Open Enrollment courses at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln are undergraduate and graduate online courses which allow you to control when, where and how you earn college credit.

• Finish courses in as little as 5 weeks, or as long as one year
• Take one course or multiple courses
• No fixed enrollment period
• No fixed class schedule
• Online access to courses through UNL’s Blackboard website

Why at UNL?
For more than 90 years, University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) Independent Study courses have met the needs of learners across Nebraska, the United States and the world. Courses are offered by UNL academic departments and are taught by the same professors as on-campus courses.

Open Enrollment Course Listing

The purchase of an online or print syllabus is required for every course. The syllabus contains a course outline as well as content that would be shared by an instructor if you were seated in the classroom. Syllabi along with other required materials are listed within the course descriptions on the Webstore.
 
Course materials may include:

• Textbooks
• Lab Kits and Manuals
• Lecture CDs and DVDs
• Handbooks

EXAMS

Online
Prior to taking an online examination, you must select a proctor.  To serve as a proctor for an online course, an individual must have access to a computer that meets the minimum technical requirements.  Your proctor will receive password information to allow you access to your exam after your Examination Request Form has been submitted and approved.

Online exams use the EDU testing system.  You should schedule your exam during EDU Help Desk hours to ensure that you are able to receive help with your exam if you have technical difficulties. 

EDU Help Desk
Monday – Thursday:  8:00 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. CST
Friday:  8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. CST
Phone:  (402) 472-9305
edusupport2@unl.edu

Print
Prior to taking a print examination, you must select a proctor.  To qualify as a proctor, an individual must be active in the field of education as a teacher, counselor or administrator at any level. A testing center at your local College, Community College or University is the best choice for a proctor. Military personnel may ask test control officers or superior commissioned officers.  Overseas students may use an American Embassy, consular official or approved non-family member. Nebraska Extension Educators also qualify.

To request an exam, submit an Examination Request Form.  Forms can be submitted:

• Online through the Extended Education & Outreach website
• Online through Blackboard
• Via U.S. Mail
• Via fax

Once received, an exam will be mailed to your proctor and after you have taken the exam, the proctor will return the exam to us.

ASSIGNMENTS

TESTING CENTERS

Extended Education & Outreach
900 N. 22nd Street (22nd and Vine Streets) Room 102
Monday:  8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Tuesday-Friday:  8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Saturday:  8:00 a.m. to 12 noon

Students taking Open Enrollment courses in the Omaha metropolitan area must take their exams at the UNO or Bellevue University testing centers. View the Hours, locations and fees for those testing centers and others within Nebraska.

Out-of-State and International Students
All out-of-state and international students are encouraged to use a local testing center, but may request proctor approval if the proctor meets all guidelines.

Please note: We will not send course examinations to your proctor via fax or e-mail, or to a home address. Your proctor may not send course examinations to Extended Education & Outreach via fax or e-mail.

There is no differentiation between in-state and out-of-state tuition rates for Open Enrollment courses. The cost for each course is included in the complete course description on the Webstore and is due at the time of registration.

FEES

Mail Processing Fee (non-refundable)
Students enrolled in a print based course will pay a Mail Processing Fee of $30. All necessary materials to submit assignments and exams via mail are provided with course materials.

Course Format Transfer Fee
A $30 Course Format Transfer Fee is assessed if you choose to switch from a print to online course format, or from an online to print format within 30 days after initial enrollment.

College of Engineering Fee (non-refundable)
Students enrolling in IMSE 206, Engineering Economy I, will be assessed a $120 course fee that is paid to the College of Engineering.

Electronic Check Re-Presentation Policy
In the event that your check is returned unpaid for insufficient or uncollected funds, we may re-present your check electronically. In the ordinary course of business your check will not be provided to you with your bank statement.

Using AOL with Blackboard
While you can use AOL as your service provider, you cannot use the AOL Web browser to access Blackboard (My.UNL). If you try to use the AOL browser, you will find that it will automatically log you out every few minutes and you will experience problems with some of Blackboard’s services including assessments.

UNL ESSENTIAL STUDIES REQUIREMENTS
There are many Open Enrollment courses that may meet Essential Studies requirements for UNL’s Comprehensive Education Program and beginning in Fall 2009 will fulfill the University’s new Achievement-Centered Education (ACE) Program. Students in UNL undergraduate degree programs should review relevant sections of the undergraduate bulletin and consult with their University of Nebraska major adviser when planning their academic program and their Essential Studies/ACE courses.

Please note: Because of the delivery format, Open Enrollment courses do not meet the Integrative Studies (IS) component of UNL’s Comprehensive Education Program.

Course Extensions
You have one year from the date of enrollment to complete an Open Enrollment course. Our office will notify you approximately 90 days before your enrollment expires. You will be allowed to extend your course one time for 90 days by making a written or in-person request to Customer Service and paying a $65 fee. The 90-day extension period will begin on the date the course expired.

After the 90-day extension period has passed and you wish to complete the course, you will be required to reregister and pay full tuition and fees. Second extensions are not allowed.

Some courses may be completed in as little as five weeks. Please note: The five-week period begins when your first assignment or exam is submitted for grading.

DEADLINES
UNL Degree Candidates
All Open Enrollment coursework, including the final exam, must be finished and received in our offices at least three weeks prior to the anticipated graduation date. UNL undergraduate graduation dates for 2009-2010 are December 18, 2009, May 7, 2010 and August 13, 2010. Graduate commencement dates are December 18, 2009; May 7, 2010; and August 13, 2010. You may not finish a course in less than five weeks time beginning with submission of the first project or test. If you have questions concerning course completion before graduation, contact us at (402) 472-2175.

Other Deadlines
Students meeting graduation requirements or prerequisites for another university should be aware of any deadlines of their “home” university. Please plan on a minimum of one month between the time you submit final course work and the time your grade must be transferred to your respective school. Please make us aware of your deadline at the time you register so that we may best accommodate your needs.

Enroll Online
Visit our Webstore to create an account and enroll online.

Enroll by Phone
Call (866) 700-4747 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CST, Monday - Friday to reach a Customer Service representative.

Enroll by Mail
Complete the Enrollment Form and submit it along with payment to:

UNL Extended Education & Outreach
Customer Service
P.O. Box 888802
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Lincoln, NE 68588-8802

Enroll by Fax
Complete the Enrollment Form and submit it along with proof of payment to (402) 472-1901.

Enroll in Person
Visit our office at 900 N. 22nd Street, Room 102 (22nd and Vine Streets), Lincoln, NE. We can process your enrollment and provide all your course materials on site. Our office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST, Monday through Friday.

• May high school students enroll in college credit courses?
• How do I request a copy of my transcript?
• How do I transfer UNL credit to another university?
• Are UNL courses listed with DANTES?
• Do you offer any online undergraduate degree programs through University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
• When can I register for an open enrollment course?
• How do I check my grades?
• I’m having a computer related technical problem with my course. Who can I contact?
• I'm currently enrolled in nine credit hours on campus at UNL. If I add a three-hour Open Enrollment course, would I be considered a full-time student?
• Will these courses remove D or F grades I received previously at UNL in the same course on campus?
• Do these courses apply toward UNL's Comprehensive Education Program?
• My UNL Open Enrollment course is not showing up on my WAM page account. Why not?
• I'm a senior at UNL. Can I take my last 12 hours through Open Enrollment courses to finish my degree?
• Where can I locate an Exam Request/Proctor Approval form?

May high school students enroll in college credit courses?
Yes, many high school students get a head start on their college education by enrolling in UNL Open Enrollment courses. Please seek advice from your guidance counselor or learning center director before enrolling to make sure you are prepared for the course and understand the requirements. Permission to enroll must be obtained from our assistant director/academic adviser. If you plan to attend an institution other than the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, we recommend that you check the credit transfer policies of that institution before enrolling in our program. Online UNL course credit is widely accepted; however, transfer credit must be approved by the receiving institution.

How do I request a copy of my transcript?
Extended Education & Outreach maintains a record of your enrollment while you are completing your course work. When you complete the course your grades will be entered into the University’s permanent student record system. All Open Enrollment courses are letter grade only and are calculated into a UNL student’s grade-point-average (GPA). University D/F removal policies apply.

To receive an official transcript from UNL, send a written request to:

Transcripts, Office of Registration and Records
107 Canfield Administration Building
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
Lincoln, NE 68588-0416.

You should include your name (please print your full legal name and sign all requests), other names (under which you may have previously enrolled), dates of enrollment, Social Security Number and the complete address(es) to which the transcript(s) should be mailed. Computer-generated signatures are not acceptable. Please allow three business days for processing. To check on your transcript request, call (402) 472-3763. You may also send your request by fax. The fax number is (402) 472-8220. If you have completed one of the real estate courses offered by the University of Nebraska at Omaha, you should apply to UNO for a transcript.

Please note: All transcript requests must bear your original signature. You may pay an additional charge to expedite the shipping of your transcript. This does not expedite the processing of your request. Transcript information.

How do I transfer UNL credit to another university?
If you are transferring credit to another university, you may request your transcript before completing your course. Once you have completed the course and a grade has been reported, your request will be filled. Requests are filled on a first-come, first-serve basis, so submitting your request early is in your best interest during peak completion times at the end of traditional academic semesters.

Are UNL courses listed with DANTES?
Yes, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is a participating institution in DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support). Military personnel and their dependents should contact the education service officer at their base or aboard their ship for details on enrolling in courses through the DANTES program.

Do you offer any online undergraduate degree programs through University of Nebraska-Lincoln?
UNL currently offers one Undergraduate Degree Completion Option in Applied Science, as well as several graduate degrees and a high school diploma through online and distance learning courses.

When can I register for an open enrollment course?
Anytime you want! Here's How. (Link to the Enroll tab)

How do I check my grades?
Whether you’re taking an Online (B), Print (0), or Online/Print (W) course you can view your grades on Blackboard.  If you have not received your Blackboard login information please contact Customer Service.

I’m having a computer related technical problem with my course. Who can I contact?
Contact the UNL Help Desk at (402) 472-3970, 1-866-472-3970 or helpdesk@unl.edu. Visit the Help Desk online useful tips and hours.

I'm currently enrolled in nine credit hours on campus at UNL. If I add a three-hour Open Enrollment course, would I be considered a full-time student?
No. Currently, UNL Open Enrollment courses do not apply toward full-time status. Semester-based courses do. Please see the course listing for more information. If you are not considered a full-time student, your Financial Aid and/or scholarship can be affected. Call the financial aid office at (402) 472-2030 to clarify how your situation might be affected.

Will these courses remove D or F grades I received previously at UNL in the same course on campus?
Yes, as long as it's the exact same course number. For instance, taking SOCI 101 (Intro to Sociology) will remove a D or F previously received in SOCI 101.

Do these courses apply toward UNL's Comprehensive Education Program?
Many of these courses do apply toward the Essential Studies (ES) requirements for the respective UNL college and beginning in Fall 2009 will fulfill the new Achievement-Centered Education (ACE) program requirements. However, due to the delivery format, these courses do not meet the Integrative Studies (IS) component.

My UNL Open Enrollment course is not showing up on my WAM page account. Why not?
Because UNL Open Enrollment courses are enrolled through the office of Extended Education & Outreach, they will not show up on your WAM account course listing. When you finish your course you will receive your course grade and the information will be sent to the university records office to post on your official transcript

I'm a senior at UNL. Can I take my last 12 hours through Open Enrollment courses to finish my degree?
No. For all UNL undergraduate degrees, 30 of the final 36 hours must be completed in residence (i.e., in the classroom, on campus in Lincoln). To seek a waiver of this policy, contact your respective college dean's office.