Frequently Asked Questions
- Do I have to be Online at a certain time?
- Can I start Online courses at any time?
- How many courses should I take at a time?
- What courses are offered online?
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Do I need a book for my Online courses?
- How much do online courses cost?
- Can I use financial aid for Online courses?
- Why do Online courses cost more than on campus courses?
- If I am taking 12 semester hours (full time) on campus and I take an Online course, is it free?
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Where are my tuition dollars going?
- I understand that you can only apply 16 semester hours of correspondence to any degree program with MSU. Does this restriction also apply to Online courses?
- Can I take individual courses or do I have to enroll in a degree program?
- I am receiving a degree from MSU online and need to complete my general education requirements. How do I complete a lab science?
- Does MSU Online provide any free software support for courses?
- I attended Minot State University many years ago. Do I have to reapply to take courses with MSU Online?
How much do online courses cost?
- Unlike other institutions that charge by the program or semester, MSU Online charges by the semester hour. Since many of our students transfer in hours from other institutions, this saves them money. For the fall 2007, undergraduate courses cost $220.95 per semester hour and graduate courses are $274.45 per semester hour.
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Where are my tuition dollars going?
As of the fall 2007 semester, online tuition is $220.95 per SH. Below is a breakdown of the tuition and fees you pay and what you are getting for your money. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it gives you a good idea of what you are paying for.
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Undergrad
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Amount
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What it pays for:
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|
Tuition
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$165.84 |
Faculty salaries, all support services including admission, records, business office, disability service, etc.
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Technology Fee
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$5.00
|
Upgrading computer hardware, technology delivery, Help Desk, virus protection, software licensing, etc.
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|
Connect ND Fee
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$6.75
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PeopleSoft: registering for classes, access to your amount due, financial aid, grades, unofficial transcript, etc. (capped at 12 SH)
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|
NDSA Fee
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$0.03
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ND Student Association Fee (capped at 12 SH)
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College Fee
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$0.00
|
|
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Student Service Fee
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$2.00
|
Career services: placement, resume assistance, etc.
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Access Fee
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$41.33
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Supports the online program including WebCT license, IT hardware, SmarThinking tutoring, course development, multimedia technology such as Tegrity, WebSurveyor, etc. Support staff: advising, instructional design, administration, etc.
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If I am taking 12 semester hours (full time) on campus and I take an Online course, is it free?
- Currently, legislation requires a fee to be charged per semester for all courses offered at a distance. Regardless of the student’s load on campus, each semester of Online is charged.
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Do I have to be Online at a certain time?
- Online allows the student to do their classroom at their convenience. Some classes will have deadlines for homework and testing, but when you complete these is up to you and your schedule.
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Why do Online courses cost more than on campus courses?
- Online costs more due to the complex infrastructure required to maintain it, to include WebCT, our course delivery platform, servers, instructor training, operating license, and electronic student services. A search on the Internet will reveal MSU Online as one of the most affordable four-year institutions in the nation providing the service.
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Does MSU Online provide any free software support for courses?
- WebCT operates on software and browsers that can be downloaded free. In the long-term interest of keeping costs down, software requirements for courses are the student’s responsibility to purchase and maintain. The MSU Bookstore does offer reduced educational rates for students on all programs. Free supporting software can be found on Downloads link under Student Services.
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Can I use financial aid for Online courses?
- Financial aid is available to eligible students. To apply online visit the Financial Aid site under Student Services.
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Can I start Online courses at any time?
- Online is built to mirror the Minot State University campus course schedule and registration occurs three times a year, in the Fall, Spring and Summer. To attend Online you must register during one of these approved registration periods. To see more visit Registration on the MSU Online home page
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Do I need a book for my Online courses?
- Most courses, require the support of a textbook. Books can be purchased online or on the telephone from the MSU Bookstore. Financial aid can be applied toward their purchase.
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How many courses should I take at a time?
- You can expect to spend as much time in your online course as the traditional campus course. We recommend new students only take one or two courses their first semester until they get used to the technology and e-learning environment. More experienced students take 3 and 4 classes each semester, but much of this is based on your job, family, and other commitments, as well as the difficulty of the courses.
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Can I take individual courses or do I have to enroll in a degree program?
- Many of our students take courses to supplement their on campus experience. You can take a mixture of online with on campus or go entirely online.
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I understand that you can only apply 16 semester hours of correspondence to any degree program with MSU. Does this restriction also apply to Online courses?
- MSU Online offers entire degree programs online. There are no such restrictions with this type of course delivery platform.
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I attended Minot State University many years ago. Do I have to reapply to take courses with MSU Online?
- No; however, you will be required to fill out an Application for Re-Admission form. There is no charge. If you have any questions, you can contact the Registrar's Office at at 701-858-3349 or 1-800-777-0750 Ext. 3349.
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I am receiving a degree from MSU online and need to complete my general education requirements. How do I complete a lab science?
- At this time, MSU does not offer any lab science courses online. To complete your lab science general education requirements, you can register with another North Dakota University System school through the collaborative program. Several NDUS schools offer lab sciences online. The collaborative program allows you to have a home institution, MSU, where you are receiving your degree and take classes from other NDUS schools at the same time. You can find more information on the Collaborative Program page. You can find a list of general education courses offered online by NDUS schools on the NDUSO site.
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What courses are offered online?
- You can find a list of courses that have been developed for delivery online in the Online Catalog. Not all courses will be offered each semester. You can find a list of courses offered in the current semester on the Schedules page.
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