| University Undergraduate Advising Handbook | |
Penn State's World Campus offers degree programs, certificates, and online courses.
World Campus courses have specific start and end dates that coincide with Penn State's academic calendar. Typically, fall- and spring-semester courses are fifteen weeks; summer-session courses are six or twelve weeks.
COURSE SELECTION
World Campus courses are designed to offer flexibility for a student who cannot access resident instruction or Continuing Education courses (e.g., the student cannot get to campus due to time or transportation constraints). Although World Campus courses provide some structure through weekly assignments, the online instruction does not provide the structure of a classroom experience. Students should be advised to consider the skills required to be successful.
Students should discuss the appropriateness of their course selections and the online instructional format with their academic advisers. In addition, World Campus advisers are available to provide consultation and course-specific information.
Listings of World Campus course offerings are available through the World Campus catalog and the Schedule of Courses.
Several search mechanisms are available to find courses in the catalog. A keyword can be entered if the search is for a particular interest or an area of study. Alternatively, a Course Abbreviation can be selected from the drop menu. After entering the course abbreviation, the Course Number drop menu becomes available. This menu offers a quick search for the courses offered by a department. If desired, the search can be narrowed by using the Semester drop menu. When a specific course is identified in the Basic Search, detailed course information is available by clicking on a course's Schedule #. By selecting Advanced Search, it is possible to find courses in certain categories: General Education, Writing Intensive, United States and International Cultures. In addition, it is possible to find a listing of courses required in World Campus programs accompanied by course scheduling information.
To look up specific courses offered by the World Campus in the Schedule of Courses, select “World Campus (WD)” as the Campus and Location. To view all courses offered by the World Campus in a given semester, use Additional Search Criteria in the Schedule of Courses with the following selections: 1.) Semester: your choice, 2.) Campus and Location: "World Campus (WD)." Click on Search Courses for the listing.
COURSE REGISTRATION
The Penn State World Campus is integrated with University systems, including eLion and the assessment of tuition.
A change of campus to the World Campus is required if a Penn State student is not enrolled in the World Campus but wants to schedule only World Campus courses for a particular semester.
Registration in Non-Controlled Courses
Summer Session: Using eLion, any Penn State student (regardless of semester classification, major, or campus) can register for non-controlled World Campus courses in accordance with the Registration Timetable.
Fall and Spring Semesters: World Campus students have registration priority for World Campus courses. Only students with a World Campus designation can register for World Campus courses on eLion. (World Campus students have "World Campus" listed as their campus designation on the eLion Academic Summary application, and WD is listed as the student's campus on ISIS screens.)
Students enrolled at other Penn State campuses may register for World Campus courses according to instructions for multiple campus registration, if space is available, based on the following (in order of priority) :
Registration in Controlled Courses
Controlled World Campus courses are typically only available for World Campus students enrolled in World Campus majors. However, controlled courses may be available seven days prior to the start of a semester/session with the permission of a World Campus adviser. Controlled math courses offered by the World Campus are never available to students who are not in a World Campus major and campus location.
College of Information Sciences and Technology majors at any campus (other than the World Campus) must receive permission from the IST advising center to enroll in IST World Campus courses.
STUDENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The World Campus website provides information on academic policies and procedures for World Campus courses (e.g., taking exams and securing a proctor, obtaining course materials, dropping a course, deferring a grade).
TUITION AND STUDENT AID
World Campus courses are included in a student's semester bill. If a student is registering for a total of 12 or more credits, there is no additional tuition charged for a World Campus course. Students registering for fewer than 12 credits will pay tuition according to their primary campus assignment and semester standing.
Students taking World Campus courses may be eligible for financial aid.
The University may make changes in policies, procedures, educational offerings, and requirements at any time. Please consult a Penn State academic adviser for more detailed information.
This page is part of the University Undergraduate Advising Handbook, which is maintained by the Division of Undergraduate Studies, DUS@psu.edu.
Last Update: May 2012