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Independent and Distance Learning Policies

Independent and Distance Learning (IDL) offers academic-credit courses from University System of Georgia (USG) universities. Students earn nonresident credit for Independent and Distance Learning courses, with the exception of University of Georgia (UGA) students who may be eligible to register for resident credit for UGA courses. Students in IDL courses are expected to acquire equivalent knowledge and competencies to those acquired by students in the courses offered on the institution's campus. IDL students are responsible for knowing and abiding by IDL policies, are responsible for seeking academic advisement prior to registration, and are subject to the academic policies of their home institutions. IDL reserves the right to change its fees, tuition, policies, instructors, and regulations without prior notice.

Academic Program

1. Independent and Distance Learning instructors must meet the academic and professional requirements of the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and be approved by the heads of the academic departments offering the courses and by Independent and Distance Learning.

2. IDL faculty, staff, and students are responsible for abiding by the University of Georgia's academic honesty policy, a A Culture of Honesty which is published on the UGA web site, the IDL Course Catalog, and in the IDL Student Handbook. Cases of alleged academic dishonesty will be submitted to University of Georgia officials for appropriate action.

Registration Eligibility and Course Enrollment

3. Students may register for Independent and Distance Learning at any time and may be enrolled in up to three courses simultaneously.

4. Registration in an IDL course does not constitute admission to a college or university and, therefore, does not require admission tests, transcripts of previous high school or college work, or enrollment in a college or university, except for high school and home-school students.

5. High school and home-school students age sixteen and over may take IDL courses if they are jointly-enrolled in a college or university. These students must provide proof of enrollment to be eligible to register for Independent and Distance Learning academic credit courses.

6. Enrollment in an IDL academic-credit course is effective for nine months from the registration date and may be extended for an additional three months if the extension fee is received prior to or on the course expiration date. Only one extension is allowed per course. IDL registration dates will be used to assign students' registrations to particular academic terms for purposes of enrollment certification, financial aid, and enrollment reporting.

7. To enroll in an IDL course, students must resolve any University of Georgia "flags" or registration blocks.

8. IDL courses, whether taken for resident or nonresident credit, will be included in determining a UGA student's enrollment status.

9. If you are registered with the Disability Resource Center, a letter listing your required accommodations must accompany your registration.

10. A University System of Georgia student other than a UGA student on academic dismissal may register for an IDL course with written permission from the student's academic dean. The written permission must specify the number of hours the student may earn while on academic dismissal. It is the student's responsibility to provide the authorization at the time of registration.

11. Students who do not complete or do not pass IDL courses may register for the courses again.

Tuition, Fees, and Refunds

12. IDL are required to pay fees based on a per-credit-hour charge regardless of credit hours taken or fees assessed by University System of Georgia institutions.

13. Students who formally withdraw from an IDL course within the time period described below will be entitled to a tuition refund.

For a student in a traditional, face-to-face UGA class, the refund period is the semester for which he/she is enrolled (typically 15 weeks). Because an IDL student may enroll at any time, and because the distance learning format has different requirements, the refund period for an IDL course enrollment is 20 weeks (140 days) from the individual's date of enrollment. The refund percentage will be computed on a pro rata basis determined by dividing the number of calendar days remaining in the refund period (from the student's official withdrawal date through the end of the student's refund period) by the total calendar days in the refund period. The total calendar days in the refund period includes weekends and holidays, but excludes scheduled University of Georgia breaks of five or more calendar days. Students who withdraw from an IDL course when the calculated percentage of remaining days is 40% or less are not entitled to a refund of any portion of the tuition and fees. For example, in the case of an enrollment period that includes no scheduled UGA breaks of five or more days, a student is eligible for a refund during the first 84 calendar days from his/her date of enrollment.

Resident Credit (The University of Georgia - UGA)

14. University of Georgia students are eligible to register for resident credit for a UGA course if they are active students who have a UGA grade point average of 2.0 in 15 semester hours or more of course work at the time of registration. The determination of eligibility for resident credit is made only at the time of registration and remains in effect until course completion.

15. University of Georgia students who are classified as "in-state students" will pay in-state tuition for resident or nonresident credit. UGA students who are classified as "out-of-state" students must pay out-of-state tuition if they choose to register for resident credit.

16. Grades earned in IDL courses taken for resident credit will be used to determine students' academic status; such courses will be included in hours attempted, hours for average, and the cumulative grade point average.

17. University of Georgia students on academic or disciplinary dismissal may not earn resident credit for an IDL course.

Drop/Add, Course Withdrawal, and Course Expiration

18. A student may drop one course and add another within fifty-three calendar days, including the registration date. Only one drop/add per original course registration is permitted, and the original registration date remains in effect for the new course.

19. IDL students are permitted nine months (from the date of enrollment) to complete a course and take the final examination. On the date of enrollment, the student will be notified of the official midpoint of the year (four and a half months from the enrollment date). Students who withdraw from an IDL course by this midpoint will be assigned a grade of "WP," which will be recorded by the Registrar of the University of Georgia. Students who withdraw after this midpoint will be assigned a grade of "WF," which will be recorded by the Registrar of the University of Georgia.

Examinations

20. To be eligible to take the final examination, students must submit all required lessons according to the course lesson schedule and must be enrolled in the course for a minimum of eight weeks (fifty-six calendar days, including the registration date).

21. Midterm and final examinations must be administered by testing officials at a IDL approved test site, and students will be admitted to the examination only by photo identification and social security number.

22. Any midterm or final examination that has been opened will receive a grade regardless of whether or not it has been attempted or completed.

23. Students must pass the final examination to pass an Independent and Distance Learning course, regardless of grades earned on lessons.

24. Reexaminations are not permitted in Independent and Distance Learning courses.

Grades and Grade Appeals

25. Instructors will assign a grade to students who complete an Independent and Distance Learning course. A course is completed when all lessons required in the course have been submitted for grading and the final examination has been taken by the student.

Pass/fail courses will appear on the official transcript with a grade of S or U. These grades do not count in the computation of the grade point average. Only courses noted as S will receive credit. Also, a student enrolled in a pass/fail course shall receive a U if he/she withdraws from the course after the IDL course midpoint, except in those cases in which the student is doing satisfactory work and the withdrawal is recommended by the University of Georgia Office of Student Affairs because of emergency or health reasons.

26. Instructors are responsible for grading all assignments and examinations and for assigning the weight given to each in determining the final course grade. IDL does not adjudicate grades or grade appeals.

Policy Changes, Waivers, and Appeals

27. IDL policies are not subject to waiver by students or instructors of Independent and Distance Learning courses.

28. IDL is not responsible for misadvisement, changes in programs of study, or other actions resulting in improper choice of courses.

29. Students may appeal to the IDL Appeals Committee for an exception to IDL policies. Appeals are reviewed on the basis of justifiable and documented circumstances.