•How do Anytime/Anywhere courses work?
•Are these quality classes?
•When can I start?
•Do I have to be a Kirkwood student to enroll?
•What qualifications are needed to be a Kirkwood student?
•What does the number 7 mean behind some of the courses?
•Will credits transfer?
•Does Kirkwood accept classes transferred from other schools?
•Can I get an AA degree taking Anytime/Anywhere classes?
•How much time do I have to finish the class?
•How do I take tests?
•How do I know what books I need?
•How do I order and pay for books for credit and Continuing Education courses?
•What if I'm taking an online course and have problems with my Internet connection?
•Where can I get help if I'm not doing well in my credit classes?
•Do I need to take placement tests for credit courses?
•Anytime/Anywhere Registration Restriction
How do Anytime/Anywhere courses work? back to top
Anytime/Anywhere courses offer you the flexibility of studying and taking exams at a time that fits your schedule. Each course has been carefully designed by a qualified, experienced teacher, who is available to answer your questions, respond to your assignments and grade your exams. For most courses, you finish the work in 16 (12 weeks for the summer term) weeks following the schedule provided in the course guide (online or in print) and tells you everything you need to know about the course requirements.
Are these quality classes?back to top
Anytime/Anywhere classes are designed by Kirkwood faculty to meet the academic objectives established for that course, regardless of the format in which it is offered. If you take a course in a distance format, your workload will be the same as if you took it in a classroom and you will have assignments that meet the same objectives. Kirkwood is dedicated to providing quality education regardless of the delivery method, and we have a Quality Assurance Statement that details the steps we take to assure quality in our distance programming.
When can I start?back to top
Courses offered for fall and spring semester begin the first week of the regular semester. Some courses may also have a later start available (approximately 8 weeks into the semester). Courses offered for summer will begin only the first week of the first/full session. You may register for Anytime/Anywhere courses just as you do for any Kirkwood course during our open registration periods. Please note that Anytime/Anywhere courses fill up just like traditional courses, so you should register as soon as possible.
Do I have to be a Kirkwood student to enroll?back to top
If you are interested in taking credit classes, you will need to fill out a free Kirkwood Application for Admission regardless if you are a degree or non-degree seeking student. It just takes a few minutes and you can submit your application online. After your application is processed, you will then be able to register. For questions about applying or enrolling, contact the One Stop office.
What qualifications must be met to become a Kirkwood student?back to top
Kirkwood has an open door policy, so if you're eighteen or over we will accept you as a student. We'll also accept you if you are high school-aged and being home schooled or if your high school writes us a letter supporting your application. If you have specific questions, you can contact the Admissions Office or call 319-398-5517.
What does "7 county" mean? back to top
Some Anytime/Anywhere courses require access to a Kirkwood center, usually because specific media or software is required for assignments or tests that are part of the course. These courses are indicated as "7 County" courses in the schedule.
Will credits transfer?back to top
Credit course transfer is a decision made by the receiving school, not the school that offers the course. A good rule of thumb you can use: If a course transfers in its traditional delivery format, then it will transfer in an Anytime/Anywhere format. Check with the Kirkwood Advising Center or contact the school in which you plan to transfer credit prior to taking the class. High school students should consult with their high school counselor.
Does Kirkwood accept classes transferred from other schools?back to top
Yes. Kirkwood accepts credits transferred from other accredited colleges and universities. It depends entirely on the major or course of study the student is seeking. The student should contact the Advising Center or the program coordinator for a specific major. Students need to complete 16 hours of Kirkwood credits (usually five or six courses) in order to receive a Kirkwood degree, but those credits don't have to be earned consecutively or as the last credits earned.
Can I get an AA degree taking Anytime/Anywhere classes?back to top
Yes you can earn your associate's degree in liberal arts in two years taking Anytime/Anywhere courses. You can transfer credit from other colleges and universities to apply towards your associate's degree. You'll need to earn a minimum of 16 credit hours from Kirkwood toward the 62 hours required for graduation. After you complete your associate's degree, you can transfer your credits to a four-year college or university. For more information about transferring courses, contact an advisor.
How much time do I have to finish the class?back to top
Fall and spring courses have up to sixteen weeks from the designated starting date to finish. Summer courses will normally finish within 12 weeks. Many courses will allow you to finish in less time but at the discretion of the instructor.
How do I take tests?back to top
Most credit courses require one or more monitored exams. If you live near a Kirkwood Center, your exam can be monitored there. You can also make arrangements with a college testing center/library or library near you. You will need to talk to the monitor at that school/library and get the required information. Once you have provided our office with this information (either by mailing an exam request form or filling the form out online) we will send the exams to the monitor along with postage-paid envelopes. If the test center or monitor you select charges any fees, you are responsible for paying those costs. For more information, please check our Taking Exams page.
How do I know what books I need?back to top
Book information can be found online at http://www.kirkwoodbookstore.com/ by entering the course synonym and section numbers. Be sure to select ATAW & Online Classes, then click Course Materials at the top.
How do I order and pay for books for credit courses?back to top
To order by mail:
- Print out a list of the books you need from the bookstore website.
(This screen will tell you how much the books cost.)
- Print the book order form and use the website information to fill it in.
- Follow directions on the form to send it to the bookstore with payment.
- You can pay either by check or credit card. See the order form for details.
- If you are eligible for financial aid, you may be able to charge the books to your financial aid account. If you have questions, check the Financial Aid home page or call 319-398-7600.
You may order books online at http://www.kirkwoodbookstore.com/
Books can also be purchased at the Cedar Rapids campus bookstore in Benton Hall, or at the Iowa City campus bookstore.
What if I'm taking an online course and have problems with my Internet connection?back to top
Check with your Internet service provider. Make sure you also call your instructor so he or she knows why you haven't been communicating online. If it is a Angel delivered class, contact the eLearning help desk at 1-800-505-5221 or 319-398-7621.
Where can I get help if I'm not doing well in my credit classes?back to top
Contact your instructor first, as soon as you have a question or feel you are having a problem. Don't be bashful about it. Nobody knows the course better than the teacher. You can get two free hours of tutoring per week at the Cedar Rapids or Iowa City campus, or any Kirkwood center.
Do I need to take placement tests for credit courses?back to top
Kirkwood uses standardized test scores to help place you in appropriate levels of writing and math, so if you are planning on taking classes in those areas you will need to submit scores or show a transcript which indicates you have met the prerequisites for the course you wish to take.
You can sign up for courses in areas other than writing and math without having placement test scores. The course requirements page will tell you what prerequisites are required for that course.
We accept ACT, Asset and Compass scores if the test has been taken within the past two years. If you have taken one of these tests more than two years ago or have taken a different placement test, like the SAT, contact the Advising, Testing and Transfer Center for advice.
Asset and Compass tests can be taken at any Kirkwood center and are also available at many community colleges across the country. At the main Kirkwood campus, Asset and Compass can be taken on a walk-in basis — no pre-registration is necessary — and there is no charge. You must, however, bring a photo ID. If you would like to take the test at one of the Kirkwood centers, contact them ahead of time for the hours testing is available and other special arrangements. If you are unable to take the Compass test at a Kirkwood site, call the Test Center at 319-398-5456 or fill out this form to schedule the test at a location more convenient to you
Information about ACT testing dates, places and fees are available on the ACT web site, or you can contact your local high school which should have the information.
Anytime/Anywhere Registration Restriction back to top
Students who fail two or more Anytime/Anywhere classes within the previous two years will have a registration restriction placed on their record. The restriction prevents registration in ATAW classes until the F or FW grades are removed from the transcript, or the two year period has passed. Removal of failing grades can be accomplished by repeating the courses in the classroom for a better grade, or approval of a petition for policy waiver allowing withdrawal from those classes.
Note: This registration restriction does not prevent students from enrolling in face-to-face or hybrid format classes, only Anytime/Anywhere classes.
