Frequently Asked Questions – Distance
Q. Is
there an on-campus requirement?
A. Campus
Cohort Students will need to come to campus 2-4 times per
semester per course depending on each course’s requirements.
Courses may originate on the Troy or Hartford campus and
to participate in campus class meetings students would go
to the campus at which the course originates. Campus cohort
students are students who are not employed at a corporate
partner site. If you are employed at a corporate partner
site, Rensselaer faculty make visits each semester to those
sites with sufficient enrollments to allow for face to face
interaction. To inquire about how your company can become
a corporate partner site, contact Mike Gunther, Program
Manager for Recruitment at 518-276-8351.
Q. How
do campus cohort students meet this campus requirement?
A.
On-campus visit dates are course specific and chosen by
each individual faculty member. Some courses meet once a
week and others twice. Participation in one evening class
session counts as one visit. The schedule of classes is
generally completed 30 days prior to the start of the semester.
At that time each faculty member will decide on the required
number of visits. If a faculty member does not designate
on the number of visits or dates, campus cohort students
are able to decide when the can attend two course sessions.
Q. How
will I be informed on the status of my application?
A. You
will be updated on the progress of your application from
Rensselaer’s Admissions Office and the Student Services
Administrator (SSA). Once a decision is made, you will receive
a letter or certificate in the mail at your home address
directly from the Admissions Office. The SSA will send you
an e-mail to those accepted students with next step instructions.
Q. What
is the transfer credit approval policy?
A.
Credit for graduate work completed at other accredited institutions
may be offered in partial fulfillment of the requirements
for a degree at Rensselaer when the work is appropriate
to the student’s program. As a rule, this work will
have been earned prior to admission at Rensselaer. Students
already enrolled at Rensselaer who wish to take courses
elsewhere must obtain the prior approval of his or her adviser
and the Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Education. Matriculated
students may transfer in a maximum of six transfer credits
toward a Rensselaer master’s degree. A grade of “B”
or better is required for transfer. A course must be pre-approved
by a faculty member and the academic adviser, as well as
the Graduate Education Office, in order to be used on the
student’s Plan of Study.
Q. How
do I register for courses?
A.
A registration form is included with your application packet.
It should be completed and submitted with your application.
In future semesters, you will be able to register on-line.
Each semester you will receive an electronic registration
packet via email, which will include course descriptions
and additional announcements for students and site administrators.
Q. What
are the technical requirements and who do I contact if I
experience technical difficulties?
A.
Students and sites should ensure that local computer systems
meet the minimum technical requirements. For a detailed
list of requirements, please click on the “Technical
Requirements and Support” link on the Education for
Working Professionals Website. Questions should be directed
to Rensselaer’s Help Desk at consult@rpi.edu
or call (518) 276-7777.
Q. How
do I order textbooks, course packs and software?
A.
The Rensselaer Bookstore stocks all required and recommended
textbooks, course-packs and software. You can order textbooks
either online, via fax, by mail or telephone. The Rensselaer
Bookstore can be reached at 518-276-8604 or www.bookstore.rpi.edu.
Students are asked to order textbooks two weeks before classes
begin to ensure timely delivery; otherwise students risk
falling behind in class assignments.
Q. What
do I need to know about Internet access and e-mail accounts?
A.
Access to e-mail and the World Wide Web is required, either
at work or at home, for all students enrolled in distance
courses. The Web is used for many course communications
and printing of class notes. Since various types of important
course information may be sent in attachment files, you
will need a service provider capable of accepting these
documents. Free e-mail accounts (i.e., through Hotmail,
Yahoo, etc.) may not accept these attachments and should
not be used. To ensure receipt of all important scholastic
and course information Rensselaer students must make their
Rensselaer e-mail account their primary account. Once a
Rensselaer employee is admitted they will receive a student
e-mail account in addition to their employee account. To
obtain information on how to access and maintain Rensselaer
e-mail account please contact Rensselaer’s Help Desk
at consult@rpi.edu
or call (518) 276-7777.
Q. How
do I take proctored exams as an individual?
A.
All campus cohort students are required to identify an Exam
Liaison who is approved in advance by Rensselaer. The exam
liaison will receive and proctor exams for any courses that
include proctored and/or timed exams. Included in your application
packet there is an Exam Liaison Approval Form and copies
of Rensselaer’s Academic Dishonesty Policy. The exam
liaison should be given a copy of the Rensselaer’s
Academic Dishonesty Policy and must submit a completed Exam
Liaison Approval Form to the Office of Graduate Education
– Outreach Programs within two weeks of your admission
to Rensselaer.
Q. Whom
can I ask to be my exam liaison?
A.
Rensselaer suggests the Exam Liaison either be a representative
from your Human Resources department, your manager or a
local librarian.
Q. What
do I do if extenuating circumstances arise and I cannot
take an exam on the scheduled date?
A.
If you are unable to take an exam on the designated date,
you should speak to the Student Services Administrator;
Ronnie Rowe at 518-276-2347 prior to the exam date to request
permission to take the exam at an alternate time.
Q. How
and when do I get billed and pay for tuition and fees?
A.
Inquiries on the Education for Working Professional distance
student and corporate partner invoices should be made to:
Deborah Usas, 3rd Party Billing Specialist – (518)
276-6088 or usasd@rpi.edu. You will be billed directly approximately
five weeks into the semester. Payment is due within 30 days
of receipt of bill. Rensselaer accepts checks, Visa and
MasterCard.
Q. Whom
do I contact for Financial Aid Assistance?
A.
Contact Rensselaer’s Financial Aid Office at (518)
276-6813 or financial_aid@rpi.edu.
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