Texas Tech University

FAQs

About Distance Learning

What is the tuition rate per course?

  • Tuition prices may vary slightly depending on the semester and the department course offering in which you enrolled. Tuition and fees are subject to change without notification. A good estimate is $2,500 per three-credit course. Tuition and fees for Graduate Level Engineering Distance Learning online courses may be found at: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/studentbusinessservices/feeInfo/tuition-estimator.php

As a distance student, am I eligible for financial aid?

  • Distance students have the same opportunities to apply for financial aid as on-campus students, but typically need to be enrolled full-time (3 classes/9 credits). Each situation, however, is considered on a case-by-case basis. For more information about financial aid, please refer to the Financial Aid Office's website or call an advisor at (806) 742-3681. An advisor will work with you individually to address your specific needs and concerns.

    TTU Scholarship Office: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/scholarships/

    TTU Financial Aid Office: http://www.depts.ttu.edu/financialaid/

How many hours per week can I expect to spend on a course?

  • Most students enrolled in one three-hour graduate course should expect to spend a minimum of 12 hours per week reading course materials, watching lectures, participating in class activities, and preparing course projects. There are no minimum or maximum time requirements for the course. Each student will have to determine how much time he or she needs to spend on the course in order to meet the course requirements and understand the material.

Will I have access to the Texas Tech University library system?

  • Yes, the Texas Tech University Library provides services and library materials to students who enroll in off-campus TTU courses. The Library's goal is to help resolve the problems faced by students who are at a distance from the campus and its information resources. The library offers a College of Engineering personal librarian who can provide personalized research assistance.

TTU Library: http://library.ttu.edu/

TTU Library Help for Distance Learners: https://www.depts.ttu.edu/library/help/dis_learn.php

   

Can a non-degree seeking student take courses? 

More information for non-degree seeking students can be found on the TTU Graduate Admissions site

  • Graduate Temporary (GTMP) - A student in this category is considered a temporary non-degree student and may enroll in no more than twelve (12) hours. All GTMP students should be aware that completion of courses as a GTMP does not ensure that the student will be accepted into a degree program, nor does it ensure that any courses taken while enrolled as a GTMP will be accepted for credit if the student is subsequently accepted into a degree program. GTMP students are not eligible for financial aid. Admission decisions for GTMP applications are made by the Office of Graduate Admissions.
  • Continuing Professional Education Development (CPED) - CPED status is designed to meet the needs of professionals such as engineers, certified public accountants, architects, social workers, teachers, and others who require continuing professional educational development. CPED students are not eligible for financial aid. Admission decisions for CPED applications are made by the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Do I need to take the GRE and what score is required?

  • Due to the impact on testing centers across the world, Graduate School is temporarily waiving the GRE test score requirements for all graduate programs through Fall 2025. For more information regarding the application process, please refer to the Graduate Admissions information page. After completing the application process, your materials will be formally reviewed and you will receive notification of an admissions decision. 

Should I check with my advisor before applying?

  • Please see our Distance Learning Program page for information concerning the program in which you are interested. Program advisor names and contact information are included on the program details webpages. If you have additional questions, please contact the graduate program advisor before submitting your application to the Graduate School.

Who do I contact if I have problems or questions?

  • Before you register, and while you are taking courses, if you have any questions or problems, please contact Distance Learning Program Office staff first so that we can assist you. If we cannot help you specifically, we will direct you to the person or entity on campus who can.

Distance Learning Program

How long is a Master’s degree program duration?

  • Most graduate programs are either 30- or 36-credit hours (10 or 12 classes). The program duration is up to you, your time, and available finances. As a distance learning student, once you start, you will be required to take at least one class each Fall and Spring semester. If you are able to add a summer class to your plan, you can complete your degree sooner. Many distance students successfully manage two courses each Fall and Spring semester. Some students manage to earn their graduate degree in just four terms by taking two or three courses each semester, including summer.

How many classes can I enroll in each semester?

  • Most students who enroll in the Distance Learning program are practicing engineers who are balancing career and family responsibilities. A typical course load is one (or two) course(s) per semester.

Will I have to be online at specific times or can I work at any times that are convenient for me?

  • The majority of distance learning courses are asynchronous, meaning that you can work with course materials at any time convenient to you. As a distance student, you will be required to meet the same project deadlines and exam schedules as on-campus students. You will need good time management skills, therefore, to meet all of your assignment deadlines. Asynchronous courses do NOT display a day or time in the course offerings schedule.

    There may be a few distance learning courses that are offered each semester that are conducted synchronously. This means that the course has a regularly scheduled meeting day and time each week, and the course's content is delivered by the instructor during that scheduled time only. Unless you are able to meet the attendance requirement of the scheduled class, you should carefully consider whether or not to enroll in those courses.

    Guidance for identifying asynchronous/synchronous determination is provided at https://www.depts.ttu.edu/coe/distance/coursesoffered.php

Is the program interactive?

  • Class activities, discussions, and materials are recorded during the professor's on-campus section in a lecture-capture distance learning capable classroom. At the conclusion of the class, course lectures are published to an online video channel for on-demand viewing. Most students watch the recorded lecture videos at their convenience. If your professor also connects to a synchronous video platform during the scheduled classtime and your time permits, students can live stream. Your professor will provide a link and instructions to access the class recordings.

Are there time limits on the completion of the courses?

  • Courses in the distance learning program follow Texas Tech University's academic calendar and mirror course offerings available on-campus. Distance students are expected to complete the course requirements within the semester period. This includes meeting the instructor's project and exam deadlines. If unforeseen circumstances arise that will hinder your completion of the course, you should contact your instructor immediately to discuss your options.

How will I take exams?

  • Instructors will administer exams through the learning management system or other means that they have available.

How Do I...?

Obtain a student ID Card?

Student ID cards are available to distance learning students and may provide benefits such as academic discounts when purchasing software. Students can go to the University ID web site to find out more information about Texas Tech University ID cards.

Drop a course or withdraw from the university?

  • If you would like to drop a course, access your eRaider account, select MyTech from the navigation panel, and then, from the Manage My Enrollment tab, select the Registration tab. Next, select Add or Drop Classes, and then, Register for Classes. Complete any identity verification requirements in the security windows. Under the Terms Open for Registration drop-down menu, select the semester and year tab in which you intend to drop a course. In the Summary window, find the course you want to drop. Under the Action menu, select Drop - Delete on Web, and then, click submit. 
  • If you are enrolled in only one class and wish to drop it, you must withdraw from the University. You may visit the Office of the Registrar website for specific withdrawal information and instructions.
  • If you have questions about your payments or wish to discuss extenuating financial circumstances, please contact Student Business Services at (806) 742-3272.

Activate my eRaider account?

You may activate your eRaider account by obtaining an Activation Code from IT Help Central at (806) 742-HELP (4357). Once you have the activation code, you will go to the eRaider website and click "Activate Account." For additional information about your eRaider account, please visit the IT Services for Students website.

Contact someone regarding Military and Veterans Programs?

Thank you for your service to our country. To receive information regarding assistance and programs offered to our military personnel, veterans, and their families, please contact Military & Veterans Programs.

Contact someone to help with international questions?

For all international inquiries, please contact the Office of International Affairs.

Get information regarding scholarships/financial aid?

For all scholarship inquires, please contact the Scholarship Department.

For all inquires regarding financial aid, please contact the Financial Aid Department.

Contact the Distance Learning Program Office?

Liz Beaty, Director
Phone: (806) 834-0138
Email: liz.beaty@ttu.edu

Marissa Loera, Program Manager
Phone: (806) 834-3692
Email: marissa.loera@ttu.edu