University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Distance Learning Program
The Friday Center for Continuing Education at UNC offers a variety of credit and noncredit courses though Carolina Courses Online, Independent Studies, and Self-paced Study Online. These college-level print-based and online courses enable students to earn college credit without having to be admitted to UNC or travel to the campus. The Friday Center administers courses from eight institutions of the University of North Carolina: Appalachian State University, East Carolina University, Elizabeth City State University, North Carolina State University, UNC-Chapel Hill, UNC-Greensboro, Western Carolina University, and Winston-Salem State University. More than 5,000 students enroll in distance education courses through the Friday Center each year.
The Independent Studies program offers traditional self-paced correspondence courses. Students enrolled in an Independent Studies course receive a printed course manual that contains all lessons, assignments, and instructions. They work through the course at their own pace. Each course has an instructor who grades assignments and answers questions. The minimum completion time for an Independent Studies course is twelve weeks, and students have nine months to complete the course. Students may take two courses at a time. More than 100 Independent Studies courses are available, and most courses are offered for credit at the undergraduate college level.
The Carolina Courses Online program follows the UNC calendar. Students enrolled in a Carolina Courses Online course receive information on how to access the Web pages that contain all lessons, assignments, and instructions. They communicate with classmates and their instructor via e-mail and discussion forums and are encouraged to use the vast resources available through the Internet as they complete their course work. Approximately sixty Carolina Courses Online courses are available, and most courses are offered for credit at the undergraduate college level.
The Self-paced Study Online program offers self-paced online courses. Students enrolled in a Self-paced Study Online course receive information on how to access the Web pages that contain all lessons, assignments, and instructions. Each course has an instructor who grades assignments and answers questions. The minimum completion time for a Self-paced Study Online course is twelve weeks, and students have nine months to complete the course. Students may take two courses at a time. More than twenty Self-paced Studies Online courses are available, and most are offered for credit at the undergraduate college level.
Faculty members are appointed by the department or school offering the course. Approximately 120 faculty members teach in the program at any given time.
Friday Center staff members are available to answer questions, provide academic advising, and process enrollments. Online library services are available through the UNC-Chapel Hill library system.
Most courses are offered for credit at the undergraduate college level. Credit earned in these courses may be applied toward a degree, if the course is applicable to the requirements of the particular degree program.
Programs of Study
The Friday Center offers a variety of courses in more than thirty subjects, including accounting, African and Afro-American studies, art, biology, business, chemistry, classics, criminal justice, communication studies, drama, economics, education, English, environmental sciences, French, geography, geology, health administration, history, hospitality management, Italian, journalism, Latin, law, mathematics, music, nursing, nutrition, philosophy, physics, political science, psychology, recreation administration, religious studies, Russian, sociology, Spanish, and statistics. Credit earned in courses offered through the Friday Center can be applied toward degree requirements at UNC-Chapel Hill and other institutions.
Credit courses offered by the Friday Center may be used for teacher license renewal at the discretion of the local district. Students should visit the Friday Center Web site listed in the Contact section for more information.
Applying for Distance Education
Enrollments in Independent Studies or Self-paced Study Online courses are accepted at any time by mail, fax, or in person. Carolina Courses Online enrollments must be received by specified deadlines. Students should visit the Friday Center Web site for more information.
Carolina Courses Online, Independent Studies, and Self-paced Study Online courses are open to anyone who wishes to enroll; there are no admission requirements.
Costs
Tuition must be paid in full at the time of enrollment. Tuition is $140 per credit hour for North Carolina residents and $265 per credit hour for nonresidents. Most courses are 3 credit hours. Tuition and other charges are subject to change without notice. Textbooks must be purchased separately.
Financial Aid
Financial aid may be available through VA benefits, vocational rehabilitation grants, local education agencies, and Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES).
For Additional Information
Student Services Manager
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina 27599-1020
919-962-1134
800-862-5669
E-mail: ceinfo@unc.edu