KSI

DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM

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For a Few Special Students......

Individualized distance learning is not for everyone. You must have strong self-discipline and willingness to work independently. If you are interested in taking distance learning courses for credit at Knowledge Systems Institute, the graduate school of computer and information sciences, please fill out the information request form below, and select the "Send Form" button when you are through. We will then send you by regular mail our catalog and the standard application form. Please fill out the application form and return it to us, together with all the necessary documents. If you are accepted, then you can take distance learning courses by reading the course materials at our Web site, downloading the assignments and studying at home. You should e-mail the assignments back to the instructor who will grade and return them to you via e-mail. You can always get in touch with the instructor for discussion via e-mail or voice mail. To take the examinations, you must go to the Institute (or its regional office) in person. The course normally will have the same duration as a regular three-credit course.

You Can Complete MS Degree by Combining Distance Learning Courses with Regular Courses

There are limitations on how many courses you can take for credit through the distance learning program - no more than four certificate program courses and no more than three graduate courses. However, you can complete our regular MS degree program by combining distance learning courses with regular courses as follows:

(1) Take two graduate courses at a local university selected by KSI.
(2) Take three graduate courses through our distance learning program.
(3) Attend KSI for one semester to take four graduate courses, and take the MS comprehensive examination at the end of the semester.
(4) Complete the MS project, submit the MS project report and deliver the MS project presentation in person at KSI or a KSI regional office.

Students from Taiwan must attend KSI for two consecutive semesters so that the degree will be recognized by Taiwan's Ministry of Education.

You Can Also Complete the Certificate Program by Combining Distance Learning and Regular Courses

(1) Take four certificate courses through our distance learning progrm.
(2) Attend KSI for one semester to take three certificate courses, and take the Certificate comprehensive examination at the end of the semester.

Our Instructors Will Give You Their Personal Attention

A major advantage of KSI's distance learning program, which sets it apart from the other schools' distance learning programs, is that our instructors will give you their personal attention. You will be able to exchange e-mail and voice mail with your instructor at your convenience. You can also visit KSI and talk to your instructor(s), and even attend our regular classes from time to time.

A Free Internet Account Comes with Your Registration

Lets face it. There are occasions when e-mail is simply inadequate for exchange of ideas, specially when you are asking questions and need to talk to your instructor. In order for you to send/receive voice mail and e-mail messages, you will receive a free Internet account from KSI, once you have registered for a distance learning course. You can deposit voice messages in your account's directory for your instructor to read, and you will find voice messages left by your instructor and fellow students in your directory. Your will find this feature very attractive when taking a distance learning course at KSI. The account is free for the duration of the course.

Admission Requirements for the Graduate Program

In the Distance Learning Program KSI offers: BA519 Electronic Enterprise Engineering using Java (prerequisite: CIS 321) and CIS700 Visual languages and visual programming (prerequisites: CIS 321 & CIS 331). To enroll in the Graduate Program at KSI Graduate School, candidates must have a bachelor's degree (preferably a B.S. in Computer Science) from an accredited institution. Prior exposure to computer information systems is required for KSI distance learning graduate work. No more than three graduate courses at KSI can be taken through distance learning. Please review the KSI catalog for each course. Contact your instructor or advisor for more details.

Admission Requirements for the Certificate Program

In the Distance Learning Program KSI offers: CIS310 Introduction to programming using Visual Basic , CIS321 C Programming (prerequisites: CIS 310), CIS322 Object oriented programming using C++ (prerequisites: CIS 310 & CIS 321) and CIS331 Database programming (prerequisite: CIS 310). To enroll in the Certificate Program at KSI Graduate School, candidates must have a high school diploma and have had prior exposure to computer and information systems or programming. No more than four Certificate courses at KSI can be taken through distance learning. Please review the KSI catalog for each course. Contact your instructor or advisor for more details.

Hardware, Software and Course Materials Requirements

The Distance Learning student must obtain or have access to a PC running Windows 95 or NT with an internet connection and Netscape Navigator 2.0 or higher. Each course has its own additional software requirements; these are generally compilers or other software which can be readily purchased. A course may have a required text which the student must obtain.

Length of Courses

KSI Graduate School expects its Distance Learning students to be highly motivated professionals dedicated to furthering their personal and professional goals by spending up to fifteen (15) hours per week on class readings, assignments and projects. The classes normally run the same length of time as the corresponding regular KSI courses: 8 weeks for CIS 310, CIS321, CIS 322 and CIS 331; 16 weeks for BA 519 and CIS 700. Note the intensive nature of the first three; the regular courses meet for 6 hours per week. A student is normally allowed to enroll in only one distance learning course at a time, and must make a special request to the Academic Dean in order to enroll in more than one distance learning course.

Fees

KSI Distance Learning tuition is $780 per course for domestic students and $936 per course for international students. All registration and class fees are payable by check, Visa or MasterCard. For your own protection, KSI does not accept credit card numbers over the internet. We require credit card information to be submitted with signature by mail, fax or in person.

Withdrawal/Refund Policy

A student cannot withdraw from a distance learning course and obtain tuition refund once he or she has gained access to proprietary course materials. A student may request to the Academic Dean for extending the completion date of a distance learning course, or for postponing the course to the next offering.

Examinations

Distance Learning examinations, including at least midterms and finals, are to be taken in person at KSI or at a KSI regional office.