Frequently Asked Questions
Questions are grouped into following categories:
For technical questions, please see the Technical FAQ.
Admission, Registration & Enrollment
- If I am not interested in a program but want to take individual courses, do I have to apply for admission?
All distance learning students must apply for admission before they can register for a course.
Graduate students may apply for admission as non-degree seeking and take any number of courses but no more than six credit hours obtained in this status may be applied to a graduate degree or certificate program. Typically, non-degree seeking applications are processed within ten business days.
Certificate Seeking is an alternate admissions option.
For more information, visit Graduate Admission
- How do I register for classes?
Registration can be completed only after official admission is confirmed. To complete registration visit the web site https://webforsun.cns.iit.edu/ahomepg.htm. Graduate students who have not completed admission forms for degree seeking status by the November or June deadlines or who have incomplete admission files by these dates may request non-degree seeking status.
Advising
- How do I determine which courses to take?
Contact the academic department of interest and ask to speak to an academic adviser for assistance selecting appropriate courses.General university advising policies are located at http://www.enrollment.iit.edu/reg_info.
- How do I find an adviser?
In many cases an academic adviser is assigned and noted in the admissions letter to the student. If not, contact the academic department and ask to speak to an adviser. Visit http://www.iit.edu/academics/units.html for links to academic department information.
- Can a non-degree seeking student be assigned an adviser?
All students are assigned academic advisers. Policies of academic departments may differ. Students should contact the academic department of interest and ask to speak to an academic adviser or the Associate Chair of the department. Visit http://www.iit.edu/academics/units.html for links to academic department information.
- Does my adviser have to approve registration each semester?
All undergraduate students are required to be advised each semester. In many cases the academic adviser approves registration for graduate students to insure that prerequisites have been met. General university advising policies are located at http://www.enrollment.iit.edu/reg_info. Visit http://www.iit.edu/academics/units.html for links to academic department information.
- How do I obtain an adviser’s approval without coming to campus?
Contact your assigned academic adviser by email and request advising for your student record. Then register using MyIIT or download the paper form from http://www.enrollment.iit.edu/forms and submit the paper form by fax. The adviser must be contacted whenever a registration change is made.
Campus Visit Requirements
- If I am a distance ed student, will I ever have to travel to campus?
Most instructors do not require travel to campus for students registered in an internet or televised course section. Some instructors require that students be present for exams or lab work.
Students may be required to travel to campus for local televised courses that have a live lab on-campus, or for exams, if required by the instructor. Requirements to attend campus for exams will be announced by the instructor during the first week of classes.
- May I attend campus for live courses?
Students are expected to attend the course at the site/location where officially registered, unless otherwise instructed by the instructor.
If a student wants to attend a specific live section of the course, he or she should request permission from the instructor in advance to insure that space is available.
Computing & Library Resources
- Are library resources available to distance learning students?
Visit the web site www.gl.iit.edu for information about electronic resources and library policies.
- Are computing resources available to distance learning students?
Online students have access to the following computing resources:
computer classrooms, computer hardware and computer software.
For more information on computing services, visit http://www.ots.iit.edu/ . Access to online courses is provided through the Blackboard course management system (available via the myIIT portal). Specific resources required for each course is identified by the course instructor in the course syllabus.
- Are chat rooms maintained for distance learning students?
All courses are supported with chat rooms and other interactive resources through Blackboard.
Costs
- Are there extra costs associated with televised courses?
There are no additional fees for televised courses. Students who miss class lectures and request videotapes are charged $20 per hour, per lecture, to obtain these tapes.
- Are there extra costs associated with Internet courses?
There are no additional fees for Internet courses.
Courses & Participation
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Can I take distance learning courses anywhere in the United States ?
Internet courses are available to any IIT student who has the hardware and software as specified in the technical requirements section. Televised courses are only available in the Chicago Metropolitan Area at specific corporate viewing sites (restricted to employees only) and public viewing sites (open to all IIT students). Students may request videotapes of course lectures under certain conditions. Send email to online.studentsvc@iit.edu for more information.
- Can I take distance learning courses anywhere in the World?
Internet courses may be accessed worldwide. However, international students may be admitted to online prgrams contingent upon admissions rules as administered by the office of Graduate Enrollment. There are international locations where students may participate in Internet courses and receive local support. These initiatives are coordinated by the IIT Office of International Affairs. Other locations may be supported based on the availability of appropriate exam administration facilities. Contact IIT Online Student Support Services for more information online.clientsvc@iit.edu.
- How long do distance learning courses meet?
The course meeting schedule is a 16-week (fall and spring) or 8-week semester (summer) schedule for engineering, science or technology courses. Other courses typically meet on a 10 week quarter basis. Accelerated courses may also be available in selected topics.
- Can I take distance learning courses at my own pace?
No. IIT Online courses are paced on a semester or quarter basis. Televised courses have specific meeting/broadcast times. Internet lectures can be viewed 24 hours a day, seven days a week during the term.
- What restrictions are there for participants in distance learning courses?
There are no restrictions for participants in distance learning courses. For televised courses, it is expected that distance learning students will attend the course section at the location where officially registered, unless otherwise instructed by the faculty. For Internet courses, students and IIT staff will work together on selecting a site for exams.
- How do I obtain distance learning course materials?
Many instructors will post course materials on Blackboard. Televised course material may be sent to the site via courier service or the instructor will provide a web site from which course material can be downloaded.
- How do I obtain textbooks for my distance learning course?
Assigned textbooks may be located and ordered at the web site http://direct.mbsbooks.com/iit.htm . Or contact MBS Direct at 800.325.3252 .
- How will I interact with the instructor and/or other distance learning students?
Course instructors will provide their contact and/or email address information. Interaction with other distance learning students will be at the instructors’ discretion. Students may also visit the web site http://phonebook.iit.edu/ for links to faculty, staff and student contact information.
- What are televised courses?
Televised courses are lectures that are delivered by a microwave signal from campus to a remote location site equipped to receive televised transmissions from IIT. These courses are typically live broadcasts. Students viewing live broadcast courses have the option of phoning the instructor with questions. A fewer number of courses are delayed broadcast or rebroadcast courses. Students interact with instructors by email or by phone during the instructors’ office hours.
- Can anyone take televised courses?
IIT students in the Chicago Metropolitan Area may take televised courses. Corporate sites are restricted to employees of the organization. Public sites are open to all students. A map of sites and details about current IIT viewing sites is available. Internet sections (if offered) and videotape mailing are available for students outside the broadcast area.
- How are televised laboratories conducted?
The course instructor or academic department determines how this occurs. Contact the academic department for details.
- How will I know if there is a live laboratory section for a televised course?
The course schedule indicates when live laboratories are conducted and at which campus. Or check with Student Services by email student.service@iit.edu
- How do I view televised lectures?
Televised courses are viewed at corporate and public sites by tuning into a secured channel via a channel box connected to a television set.
- What are Internet (Online) courses?
Internet (Online) courses are lectures with streamed audio and video. These lectures are available on the Internet within 24-48 hours of the live course meeting. More information can be found in the delivery modes overview.
- Can anyone take Internet (Online) courses?
All students who intend to enroll in academic courses via the Internet must be officially admitted to the university. You may apply for Graduate Admission or Undergraduate Admission. Students taking Internet courses must have minimum hardware and software to participate. The requirements can be viewed in the technical requirements section.
- How do I participate in an Internet (Online) course?
You must have minimum hardware and software and secured access. The requirements can be viewed in the technical requirements section.
- How do I view Internet (Online) lectures?
Internet courses are viewed through Blackboard via the myIIT portal. Questions regarding access to course lectures can also be found at the technical support page.
- What are the requirements to participate in Internet (Online) courses?
All participants must be officially admitted and registered. Online course participation requires that students have minimum hardware, software and secured access. Visit the technical requirements section for current requirements.
- Are Internet (online) courses self-paced?
Internet courses are paced with live on-campus courses. These courses meet on a 16-week semester basis or a ten-week quarter basis. While lnternet lectures are available for the entire term, students are strongly encouraged to keep pace with the postings.
Internet students, however, may review lecture materials 24 hours per day, seven days per week.
Exams & Exam Proctors
- How are exams administered for televised courses?
Exams for televised courses are typically administered at the site where students view lectures, unless the faculty requires students to attend one of the campuses for exams (this is typically the originating campus). If exams are administered at the viewing site, the proctor is provided either by the site or by IIT Online Student Support Services, email: online.studentsvc@iit.edu.
- How are exams administered for Internet (online) courses?
Exams outside of the Chicago Metropolitan Area are typically administered at Community College Testing Centers. It is the responsibility of the student to locate an acceptable testing center and contact in the local area. Exams within the Chicago Metropolitan Area are typically administered at the Main Campus, Rice Campus, or Moffett Campus. Internet students who are employees at corporate televised viewing sites may have their exam administered at the viewing site. At locations outside of the U.S., the online staff will work with the student to identify an acceptable testing location.
- Do I need to contact anyone to arrange for a proctor?
Students enrolled in televised courses or students enrolled in Internet (online) courses within the Chicago Metropolitan Area do not need to arrange for proctors. IIT Online Student Support Services will utilize the exam dates provided by instructors to schedule proctors at Corporate Sites, Main Campus or Rice Campus. Students enrolled in Internet (online) courses at a distance (outside the Chicago Metropolitan Area) need to contact IIT Online Support Services with testing center contact information. IIT Online Student Support Services will provide exam dates to the distance student; the student will be responsible for contacting the testing center to arrange, at least two weeks in advance, the day and time for taking the exam (a community college testing center is an ideal choice for students in the United States). IIT Online Student Support Services will contact the testing center and arrange for exam delivery. At locations outside of the U.S., the online staff will work with the student to identify an acceptable testing proctor.
- How do I locate my proctor for a televised course?
Students who are registered in televised courses should contact the site coordinator at the corporate viewing site or IIT Student Support Services for information regarding proctor assignments. Students taking televised courses at the public viewing site should check the viewing room for a posting of information about exam proctoring or contact IIT Student Support Services, email: online.studentsvc@iit.edu.
Programs of Study
- What degree and certificate programs can be pursued via distance learning?
Visit the list of currently offered degree and certificate programs.
- What is a program of study form and where do I get one?
All graduate degree-seeking students must complete a Program of Study form. Visit http://www.grad.iit.edu/newstudent.html for a new student orientation and access to the Program of Study 401 Form.
Registration & Enrollment
- How do I register for classes?
Registration can be completed only after official admission is confirmed. To complete registration visit the web site https://webforsun.cns.iit.edu/ahomepg.htm. Graduate students who have not completed admission forms for degree seeking status by the November or June deadlines or who have incomplete admission files by these dates may request non-degree seeking status.
Site Information
- What are IIT viewing sites?
These are locations where a student may enroll and view live, delayed broadcast or rebroadcast courses originating from IIT’s campuses. Corporate viewing sites are restricted to employees of the corporation or company. Pubic viewing sites are open to all IIT students. A map of sites and details about current IIT viewing sites are also available.
- Can I attend any public IIT viewing site?
IIT students may attend any public site as long as there is sufficient space and the student is officially enrolled for that site. All public viewing sites have seating limitations. Some public viewing sites are not open during all IIT course meeting times.
- Can I attend a corporate viewing site if I am not employed there?
IIT students may not attend a corporate viewing site unless employed by the corporation. These sites are private sites.
- What is a site coordinator?
A site coordinator is the designated liaison between the IIT corporate viewing site or public viewing site and IIT.
- How do I find out the operational policies at my corporate viewing site?
Contact your designated IIT site coordinator. Send an email to: online.clientsvc@iit.edu to obtain the name of the current corporate site coordinator.
- How do I find out the operational policies at my public viewing site?
Visit the IIT Online map of sites and select the Public Site option and click on the site of choice to obtain site-specific operational policies.
Student Relations & Services
- Whom do I contact if I have a question concerning a course, program or other academic matter?
Each academic department handles academic questions. Students who have other types of distance learning questions or concerns should send an email to IIT Online Client Services: online.clientsvc@iit.edu
- Who provides support services to distance learning students?
IIT Online Student Support Services provides assistance with delivery of course material and exams, exam/proctor coordination, delivering incoming material to instructors, and returning graded course material to students. Students who need assistance from this office should send an email to: online.studentsvc@iit.edu.
- How do I get a Student ID?
All officially enrolled distance learning students may request an ID card. Visit the HawkCard Form. Send email to hawkcard@iit.edu if assistance is required.
Technical Support & Videotapes
- What should I do if I experience technical problems with my course?
Technical support for televised courses can be obtained by phoning 312.567.3457. Technical support for Internet courses can be obtained by completing an OTS Support Desk ticket.
- How can I make-up a missed televised lecture?
Many courses may be taught online. Students should visit the course listings for a complete list of available online courses and Blackboard (via myIIT) for access to view online lectures. Guides to using Blackboard and log-on instructions are available at the site itself. Videotapes of lectures may be available for limited use at the cost of $20 per hour of taping. Taping fees will be charged to the student’s account at the end of the semester. Students can request a tape by calling the IIT Online Support Services office at 312.567.3460.
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