Extension Policies and Governance
Please visit the followingExtension Policies pageto review the regulations governing Texas State Extension Studies.
Online Learning Self-Assessment
Before enrolling in an online course, take theOnline Learning Readiness Self-Assessment. This self-assessment will help you determine if online courses are a good fit for you. Answer the assessment questions, and you will be given recommendations for success in online learning.
Students Applying for Graduate Courses
Applicants interested in enrolling in a 5000 level or above extension coursewho are not Texas State graduate studentsmust first contact theTexas State Graduate College. This step must be completed before registration can be finalized into a graduate-level course.
Required Meningitis Vaccination
As of January 1, 2012, Texas law requires that all new college students under 23 years old must be immunized against bacterial meningitis before they enroll in an institution of higher education. State law mandates that first-time college students, students transferring from another institution, and students who are re-enrolling following a break of at least one fall or spring semester be inoculated against the illness.
It is imperative that students who plan to enroll in a Texas State Extension course or program that includes any contact with the Texas State campus be vaccinated. Under the law, new college students must have received the vaccine within the past five years. Proof of inoculation or exemption is required upon enrollment. If you are 23 years old or older, you are exempt from the requirement under state law. Students who are not vaccinated cannot register for classes until proof of vaccination or exemption has been submitted.
Extension studies students enrolled in a course or program that includes any contact with the Texas State campus must file proof that they have received the vaccination or are exempt by the specified deadline. Students may purchase the vaccination through the Texas State Student Health Center, through an area public health clinic, or from another provider. More information is available from theTexas State Student Health Center.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Federal financial aid and Pell Grant programs require that students be enrolled in programs leading to a degree or some other educational credential to be eligible for financial aid. Students enrolled solely in extension studies courses may not be eligible. Please contact theTexas State Office of Financial Aid and Scholarshipsfor more information. Extension courses are considered part of your course load for the purpose of determining eligibility for the amount of federal financial aid received by Texas State students. If you have questions regarding financial aid and scholarships, contact theTexas State Office of Financial Aid and Scholarshipsat 512.245.2315.
Note:Students interested in a Study-in-America program should begin investigating the funding options as soon as possible. These options may include grants, personal savings, scholarships, and loans.
Texas State Students' GPA
Extension coursework completed through Texas State counts toward a student's GPA and may be applied toward residency requirements for graduation with a bachelor's degree. Hours and grades earned through Texas State extension courses are counted in the hours required to be eligible for Dean's List and in the GPA calculation for Dean's List. Also, hours earned through Texas State extension courses are counted in the hours required to be eligible to graduate with honors and in the GPA calculation for honors.
If registration in extension courses will create an academic overload, students must have prior, written approval from their college dean and chair. A maximum of 30 semester hours for Texas State credit may be completed through a combination of correspondence and extension courses. Students are responsible for ascertaining whether or not credit for an extension course will apply to a particular program.
Course Tuition Costs
Course tuition and any applicable fees will be applied to your regular Texas State bill. All university policies regarding installments, course drops, and refunds apply.
Tuition rates for courses offered through Extension Studies can be found on ourExtension Course Costs page.
Course Drops and Refund Policy
The course drop procedures for dropping an extension course are the same as those for dropping a regular on-campus course. Refer to theAcademic Calendarfor deadlines for dropping with a 100% refund and for deadlines for dropping and receiving an automatic "W." Failure to drop a course before the automatic "W" deadline may result in a reduction of GPA due to an “F” being assigned. Refer to thewebsite of the Registrar's Officefor more information. Refunds for a dropped extension course are given according to university policy for regular university courses. Refer to theRefund Policiesand thesemester "Drop Refunds" scheduleson the Student Business Services Web site.
Accessing Your Online Course
If you are registering for an online course, you will be added to the course inCanvasautomatically prior to the beginning of the term. In addition to the information available inCanvas, course details listed on theExtension Studies webpagemay provide further assistance for contacting your instructor and identifying the required texts and course materials.
Textbooks and Course Materials
Textbooks forExtension Studiescourses are available at theTexas State University bookstore. If purchasing the textbook or other course materials from another vendor, please be sure to purchase the correct items that are required for your course. When searching for textbooks, please be sure you're purchasing the correct edition of the text.
For more information, please visit theExtension Studies websiteor consult with the course instructor for clarification on what is required for the course. For online courses, you will also find the information listed inCanvas.
Auditing an Extension Course
If a student is interested in auditing an extension course, they should first seek approval from the course instructor before registering.
After the student has registered, he or she must contact theOffice of the University Registrarin person by the 4th class day in the summer, or by the 12th class day in the fall or spring. Check theUniversity Academic Calendarfor the exact date.
A student will pay the same fees as if the course were taken for credit, and the course will be entered on his or her transcript record, but the student will not receive credit for the course.
Non-Texas Residents
Because of Texas State's membership in theNational Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA), as well as authorizations previously obtained from individual states and ongoing compliance with applicable state authorization rules, Texas State is able to accept student enrollments for online and distance education courses from students who reside in all states. Visit our State Authorization web page for further information.
