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Prospective Students

Open enrollment. Online classes. Independent, self-paced learning. Register anytime. Start anytime.

Independent Study in Idaho (ISI) is a program that offers over 100 online, college-level courses students can enroll in whenever is convenient for them and complete while working at their own pace over the course of one year. Our open-enrollment registration model provides a flexible alternative to regularly scheduled semester-based courses.

Students use ISI courses to complete their studies and prepare for successful careers by beginning college programs early, graduating on time, resolving on-campus scheduling conflicts, satisfying prerequisites, or pursuing professional development or personal enrichment.

  • ISI offers over 100 online courses in more than 25 subject areas designed for students who work well independently with limited interaction with instructors.
  • ISI course content is available as soon as your registration is processed by ISI staff—no need to wait for the beginning of a school term.
  • You can complete courses in one year or less while working at your own pace within limits set by the course instructor.
  • Idaho residency and admission to cooperating institutions are not required to take an ISI course.
  • All ISI courses have the same in-state and out-of-state fees:
    • Undergraduate Courses cost $160/credit + $30 processing fee
    • Graduate Courses cost $200/credit + $30 processing fee

FAQs

ISI courses are open enrollment, so you can Register for an ISI class whenever it works best for you. 

Follow these instructions to register:

  1. Find and Register for a course using the ISI Course Catalog on Keep Learning Idaho.
     

    Courses with Pre-Reqs

    If your course requires a pre-requisite, you're application process has two steps. First, you'll be asked to upload course transcripts or other evidence of how you meet that pre-req. Then you'll complete the course application. You won't be asked to pay for the course until your application is approved. ISI staff will review your application with 3 business days. Once your application is approved, you will receive an email with instructions on how to complete the course purchase. Your course will show up in Keep Learning Idaho CANVAS within six hours of completing the purchase.

    Courses without Pre-Reqs

    If your course does not require a pre-requisite, you can complete the application and pay for the course all in one step. Your course will show up in Keep Learing Idaho CANVAS within six hours of completing the purchase.

  2. It is recommended that degree seeking students obtain written confirmation that credits earned through ISI will be accepted and applied to their degrees as expected prior to registration.
  3. Review Course Fees and Refund Schedule.
  4. You do not need to apply for admission to any of the cooperating schools.
  5. Order textbooks and other course materials from an online bookseller or from the VandalStore.

LEARN MORE: View Course Registration Help (PDF)

Students have 12 months from registration to finish a course and, if needed, one four-month extension may be purchased. ISI courses match on-campus counterparts in content and standards, with a per-credit workload equivalent to on-campus courses. Expect a minimum of three months to complete most ISI courses.

Students work at their own pace with a weekly assignment submission limit specified on the course Canvas page. Grades are typically received within two weeks, but instructors may take longer based on weekly submission limits. Please allow for additional time during holidays and instructor vacations. For those needing to complete courses in less than three months, email indepst@uidaho.edu before registering.

Students receive grades for assignments within two weeks after the submission date, but instructors are not required to grade faster than the number of assignment submissions allowed per week (see individual course syllabi for details). Additional grading time may be needed during holidays, vacations, or instructor illness.

Some ISI courses host their exams on Canvas, while others require in-person proctoring. If a course requires proctoring, you will need to submit a proctor request form. Email the ISI office for proctor information. Please note: proctored exams are paper-based and are not returned to students.

Student responsibilities for proctored exams:

  • Find a qualified person to proctor exams in an education setting and return exams to the ISI office. (Proctor qualifications are listed on proctor request form.)

  • Complete proctor request form and submit it at least two weeks before the first exam. Each ISI course needing a proctor requires a separate proctor request form.

  • Schedule time with proctor to complete exams.

  • Pay any proctoring fees.

  • Show government issued ID before taking exam.

  • The instructor submits a final course grade after all assignments and exams have been graded.
  • An ISI employee processes the grade card, and the student will receive a Course Completion Letter in their Vandal email account. This letter contains information on how to request a transcript through the course sponsoring institution (all completed courses are recorded on a transcript at the institution that sponsors the course).
  • Wait at least three business days after receiving the Course Completion Letter before contacting the transcript office; the Office of the Registrar must record the grade before the course will appear on a transcript.
  • Official transcripts may be purchased from the credit-granting institution credit-granting institution. ISI does not send out transcripts.
  • For contact information and information on which semester a final grade is recorded on the transcript, see Cooperating Institutions and locate the Transcripts section.

Instructors are available to answer questions concerning grading and may be contacted as specified in Canvas. It can take three business days to receive a response from an instructor.

View the Library Science Sequence of Classes to find the order in which to take classes to meet all prerequisites.

Each member institution of the ISI cooperative (see Cooperating Institutions) is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), the region’s accrediting agency. Independent Study in Idaho is also a member of the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) through the University of Idaho.

See Idaho authorization information for distance education specific to each state.

Location

Independent Study

Physical Address:
Blake House
1150 Blake Ave.
Rooms 205, 206 and 207
Moscow, ID 83844-3081

Mailing Address:

Independent Study in Idaho
University of Idaho
875 Perimeter Drive MS 3081
Moscow, ID 83844-3081

Toll-free: 877-464-3246

Phone: 208-885-6641

Email: indepst@uidaho.edu

Web: Instructor Gradebook Access