University Undergraduate Advising Handbook

Penn State’s World Campus offers degree programs, certificates, and online courses.

Effective summer 2007, the following three changes have been implemented:

Self-paced courses are no longer offered. World Campus online courses have specific start and end dates that are based on Penn State's academic calendar; semester-based courses are typically fifteen weeks, summer-session courses are typically twelve weeks long.

The Penn State World Campus has been integrated with University systems, including the listing of course offerings in the Schedule of Courses, course scheduling through eLion, and the assessment of tuition.

Students taking World Campus courses may be eligible for financial aid.

COURSE REGISTRATION PRIORITIES

Fall and Spring Semesters

World Campus students have registration priority for World Campus courses. 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, if space is available, based on the following (in order of priority):

1. Graduating Seniors
   Registration for a World Campus course may be an option for a student’s final semester if he/she could not schedule the course required for graduation at his/her campus. An adviser’s confirmation of the student’s status and his/her need must be provided via e-mail to wdregistration@outreach.psu.edu).
2. Adult Learners
   World Campus courses are an option for students classified as Adult Learners. To determine whether a student is an adult learner, authorized advisers can use ISIS screen AUZU (press F9), where Y will be indicated in the “ADULT-NT” field.
3. All Penn State Students (regardless of classification or campus assignment)
   Any Penn State student may register for a World Campus course seven days before the start of classes if space is available (based on scheduling restrictions and considerations). Typically, additional students will not be added to the course if the class limit (as indicated in the Schedule of Courses) has been reached.

If a Penn State student is not enrolled in the World Campus but wants to schedule only World Campus courses for a particular semester, he/she can request a change of campus to the World Campus. To make this request, the student should contact the appropriate dean's office at his/her assigned campus.

Summer Session

Any Penn State student at any campus location can schedule World Campus courses in accordance with the Registration Timetable.

COURSE SELECTION

Listings of World Campus course offerings are available through the World Campus online catalog and through the Schedule of Courses.

World Campus Catalog

Several search mechanisms are available to find courses in the catalog. To learn about specific World Campus courses or to get a listing of courses in certain categories, select a course title and view the course description, prerequisites, lesson information, remarks about the course, and required materials. A course outline and a sample lesson are also available. It is also possible to access a listing of all courses offered through the World Campus using this site by clicking on Search without changing the default settings. A print version of the course catalog is available at www.worldcampus.psu.edu/pdf/ss/wc_catalog.pdf (1.2 MB adobe PDF).

Schedule of Courses

To look up specific courses offered by the World Campus in the Schedule of Courses, select “World Campus (WD)” in the campus location. To view all courses offered by the World Campus in a given semester, use Advanced Search in the Schedule of Courses with the following selections: 1.) Semester: your choice, 2.) Campus Location: “World Campus (WD),” and 3.) Check “Web Courses.” Click on “View schedule” for the listing.

ADVISING

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.

STUDENT POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

The World Campus Web site 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.

REGISTRATION

Fall and Spring Semesters: Only students with a World Campus designation can register for World Campus courses on eLion. Students with other campus designations must follow the procedures for a multiple campus registration. The registration/drop/add form is submitted to the World Campus.

Summer Session: Using eLion, any Penn State student (regardless of classification or campus) can register for World Campus courses.

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 2008