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All students are responsible to know the departmental Online Degree Policies.
Are the listed COMD courses the only ones I need to take to receive my bachelor's degree
No. There are university requirements and general education requirements that must also be fulfilled. See FAQ Sheet on University Requirements.
Are the requirements for the on-campus bachelor's degree in communicative disorders the same as the requirements for the online degree in communicative disorders?
No. Be sure to read the information specifically listed for the online degree to find out about requirements.
What textbooks do I need?
See the Courses and Textbooks page.
How do I decide if I should I take classes as a degree-seeking student or as a non-degree seeking student?
If you do not need a Communicative Disorders degree or do not need all 12 of our classes, then you may want to take classes as a non-degree seeking student. It is a good idea to check with your potential graduate schools to see if they require a degree or just certain leveling courses for admittance into their programs.
Is your program accredited?
Yes, our undergraduate programs are accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU).
When can I start classes?
Our classes run on a semester-basis. You can begin at the first of any semester (fall, spring, or summer).
Can I proceed through the class at my own pace?
You can watch the lectures at your own pace and at times that work well for you; however, there are specific due dates for tests and assignments.
Do I have to take 4 classes every semester?
No, you can proceed at your own pace and take as few as one class per semester. You can even skip a semester if needed.
Will I have to attend any classes at USU?
No, you will never need to come to Utah as part of your online classes.
How do I transfer classes?
You may transfer 5 credits of undergraduate COMD courses you have taken elsewhere to USU and use them to replace those same courses that are part of our program with permission from USU's COMD department. To do this, you must scan the syllabi of the courses you have completed and a transcript showing the grades you received in those courses. Then, attach the scanned documents to an email and send it to Heather Thomas at heather.thomas@usu.edu. She will contact you when a decision has been made.
Can I ask my online professors for letters of recommendation for graduate school?
Yes. Because they have not met you personally, they will only be able to write letters based on your performance in their classes and their impressions from your resume.
Will I be eligible for financial aid?
If you are an admitted student, then you are eligible to apply for financial aid. However, non-degree seeking students do not qualify. For more information, please contact the USU Financial Aid Office directly at 435-797-0173.
If I start as a non-degree seeking student and later decide to apply to the program, what happens to the classes I took as a non-degree seeking student?
They automatically transfer over and apply towards your degree.
How much time should I budget for classes?
You can plan on approximately 2 hours of study for every hour of lecture.
What if I miss the deadline to apply for admission?
You can register to take classes as a non-degree seeking student and then apply for admission as a degree-seeking student for the following semester. Your non-degree credits will automatically transfer over and apply towards your degree once you are admitted.
Do you have an online master's degree program in speech-language pathology?
For now the answer is no. We have had MANY people ask us to use our online bachelor's degree model in developing an online graduate program. We are considering this request but do not have any definite timelines at this point.
Where do I take the exams?
Most online and printed exams are proctored. Students who live in Cache Valley should take proctored exams at the Independent and Distance Education office in Room 108H of the Eccles Conference Center. Please call (435)797-9700 at least 48 hours in advance to schedule an exam.
Students who register for online courses through USU Regional Campus may schedule exams at their respective centers and do not need to submit Exam Request forms.
Students who do not live in Cache Valley and are unable to come to campus or extension office, should complete the Request for Exam form at: http://distance.usu.edu/htm/students/requestexam Please submit the Request for Exam form at least three days prior to the exam date scheduled with a proctor. This allows the Independent and Distance Education exam coordinator sufficient time to provide proctors with instructions and materials for proctoring exams. The Request for Exam form must include one of the following with whom a student has made arrangements to proctor the exam:
- college testing personnel
- superintendent
- principal
- county agent
- military education director
- librarian
Students in foreign countries may name an official who holds an equivalent position. Relative and co-workers are NOT eligible to proctor exams. Exams must be taken at an education institution and NOT at the proctor's residence. Students must also provide an official email address for their proctor. Exams will not be sent to a Hotmail, Yahoo, or similar email addresses.
Students need to bring a picture ID to the Exam Room. No Exam will be given without proper picture ID.
Can I have all of my three letters of recommendation written from the USU COMDDE faculty?
Generally, the maximum number of professors you can request to write you letters of recommendation from our department is two. We believe that it is helpful for the third letter to be written by someone who knows you from a different perspective such as an employer, supervisor, head of volunteer organization, etc.