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Frequently Asked Questions
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How do I apply to KSU Online?
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The application process and requirements are the same regardless of whether students
will be online learners or on-campus, and includes completing the online application, submitting all required documentation, and paying the application fee.
Students should contact either the Office of Undergraduate Admissions or the Office of Graduate Admissions for more information regarding the admissions process, standards and requirements, and for any questions or concerns regarding university admissions.
Additionally, online students are held to the same application and document deadlines
that are posted in the Academic Calendars provided by the Office of the Registrar.
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Will my credits transfer?
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If you are interested in learning about how credits transfer from another institution,
please visit the Office of the Registrar's Transfer Evaluation Services.
Transfer evaluations for undergraduate applicants are based on several criteria and
are performed by the Office of the Registrar during the admissions process. Begin
by reviewing the Transfer Articulation from your institution to equivalent courses
at Kennesaw State University using the Course Transfer Search Engine.
Graduate applicants should contact the program to which they are applying to obtain information regarding transfer of credits into that specific program.
Digital Learning Innovations does not perform unofficial transcript evaluations for students.
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How do I get credit for my CLEP tests, AP courses, prior work experiences, or other learning (Prior Learning Assessment)?
The Council of Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) refers to Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) as the process of earning college credit for college-level learning acquired from other sources, such as work experience, professional training, military training, or open-source learning from the web.
The PLA process at KSU is a tool used to assess and evaluate prior learning to help students advance their graduation plan. PLA is available to all students fully admitted to KSU. Prior learning can be assessed in several ways:
- Portfolio-based Assessment - Evaluations of student portfolios developed with help
from an advisor.
- Advanced Placement (AP) exams - A series of tests developed by the College Board initially for AP High School courses, including 34 exams in 19 subject areas.
- College Level Examination Program (CLEP) exams - Tests of college material offered by the College Board.
- DSST exams - over 30 exams provide an effective method for evidencing prior learning.
DSST funds the exams for active-duty military and their spouses however DSST tests
are not just for those in the military. For more information, please visit the DSST website.
- Challenge Exams - tests developed by a KSU college or department to verify learning achievement.
A student may receive up to 30 semester hours of credit by CLEP, AP, IB, and Institutional examination. A maximum of 24 semester hours may be awarded for International Baccalaureate (IB) courses.
KSU awards credit for the Advanced Placement Program (AP) tests administered by the
College Entrance Examination Board. Students should contact the College Board to request electronic submission of official AP scores to KSU. Credit is not awarded
based upon high school or college transcripts. Please visit the Transfer Services page for more information on course equivalents.
All examination credits count as credit earned (with a grade of "K") toward graduation
in terms of hours earned and course credit earned. Credits earned by exam do not apply
toward institutional graduation residency requirements and are not calculated in the
adjusted grade point average (AGPA). Please visit KSU Prior Learning Assessment for more information.
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Can international, transfer students, or dual enrollment students apply?
| Yes! International students are welcome. There are important steps to take to ensure a successful international application to KSU. These key factors will help you determine your eligibility to apply as an international student. Refer to the International Requirements for additional information. |
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When is the deadline to apply to KSU Online?
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What kinds of fees will I pay for online classes?
| Currently, student fees for online courses are less than for on-campus courses. Information regarding fees can be found on the Tuition and Fees webpage. |
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Are books and materials included?
Not usually. Books, materials, supplies, technology, course-specific fees, and any other costs are the student's responsibility, but some courses use free or low-cost materials. |
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Can I use financial aid for online classes?
Yes! Online students have access to the same financial aid opportunities as on-campus students, including using the HOPE Scholarship, other scholarships, grants, loans, and work study opportunities.
The Office of Student Financial Aid has additional information regarding financial aid opportunities. |
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When can I expect to hear back about whether I have been accepted?
KSU accepts students on a rolling basis once the application window opens. Applicants may check the status of their application by logging into the application site. Once a decision has been made, an official letter will be sent to the applicant.
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Is Online Learning right for me?
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What are the benefits of online learning?
Online learning provides considerable freedom, allowing students to often choose when and where they'll participate in class activities. For many, online learning offers access to education not previously available. It also provides a solution to flexibility needs, work and travel responsibilities, and family challenges.
- Save time and money spent commuting to a campus
- Continue working at your current job while you are taking classes
- Attend your class from anywhere with a high-speed Internet connection
- Learn at your own pace and study at your convenience
- Learn new technologies
- Receive the same education as an on-campus student
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What are the challenges of online learning?
| Self-motivation and discipline are required to succeed in online learning courses. A successful online learning experience requires basic technology familiarity. For students needing a technology refresher, resources are available for students through KSU’s University Information Technology Services. It is also strongly recommended that students have ready access to a computer or laptop with high-speed Internet access. Online courses will require students to download and access course materials. Online learning success depends on preparation, motivation, dedication, and planning. |
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How does online learning work at KSU?
Students will have the same kinds of deadlines and structured responsibilities of a face-to-face class. In other words, flexibility must be balanced by responsibility. Like a face-to-face course, online courses require assignments to be completed by due dates, your attendance (via logins to your course), involvement in online discussions, and sometimes group collaboration. Most students enjoy the active and self-directed learning that online classes involve. |
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Will I have to be online at a specific time?
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Not typically, as most of the courses offered at KSU Online are asynchronous, meaning that you may complete them at your own time and in your own place. However, some of our asynchronous courses also include a synchronous component in which the instructor facilitates a lecture via a virtual meeting space, such as MS Teams or Zoom.
There are also some asynchronous online courses that have synchronous online sessions in which the online students can interact with classroom-based students in real-time, and these sessions are typically arranged during evening courses. While these sessions are not always required for online students, it is strongly encouraged that online students attend if able. The synchronous online sessions are generally recorded and posted to the courses' D2L page for review by those students unable to attend.
Alternatively, some online courses are mostly synchronous. In synchronous online courses, classes meet at a particular place and time and in a virtual space.
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What is the online classroom like?
KSU uses Desire2Learn (D2L) Brightspace as the learning management system (LMS) for our online courses. While using an LMS for all online courses can help students know how to navigate their courses, all courses and instructors are different.
Learn more about how to use and navigate D2L. |
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How long are online classes?
| KSU Online courses follow the same semester scheduling as our on-campus programs.
There are three primary semesters available: Fall, Spring, and Summer. Fall and Spring
semesters are either seven or 15-weeks long, and the summer semesters range from four
to ten weeks depending on the program. Please visit the Academic Calendar for more details. |
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Will I ever have to come to campus for an online class?
KSU Online programs are either 100% online or 95% online. Students in the 100% online program are not required to come to campus to meet degree requirements. Students in the 95% online program may be required to attend some aspect(s) of their program on-campus such as an orientation or internship. Students should reach out to their specific program of interest for requirements. |
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What is the difference between an online course and a hybrid course?
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Online courses at KSU are 95% or more distance education courses. Online learners may live in diverse areas and time zones, though occasionally a faculty member may request a campus visit for a class orientation or testing. A proctored exam alternative is available for students residing 50 miles or more from campus. It is the student's responsibility to get proctor approval from the instructor before scheduling a proctored examination.
Hybrid courses at KSU are 50% or less on-campus classroom-based courses, and 50% or more distance education. Therefore, hybrid courses replace one or more on-campus classroom meetings per week with distance education pedagogy and technologies. During these online replacement classes, students can expect out-of-class activities conducted via the Learning Management System. These activities may include discussion forums, virtual team meetings, wiki and blog activities, and self-guided assessments and evaluations.
Online programs at KSU do not require on-campus or hybrid courses as part of the graduation requirements.
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