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Student Handbook

How Online Courses Work

The University of Florida's online Learning Management System is called E-Learning. E-learning allows students and instructors to easily share files, post and view grades, and communicate with each other about the course. To learn how to do common tasks that your instructors may require of you in the E-learning system, view the Student Demos. In order to take one of our online courses, follow the steps below.

1. Browse our Course Listings. Course numbers followed by "Online" are web-based and use the E-learning system. All other courses are in a traditional print format.

Review our list of distance learning college and professional courses. Each listing includes:

  • a course description
  • the number of lessons and exams
  • the cost of enrollment
  • the cost of the course textbooks
  • a sample of the course materials.

If you have any questions, review our list of FAQs or contact our office via phone (1-800-327-4218) or on our website.

Note: Please review Important Dates for our College Courses and information on Proctored Exams.

2. Register

There are four ways in which to register for a Flexible Learning/Correspondence distance education course:

  • Complete our online application and submit electronically
  • Print out an application form, complete, and submit via fax or mail
  • Call our office (1-800-327-4218) to register over the phone
  • Visit our office (2209 NW 13th St. Suite D, Gainesville, FL 32609) to enroll in person

Note: In order to ensure that you receive credit toward your major for this distance education course, we encourage you to consult with an academic advisor from your institution. University of Florida students must obtain approval from either the Academic Advisement Center or your departmental advisor prior to registering for Flexible Learning/Correspondence Study courses. The Division of Continuing Education is not responsible for ensuring that the credit you receive is transferable or applicable toward your degree program.

3. Begin the Course

After enrolling in a Flexible Learning distance course, you will receive an email about creating your GatorLink name if you do not already have one. If you already have a GatorLink name, you will be able to access your course one business day after you enroll from the UF online course website. If you have questions about using the e-Learning course system for your online distance education course, please see the student introduction, required software list, and student demos here. After enrolling in a course, you will also receive the course textbooks if you chose to purchase them from our office. Sample course materials can be viewed for each course.

The online distance learning course contains assignments that you will submit to your instructor through the online system as you work through the course. Those assignments will be graded by your instructor and then returned to you. Your course may require you to schedule Proctored Examinations. Your proctor will return the completed exam directly to our office. Read the course materials carefully to determine how each Written Assignment should be submitted and each Examination taken.

Note: Most distance education courses contain a limit on how many Written Assignments may be submitted each week. Please review the Important Dates for our College Courses.

4. Complete the Course

After your have submitted and received a grade for every assignment and examination in the distance learning course (or after the approved time for you to finish the course has passed), your instructor will assign a final grade. Your grade will automatically be sent to the University of Florida Registrar. If you are not a University of Florida student, you may complete a Transcript Request Form (PDF) (also located in the Study Guide) to have the grade sent to your institution.