Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

University of Bridgeport

Is the University of Bridgeport accredited?

Online Courses
What is the online learning environment? How does the online program Work?
Do I have to be on a computer at a specific time?
What type of computer system do I need?
Is there a way to discuss the course material with other students?
Is it possible to contact the professor privately?
How often will I receive feedback from instructors?
How long can I take to complete my course?
How can I obtain a course extension?
What if illness or a serious problem prevents me from working on my course for several weeks?
Can I repeat a course?
How do I submit course assignments?
When do I submit assignments?

Getting Started
Must I apply to be admitted into UB?
How do I apply to be admitted into UB?
How do I register for courses?
What do I do to begin a course? 
What if I have a question about my course?
How much time will a course require?

Exams
How are exams taken?
Who is an appropriate exam proctor?
What if I am unable to take my scheduled exam because of illness or unplanned conflicts?
How do I re-take an exam?
Since I'm just taking the course for personal interest, may I audit it and not take the exam?

Grades and Graduation
When will I receive my final grade?
What if I don't complete the course and fail to withdraw by the deadline?
After I have completed all the course requirements for my program, do I graduate automatically?
What if I find that my course does not suit my needs and I wish to Drop?
Can I receive a refund if I Drop?

Student Library Service
Are library services available for online students?
How much does the Library Service cost?

Financial Aid
What financial assistance is available?
How do I apply?

Is the University of Bridgeport accredited?
The University of Bridgeport is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. The University also is accredited by the Board of Governors of the Connecticut Department of Higher Education.

What is the online learning environment?
The online learning environment, conducted through Blackboard, is accessed through the Internet, and offers students electronic access to online classes, libraries and reference material, communication with instructors and students, and other online resources, 24 hours a day. To review the online course environment, visit "How It Works" page and see the Course Demo.

How does the online program work?
Participation in online courses is primarily asynchronous, which means you can access the courses at any time from any place. The course work is similar to other seminar-type classes you have taken - you work independently as you read, analyze, write, question, research and think about the subject you're studying. The courses are designed to be interactive and engaging.  The instructors will post the course outline, syllabus, reading and written assignments, quizzes and/or tests, in the UB online classroom. You'll have course textbooks and lecture notes, interact with faculty and other students, participate in discussions, ask and answer questions, conduct research in the library, participate in Discussion Boards, all from the computer at home or your office.

Do I have to be on a computer at a specific time?
No. The courses are asynchronous (not in real time), therefore you do not need to be on your computer at the same time as the instructor or other students. You can do much of your work offline, but you need to be online at least 2-3 times per week to receive course material, complete assignments, and participate in your course discussion group. Assignments are typically given on a weekly basis, and you'll have to maintain and complete your studies within that time frame. Both the instructor and students have the opportunity to create and join a real-time chat; however, most of the course materials are not in real-time.

What type of computer system do I need?
To enroll and participate in the online courses at the University of Bridgeport, you will need access to a computer with a reliable Internet connection. Check further requirements on the computer requirements section on Technical Support.

Is there a way to discuss the course material with other students?
The group discussions resemble a round-table type discussion, where you review the previous postings on a particular topic or a new one posted by the instructor, and where you post your responses to these questions and comments. Each entry is posted for students to read and respond.

Is it possible to contact the professor privately? 
Yes. Each instructor is available through e-mail (and some faculty offer the option to contact them by telephone).

How often will I receive feedback from instructors?
Students can expect instructors to respond to questions within three days (often faster), to give grades with feedback within one week, and to actively participate in the online classroom. Please keep in mind that instructors are not expected to monitor their online courses on a daily basis.

How long can I take to complete my course?
Graduate courses take approximately 16 - 18 weeks to complete, and undergraduate courses usually take 8 weeks.  It is expected that you will complete a course within this time frame. Within the course, you'll have various deadlines for assignments (typically weekly) and a schedule for exams. So, although you can work at your own time, at your own pace, you will have requirements for timely completion of assignments and exams.

How can I obtain a course extension?
An extension to complete a course (incomplete) requires permission from your instructor. In some cases, an extension may prevent you from taking the next sequence of courses.  Incomplete policies are described on the Registration page.

What if illness or a serious problem prevents me from working on my course for several weeks?
If you know ahead of time that you will need to miss more than one week of a course, you should wait until the next term to register for that course.  If an illness or other serious problem interferes with completing the course, then you should request an "Incomplete" or “Medical Withdrawal” for the course. Policies are described on the Registration page.

Can I repeat a course?
Yes. Repeating a course requires re-registration.

How do I submit course assignments?
Depending on the type of assignment, the course instructor will explain to you to how to submit the assignments. Assignments for a course typically consist of a combination of tests, quizzes, papers, discussions, and projects, and vary by course.

When do I submit assignments?
The assignments posted by the instructor will also inform you as to the due dates of assignments. The online course syllabus will list the course schedule for the whole semester, the assignments and their due dates, and you should consult the syllabus often.

Must I apply to be admitted into UB?
Some courses do not require that you be admitted to the University of Bridgeport as a full-time student. All degree programs require students to be admitted to the University of Bridgeport.  Please consult the specific admission and registration procedures for your course or program.

How do I apply to be admitted into UB?
Applying for Admission to the University of Bridgeport can be done completely online.  Specific admissions requirements vary by program.  Complete application instructions can be found on our Getting Started page.

How do I register for courses?
You can register for courses by completing an online registration form. Consult the registration policies on the Registration page.

What do I do to begin a course?
One week prior to your first course, you will participate in an online orientation that will teach you how to use our online classroom. Following registration, you will be given instructions on how to access your online courses.  Once you login to the course, you'll see information on the required course materials, the course goals and objectives, the course organization and schedule, and the week-by-week description and assignments of the course.

What if I have a question about my course?
For specific questions about your course, you should contact your instructor.  For general questions regarding your academic major, you should contact your academic advisor.  For technical questions, and other student services, visit our Help Desk page.

How much time will a course require?
The time needed for reading, studying, writing, and researching is dependent on each student's commitment, prior knowledge, and organizational skills. This will vary from student to student, and from course to course. On average, you can expect to spend 5-10 hours a week on coursework, including accessing lectures, participating in class discussions, completing and submitting assignments, and reading texts.

How are exams taken?
Most exams are given online through Blackboard, the online classroom.  Some instructors may require exams (online or offline) to be taken in the presence of an authorized test administrator, or "proctor," in your area.  Instructions will be provided by the instructor.

Who is an appropriate exam proctor?
This individual should be a full time faculty member or academic staff member at a regionally accredited college or university; an education officer on a military base; a minister or priest; a librarian at a public or college library; or personnel executive or manager of the corporation providing your tuition aid.

What if I am unable to take my scheduled exam because of illness or unplanned conflicts?
You will need the permission from your instructor to take the exam at a later date. Permission is only granted in cases of emergency.

How do I re-take an exam?
First, permission from the instructor is required to re-take an exam. Permission is only granted in extreme cases. For proctored exams, new arrangements with a proctor will be required. For online exams, contact your instructor.

Since I'm just taking the course for personal interest, may I audit it and not take the exam?
Yes, you may audit a course and be exempt from the exams. An auditing fee is required at registration.  Please select "audit" on the online registration form to audit a course.  Contact the Office of Distance Education for more information.

When will I receive my final grade?
Course grades can be accessed online through the Webadvisor system.  Official grade and transcript requests requests can be made through the Registrar's Office. More information on obtaining grades and transcripts can be found on our Help Desk page.

What if I don't complete the course and fail to drop by the deadline?
You will receive a final grade of "F" and no tuition refund will be available.  Withdrawal instructions and tuition refund schedules are listed on the Registration page.

After I have completed all the course requirements for my program, do I graduate automatically
No, you must apply for graduation. Graduation occurs three times a year: May, August, and December, although the only ceremony is on campus in May. Please contact your academic department for a graduation application, and for information on graduation requirements and deadlines. You can also download a graduation application. You must meet all graduation requirements in order to receive your diploma. Diplomas are usually sent 2-3 months after the graduation date.

What if I find that my course does not suit my needs and I wish to withdraw?
Requests to withdraw from a course must be made in writing by submitting an electronic withdrawal form to the university. An official withdrawal will result in a grade of W. If you stop attending the course without officially withdrawing, you will earn a grade of F for the course. Consult the withdrawal policies on the Registration page prior to withdrawing.

Can I receive a refund if I cancel or withdraw?
Yes. Tuition refunds are provided to students who officially withdraw from a course. The refunds are pro-rated depending on the length of the course. A tuition refund schedule is listed on the Registration page.

Are library services available for online students?
Yes. You can search for journal articles, books, and other resources through the UB Wahlstrom Library website.  Students are able to access electronic databases, newspapers, journals, and Internet links covering a wide variety of subject areas and formats.

How much does the Library Service cost?
There is no cost to UB students for using UB's Wahlstrom library.  For a complete list of library services visit the library website.

What financial assistance is available?
As an online student you can qualify for financial assistance. Financial aid decisions are made after a student has been admitted to the University of Bridgeport, and are different for each student, depending on your academic level, financial situation, and family status.  Generally, you must take at least 6 credits per semester to be eligible for financial aid.

How do I apply?
New students are encouraged to begin to apply for financial aid at the same time they are seeking admission to the University of Bridgeport. You will need to have your FAFSA form completed and be admitted to an academic program before a determination or your financial aid eligibility can be made. The specific forms, instructions, and information are available online at FAFSA online. For more information please contact the Financial Aid Office.