Off-Campus Credit Courses and Programs
Iowa State University remains true to the land-grant tradition of extending knowledge far beyond campus borders. Annually thousands of students enroll in ISU courses without setting foot in Ames. In addition to the traditional method of Iowa State University instructors traveling to classrooms off campus, technology has provided new ways for Iowa State University faculty to reach out to students. Iowa State University offers distance education courses over the Iowa Communications Network (ICN), by videotape and on the World Wide Web.

Courses are the same as those offered on campus, carry residential credit, and are taught by ISU faculty members. Credit earned in off-campus courses becomes a part of your academic record at Iowa State University and may be used to meet degree requirements in the same manner as credit earned on campus.

ISU Extended and Continuing Education personnel provide leadership and support to faculty in their efforts to identify the needs of Iowans and to reach and satisfy adult learners who wish to earn college credit without attending classes on campus. The Extended and Continuing Education staff also helps off-campus students access student services and information at Iowa State. 
For a list of currently available courses or to request specific courses and programs, see www.lifelearner.iastate.edu, or contact Extended and Continuing Education in Ames (515) 294-6222 or (800) 262-0015.

Also, the following ISU Extension offices can provide additional information: 
ISU Outreach Center in Cedar Rapids 
(319) 398-1272
ISU Outreach Center in Ottumwa 
(515) 682-8324
ISU Industry Outreach Center in Cedar Falls (319) 266-3260
ISU Outreach Center in Urbandale 
(515) 727-0656
ISU Outreach Center in Mason City 
(641) 424-5432
ISU Outreach Center in Sioux City 
(712) 274-0048
Southwest Area Outreach in Lewis 
(712) 769-2600

Some off-campus credit courses are offered to serve the special interests or needs of a particular group. Often courses are offered to fulfill certification or degree program objectives. Following are descriptions of the off-campus programs currently offered from Iowa State University: 

College of Agriculture
The faculty of the College of Agriculture offers one bachelor's and three master's degrees off-campus. For information on any of the programs, e-mail proaginfo@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-1438 or (800) 747-4478.

Bachelor of Science in Professional Agriculture
In Iowa via the Iowa Communications Network; U.S. and Canada via videotape and the World Wide Web

Students who have completed or are in the process of completing foundation college courses, and want an agriculture degree, can tailor their program in professional agriculture based on their interests and goals. First delivered off-campus in 1991, the program provides a high-quality, flexible curriculum. The degree program appeals to a diverse group of students, including those who left college years ago without a degree to those who need new knowledge to use on-the-job or for career enhancement.

The course of study encompasses three major areas: animal ecology and sciences, agricultural social sciences and economics, and plant and soil sciences. The agricultural course work, a minimum of 45 credits, is a well-rounded mix of topics. All 15 departments in the College of Agriculture participate in the degree program. Students take a portion of their course work, particularly non-agriculture courses, from colleges in close proximity to their home and transfer the credits to ISU.

Master of Agriculture
In Iowa via the Iowa Communications Network; U.S. and Canada via videotape and the World Wide Web 

The Master of Agriculture prepares students for a proactive role in addressing and responding to personal, professional, and societal issues and challenges in a changing agriculture and food system. The intent of the program is to enable agriculturists to grow and develop as professionals, positioning them for emerging opportunities within or outside their current employment. Individuals enroll in the Master of Agriculture program for a variety of reasons, which include career advancement, teacher certification renewal, professional development, or personal interests. 

The core 13 credits of the program consists of a set of courses and workshops that emphasize leadership development, technological change, use of statistics, economic issues, and sustainability issues. The remaining 14 credits, are selected in consultation with a graduate committee to meet the student’s needs and interests. The program capstone is a creative component of four credits that lets students explore a particular interest area. The creative component is a demonstration of independent creativity with a written report of laboratory, field, or library research. The nonthesis off-campus program began in 1979.

Master of Science in Agronomy
U.S. and Canada via the World Wide Web and CD-ROM

Iowa State's first computer-based degree program, the professional Master of Science in Agronomy, debuted in 1998. The degree program emphasizes practical, professional and technical skills involved in crop management, soil and water management, and integrated pest management. Most of the program is accessed remotely, however, the orientation session, a summer workshop and a creative component seminar require travel to the Ames campus. 
The curriculum consists of 12 courses plus a one-credit workshop and a three-credit creative component, for a total of 30 credits. The course prerequisites for admission to the program are limited to fundamental agriculture courses, recognizing that many potential students in the degree program will not have majored in agronomy as undergraduates. Generally, students who have completed a degree from a College of Agriculture will meet the requirements.

Master of Science in Microbiology 
U.S. and Canada via videotape and the World Wide Web
The Department of Microbiology offers the non-thesis master program in microbiology. The program is designed primarily for working professionals who do not intend to continue work towards a doctor of philosophy. The program is 30 credits, not including research, and includes five credits of creative component. At least 25 credits must be in didactic courses. 

College of Business
A Master of Business Administration is offered in Des Moines as part of ISU's initiative in the capital city. 

Master of Business Administration
On-site evenings in Des Moines
The Des Moines MBA program debuted fall semester 1999. Currently, classes meet twice per week from 5:45-9:15 p.m. For information, e-mail busgrad@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-8188 or (877) ISU-4MBA.

College of Education
The College of Education endeavors to identify needs of educators across the state and provide suitable courses and programs to satisfy those needs.

Certificate of Advanced Studies
Superintendent Certification 
In Iowa via the Iowa Communications Network
A post master's curriculum of 30 credit hours provides training for the school superintendent license. The program stresses administrative and leadership skills, including knowledge of child and adolescent development, the educational environment, curriculum and instructional practice, and law and ethics. The program also includes management of systems, personnel and finances, interpersonal communication and community relationships. Call (515) 294-5450 or (800) 262-0015.

Community College Induction/Mentoring (CCIM)
On-site at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), Ankeny

CCIM is a 12-credit teacher education program designed for community college and secondary occupational instructors who are new to teaching, yet have years of professional technical experience in business and industry. The program is four courses delivered over 21 months. A cohort group begins the sequence of 14 seminars together and "graduates" together. CCIM uses a support network pairing new teachers with mentor teachers. Mentors regularly visit classrooms, demonstrate lesson plans and serve as a local resource for assignments given during monthly seminars. The courses may be applied to State of Iowa community college vocational-technical, and 7-12 grades provisional occupational endorsements. For more information, call (515) 294-4750 or (800) 262-0015.

Master of Education in Educational Leadership
In Iowa at selected Area Education Association sites 

A master's program of 40 credits, called PREparation for LEADership, or PreLEAD, leads to licensing as a school administrator. Courses are structured to build leadership skills in organizational processes, scope and framework of schools, and interpersonal dimensions. The PreLEAD program sequence is five semesters and two summers long. The program includes a field experience of fifty-days to be completed in a mentor principal's school over the course of several terms. Each fall, new cohort groups begin the program. For information, call (515) 294-5785 or 
(800) 262-0015.

Master of Education in Educational Leadership
On-site at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), Ankeny
First offered off-campus in 1999, the non-thesis master's program in Organizational Learning and Human resource Development provides the knowledge and skills for leadership roles in public and private organizations. The program focuses on the role and function of learning, change, and performance management in effective organizations. 

Develop the skills and knowledge to design, manage, and evaluate organizational learning and human resources development efforts. The program is 36 credits including a three-credit creative component. For information, call (515) 294-2163 or (800) 262-0015.

Master of Education in Higher Education
On-site at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), Ankeny
The Teaching and Learning for Community Colleges (TL2C2) is for mid-career faculty who have a passion for providing teaching and learning leadership. TL2C2 helps community college faculty maximize their own effectiveness as educators, as well as the students' potential for learning. This is a 30 credit-hour graduate program that leads to a master's degree in higher education with an emphasis in community colleges, or applies up to 30 credit-hours towards a Ph.D. in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies Department.

The program features an integrated curriculum, offering exposure to the wide variety of related subject matter simultaneously. This is a unique opportunity to learn teaching and leadership skills to move from an instructional paradigm to the learning paradigm; from providing instruction to students to facilitating "learning in learners", to discover and teach the many ways in which learning can be stimulated in every student; and to implement learning environments that address multiple learning styles and needs. For information, call (515) 294-1241 or (800) 262-0015.

College of Engineering
As one of the first universities in the nation to offer videotaped credit courses for practicing engineers, Iowa State University has 28 years of experience working with off-campus students. For information about the five degree programs offered off-campus, call (515) 294-7470 or (800) 854-1675. 

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
At Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids and elsewhere in Iowa via the Iowa Communications Network

The College of Engineering and local community colleges can develop a distance education program for an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering. Students may transfer up to 65 hours of basic work to ISU from a community college. In some cases, credit from four-year colleges or other universities may also be transferred. Classes are scheduled in the early morning and late afternoon hours to fit around work schedules.
The distance education program is built around a cycle of courses that begins each summer. Many students are able to finish five courses a year (one in the summer and two each in the fall and spring) and complete the degree program in four calendar years. The bachelor's degree requires a total of 126.5 semester credits. 

Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering
U.S. and Canada industry sites via videotape
A professional degree, the Master of Engineering in Systems Engineering, is designed to enable engineers, regardless of undergraduate discipline, to develop the analytical abilities needed to design, evaluate and build complex systems involving many components and demanding specifications. The program supports work across disciplinary boundaries and provides opportunities to develop management capabilities needed in today's work environment.

The College of Engineering developed this broad-based degree program in 1995 for engineers employed in a wide variety of industries. The degree is 30 semester credit hours, including 27 credits of formal course work distributed among four broad groups. The final three credits are a creative component, individual study on a topic with significant systems engineering content; the project may be work related if it extends beyond on-the-job assignments. 

Master of Science in Computer Engineering
Master of Science in Electrical Engineering
U.S. and Canada to industry sites via videotape

The College of Engineering at Iowa State University, in cooperation with the University of Iowa and local industries, offers two off-campus Master of Science programs. Each program totals 30 graduate credits; a thesis or non-thesis option may be selected. The thesis option is recommended for those who intend to continue toward the doctor of philosophy degree or a career in research and development. The nonthesis Master of Science degree requires a creative component. A typical schedule might include one class per semester, allowing students to finish the entire graduate program in five years. 

Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering
In Iowa to industry sites via the Iowa Communications Network and video-conferencing

Following a successful pilot with students at John Deere in Dubuque and Waterloo during 1998-1999, the mechanical engineering master's program is open to additional industries. 

The graduate program offers study including design and research, in fluid mechanics, turbomachinery, fluid power, controls, heat transfer, machines and systems, materials and manufacturing processes, thermodynamics, and energy utilization. Instrumentation, design of experiments, and computational methods may be applied to any of these areas. The program offers a thesis and non-thesis option. The non-thesis option, includes a creative component that demonstrates substantial evidence of individual accomplishment. A typical schedule includes one course per semester, allowing students to finish the degree program in three to five years. 

College of Family and Consumer Sciences 
The college offers two certification programs and a master's degree off-campus. 
Empowerment Skills for Family Workers
On-site at a central Iowa location

A new comprehensive training and development program is designed to empower frontline workers with skills and competencies needed to help families identify and reach their goals for self-reliance and interdependence. The program includes sessions on achieving healthy self-reliance; building mutually respectful relationships with families; communicating effectively with skill and soul; home visiting; ongoing assessment; accessing specialized services; cultural competence; facilitating family conferences and groups; and collaboration. This program is approved by the Family Development and Self-Sufficiency (FaDSS) Council of Iowa. For information, call (515) 294-6622 or (800) 262-0015.

Financial Counselor Certification
U.S. and Canada via the World Wide Web 

New fall 2000, the Financial Counselor Certification is a joint effort between Iowa State University's Financial Counseling Clinic and ISU Extension to provide high quality educational training for financial counselors. The certification program provides skills and training to individuals that work with families in making financial decisions. The program is based on a solution-focused approach that provides training in three primary areas: personal/family finance, credit, and counseling. The four-course program is available online and consists of five total college credits. For information, call (515) 294-8644 or (800) 262-0015.

Master of Family and Consumer Sciences 
In Iowa via the Iowa Communications Network 

Delivered off-campus since 1994, the non-thesis Master of Family and Consumer Sciences is designed for working professionals to enhance skills in their current position and increase their chances for promotion. The comprehensive degree requires a minimum of 18-21 credits in two or more of the College of Family and Consumer Sciences departments:
• Family and Consumer Sciences Education and Studies
• Food Science and Human Nutrition
• Hotel, Restaurant, and Institution Management
• Human Development and Family Studies
• Textiles and Clothing

At least six credits must be earned in each of the selected departments. In addition, credits are required in research methods and statistics. With electives, the degree program totals 36 credits. For information, e-mail mfcsinfo@iastate.edu or call (515) 294-5982 or (800) 262-0015.

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The political science and mathematics departments offer graduate-level programs off-campus. The Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree combines courses from the entire college and can cross over into other colleges at Iowa State. 

Bachelor of Liberal Studies 
On-site at Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC), Ankeny and via the World Wide Web

The Bachelor of Liberal Studies (BLS) is a general studies degree in the liberal arts. It offers the opportunity to earn a degree with the flexibility to choose courses based on a student’s interest and goals. Instead of a traditional major, students select course work from three of the following five distribution areas: humanities, communications and arts, natural sciences and mathematical disciplines, social sciences, and professional fields. 

The BLS degree is offered with similar requirements by all three Iowa regent universities, and provides a framework to assemble all the educational opportunities available locally into a coherent four-year educational program. Up to three-fourths of the total degree requirements can be transferred from accredited institutions. Credits can be earned by proficiency or test-out examinations. Admission to the BLS program is granted after students complete an associate in arts or associate in science degree from an accredited two-year college or complete at least 62 semester credits acceptable toward graduation at ISU with a grade-point average of at least 2.0. The BLS degree program totals 124 semester credits. For information, call (515) 294-4831 or 
(800) 262-0015. 

Certificate of Public Management
In Iowa via the Iowa Communications Network and on-site in Des Moines

Designed for active public administrators who wish to pursue a quality program within a reasonable time frame, the certificate program improves or refreshes skills while on the job. The 15-credit graduate study program includes at least nine credits from core and methods courses. The remaining six credits are selected from a list of electives. 
To enter the certificate program, applicants must be accepted into the Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree program. All courses taken towards the certificate may be applied to the MPA without further admissions requirements. For information, call 
(515) 294-3764 or (800) 262-0015. 

Master of Public Administration
On-site in Des Moines

Students prepare for a career in the public sector or for further graduate work in political science and related areas with the Master of Public Administration. The degree is designed to improve the level of performance of public managers and administrators in government and not-for-profit organizations. Students become skilled at conducting research and preparing thorough research summaries. Graduates can identify and address complex political questions, taking into account related ethical, legal, economics, and social issues. 
The program, totaling 37 credits, includes core and methods courses central to both the theory and practice of public management, a concentration area for specialization, and a creative component. Students select from these concentration areas: public management; public policy analysis; and public budgeting and finance. For information, call (515) 294-3764 or (800) 262-0015.

Master of School Mathematics 
In Iowa via the Iowa Communications Network

The Master of School Mathematics (MSM) program is designed for current secondary mathematics teachers. The degree program is built on three themes: 
• enhancement of knowledge of geometry, calculus, and discrete mathematics
• importance of problem solving in learning and teaching mathematics

• use of computing technology in learning and teaching mathematics.
The course work includes geometry, topics in discrete optimization, intermediate calculus, a seminar on current literature in mathematics education, a statistics course, electives, and a creative component, totaling 36 semester credits. The creative component may be taken during a summer, with most of the actual research and writing done during the preceding year. For information, e-mail: msm@math.iastate.edu or call (515) 294-8169 or (800) 262-0015. 

Continuing Education Units
Extended and Continuing Education awards Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for short courses, workshops, and other educational activities sponsored by Iowa State University which do not carry academic credit. A given activity may award CEUs to some participants and academic credit to others, under the following policies:

1. The activity must be administered through Iowa State University Extended and Continuing Education. 

2. The dual arrangement must have received prior approval by the department head or chair, upon recommendation of the course instructor and the department curriculum committee

3. Participants may enroll for either CEUs or for credit, but not for both. 

4. Credit enrollees must meet the same academic standards they would have to meet if the course did not also award CEUs to some participants. 

5. Assignments for credit enrollees must be clearly articulated. Substantial sequential learning experiences and careful evaluation of outcomes are required for academic course credit; these standards will not be reduced to accommodate the participation of CEU learners. Whenever graduate credit is offered, course prerequisites will be enforced and not routinely waived.

Once CEUs have been awarded, no participant may change his or her enrollment to academic credit. Standard university policies for determining fees will be applied to all participants, depending on the status of their enrollment. 

Participants must be informed ahead of time that once CEUs have been awarded to them, Iowa State cannot and will not convert them to academic credit. Further, a student can switch from CEU to credit during an offering only at the discretion of the course instructor.