At University of Houston you take each distance education class in one of several formats. Before registering for a distance education class be sure you understand what the format will be and make sure you will be able to access the class. Each format has specific requirements and some involve extra costs.
If you intend to enroll in multiple D.E. classes, prepare to receive course content in various formats.
Some D.E. classes require occasional visits to campus for exams or meetings. If you live outside Houston, consider whether or not the class you want requires exams or meetings on campus. You may need to contact the instructor to find out. If exams will take place on campus, you can ask the instructor for permission to have the exams proctored at a location in your area. The best time to request proctored exams is before you register.
Select a format to learn more about how the format is delivered and any requirements.
| Format | Description | Icon |
|---|---|---|
| Online | You access most online classes through the internet using a web-based class management tool called WebCT or the upgraded version called Vista. Some instructors choose to set up a stand-alone website instead. |  |
| Tape purchase | You purchase recorded lectures on videotape or DVD from our off-campus vendor and view them week-by-week, following the instructor’s schedule. |  |
Some classes are televised. Select a format to learn more about how the format is delivered and any requirements.
| Format | Description | Icon |
|---|---|---|
| KUHT | Lectures are televised on public television on KUHT-Channel 8 (Houston PBS). Many students record broadcasts for later viewing. |  |
| Cable | Lectures are televised on HCC-TV, a cable TV channel. Lectures are only guaranteed to air inside the city of Houston, Bellaire, or West University Place. Many students record broadcasts for later viewing. |  |
| Cougar Cable | Lectures are televised on Cougar Cable, a network only available in U.H. dorms and some apartments. (Not available in Cambridge Oaks apartments.) Many students record broadcasts for later viewing. |  |
Some classes are taught at off-campus centers located throughout the Houston metropolitan area. Select a format to learn more about how the format is delivered and any requirements.
| Format | Description | Icon |
|---|---|---|
| Face-to-face at off-campus teaching centers | You attend traditional classes at one of the U.H. teaching centers located in Houston or nearby suburban areas. |  |
| Interactive Television (ITV) | Students at off-campus teaching centers participate in a main-campus class by one- or two-way video conference. These courses can also be delivered to corporate sites. |  |