About Distance Education
This section describes how distance education courses work, and the ways in which these educational opportunities can help you reach your learning objectives.
Distance education courses improve accessibility to the University's considerable resources and offer you flexibility in choosing when, where and how you wish to study. Distance education is one way that the University of Guelph's Centre for Open Learning and Educational Support can be your learning connection.
Our Distance Education courses serve degree program students and the general public around the world through our Open Learning program. Most distance education courses count as degree-credit (typically 0.5 credit weight). The outcome of each course offered is noted in the individual course descriptions available on this site.
The University of Guelph's degree-credit courses operate on a three-semester system.
- Fall Semester: September - December
- Winter Semester: January - April
- Summer Semester: May - August
A wide selection of courses is offered each semester from a variety of disciplines, and the distance education courses are equivalent to on-campus courses in terms of curriculum and credit weight.
Course Materials
Generally, each course comes with a manual that may be accompanied by videotapes, DVDs, audiotapes, audio CDs, computer diskettes, CD-ROMs, etc., depending on the nature of the course. Most distance education courses may be taken online via the World Wide Web, many of which incorporate computer conferencing, e-mail and computer-based quizzes. Please visit Open Online, our online learning portal, to learn more about our approach to web-based courses.
Most courses also have required textbooks which can be purchased in person, or by phone or fax, from The University Bookstore or The Guelph Campus Co-op Bookstore. Textbook information is available on the course offerings page.
Courses packages are sent out to learners before the start of the course. During the course, learners may interact with instructors, tutors and other learners via phone and/or computer (e-mail or computer conferencing). Assignments are sent in by regular mail, fax or electronically via the course website. Assignments are then marked and returned to learners in similar fashion.
Generally, those within 100 kilometers of Guelph come to campus to write final examinations. However, at the request of the student, arrangements can be made for learners to write examinations with a pre-approved invigilator (examination supervisor) at an alternate exam location.
Prerequisites
Many courses require prior completion of a specific course or courses. If you believe that you have requisite educational, work or life experience, you may apply for a waiver of the prerequisite(s). Contact the Open Learning program Counsellor at 519 824-4120, ext. 56050 if you have any questions. You may be required to provide documentation, (e.g. a transcript, course outline, etc).
Technology and Resource Requirements
If a given distance education course has specific technology or resource requirements, this will be indicated in the detailed course information.
Library Access
The University of Guelph is a member of the Tri University Group of libraries (TUG), along with the libraries at Wilfrid Laurier University and the University of Waterloo. The combined collections of the TUG libraries include approximately 7.5 million books, government documents, periodicals, microfilms, maps, films, videotapes, compact discs, manuscripts and archival materials.
Material from the TUG libraries is available for learners at a distance through loans, electronic access to full-text journal articles and a journal article retrieval service. Learners at a distance can conduct searches of the catalogue as well as electronic abstracts and indexes for journal articles over the World Wide Web through TRELLIS, the TUG library and information system.
Some web-based courses have "electronic reading rooms" where learners can access background material online.
Learners at a distance can also use libraries closer to where they live.
Library staff are available for consultation about these services and to provide reference assistance.
Visit the University of Guelph Library website for more information.
Academic Rules and Regulations
The Open Learning program handbook contains details of the University of Guelph’s academic and administration rules and regulation that apply to Open Learning program students. Students are responsible to familiarize themselves with this information. A PDF version of the handbook is available here. You may request a print version be mailed to you by contacting the Centre for Open Learning and Educational Support.
Skills Required for Courses at a Distance
Learning at a distance requires self-discipline, persistence and good time management and organizational skills.
Distance education courses require a significant amount of reading, writing, reflection, interaction, and completion of activities and assignments. A general rule of thumb is that you should expect to spend 10 hours per week for each course taken. There is, however, some variation depending on the nature of assignments and instructor requirements. The most successful distance learners establish a study routine and schedule early in the semester.
The Learner Resources section of this website provides additional information to help you be successful in the pursuit of your learning goals.
Course Fees
Tuition, resources fees and other related fees are indicated in the listings for each course. Generally, the base cost per course is CDN$619. This includes a non-refundable CDN$75 resources fee. Tuition fees for Open Learning certificate and diploma programs may differ. Check individual program websites for current fees.
Those who are not Canadian citizens or landed immigrants are required to pay the International Student fee of CDN$1767 per degree-credit course. All fees are subject to change.