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Student Handbook

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is Flexible Learning/Correspondence Study?
  2. What is distance education?
  3. Am I eligible?
  4. Do I need to get my advisor's approval to enroll?
  5. Is there a deadline for enrollment?
  6. How long do I have to complete a course?
  7. How fast can I complete a course?
  8. How do I enroll?
  9. Will enrollment in this course appear on my college transcript?
  10. Can I earn a degree through Flexible Learning/Correspondence Study?
  11. How much will I pay?
  12. Does tuition include the cost of books?
  13. Am I able to receive financial aid?
  14. Can I use my Florida Bright Futures scholarship?
  15. Can I use my Florida Prepaid College funding?
  16. Can I use my Veteran's Administration educational benefits?
  17. How can I be sure to obtain in-state tuition?
  18. What materials will I receive?
  19. How will I turn in assignments?
  20. How will graded assignments be returned to me?
  21. How will I take examinations?
  22. Who can be a proctor?
  23. What is a secure testing facility?
  24. How will I be graded?
  25. Can I view my grades online?
  26. Are my records confidential?
  27. Can I transfer to a different print-based course?
  28. What if I need to withdraw?
  29. If I withdraw, can I get a refund on print-based course materials bought from DCE?
  30. Does DCE have a book buy-back policy?
  31. What is the Gordon Rule?
  32. Can I fulfill the Gordon Rule requirement through Flexible Learning/Correspondence Study?
  33. What are the General Education requirements?
  34. I'm a UF student, do the same UF policies apply to me for these courses?
1) What is Flexible Learning/Correspondence Study?
Flexible Learning is "flexible" in that anyone can enroll at any time from anywhere. There is also flexibility in pacing the course within the bounds that usually up to two assignments may be submitted per week, and the student must complete the course within 32 weeks. All of the Division of Continuing Education (DCE) Flexible Learning courses are distance learning courses with some offered online, some print-based (i.e., correspondence study), and some are available in both formats.
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2) What is distance education?
Distance education, or distance learning, is instruction that is delivered to a student who studies "remotely", not in the traditional on-campus college classroom. UF has provided distance education since 1919, through traditional correspondence study, which was print-based. Now, distance education includes online courses with the entire instruction internet-based. Distance Education with the University of Florida (UF) involves enrolling and participating in fully-accredited college courses or professional certification courses either through correspondence (mail, fax or web-based correspondence) or online. Both undergraduate and graduate courses are offered and are fully-accredited by the Commission on College of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
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3) Am I eligible to enroll in a University of Florida (UF) Flexible Learning/Correspondence Study course?
UF Flexible Learning/Correspondence Study courses operate on an open enrollment basis. You do not have to be enrolled at UF to register for one or more courses. High school students enrolling in college credit courses must have written permission from their counselor, principal, or parent to enroll.

For students planning to apply for admission to UF:
Please be advised that, while distance education courses taken through our program remain permanently on the student's transcript and reflect the student’s academic performance, Flexible Learning courses cannot be used for credit toward admission to UF.  Please contact our office for additional clarification.
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4) Do I need to get my advisor's approval to enroll in a Flexible Learning/Correspondence Study course?
If you are a UF student, you MUST receive approval from your academic advisor prior to registering for distance education courses. The Division of Continuing Education is not responsible for ensuring that the credit you receive is transferable. This is the student' s responsibility. If you are enrolled at an institution other than the University of Florida, we strongly urge you to consult with your advisor before enrolling in courses.
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5) Is there a deadline for enrollment?
Flexible Learning/Correspondence Study courses operate on an open enrollment policy; there are no enrollment deadlines. This means the distance learning course starts for you on the day your registration is accepted. Registrations are processed and accepted on most business days (Mondays-Fridays, excluding holidays).

For information on distance courses with pre-determined start and end dates, please visit the UF Distance Learning web site.)
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6) How long do I have to complete a course?
Students may enroll in Flexible Learning courses at any time, and can complete within 16 weeks from the date of enrollment. If the (on-campus) academic semester changes during this time, a non-punitive "H" (Hold) will appear on the student's transcript. If time beyond the initial 16 weeks is needed to complete the course, an additional 16 weeks will be allowed automatically. If the distance learning course is not completed by the end of the second 16-week period (32 weeks from the date of enrollment), the instructor will assign a failing grade. To be eligible to receive a special extension beyond 32 weeks, a student must show reasonable academic progress and obtain permission from the instructor before the end of the 32-week period. If one final extension is approved, an "I" will appear on the student's transcript during this third and FINAL 16-week period, and it will become an E grade at the end of this last 16-week period (48 weeks from the date of enrollment) if the course is not completed. Beyond this 48-week course period, there is only the possibility of one medical or military extension, and the request must be submitted to the Flexible Learning Office and accompanied by supporting documentation. If approved, the student must pay a $100 fee and will have an additional 16 weeks.
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7) How fast can I complete a course?
The usual policy is to submit up to two assignments per week, with three as the maximum. Therefore, while it might be possible to complete a Flexible Learning/Correspondence Study course a little faster than a traditional on-campus course--and it is the prerogative of the instructor to allow a student to complete at a more rapid pace, most courses cannot be completed in less than 8 weeks. It is usually necessary for the student to receive feedback on assignments before proceeding to the next assignment.
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8) How do I enroll?
There are many ways to enroll in our distance education programs and courses: online, through the mail, by fax, by phone, or in person at our office. There is an enrollment form available on our website, www.correspondencestudy.ufl.edu/Reg.aspx. If you enroll by mail or fax, be sure to include all required residency documentation.
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9) Will enrollment in this distance learning course appear on my college transcript?
Yes. With Dean or Academic Advisory approval and completion of the course, your grade will appear on your UF transcript, just as any course, and will not be designated as a continuing education or distance education course. Some institutions have limits on the number of distance learning courses or transfer credits they will accept, and so it is your responsibility to check on the transfer of credit before enrollment..
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10) Can I earn a degree through Flexible Learning/Correspondence Study?
While we do not offer a degree time, credits may be applied towards your degree. Students are expected to obtain approval from an academic advisor or department chairperson prior to enrolling to ensure that they can receive proper credit.
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11) How much will I pay for a course?
All college courses have a $100 administrative fee per course for handling in addition to the regular tuition. Tuition, course fees, and book prices are subject to change without prior notification. For more information, visit the College Catalog page of this website.
 
NOTE: For professional development courses, please visit the related program page for information on tuition (scroll to the top of this page - links are in the blue navigation column on the left under "Professional Programs").
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12) Does tuition include the cost of books and other course materials?
No, the cost of textbooks and other materials is separate. The Flexible Learning/Correspondence Study Office stocks all required texts and course materials for its distance education courses. Students may purchase materials from us, but they are not required to do so. Florida residents must pay sales tax on texts (but not tuition) in accordance with their county of residence. (There is a county tax chart on the back of the enrollment form.)
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13) Am I able to receive financial aid?
The Division of Continuing Education does not offer financial aid, but accepts the Florida Bright Futures Schlarship and Florida Prepaid College Funding (see questions 14 & 15 below). Degree-seeking students are advised to speak with a representative from their financial aid office.
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14) Can Florida Bright Futures scholarships be applied toward Flexible Learning/Correspondence Study courses?
Yes, Florida Bright Futures scholarships can be applied towards distance education courses. In order for a Florida Bright Futures scholarship to apply, in addition to obtaining advisor approval, the student:
  • must be in a degree program at UF
  • must meet the minimum enrollment requirements (6hrs)
  • will be reimbursed by Bright Future Scholarships for tuition only. (The DCE admin fee will not be reimbursed)

Please check with your financial aid advisor prior to registration.

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15) Can Florida Prepaid College funding be applied towards Flexible Learning/Correspondence Study courses?
Yes. The student must provide a photocopy of the front and back of his or her Prepaid Card and pay any incidental fees not covered by the plan.
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16) Can Veteran's Administration educational benefits be applied towards Flexible Learning/Correspondence Study courses?
Yes. It is the student's responsibility to coordinate benefits with the VA. The VA may submit payment directly to the University of Florida, or provide the applicant with a check made payable to the University of Florida. The Division of Continuing Education is approved to offer credit courses through the Defense Activity for Nontraditional Education Support (DANTES) program. Members of the armed forces should consult their educational officers or nearest education center concerning individual, veteran, or tuition-supported enrollments.

More information is available on our FAQ for Military Personnel page.
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17) How can I be sure to obtain in-state tuition?
If you are a Florida resident, you must send us a photocopy of one or more of the following documents with each in-state college enrollment in order to avoid paying out-of-state fees. The documents must be at least one year old.
  • Florida Driver's License
  • Florida Voter Registration Card
  • Florida Vehicle Registration
  • Florida Property Tax Receipt
  • If attending a Florida college, community college or university your institution can verify residency status on their letter head stating that you pay in state tuition with their institution.
Your registration cannot be completed until we receive your proof of Florida residency if you are registering as an in-state student.
 
NOTE: Do not send us the original. Either mail a copy or fax the document(s) to us (all contact information is listed at the bottom of this webpage). If possible, please scan the document and email it to learn@dce.ufl.edu because these copies are easier to read. If you have any questions, please contact us by email or telephone.
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18) What materials will I receive?
Different distance learning courses and delivery formats provide different sets of course materials. Online courses will provide the course syllabus, lessons, assignments and quizzes on the web-based learning managegment system (LMS). Print-based courses are composed of a study guide and the accompanying texts. Proctored exams (taken at a secure testing location) may be required in either online or print courses.

Study Guide: The study guide includes an introduction which gives an overview of the course, explains procedures, and provides grading criteria. The rest of the study guide is divided into a series of lessons. Each lesson contains a reading assignment, lesson objectives, discussion of the topic, and a written assignment. This guide will be mailed to you after your registration has been accepted.
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19) How will I turn in assignments?
Assignments of web-based courses are submitted online. Assignments of print-based courses are usually submitted online through our Online Services, but may also be submitted via the mail, fax, or in person.

For print-based courses, please see our page on How to Submit Written Assignments. You also may check the Sample Study Guide of the specfic courses you are interested in. Enrolled students should refer to their official course materials.
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20) How will graded assignments be returned to me?
For online courses, the grades will be available on your course website as soon as the instructor posts them. For print-based courses, graded assignments will be returned through our Online Services or, for those without internet access, via mail, and the grades can be accessed via the Online Services as soon as the instructor reports them to our office.
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21) How will I take examinations?
Most distance education courses contain one or more examinations. Online courses may have the exam available through the web-based course or require a proctored exam taken at a secure testing location. The course listing on this site notes how many exams you can expect in each course. Once you are enrolled, your course information--either provided online or in the print study guide--will specifically tell you how to request a proctored exam, if required, and explains the required testing procedures. Prior to taking a midterm or final examination, submission of all previous written assignments is required.
 
To request your exam, please submit the Exam Request Form available either as a Word document or as a PDF via mail, fax, or email.
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22) Who can be a proctor?
A proctor is someone who facilitates and watches over the examination to ensure that no impropriety occurs. In addition, the exam is given at a secure location, such as a school (see question 23 below). It is the student's responsibility to find a proctor and a secure testing facility. At the appropriate time, the student will submit an exam request form which contains the proctor's contact information. The exam will be mailed to the proctor for administration. These procedures are explained in detail in this Student Handbook under "Testing Centers and Proctors" and in the course study guide. For additional questions, please call our office M-F 8-5 EST at 800-327-4218.
 
Note: Students currently residing in Alachua County or enrolled at UF must take their exams at our office. Please call to schedule an appointment at least 24 hours in advance:  
 
UF Division of Continuing Education
2209 NW 13th Street, Suite D, Gainesville, FL 32609
352-392-1711
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23) What is a secure testing facility?
For your convenience, an examination room is provided at the DCE office in Gainesville. You may also choose from any public or private school (elementary, middle, or high school; community college or university), public library, or professional exam center. Examinations cannot be taken in a private location, such as someone's home or business.
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24) How will I be graded?
The Flexible Learning course grade is issued by the instructor. A final grade will be issued after all assignments and exams are accounted for. The student potentially has two grade options: Pass/Fail or letter grades, including H for "hold" (will change at the completion of the course) and I for "incomplete" (will convert to an "E" if course is not finished). For students enrolled before May 1, 2009, the final letter grades are: A, B+, B, C+, C, D+, D, and E. For students enrolled on or after May 1, 2009, the instructor has the option to assign minus grades: A-, B-, C-, and D-. With letter grades, the lowest passing grade is a "D". If a student prefers the Pass/Fail option, it must be requested at the time of enrollment and requires the instructor's approval. Upon completion of college courses, a grade report is mailed to you, to the University of Florida registrar, and to the third party institution of your designation.
 
NOTE: A passing grade must be earned on the final exam to receive credit for the course. In the event of withdrawal from or non-completion of a course, records are not forwarded to any other party. If a student fails to complete the course before the course expiration date, a failing grade of "E" will be recorded with the UF Registrar.
 
We suggest that course work be completed a minimum of one month before you need your grade posted. The grade report is not an official transcript. Contact the University of Florida Registrar at 352-392-1374 ext. 7237 or use this form to request an official transcript.
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25) Can I view my grades online?
Distance education students enrolled in an online course can log into their courses to check their grades and course progress. Students in print-based courses can log on to our website to check on their academic progress and to request exams: go to Online Services to set up your user ID and password. Students may also use their UF GatorLink account to access these services.
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26) Are my records confidential?
Yes. UF assures the confidentiality of educational records. This is done in accordance with the State University System's rules and state statutes, as well as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
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27) Can I transfer to a different course?
If you are not satisfied with a Flexible Learning course for any reason, we will happily transfer your registration to another course. Your request for transfer should occur within 30 days of enrollment. This request must be in writing, and may be sent by fax, e-mail, or U.S. mail. Any difference in tuition will be collected or refunded. There is a $50.00 transfer fee and a $5.00 charge for every lesson previously submitted in the original course. Once a transfer has been granted, no tuition refunds are given. If a transfer is granted, the original course completion date remains the same. For UF students, the signature of a dean, department chairperson, or advisor is required for print-based course transfers.

Transfer Form (PDF)
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28) What if I need to withdraw?
A tuition refund will be granted after written request for withdrawal from a course within 30 days of enrollment. This request must be in writing, and may be sent by fax, e-mail, or U.S. mail. All requests will receive written responses. Refunds will be the amount of tuition, less $25.00 per course and $5.00 per written assignment submitted for grading. Allow four to six weeks for refund checks. No refunds are granted after 30 days.

If you are a UF student, please consult the UF Student Eligibility page for additional requirements.
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29) If I withdraw, can I get a refund on print-based course materials bought from DCE?
A refund is issued on course materials at the time of withdrawal if they are returned within 30 days of sale and are in original condition.
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30) Does DCE have a book buy-back policy?
After the 30 day withdrawal period, DCE will repurchase textbooks and materials at 50% of the original purchase price, provided that they are in continued use and in good condition. Contact the DCE bookstore for details at 800-327-4218.
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31) What is the Gordon Rule?
To graduate from a state university or community college in Florida, students must complete courses that involve substantial writing for a total of 24,000 words. Courses that count toward this requirement will be in one of three categories: Course work with at least 2,000 words; Course work with at least 4,000 words; Course work with at least 6,000 words. The writing in such courses will be evaluated on effectiveness, organization, clarity, and coherence as well as the grammar, punctuation, and usage of standard written English. In addition, each student must complete six credits of course work in mathematics, at or above the level of college algebra. Please refer to the course catalog list to see which courses satisfy the Gordon Rule requirements.
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32) Can I fulfill the Writing and Math Requirements (formerly known as Gordon Rule requirement) through Flexible Learning/Correspondence Study?
Yes. Many of our courses fulfill the Writing and Math Requirements. Please refer to specific courses within our catalog to determine which courses satisfy these requirements.
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33) What are the General Education requirements?
All undergraduate students entering the State University System of Florida are required to complete the 36-hour General Education requirement to graduate.
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34) I'm a UF student. Do the same UF policies apply to me for these courses?
Other than the exceptions noted on our website, normal UF policies and regulations apply to our distance learning classes. For instance, if a student has a registered disability, the student must provide that documentation to our office and/or to the instructor if special accommodations are needed. If you have a question on any policies, please contact us so we can ensure a successful educational experience.
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