Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about HRE Online

 

About the HRE Online Program

  1. What is HRE, HRD, and CCTL?
  2. Are HRE online classes accredited?
  3. Who can enroll in this program?
  4. Can I register for a course without enrolling in the program?
  5. How much does the HRD program cost? The CCTL program?
  6. Do you offer financial aid or assistantships for your students?
  7. How long do I have to complete this program?
  8. What are the potential advantages of taking this program online?
  9. What are some potential disadvantages of taking this program online?

Registration information

  1. How do I apply?
  2. How do I know that I am registered?

About Courses

  1. What are the requirements for each course, in terms of assignments, class participation, etc.?
  2. How is course content delivered in this program?
  3. How do I get text books for the program?
  4. How do I get library books and other information needed for courses?
  5. How do I know what online courses to take and in what order?
  6. What must I do if I need help on an assignment or have a question?
  7. Do I have to be signed on at the same time every day?
  8. How many times a week should I login?
  9. What do I do if I can not finish my work in the allotted time?
  10. When and how do I turn in my course work?
  11. Am I required to come to campus anytime during the development of the courses?
  12. How do I know what my grades are?
  13. How long does it take to grade my work?
  14. How can I get an official transcript at the end of each course?
  15. Can I take more than one course at a time?

About the HRE Online Program

  • What is HRE, HRD, and CCTL?
    HRE refers to the Department of Human Resource Education in the College of Education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. The HRE Department has two fields of study in which master's (online and on-campus) and doctoral degrees (on-campus only) are offered. One of those fields, Human Resource Development (HRD) addresses issues related to training and development, organization development, and instructional technology. The HRD program is offered to on-campus students and online students. The other field of study is Community College Teaching and Learning (CCTL), which is offered online. The department's unique strength lies in the integration of psychology, organization studies, adult education, instructional design and technology, and global perspectives for individual and organizational excellence. For more information about the department, visit the HRE website.
    (Back to questions)

  • Are HRE online classes accredited?
    The University of Illinois, Department of Human Resource Education, and HRE Online are all accredited by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement. (Back to questions)

  • Who can enroll in this program?
    The HRE Online graduate program is designed for individuals who have finished their undergraduate education and are currently working in or aspiring to positions in the fields of Human Resource Development (training and development, organization development, and instructional technology) and Community College Teaching and Learning. (Back to questions)

  • Can I register for a course without enrolling in the program?
    Yes, you can begin as a non-degree student; however, this does not guarantee admission into the program. Please contact the Online Programs Coordinator (hreonline@uiuc.edu) for more information about  (Back to questions)

  • How much do the programs cost?
    The current tuition rates are listed on the program description pages for the CCTL and HRD programs. These rates include both tuition and fees. Reading materials are not included in this amount. The cost for future courses is subject to moderate changes in accordance with the actions of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees. (Back to questions)

  • Do you offer financial aid or assistantships for your students?
    Students who are on a two-year program are eligible for financial aid. All students are eligible for financial aid in the Summer semesters.
    • Summer: Must be enrolled in .75 units (3 hours).
    • Spring or Fall: Must be enrolled in 1.5 units (6 hours).
To qualify, a student must be accepted into a degree program. Non-degree students are not eligible for financial aid. For more information on obtaining Financial Aid please go the University's Financial Aid Website or contact Academic Outreach at 1-800-252-1360 x33060. Consistent with University guidelines we do accept Veteran's Grants. Starting in Fall 2007, students will not be able to use university employee tuition waivers or cooperating teacher waivers for HRE Online courses since HRE Online is a self-supporting university program. We do not currently offer any assistantships for online students. (Back to questions)
  • How long do I have to complete this program?
    Although we recommend that you follow the 2-year course sequence proposed in our Course Calendar, you have five years to complete the Master's program. Each course is designed so that the coursework can be completed within the term. Deviation from this sequence may cause scheduling problems later in your program. If it looks like you will need an extension to complete the program requirements, you must make arrangements with the department's Online Programs Coordinator. (Back to questions)

  • What are the potential advantages of taking this program online?
    You can participate in HRE Online courses at home or from anywhere in the world with an internet connection and thus save the time and expense normally spent on traveling to and from a traditional classroom. Since your course materials are available 24/7, you may attend to your coursework at a time that is most convenient to you. Individual and small-group interaction with the instructor can be more frequent. The strong emphasis on interaction among students facilitates development of communication and teamwork skills. Our nationally-ranked program boasts the same faculty in both our online and on-campus programs. (Back to questions)

  • What are some potential disadvantages of taking this program online?
    You may discover that you miss some of the face-to-face socialization with classmates. You may find operating computer equipment and software can be frustrating at times, however our HRE Online Support Staff is always here to assist you. (Back to questions)

Registration Information

  • How do I apply?
    Specific information on how to apply to the HRE Online program is available at HRE Online Program Admissions page. (Back to questions)

  • How do I know that I am registered?
    You can verify your registration in the UI Enterprise Student Self-Service System.
    (Back to questions)

 


About Courses

  • What are the requirements for each course, in terms of assignments, class participation, etc.?
    Each course has its own individual requirements which are defined in each course's syllabus. (Back to questions)

  • How is course content provided in this program?
    Three basic technologies are used for online courses in the Department of Human Resource Education:
    • Internet: Materials are provided through webpages secured by passwords. These include pre-recorded lectures, graphical material, links to other resources, homework assignments, and project information.
    • Conferencing: Conferencing is one of the most important aspects of our online education program. Each week, students login to the class at the same time for a synchronous class session. Class discussions, collaborative learning exercises, case study presentations, and discussions between the students, instructor, and TA are easily facilitated through the use of audio conversations, a whiteboard, and text chat. Another important conferencing technology is the course discussion board, which allows for more reflective asynchronous conversations.
    • Textbook/printed materials: Standard textbooks will normally be used. Also, Online reading packets (journal articles and book chapters) are used in most courses.

Additional communications also may be conducted via email, instant messaging, and audio conferencing. (Back to questions)

  • How do I get textbooks for the program?
    Through the U of I Bookstore, an online retailer like Amazon.com or Powells.com, or through a local bookseller. (Back to questions)

  • How do I get library books and other information needed for courses?
    • By using your university student NetID, you can check out books from the University of Illinois Library, as well as from 65 college/university libraries around Illinois that participate in the I-Share program.
    • From the University's Online Library Gateway (online materials).
    • Academic Outreach Library Services provides information and resources to off-campus students.   Items can be borrowed and mailed to your home, free of charge.
    • See our Library Resources page for more details.
      (Back to questions)
  • How do I know what online courses to take and in what order?
    The HRE Online Course Calendar displays the order for each cohort to follow. Also, each course has its own curriculum map that guides the instruction for each of the program courses. (Back to questions)
  • What can I do if I need help on an assignment or have a question?

If you need help with a course assignment or information in the course, you can:

-E-mail your instructor or teaching assistant (TA)
- Call the instructor or TA during office hours (see the course syllabus for phone number) or make an appointment
- Contact the instructor or TA through instant messenger
- Post your concerns on the course webboard

If you have technical problems, you can:
- Email the course technical assistant
- Call the program technical support staff via 1-800 numbers
- Send message through instant messenger
- Email the online group staff: ed-hreonline@ad.uiuc.edu
- Call the department secretary
(Back to questions)

  • Do I have to be signed on at the same time every day?
    No. You are not required to sign on at the same time every day. Most of the course activities and learning occurs outside of a pre-determined time. However, courses require a weekly synchronous hour in which students are required to login at the same time to discuss predetermined topics. (Back to questions)

  • How many times a week should I login?
    There is not a set number of times you must login; however, to obtain maximum benefits active participation in all course activities is recommended. This requires that you login to the course often to avoid falling behind in the class discussions. (Back to questions)

  • What do I do if I can not finish my work in the allotted time?
    Our courses are designed so that the course work can be completed within a semester. Each course is interactive and involves discussion and collaboration among students. This requires that students stay together in terms of readings and assignments whenever possible. If it looks like you will need an extension to complete coursework, you must make arrangements with your instructor, including a specific timeline for course completion. (Back to questions)

  • When and how do I turn in my course work?
    You may turn in your course work via e-mail attachment or webboard according to a schedule set by course instructors. A fax machine can be used when an internet connection is temporarily unavailable to you. Some instructors also require that the final project be shipped to them. You will be given feedback by e-mail or through the student progress database system. (Back to questions)

  • Am I required to come to campus anytime during the development of the courses?
    While you are certainly welcome to visit the HRE Department, you are not required to come to campus at any time throughout the program. All registration and learning activities can be facilitated through the Internet.  Many of our students do not come to campus until it's time to receive their degree. (Back to questions)

  • How do I know what my grades are?
    You can track your progress and grades by accessing a password protected system via the student progress link on your course home page. In addition, you can check your final grade in the UI Enterprise Student Self-Service System. (Back to questions)

  • How long does it take to grade my work?
    For large projects, allow one to two weeks for thorough evaluation, though some instructors can arrange a faster turnaround if notified in advance. Feedback on smaller assignments is distributed much more quickly. (Back to questions)

  • How can I get an official transcript at the end of each course?
    Students can obtain information on Transcripts, Enrollment Verifications, Certification of Degrees from the student records website. This site provides different ways to obtain transcripts. (Back to questions)

  • Can I take more than one course at a time?
    Since courses are 10 weeks long, both of our programs can be completed in two years. No further acceleration is possible in our online programs. (Back to questions)

 

Request More Information