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Contact Information:
Center for Distance and Independent Study
136 Clark Hall
Columbia, Missouri, 65211-4200 USA
| Phone: | 1-800-609-3727 option 4 (USA only) | | Fax: | 1-573-882-6808 |
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 Program Overview
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The Center of Distance and Independent Study (CDIS) at The University of Missouri offers a range of learning programs for distance education students. Independent study allows students to complete coursework without attending class. Students can enroll anytime, anywhere, and work at their own pace.
Students have the option to study at a variety of different levels. Students can gain University credits, complete their degree online, complete high school diplomas, study for professional development courses, and there is even the opportunity for parents to use the University of Missouri's courses to home school their children. Recently, CDIS added a new Dual Enrollment Program for qualified high school students. In this program, high school students can enroll in university-level courses offered through CDIS while paying only 50 percent of the normal University of Missouri educational fees.
Bachelor of General Studies Degree Completion Program
An important opportunity is the Bachelor of General Studies Degree Completion Program. This program is designed to give students the flexibility to study several areas while completing an undergraduate degree. The degree offers an interdisciplinary approach to learning that gives students a broad range of skills which can be applied to a variety of careers.
The "major" is General Studies, composed of three components chosen by the student. Components consist of courses that have been grouped together around a common theme or subject area. Each component must consist of at least 15 credit hours in that subject area, for a total of 45 or more credit hours. The rest of the credit hours needed for the 120-hour bachelor's degree are made up of general education courses and electives. Students can choose from a number of different component areas, including business, education studies, English, humanities, and social sciences.
The program provides opportunities for students who have previously earned an associate degree (or 60 credit hours) to return to college and earn a degree. Students may build one entire component from courses taken at other institutions and may also apply 6 transfer credit hours to the other two components.
To be admitted to the program, new students must have a cumulative grade-point average of (2.5), while returning students should have a GPA of 2.0. All students must have earned 60 transferable credit hours from a regionally accredited college or university or have earned an associate degree (AA) from a regionally accredited Missouri institution. The 60 hours must include a 3-hour course in both college algebra and English expository writing with grades of C - or higher.
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| Highlights
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- CDIS offers non-semester based, asynchronous, distance education opportunities with up to 9 months to complete a course
- A learning alternative, distance education is flexible, self paced, and courses take place online
- Many of CDIS's courses incorporate interactive elements that are designed to open a dialogue between students and content
- CDIS is part of the University of Missouri-Columbia, which is fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the NCA-CASI-North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
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| Center for Distance and Independent Study Statistics
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| Year Founded: | 1911 | | Total Enrollment: | 23,000 | | Undergraduate Enrollment: | - | | Graduate Enrollment: | - | | Distance Education Enrollment: | all enrollment is distance education |
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| Institution Overview
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The Center for Distance and Independent Study (CDIS) was originally formed as an independent study division in 1911. Ever since, CDIS has retained a tradition of providing individualized learning opportunities to all distance learning students. The Center specializes in serving students, including adult learners and working professionals, through courses at the university, high school, and noncredit levels. It remains one of the largest university-sponsored independent study programs in the United States.
The center is committed to the development, administration promotion and maintenance of a wide range of individualized educational methods involving print materials, computer technology, videotapes, audio cassettes, and other media-based activities. Courses are offered under the approval of sponsoring academic departments and recommendations are sought for appropriate faculty. Thus the center for Distance and Independent Study serves as an arm of the University of Missouri in its efforts to extend individual learning opportunities to students who are away from campus; who are unable to earn credit because of time, place, or situation; and who are unable to reach their educational goals because of curricular restraints at their institution.
CDIS is part of The University of Missouri, which is a fully accredited University situated in Columbia, Missouri. The 1,358-acre campus was designed as a botanical garden, which is still seen today in the many trees and plants that cover the campus. A number of historic buildings are also located on the campus, in addition to modern facilities such as a sports arena and the Brady student commons.
The University of Missouri was founded in 1839 as the first public university west of the Mississippi River and the first state university in Thomas Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase territory. The University of Missouri is a major land grant institution and Missouri's largest public research university. It is a top tier university, and the only public institution in Missouri to be selected for membership in the Association of American Universities.
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| Program Delivery and Student Support
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At the Center for Distance and Independent Study, courses are delivered online or in print using textbooks and CD-ROM. When students enroll in one of the Center's Independent Study Courses, the lessons reflect the instructor's view of the subject matter, so this and the assigned textbook are the primary modes of communication. Resources needed may include textbooks, specialized kits, audio cassettes, videotapes, DVDs or CDs. Individual performance is assessed using essays, case studies, short answers, and objective questions such as multiple-choice and matching items. The commentary in each lesson reviews ideas presented in the textbook, provides additional examples, and includes exercises and activities to help students learn important skills and concepts. Many lessons are followed by progress evaluations that are sent to the Center for grading.
Students are required to purchase textbooks for their courses. The textbooks are listed on the course page on the CDIS website. Students can purchase their books directly from the Center and can choose to purchase new or used books.
Course listings on the Center's Web site and in the course bulletin provide details about any supplementary materials required for a certain course.
Distance Education students are supported by CDIS throughout their time as a student. Support staff answer questions about the enrollment process, time extensions, transcripts, or other logistical concerns, and also recommend courses. CDIS staff are also happy to answer questions and offer suggestions on how to succeed at independent study.
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