Students taking Internet courses complete weekly assignments at their own computers and communicate with their instructor by electronic mail and other provided web-based technologies. Students complete assignments, take tests, and complete all other coursework just as they would in an on-campus class.

All courses require textbooks. Exams for all courses are taken on campus unless otherwise specified.

Broadcast TV (telecourse) and videocassette course students view course programming each week either on their TV sets at home or on their VCRs. As with all other courses, students have assigned readings in textbooks, homework assignments and study guides. Some telecourses also have written assignments.

All courses require textbooks. Exams for nearly all courses are taken on campus.

Telecourse programs are broadcast on PBS Channel 8. Some courses may also air on HCCTV, the HCCS educational channel within the Houston, Bellaire and West University Place city limits only. See your newspaper TV listings for schedules. Students who miss a program or who would like to review it will find videotapes of the programs in the libraries at Central, Eastside, Stafford, West Loop, Northline and the Westgate Center.

For videocassette courses, tapes will be checked out to students each semester. These tapes will not be in the libraries. They must be returned to the Distance Education Department at the end of the semester.

Distance Education credit courses are semester-long courses in the following lengths:

• 16 week regular term
• 12 week second-start during the fall and spring semesters
• 10 week Summer I
• Real Estate courses are offered in 5 or 6 week flex entry session

A full listing of available Distance Education courses can be searched and viewed by clicking on the "DE Courses Offered" link on the Distance Education Homepage. Information on Continuing Education courses is also available.

Any HCCS student may enroll in distance courses provided they have met the prerequisites for that course. However, distance education courses may not be appropriate for everyone. These courses are independent study and require additional self-discipline and motivation. For a self-assessment of your aptitude to succeed in a distance education course, we recommend you click on "Are You a Good Candidate for Distance Education? An Important Self-Assessment Tool!" on the Distance Education Homepage.

An HCCS instructor is assigned to each course and students contact this instructor when they turn in assignments, need assistance, have questions, or for any other course-related information/interaction. Information on how to contact the instructor is provided through your course orientation at the beginning of the semester.

All distance education students, both new and returning, are required to attend an orientation session for each course taken. There will be no exceptions. Orientation schedules are published in each semester's Class Schedule or are available under the "General Information" link on the Distance Education Homepage. During orientation, the student meets the instructor, receives course information, and other information on procedures. All web-based courses have online orientations. However, some faculty may prefer to offer orientations on campus as well. The campus attended for orientation may be different from the campus attended for review sessions and testing.

Textbook information is available at orientation. Textbooks are available at HCCS bookstores. Nearly all textbooks for Distance Education courses are the same as for the on-campus version of that course.

Review sessions are held before examinations for many Distance Education classes. Attendance is optional, but recommended.

Students enrolled in distance courses take 2-4 exams during the semester. The testing schedule and locations is as follows:

Distance Education Counselors are located at the HCCS Administration Building at 3100 Main Street and can be reached at 713-718-5275, option #4 or de.counseling@hccs.edu. Please contact them with questions regarding your educational program or degree objectives. Please visit the Distance Education Student Services web page by clicking on "DE Student Services" from the Distance Education Homepage.

Students With Special Needs

Distance learners who have a documented disability and would like to request educational accommodations should contact a Distance Education Counselor in order to be referred to the appropriate Disability Support Service (DSS) Counselor for assistance.

Distance Education Counselors
3100 Main Street, 3rd Floor
PO Box 667517
Houston, TX 77266-7517
713.718.5275, option #4
de.counseling@hccs.edu

After visiting with a DSS Counselor, DE students should forward their Approved Accommodation Letter to the Distance Education Counselors for attention.  Once the DE Counselors receive an Approved Accommodation Letter from a DE student, a copy of the Letter is sent to each of the student’s distance education instructors and a copy is given to each instructors “Instructional Support Specialist” (ISS).  Ensuring that testing accommodations are met is a coordinated effort within the Distance Education Department, but before accommodation arrangements can be made the Approved Accommodation Letter must be received by the Distance Education Department.  Students must submit an Approved Accommodation Letter at the beginning of each semester in which they are taking distance education classes.

Students are encouraged to fax the Approved Accommodation Letter to:

ATTN: Distance Education Counselors
713-718-5388 (fax)
Tuition

For current tuition costs, see the "Tuition Costs" link under the "For Students" section of the HCCS Homepage. In addition to tuition, a $24 Distance Education fee will be assessed for each course taken.

A student who has been a legal resident of the State of Texas for at least one (1) year immediately preceding registration and lives in the HCCS District will be classified as an In-District Resident. A complete set of rules and regulations for determining residency is available at each HCCS college.

It is strongly recommended that you visit the "DE Student Service" section of the HCCS Homepage for all student-related information.