Most distance education courses are not organized on a rigid semester calendar, thus offering freedom to explore educational options without the constraints of an academic year. If a student is enrolled in high school or middle school, courses can help fulfill diploma requirements. Whether a student is trying to graduate early, arrange classes around a busy work schedule, earn college credits while still in high school, or master a course by devoting more time to it than is permitted in a typical semester, distance education courses provide solutions to the particular needs of individuals. The Distance Education Center offers more than 150 college and dual-credit high school courses, as well as middle school courses. Students can pursue the courses from any location and, within limits, complete them when the student is ready and at whatever place the student is located.
Students can enroll any time and take up to nine months to complete course requirements.
Students enrolled in college or dual-credit courses receive UT Austin credits and transcripts with their official grade point average. In addition, some high school students take distance education courses so that they can complete their diploma requirements in as little as three years. Each program from the Distance Education Center provides options and opportunities for further education for the people of Texas. And each program affirms that the primary concern of UT Austin is the well being of the people of Texas. Dr. Ben G. Streetman is Dean of the College of Engineering at The University of Texas at Austin and holds the Dula D. Cockrell Centennial Chair in Engineering.