COLLEGE OF APPLIED & NATURAL SCIENCES

Distance Education

Online/distance learning is a convenient alternative to the traditional classroom setting. Although online learning is attractive to many who wish to pursue an education while working or maintaining a busy lifestyle, this type of education requires a high level of dedication. Time management and self-discipline are key for a successful online learning experience. Individuals who require substantial one-on-one guidance or personal interactions with their peers may find online learning to be difficult.

It is the goal of the HIIM department to provide superior online education in a convenient and student-friendly environment. Online students receive the same high-quality instruction as their on-campus counterparts and are expected to participate in ways required by each individual professor. Students will communicate with faculty via e-mail, phone, and teleconferencing. Online students are welcome to come and visit the department.  It is located on the 11th floor of Wyly Tower. The learning management system used at Louisiana Tech is Canvas, and lectures are viewed through Mediasite.

Tuition costs for online learning can be found online. 

Online students must also have or acquire the proper technology and technological skills necessary for success in this type of course.  

While tablets, netbooks, smartphones, and other mobile devices may allow for some completion of coursework, they are not a substitute for a computer.  Students must have a Windows- or Mac-based computer available to complete coursework. Students must have access to a reliable, high-speed internet connection.

Transfer Admission and Credit

Students who wish to transfer to Louisiana Tech should refer to the requirements for admission located on the Louisiana Tech Admissions website.

Individuals who wish to transfer credit from coursework completed at another university or college should indicate this while completing the university admission requirements.  Transfer of credits will be determined by the department in which the course would be taken.  Students may reference the Transfer Equivalency System (TES) for an up-to-date library of all of the established equivalencies from institutions that Louisiana Tech has deemed as acceptable for transfer.  Keep in mind that the HIIM department must approve all transfer credits through the College of Applied and Natural Sciences dean’s office. Therefore, all transfer credit including those on TES, must receive written approval before a course will officially be transferred to the student’s degree plan. Prospective transfer students may send unofficial transcripts to the department for a preliminary evaluation of transfer credit, prior to the student’s admission to Louisiana Tech.

Math Placement: Transfer students who do not have credit for the equivalent math prerequisite(s) for the math requirement in their major must satisfy the same placement criteria as entering first year students. This may require submitting ACT/SAT scores, which in most cases are not needed for transfer admission to Louisiana Tech. Transfer credit for prerequisite math courses must be evaluated and approved through the math program before registering for a math or statistics course. If the student does not have ACT or SAT scores on file and has not previously taken a math class, he/she will need to take the Accuplacer Elementary Algebra exam to determine placement.

English Placement: English placement is like math placement in that students who do not have ACT/SAT scores must take the Accuplacer Sentence Skills exam prior to enrolling in an English course.

Proctored Exams

While lectures and assignments can be completed from a student’s home, office, etc., online undergraduate students must take exams in a face-to-face setting with an approved proctor. Graduate students might also be required to take proctored exams; however, this policy will depend on the instructor. Graduate students should abide by the instructor’s policies. Students must secure an approved proctor located near their home who will be available for testing. The approval process is conducted by the HIIM department and should be initiated during the student’s first quarter and renewed each quarter thereafter if proctor information changes. Students are also permitted to use the proctoring service Proctor U. Depending on the testing facility, there may be a fee associated with proctored exams which is not covered by tuition. 

Proctored exams will be required for most HIM courses.  Other courses (such as Management, Clinical Lab) might also require proctored exams.  Students should follow the rules set forth in these courses and should know that there could also be associated proctor fees.