For the most part, courses take place wherever your computer is: at home, at work, on the road - anywhere you can connect to the Internet. To verify that a particular class is fully online, contact the department that offers the course.

2. When does my class meet?

Online courses are usually conducted "asynchronously". This means that you do not have to be logged in to your class discussions or lectures at a set time of day. For many courses, you can log into the system whenever it is convenient for you, at any time, day or night, to retrieve and/or send course information.

3. Do online courses have instructors?

Yes, just like a traditional course, your online course has an instructor who develops the curriculum, conducts the class, gives the assignments, answers your questions, leads discussions and evaluates your work.

4. Will hundreds of other people be taking the same course at the same time as me?

No, enrollment in each online course is limited. Most classes are no larger than 20 students, allowing for one-on-one attention from your instructor and ample opportunities to collaborate with your virtual classmates.

5. I worry that I'll miss the face-to-face contact of a classroom. Will I be able to communicate with the instructor or other students?

A lot of people mistakenly assume that they'll feel isolated in an online course. To their surprise, most find that online courses actually provided a high degree of personal contact. Not only will you and your instructor communicate directly, everyone in the course will be involved in many group and individual discussions. Far from being an impediment to communication, the online format facilitates and enhances communication in ways that would be impossible in other situations.

6. What kind of computer or other hardware do I need?

Most any PC or Macintosh computer is just fine. You'll also need a modem and a connection to the Internet. Basic requirements for online programs are listed in the Technical Requirements section of the catalog.

7. How much time do I have to complete the online course?

Credit courses offered online have the same start and end dates as classes offered on-campus. Non-credit courses may have different start and end schedules.

8. Do I need to buy a textbook?

Each instructor has their own teaching style; therefore, the kind of material required for each course varies. Some courses utilize only reading material that is available online. Others classes, however, require you to purchase textbooks. Consult your course syllabus to find information about required materials for the course.

9. Who will help me if I run into technical problems?

This depends on the nature of your problem. If you are having trouble accessing the course materials, you should contact your instructor. However, if you are having technical problems with your computer or Internet connection, you should contact the ACCC Client Services Office.

10. Can I earn a degree through UIC Online?

UIC has several online degrees as well as online graduate certificates at both the post-master and post-baccalaureate levels.

The program descriptions in our online catalog specify whether the program is a degree program or some other type of program, such as certificate, non-degree or non-credit.

11. How do I apply to UIC Online's programs and courses?

Application to UIC's online programs varies depending on the program to which you are applying. Credit programs and courses require formal admission prior to registration while non-credit programs do not. To find out whether formal application is required, contact the program coordinator listed for the program/course in the Programs/Courses section of UIC Online's Web site.

12. How do I register for UIC Online courses?

If you are enrolled in a credit course or program, then you can register online using UI-Integrate Student Self-Service (aka, "Banner"). You will need your Enterprise ID and password to access this system. Instructions for claiming your Enterprise ID and password are found on UIC's Registration & Records Web site. Students may also access scheduling and registration tools by logging into the my.UIC Portal, which is for new and continuing credit students, and clicking on the "Academics" tab. You will need your ACCC NetID and Common password to access the my.UIC Portal.

If you are enrolled in a non-credit course or program, you must contact the program coordinator listed in the online catalog for more information about registration procedures related to a specific program, or send an e-mail note to Online@uic.edu.

13. What is my UIN?

Your 9-digit UIN (University ID Number) is assigned to you when you are admitted as a student or become an employee of the University of Illinois.
Your UIN never changes and is never reused. It is a permanent, unique number that identifies you as a member of the University community. It is used to identify you in University computer systems.

If you are taking a non-credit online course at UIC, then you most likely do not have a UIN assigned to you unless you are also enrolled in a credit course or are an employee of the University.

If you do not have an I-card but would like to know your UIN, you can look it up on the I-card Web site.

14. Is my UIN the same as my Social Security number?

Your UIN is not your Social Security number.
Before creating a new UIN, University of Illinois checks that you don't already have a UIN from a previous affiliation with the University. Having your Social Security number helps ensure a thorough check, but the UIN itself is not based on your Social Security number.

15. Is my UIN the same as my I-card number?

If you have an I-card, your UIN is printed on your I-card and is part of your card number. Your card number includes several digits before and after your UIN.
If you do not have an I-card but would like to know your UIN, you can look it up on the I-card Web site.

16. Can I get an I-card if I am an online student?

Off-campus students do not automatically receive I-cards. If needed, however, an I-card can be requested by contacting your home department, which in turn will send the request to the ID Center at UIC.

The card is usually issued without a photo, unless you are able to visit the ID Center in person. In order to gain access to University facilities, you must present a photo ID in conjunction with the non-photo I-card.

17. How do I get my textbooks and course materials?

Textbooks and official course packets can usually be ordered through the UIC Bookstores, and can be shipped worldwide via UPS. In addition, many of the materials for your course(s) may be available online within the course site. For more information, contact the course instructor or program coordinator for the particular course or program, or send an email note to Online@uic.edu.

18. Is there help available from UIC Online, via an 800 number or email, in case I have questions or technical problems?

UIC Online offers several levels of student support. In most of the cases, your course instructor or the designated teaching assistant will help you resolve course related technology problems. Some programs also provide technical help through college-based centers. To learn more about department or program level services, visit the program Web site or contact the program coordinator listed in our catalog. For advanced technical problems, you can contact UIC’s Academic Computing and Communications Center's Client Services Office by phone at (312) 413-0003 or by e-mail at consult@uic.edu. For questions about software and courseware (like Blackboard), contact the Instructional Technology Lab by telephone at (312) 996-9824 or by e-mail at itl@uic.edu.

19. Are UIC Online programs accredited?

UIC is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, which is responsible for accrediting institutions in the north central region of the United States. In addition, some programs are individually accredited by discipline-specific accrediting bodies. To find out more about the accreditation of a particular program, contact the program coordinator or visit the program Web site.

20. Will credits earned from UIC Online courses transfer to another program or institution?

UIC credits are usually transferable, but it is up to the degree granting institution to determine whether the credit can be accepted in fulfillment of specific program and/or degree requirements.

21. Will I need a computer? If so, what are the minimum hardware and software specifications?

All UIC Online courses and programs require regular access to a computer with Internet connectivity. In addition, some courses have specific hardware and/or software requirements. Minimum technology requirements are listed on the technical requirements page of the catalog. You should consult the online catalog for technology requirements specific to individual courses and programs.

22. As a UIC Online student, will I have access to a library?

Online students have access to a wide range of resources including I-Share interlibrary loan services, online reference and research assistance and access to more than 75 CARLI consortium libraries (Illinois Consortium of Academic & Research Libraries in Illinois). In addition, UIC students can access more than 80 databases and 2,000+ full text journals from any Internet connection with a Web browser. Visit UIC's Library online here: http://www.uic.edu/depts/lib/

23. How are courses taught? How is the lecture presented?

As with classroom-based courses, the instructor for each course determines how course materials are presented and delivered. There is an online course syllabus that summarizes the goals and objectives of the course. Some courses have formal lectures, similar in length and content to lectures given in classroom-based courses. Online lectures may be entirely text-based or consist of some combination of text, graphics, sound and video. Other courses present lecture content in smaller units or rely entirely on group discussion and others types of learning activities. Most courses use the discussion boards in Blackboard, UIC's learning management system, as the primary tool for communication between students and instructor.

24. What do the terms "real-time" and "asynchronous" mean?

Real-time activities are "live" and immediate. In the context of an online course, a real-time session is one in which all participants are logged in at the same time and interacting at more or less the same pace as they would in a face-to-face setting. A familiar example of real-time communication on the Internet is live chat.
Asynchronous activities, on the other hand, are those in which participation is not concurrent or live. One member of the class, for example, might post a message in the morning, and another might not read or respond to it until later that day or even several days later. Electronic mail is the most common form of asynchronous communication, but there are many others as well.

The course instructor usually determines the proportion of real-time and asynchronous communication in an online course. Some instructors may require a certain number of pre-scheduled real-time sessions, while others may organize their classes completely around asynchronous learning.

25. Will I be required to show up at a specific location at any time for an online course or program?

This depends on the course or program. Some require one or more campus meetings per semester while others are taught wholly at a distance. For information about specific courses or programs, contact the course instructor or program coordinator listed in the UIC Online catalog.

26. Can you send me a printed catalog of UIC Online courses?

Some programs have printed brochures and other materials that can be mailed to you. However, all of our online courses and programs are described in detail in UIC Online's Web-based catalog. The "Courses" section of the catalog provides descriptions and contact information for all of the online courses offered by the University of Illinois at Chicago. The "Programs" section offers information about certificate and degree programs, and usually provides a link to an entire Web site about the program.

27. Can I use my veterans' benefits to cover some or all tuition costs?

Depending on your specific circumstances, you may be able to take advantage of the Illinois Veteran's Grant or other entitlement programs for veterans. The Veteran's Affairs staff in the Office of Financial Aid can help you determine your eligibility. For information about the Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG) program, send an email note to veterans@uic.edu.

28. I have never taken an online course before. How does Blackboard work?

Online courses are offered via the Internet in asynchronous and synchronous formats. Students, therefore, have access to course materials seven days a week, 24 hours a day (including holidays).

All online courses are different, but instructors will post weekly lecture notes that correspond with the readings in your study materials. Periodic practice quizzes and additional resource materials are also usually provided. The discussion board and chat feature may also be used to provide a high level of interaction between the instructor and students.

Check out the "Working in Blackboard" interactive tutorial to give you a better idea of what to expect when you login to your online course in Blackboard.

29. What are the advantages of taking an online course?

Most students cite flexibility as the greatest advantage to taking an online course. As an online student participating in an asynchronous course, you do not need to worry about being "online" at a specific time or day.

Online learning also provides opportunities for students to network with other students in the class and gain from the experiences of others. This interactivity is accomplished by using the threaded discussion feature within the class.

30. How do I know that an online course is for me?

If you are comfortable working independently and have good organizational skills, you may find online learning to be a rewarding and satisfying experience.
If you’re not sure if online learning is for you, take a readiness quiz to assess your skills (click on the "Self-Evaluation for Potential Online Learners" link).

31. Do I need special technical skills to access an online course?

We recommend that students taking an online course be comfortable using a computer and navigating the Internet. Common skills necessary for success in an online course include ability to use e-mail and the ability to download files from the Internet.

32. What if I have a question that is not addressed in the UIC Online FAQs?

Contact the Office of External Education:

Phone: (312) 355-0423
Fax: (312) 413-9730
E-mail: online@uic.edu

UIC Online: University of Illinois at Chicago

Frequently Asked Questions