What types of courses do we offer?
The Center for Distance and Independent Study has flexible distance education courses to suit your learning needs. We currently offer more than 300 courses at all levels.
CDIS courses are offered in a variety of formats, including online, CD, and print. Most of our courses are asynchronous, which means that you can sign up at any time and work at your own pace, without being tied to a semester timetable.
University
Our university curriculum includes more than 150 distance learning courses; these have been developed by faculty members from one of the University of Missouri campuses.
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High School
MU High School offers a convenient, credible option for homeschool students, rural students seeking college preparation, gifted students seeking challenges, or students who need to catch up on a few courses. MU High School offers a diverse and comprehensive curriculum that includes over 180 courses.
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Middle/Elementary School
Our middle/elementary school curriculum includes approximately 50 courses in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies for grades 3-8. Though not restricted to home-schooled students, the courses are designed to meet the needs of this audience. We are also developing courses designed for gifted students.
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Noncredit
Our noncredit curriculum includes courses that students can use to upgrade professional skills, prepare for new careers, and/or demonstrate efforts toward personal development.
Course Designations
Some of our courses have special designations in the course descriptions. Listed below, you will find a short description of each course designation.Computer-evaluated Courses
Lessons for computer-evaluated courses are scored by computer; this speeds up lesson-response time and provides computer-generated feedback that helps students review lessons and study for exams. Lesson questions in computer-evaluated courses are either multiple-choice, matching, or true/false.
- To submit computer-evaluated lessons by mail or in person: You must complete your lesson assignments on answer forms provided in the back of each course; answer forms are usually evaluated the same day they are received at the Center. After your lesson is processed, a computer-generated report, which contains your score, general comments on your performance, and feedback on all incorrect answers, will be returned to you.
- To submit computer-evaluated lessons online: You must have access to a web browser to submit your lessons via the Center's web site. When online, your report appears on your computer screen as soon as you submit the lesson; you can use your browser options to print your report. Response time is immediate for computer-evaluated lessons submitted online.
Instructor-Evaluated Courses
Assignments for instructor-evaluated courses are graded by an instructor. Lessons for instructor-evaluated courses may be submitted by mail, via e-mail, by fax, or online, depending on the nature of the assignments. Instructor-evaluated lessons, which can include essays, math problems, audiocassettes, drawings and artwork, are generally graded within five working days.
Computer-evaluated and Instructor-evaluated Courses
Some courses include both methods of evaluation.