Frequently Asked Questions

The best way to contact our team is to submit an email question via the Online and Distance Education assistance form. 

Please note that the Online and Distance Education office is able to answer only general education, program, enrollment, and course information inquiries. For detailed information regarding a program and/or course, please contact the program’s department or the course instructor. 

As an NC State student taking online or distance education courses, you can expect to encounter a variety of delivery formats across courses and programs.

For example, you may access course materials, activities, and assessments asynchronously with a web browser through Moodle, NC State’s official Learning Management System (LMS). You might have synchronous classes or meetings with your instructor through Zoom or Google Meet. You might view course videos in Panopto, or collaborate with your peers in Google Docs, Slides, Sheets, or other parts of the Google Education Workspace. 

Moodle: NC State’s learning management system for course content delivery.
Zoom or Google Meet: Video-conferencing application that allows synchronous online class sessions and other meetings between students, faculty, and staff.
Panopto: Video platform that houses and streams instructional videos.

Your application process for becoming an NC State student is based on your desired student classification: graduate student, undergraduate student, or Non-Degree Studies (NDS) student. Visit our Apply web page for more information.

The first place to start is to visit the following web pages on our website. There you will find information about:

Programs: A full list of certificate and degree options.

Courses: A listing of courses that are offered each semester.

Apply: Information and procedures on how to apply to an online and distance program and enroll in courses.

Students enrolling in online and distance education classes for the first time are strongly encouraged to view the Distance Education Virtual Orientation (opens in new tab).

In addition, you may contact the virtual advisor to assist you in meeting your educational goals.

Please upload a copy of your transcript to your admissions application. Not all programs require you to submit transcripts, please check the program web page to confirm required materials. Note: The Online and Distance Education Office does not accept mailed transcripts.

Former and current NC State students can find instructions for ordering transcripts on the Student Services website. If you have additional questions regarding your transcript, please contact the Student Services Center at (919) 515-NCSU (6278) or email them at studentservices@ncsu.edu.

If the program you are applying to requires an official transcript, it must be sent directly from the institution or institutions (if you attended more than one) to NC State University. Most institutions have mechanisms in place to directly send an official transcript to NC State electronically. For undergraduate admissions, please visit the Undergraduate Admissions website for more information. For graduate admissions, please visit the Graduate School’s website.

Select the classes you desire to take:

• The complete schedule of courses is available online.
• NDS students are limited to taking eight hours of classes per semester.
• Note: If you fulfilled the prerequisite for a course at another institution, you will need to contact the instructor and/or department for enrollment assistance.

Register for classes via MyPack Portal:

• Find out when “open enrollment” begins by checking the enrollment calendar for that particular semester.
• Register with the enrollment wizard
• If you have difficulties, please contact Student Services
• Find important information on add/drop dates by clicking on the academic calendar.

Please contact the Office of International Services for assistance with internal questions or concerns. Please visit their website first, as their website contains a lot of great information that may answer your questions.

You may also contact the office of Online and Distance Education by submitting an email question via the Online and Distance Education assistance form

Non-Degree Studies (NDS) students are not assigned advisors.

If you have questions about a specific academic program, please contact the program coordinator. Each program webpage has a Program Coordinator listed with their preferred contact information.

Students may also email the Office of Academic Advising Programs and Services for assistance at academic-advising-programs-services@ncsu.edu.

Students can take classes at NC State University through the Non-Degree Studies (NDS) program. Through Non-Degree Studies, individuals in the Research Triangle area, across North Carolina and beyond are provided flexible access to NC State University’s credit courses and programs. Thousands of individuals gain access to NC State through this portal each year, including individuals from under-represented populations, and those who are first-generation college students.

Comprehensive student services, including virtual advising and registration assistance, are provided for individuals interested in continuing their education by engaging in on-campus and online and distance education credit courses.

Through Non-Degree Studies, individuals can take undergraduate or graduate courses to:

• Meet NC State University admission requirements,
• Transfer credits to another university,
• Update professional skills, or
• Enrich personal experiences.

Flexible enrollment options are available to meet demanding and busy schedules. Enrollment options include:

• On-campus courses,
• Day and evening classes, and
• Online and Distance Education courses, which utilize a variety of delivery technologies.

Visit the university enrollment calendar to find the open enrollment date for NDS students.

All students registered in NC State courses can utilize both the Math Labs and the Unity Computer Labs. You will need your Unity ID and password. The links below have more information, such as hours and locations.

Math Computing Services

Unity Computer Labs (located campus-wide)

Your assigned email address will be your Unity ID @ncsu.edu. For example, Jane Doe’s Unity ID is jedoe14, so her email address is jedoe14@ncsu.edu.

For information about your NC State email or your Unity Account visit the OIT website.

Not sure which Learning Management System (LMS) your course uses? Visit the WolfWare website to find out course information, like technology used in the course. Instructions on how to look up a course in WolfWare are included below:

1. On the far left-side index, select the name of the college of the course you’re seeking information on (ex: Design).
2. Select the semester you’re enrolled [ex: Spring (all sessions), 2023 Courses].
3. Select the subject (ex: D-Design) and number (ex: 101).
4. The search results will return all of the available courses. Click on the blue “i” icon for course information and you will be directed to the course information page of your interested course.
5. Look in the box located on the right side of the page, under “Tools” to see information on Learning Management Systems used in the course and other technology requirements.

Please refer to the Student Services website for the current tuition and fees. In addition to visiting the Student Services website, you can review your student account, or view your bill online.

For detailed information regarding undergraduate and graduate tuition and fees, services fees, and audits as an online and distance education student please visit the tuition and fees web page.

Financial aid eligibility is determined by the Financial Aid Office. We encourage you to contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid directly.

A limited amount of grant funding is available to students who are enrolled in online and distance education (ODE) degree programs. Criteria for grant funding is based on academic merit, demonstrated financial need, and enrollment in multiple ODE courses per semester.

For additional information please visit NC State’s Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid website or call (919) 515-6278.

Please visit the DELTA Testing Services website to find out more information on testing services.