Please note: The following information relates primarily to distance learning courses administered by the Oceanographic Center; e.g. the Graduate Certificate in Coastal Studies and the distance MS in Coastal Zone Management.

The online MS in Education with Specialization in Environmental Education is administered by the Fischler School of Education and Human Services.

The M.A. in Cross-Disciplinary Studies is administered by the Graduate School of Humanities and Social Sciences.

Term dates, costs and other administrative details will vary accordingly.

When are the term dates?

Oceanographic Center based courses are offered in each of four terms, each lasting 12 weeks.

Summer 2006 term runs from July 3rd to September 15th, 2006
Fall 2006 term runs from September 25th to December 15th, 2006
Winter 2007 term runs from January 2nd to March 25th, 2007
Spring 2007 term runs from April 2nd to June 22nd, 2007

How much does it cost?

Our distance courses may be taken individually for general interest, for undergraduate or graduate credit, towards a graduate certificate, or a Master's degree (usually the distance MS in CZM). When you first register, there is a one-time $50 non-refundable application fee and for all courses, there is a $25 registration fee.

Course costs for the 2008-09 academic year (commencing with the Summer 2008 term) are as follows:

To take a course for general interest (audit) costs $1117.50
To take a course for undergraduate credit is $950.
For graduate credit, the fee is $745/credit hour. 3 credit course = $2235.

Student Services Fee

4 credit hours or more	187.50/term
3 credit hours	93.75/term

Do I need to travel to the Oceanographic Center for classes?

Not unless you wish to!  All of our distance learning courses are available either on CD-ROM or directly from the World Wide Web.

What do I need to register?

Instructions for applying for admission for distance courses may be found online at:

www.nova.edu/ocean/online_application.html

If you wish to apply for the full online MS in Coastal Zone Management, please contact Ms. Melissa Dore (Administrative Assistant) at 1-800-541-6682, Ext. 23610 (email "Missy Dore" <missy barney nova fred edu>).

When should I register?

You may submit an application form at any time. Generally, formal course enrolment begins two-three weeks prior to each term and remains open until the beginning of the end of the first week of term.

I'm interested in the 4-course Graduate Certificate in Coastal Studies … which courses can I take?

You can choose from any of our distance courses. The Graduate Certificate will be awarded on successful completion of any 4 courses at a graduate level.

When I've finished my 4-course Graduate Certificate, what do I need to be accepted into the full MS Coastal Zone Management degree program?

For acceptance with academic requirement (provisional):

• A science major or concentration is preferred
• 3 letters of recommendation
• A statement of career goals
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores of 40% (verbal), 40% (quantitative) and 40% (analytical).
• All official undergraduate transcripts
• An undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75 (major) and 2.5 (overall).
• Provisions (varies with individual, typical equal to or greater than 3.0 in first four graduate courses).
• In the case of foreign students for whom English is not a first language, a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required with a score of over 550. Certification may also be submitted from other institutions' intensive English programs).

• A science major or concentration is required
• 3 letters of recommendation
• A statement of career goals
• Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores of 55% (verbal), 55% (quantitative) and 55% (analytical).
• All official undergraduate transcripts
• An undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of 3.0 (major) and 2.9 (overall).
• In the case of foreign students for whom English is not a first language, a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required with a score of over 600. Certification may also be submitted from other institutions' intensive English programs).

Can I do a blend of distance and in-class courses towards my graduate degree?

Absolutely - there is no "minimum" or "maximum". You could, for example, take some distance courses towards your MS, then spend some time in residence studying and doing courses in-house at the Oceanographic Center (or some of our field courses), and then supplement this with more distance courses.

What if I decide to drop a course?

Withdrawal and Refunds

Distance students may withdraw from a course at any time before the fourth week and receive a partial refund. A request for tuition refund must be made in writing at the time of withdrawal. Refunds will be made solely at the option of the University and will be based on the legitimacy of the reason for withdrawal. If granted, refunds are adjusted as follows:

Students have three working days from the date of signing an enrollment contract or financial agreement with the University to cancel the contract and receive a full refund of any tuition and registration fees paid. Further, a student shall receive a full refund of tuition and registration fees paid by the student prior to the commencement of instruction if the student submits a written request to the institution within three working days of the payment.

What are the technical requirements?

Online students are provided NSU computer accounts but must obtain their own Internet service providers. Students may use either an IBM-compatible PC or an Apple-Macintosh computer. The following are the suggested minimum computer system requirements:

What about financial aid?

NSU Office of Student Financial Assistance

Is there more you'd like to know? If none of the above links answer your question regarding distance learning via NSU Oceanographic Center, don't keep your distance - please get in touch with:

By email: "Jane Dougan" <douganj barney nova fred edu>.
By telephone: 1 (954) 262-3600 or 1-800-39-OCEAN, Ext. 23621
By fax: 1 (954) 262-4098

We look forward to hearing from you!