Additional Admissions and Credit InformationTable of Contents1

What You’re Getting Yourself IntoUp to now you’ve been going along nicely taking high school courses, some of which probably seemed likea breeze. All that is about to change. Not only are the courses you have signed up for college courses withcollege demands, they are also offered online, which presents you with a whole other dimension of challenge.Although you may feel isolated staring at a computer screen, you’re really not alone. Hundreds of otherstudents just like you will be taking these same courses. The computer lab at your high school will provide aclassroom facilitator to help you if you really get stuck. There are also other real LIVE people available onlineto help, including your UNCG instructor and the folks at our UNCG iSchool Help Desk.Ultimately, your success taking an online course depends on you. You must keep up with due dates for assignmentsand the pace of the course. If you fall behind you may never be able to catch up. Completing a weeks’worth of work in a weekend is impossible, no matter how hard you try. Tests and quizzes are frequently openfor a certain time period and after that, you’re out of luck. We’re not trying to scare you—just preparing youfor what lies ahead.Now for the good part: These courses are rich, exciting, and even fun. UNCG has won many awards for itsonline courses, and we think they are some of the best online courses offered anywhere—that’s right, ANY-WHERE. These courses will give you real college credit AND you will have an advantage over high schoolstudents—experience taking online courses, which is a way of life these days.Whatever course you choose, you’ll be getting the exact same course as degree-seeking UNCG students—notsome watered-down version created for high school students. You will be completing a real college course.Now that’s something to tweet about!Communication from UNCGCollege-bound students often receive scores of letters, brochures, postcards, and other materials from a hostof college admission offices. Sometimes the tendency is for students to ignore or throw away mail from aschool that does not interest them. If you throw away mail from UNCG, you might miss some very importantinformation and risk losing your college credit.UNCG considers you a college student—be responsible for your college record!iSchool students are considered “visiting” UNCG students. A student record will be created here for you andyou will be given access to our library.Plus you’re taking an online course! Our primary mode of communcation is email. Please check your UNCGemail account daily and use this account to email your iSchool instructor(s).Please do not ignore mail from UNCG, especially if it comes from the Division of ContinualLearning (iSchool program), Registrar’s Office, or the Cashier’s and Student Accounts Office.Academic IntegrityEach student is required to review the University’s Academic Integrity Policy, which can be found at thefollowing URL: http://academicintegrity.uncg.edu/Your instructor may ask you to sign the Academic Integrity Pledge on all major work submitted.Hyperlinks onthis page.What your’re getting yourself into communication from uncg academic integrity2

Hyperlinks onthis page.RegistrationStudents registering for UNCG iSchool courses should follow the 5 steps below to fill out theirStudent Information Form (SIF).1. Talk to your high school counselor.2. Go to http://ischool.uncg.edu.3. From the UNCG iSchool gold bar on the top, choose REGISTRATION.4. Click on STUDENT INFORMATION FORM.5. Scroll down and select your School and Submit.6. This is a secure site. Students should complete this online form entirely and accurately and Submit.Important: You will still have to register online for your iSchool class(es).7. Students will receive a PIN letter in the mail. Please follow steps 1–11 below to register onlinefor iSchool classes at your school. A course list will be included with your pin letter.All students must register for their classes online. Students will not be allowed to register for classesuntil they have completed their Student Information Form (SIF). If you encounter registrationproblems, call the UNCG iSchool Program at 336.334.9782 or toll free 866.940.6247.To Register1. Go to www.uncg.edu.2. From the menu bar at the top right side, choose UNCGenie.https://banweb.uncg.edu/prod/twbkwbis.P_GenMenu?name=homepage3. Choose Secure Area.4. Enter your User ID (will be provided to you on your PIN letter) and then enter your PIN(personal identification number).5. Choose Login.6. Select Student SERVICES & Financial Aid.7. Select Registration.8. Select Add/Drop Classes.9. Select Term from drop down box and Submit.10. Enter Advising Code and Submit (will be provided on your iSchool PIN letter).11. Enter the CRN number(s) for the iSchool courses you wish to take and Submit. These numberswill be provided to you in the packet mailed to your home and by your UNCG iSchool facilitator.Flexible ScheduleStudents must take iSchool courses in a specified class period that’s part of their school day (in a high schoolcampus computer lab). However, if you are on a block schedule at your high school, you could take two iSchoolcourses in that same class period and earn double the credit! Consult with your high school counselor.Always remember that these are college courses, so be aware of the challenge if you sign up for multiplecourses.Registration FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE3

TextbooksIf you are a North Carolina public school student enrolled in an iSchool online course, textbooks will beprovided to you.Any textbooks provided to you by UNCG iSchool for online courses are the property of the state. Please donot write in or deface these books in any way. At the end of the semester, you must return all textbooks toyour school’s course facilitator, who will store iSchool textbooks at the high school for future use. If you loseor damage your textbook, you will be responsible for replacement costs.If you are a private school student, please consult your counselor about how to obtain your textbooks.Who Do I Call?Students have ready access to a variety of resources if problems crop up (as they inevitably will). Here’s somesimple guidance on who to call for what:For Issues with Student Passwords or Technical issues Involving Online CoursesThe Division of Continual Learning has its own help desk for online courses (UNCG iSchool Help Desk).textbooks Who Do I Call?Hours:Monday —Thursday 7a m–9pm Email: onlinehelp@uncg.eduFriday 7a m–5pm Local Phone: 336.334.9782Sunday 4pm–7pm Toll Free Phone: 1.866.940.6247AIM:uncgischoolSo if you’re having trouble navigating courses, launching audio or video modules, or experiencing anyother issue after logging into Blackboard, contact us using the contact information above.For Questions Involving the Actual Course ContentContact your UNCG iSchool instructor. You can find instructors’ contact information from the onlinecourse syllabus in Blackboard.Still confused about who to call? Start with the UNCG iSchool Help Desk.We’ll make certain you get the help you need.4

Hyperlinks onthis page.GradingiSchool courses are regular UNCG college courses; grading criteria have been established by UNCG facultyand departments and may vary from course to course. This means that you should always read each coursesyllabus with care to make sure you understand the grading standards. In all cases, work will be judged bythe same criteria as those applied to college students taking the same courses at UNCG.UNCG grade reports will include a calculation of GPA (Grade Point Average). UNCG uses a plus/minusgrade system to calculate GPA as follows:A+ 4.3 B+ 3.3 C+ 2.3 D+ 1.3 F 0A 4.0 B 3.0 C 2.0 D 1.0A- 3.7 B- 2.7 C- 1.7 D- .7Please note that in most cases the UNCG grade and GPA earned through iSchool are relevant only if a studentmatriculates to UNCG. If UNCG credit is transferred to another college or university, only the course hourswill transfer, NOT THE GRADE or GPA. Most colleges and universities will give credit for a course with agrade of “C” or better.Obtaining Your UNCG Final GradesGrades are not mailed to students. Final grades can be accessed through the UNCG Student RegistrationSystem known as UNCGenie at https://banweb.uncg.edu.Getting your grades on the Web1. Go to the UNCG Homepage at http://www.uncg.edu and click on UNCGenie. SelectEnter Secure Area.2. Enter your User ID.3. Enter your University PIN.4. Choose Login.5. Select Student Services and Financial Aid.6. Select Student Records.7. Select Final Grades or Academic Transcript.8. Select Submit.Please note that iSchool faculty post final grades into UNGenie 48 hours after the final exam takes place. Youcan expect to access your final grade after that time.Scholars ProgramBecome a student of academic distinction.Any iSchool senior who has earned a minimum of 12 credit hours through the UNCG iSchool Program, witha GPA of 3.0 or higher will receive a certificate of achievement and an honor cord to wear at graduation (withtheir high school’s permission).The GPA eligibility is calculated based upon UNCG courses alone.grading SCHOLARS PROGRAM5

Hyperlinks onthis page.How to Transfer Your College CreditHigh School and College CreditCollege credit is given in semester hours whereas high school credit is given in Carnegie units for each courseeach year. Except for lab science courses, each UNCG course carries 3 hours of credit. Lab sciences carry 4hours of credit. This means that if you are taking Sociology 101, Psychology 121, and Philosophy 121, youcan earn a total of 9 credit hours. Your high school will determine how many high school credits you receiveper course.Credit TransferMost students who have taken UNCG courses through the iSchool program have been successful in transferringtheir credit to other colleges and universities. Based on surveys of former students, the credit transfersuccess rate is about 93%.No institution of higher education can guarantee that its credit will transfer to every school; the decision toaccept transfer credit will always belong to the institution receiving that credit. If you have a question abouta specific course or college, we recommend that you call the admissions office at the college(s) you want toattend and ask if they accept transfer credit from UNCG.how to transfer your college creditObtaining an Official Transcript of Your UNCG Academic RecordFor complete transcript information, call 336.334.5945.A student may request an official UNCG transcript in the University Registrar’s Office, 180 Mossman, throughthe Transcript Pick-Up/Mailing Service, or by means of a written or online request (http://www.uncg.edu/reg/transcript/index.html). The University Registrar’s Office cannot accept transcript requests bytelephone, online, or fax. In-person transcript services are available between the hours of 8a m and 5pm,Monday—Friday. Online services are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. UNCG ID and PIN arerequired.All transcript requests must include the following student information:• Complete name, including any previous names or name changes• Dates of enrollment at UNCG• Student identification number• Date of birth• Status at time of enrollment (undergraduate)• Student’s signature (required)• Complete mailing address of recipient and studentPlease allow 3 working days for processing of written requests. The transcript fee ($5.00 in person or $7.25for online requests) should accompany the request. The transcript fee is payable by check or money ordermade payable to UNCG; please do not mail cash. Credit cards are accepted only for online orders. The UNCGiSchool Office cannot process transcript requests; please send written requests to the following address:UNCG Transcript DivisionOffice of the University RegistrarPO Box 26170Greensboro, NC 27402-61706

Hyperlinks onthis page.Dropping & WithdrawingUNCG iSchool students follow the same policies as regular UNCG students when it comes to dropping orwithdrawing from a course. Keep these things in mind:• If you are thinking about dropping, see your high school counselor first. Your high school mayhave specific policies and deadlines that vary from UNCG’s.• You may not remain in your online class after dropping it.• Drop your course BEFORE the deadline listed in the iSchool Student Calendar located onthe iSchool website.• You MUST drop the course at UNCG as well as your high school; not doing this will result in an Fon your UNCG college transcript.• You DO NOT want to have an F on this or any college transcript.Student ResponsibilityAs an iSchool college student, you are expected to be responsible for your student record. We know that theexperience of registering for a college course, and ordering transcripts may seem new to you, so we are alwaysglad to answer your questions. Feel free to contact us by phone or email.10 ways to be responsible for your student record at UNCG:1. Go over this iSchool Student Handbook with a parent or guardian. Bookmark the URL for theStudent Handbook and file your PIN letter in a safe place and refer to it if you have questions.2. Open and read all mail or e-mail communications from UNCG. Share the information with a parentor guardian immediately. File all communications in a safe place.3. Register online.4. Keep up with your course syllabus. Refer to it often during your course.5. Keep up with your course calendar. Refer to it often during your course.6. Study hard, participate in class, keep up with assignments, and reap the rewards of a good grade onyour college transcript.7. Abide by the UNCG Academic Integrity Policy.8. Observe the drop deadlines as posted in the iSchool Student Calendar located on the iSchoolwebsite.9. Maintain and save a neat portfolio of your iSchool coursework electronically or in hard copy.10. Order your UNCG transcript to be sent to the college or university that you attend in a timelymanner, i.e., after your final grades are posted but before you attend freshman orientation.Dropping & withdrawing Student responsibility7

Other Important InformationAdditional Admissions and Credit InformationIf an admissions office asks if you have ever taken courses at another college, indicate “yes” and refer to yourstatus during the time of the iSchool course as a part-time, non-matriculated student at UNCG. Refer to youriSchool courses by course number and name (Psychology 121, Sociology 101, etc.).Most institutions are interested in treating students fairly and in giving them appropriate credit for workthey have done. Be persistent if your college is at first reluctant to accept the college credit earned whileyou were still in high school. If the college or university needs additional clarification, you should requestassistance from the iSchool program or ask college officials to seek clarification from the iSchool program:336.315.7044.OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION8

for more information:ischool.uncg.eduicampus.uncg.edu