Department of Communication Studies

Online Resources and Questions

How To Sign Up For An Online Course

The process for signing up for an online course is the same as for any other course. Make sure the section is designated as WEB, when you chose your section.

If you are interested in the Online Certificate: Human Communication in a Mediated World, please contact Jennifer Cochrane, 317-274-2799, for advising and course planning. Currently, OneStart cannot track Certificate students. In order for the Certificate to be added to your permanent record, you must be put into the Communication Studies database. .For further information about the Certificate, click on the Certificate link on the topmost horizontal navigation bar, and access the Application Form.

Locate Student Resources and Services

Technical Help

TALK TO A REAL PERSON on the phone: Help with computer and software, Internet connections, etc. call the HELP desk at 317-274-HELP (274-4357) and talk to a person.

Talk and Work With Real People:

Help with computer skills: Go to any public lab on campus.

Check lab locations at: http://uits.iupui.edu. Click on Labs, Classrooms and other resources/ IUPUI STCs.

Use the Speaker’s Lab (generally for R110 students, but others are welcome) in the basement of Cavanaugh Hall, 001: http://liberalarts.iupui.edu/spchlab

Take computer skills classes through University Information Technology Services: http://uits.iupui.edu. Click on Training and Workshops

Admissions Help

Go to: http://www.iupui.edu/enroll. Click on How to Apply

Library Help

General University Library information is located at: http://www.ulib.iupui.edu.

A special website dedicated to Communication Studies scholars and distance learners can be found at: http://www.ulib.iupui.edu/subjectareas/comm

Bookstore Help

View the new Jags Bookstore website at: http://www.bookstore.iupui.edu.

Check out Indy’s College Bookstore at: http://www.indysbooks.com.

Advising Help

General advising: Admissions advising should be done at the Admissions Office: http://www.iupui.edu/enroll Once you are admitted to the University, you should be assigned to an advisor in the Department of your major. If you aren’t assigned to an advisor, please request an advisor from the Department Chair or staff. If you have not declared a major, you can request advising from University College advising staff.

Advising for the Online Certificate and other Communication Studies online courses:  If you are interested in an online course in Communication Studies or you want to complete the Communication Studies Online Certificate, you MUST indicate your intentions to complete the Certificate by contacting Jennifer Cochrane, 317-274-2799 or cochrane@iupui.edu to sign up for the Certificate and to receive advising help.

Communication Studies Homepage

See requirements for majors, minors, and other information.

Financial Help

See the IUPUI Office of Financial Aid homepage at: http://www.iupui.edu/~finaid

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do I have to be admitted to the University to earn the Online Certificate: Human Communication in a Mediated World? Yes. You may be a degree-seeking student or a non-degree seeking student. 2. How do I get a network ID and password and email account? Go to: http://uits.iu.edu and click on Accounts and Passphrases. Or, go to a public lab and ask for help from a consultant. Or, call the HELP-desk at 317-274-HELP. 3. Why do I have to see an advisor? It is easy to get lost on a college campus, especially a commuter college like IUPUI. One of the most important things for any and all students to do is to link up with an advisor, or a faculty member who will get to know you and be able to help you plan your coursework and see to it that you graduate when you want to. In the case of the student who wishes to earn the online Certificate:Human Communication in a Mediated World, it is required that you see an advisor. Currently, OneStart does not track the online courses for the Certificate. So, until such time as that happens, we will have to track you manually. You MUST see an advisor to 1) declare your intentions to earn the Certificate so you can be added manually to the database and 2) to fully understand what courses are online and when they will be offered and 3) so the Department will send the necessary paperwork to your School in so that the Certificate can be added to your permanent record.

Most online courses for the Certificates are offered in the summer, although some are offered occasionally during the regular semester. The Department Advisor for online courses will be able to tell you when the courses will be available.

4. Are online courses easier than regular face-to-face college courses?

Online courses are never easier. They require that the student be a motivated, disciplined learner who does not procrastinate. Please read "What are online courses like" under Discover If Online Courses are for You in the left hand navigation bar of this website.

5. How do I know if I will be a good online learner?

Unless you have taken an online course before, you may not know. Read "Needed Skills for Online Learning" under Discover If Online Courses are for You in the left hand navigation bar of this website.

6. Can I receive financial aid to take these courses?

Check with the Financial Aid office for an accurate answer. See FINANCIAL HELP, by clicking on Locate Student Resources and Services.

7. What happens if my computer crashes or dies while I am taking online courses?

You should always back up your work on a CD or locate it on another server.

You should have a back up plan to submit your homework to your teacher (such as fax).

You should always inform your instructor if you have technical problems at the exact time you experience them. Use the phone and document your problems on your instructor’s voice mail if necessary.

If you have a problem accessing IUPUI sites, such as Oncourse CL, call the HELPdesk (274-HELP).

8. Can Communication Studies majors earn the Online Certificate?

Communication Studies majors are welcome to take the online courses. However, a capstone course for a major should not be taken in online format unless the Department and the instructor give permission. Currently, majors cannot earn the Certificate.

9. Are there special Library services for distance learners?

The remote user is a major focus of the University Library’s mission. The University Library attempts to provide remote access to all licensed digital databases. There are very few exceptions. Also, many of the library’s services are available through the Internet on the University Library Web site, e.g., inter-library loan request forms, delivery of electronic documents, electronic reserves, and renewals. A number of materials are being digitized for remote access, e.g., slide collections: Herron Art Image Library (IUPUI Internet connection required); John C. Tacoma Mushroom Slide Collection. For example, see: http://www.ulib.iupui.edu/subjectareas/comm. Click on FIND ARTICLES/ACCESS or FIND BOOKS/World Cat.

10. What other programs or classes are online at IUPUI?

See: http://www.cln.iupui.edu and click on Distance Education. Not all available online courses will be listed with the Community Learning Network.

You can also peruse the different Department websites or the schedule of classes on the Registrar’s home page. Most online courses are indicated as being offered via the Web.

You should always inform your instructor if you have technical problems at the exact time you experience them. Use the phone and document your problems on your instructor’s voice mail if necessary.

The Department of Communication Studies is in the process of developing different courses at different times. Please see the Home page of this document for announcements on course availability.