WHAT COURSES CAN I TAKE TO COMPLETE MY DEGREE?

ISS students have a variety of options for courses they can take to complete their degree as described below, including Fee-Based, State-Funded, and Courses from Other Institutions. Registration activities such as adding and dropping courses can be made via MyUW. 

FEE-BASED AND STATE-FUNDED COURSES

Both fee-based and state-funded programs and courses are offered at the University. The difference between these types of programs and courses is purely financial - unlike state-funded courses, fee-based programs and courses are strictly funded by student course fees. Though ISS is a fee-based program, our students may take both types of courses. However, registration access varies based on course type. For a "quick key" to know how and when to register for each type of course, visit the Registration page. More information about the differences between state-funded and fee-based programs can be found on the Office of the University Registrar’s website.

FEE-BASED COURSES

ISS MAJOR COURSES

These courses are offered directly by the ISS Program and include core and thematic areas courses. To meet the ISS residency requirements, all students will need to take a minimum of 45 credits after matriculating in our program. There are no on-campus proctored exams for these classes. All exams are online.

• Core Classes

  • When to register: As early as possible, starting with your priority registration date. (Continuing ISS students register in Period I. New ISS students and returning former ISS students register in Period II.)

• Thematic Classes

  • When to register: As early as possible starting with your priority registration date. (Continuing ISS students register in Period I. New ISS students and returning former ISS students register in Period II.) Note: Early Care and Education (ECE) program students will be able enroll in some ISS Thematic Areas courses starting in Period II.

EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAM COURSES

Our partners in the UW Early Care and Education Program (ECE) have made some of their courses available to ISS students. Like ISS courses, these courses are fully online and synchronous with the quarter calendar. Courses may have ECE, ECFS, or related prefixes.

• When to register: For most ECE and related courses you can register during Period I. Add codes may be required; contact your adviser for assistance.

SELF-PACED COURSES

Self-paced courses are designed for student flexibility within the quarterly calendar structure. Students work at their own pace as long as they complete all the course requirements between the first and last days of instruction for the quarter. (We STRONGLY recommend that students in self-paced courses follow the instructors’ guidelines for completing assignments so they do not fall behind.)

Note: There may be proctored exams in self-paced courses. If you are a local student, you may come to campus to take exams. If you are not local, you should let your instructor know immediately so that you may work with UW Continuum College to arrange for an exam proctor in your area.

• When to register:  As early as possible, starting with your priority registration date.

OTHER ONLINE PCE COURSES

Certain other for-credit online courses associated with unrelated certificate programs offered by UW’s Professional and Continuing Education (PCE) program are also available to ISS students. Please consult with your adviser if you have questions!

• When to register:  As early as possible, starting with your priority registration date. 

SUMMER QUARTER COURSES

ISS students have access to any course offered by UW Seattle during Summer Quarter. Furthermore, once a UW Seattle student (including those in ISS) has earned 15 credits from UW Seattle, they may register for summer courses (online or on campus) offered by UW Bothell and UW Tacoma. (Individual courses registration restrictions may apply -- please see the corresponding campus time schedule for more details). 

All three campuses have online courses available in the summer, and many of these are listed on our "Courses for ISS Students" web page linked from our Registration page. On-campus course listing for the different UW campuses can be found on the Time Schedules for the respective campuses. 

• When to register:  As early as possible, starting with your priority registration date. 

STATE-FUNDED COURSES

ISS students can take state-funded courses outside the major in order to satisfy General Education requirements or as General Electives (to bring their credit totals up to the 180 needed for graduation.) There are several categories of courses available during the regular academic year.

DEPARTMENT COURSES

Department courses follow the quarter calendar and have regular assignment deadlines, just like your ISS courses. These courses are available to UW students in state-funded programs as well as those in fee-based programs such as ISS students. While some department courses are offered online, most are offered on campus. Online courses may be offered asynchronously or synchronously, meaning that there are required meeting days and times.

Note: Department courses, even online ones, may have on-campus exams. If you are a local student, you may come to campus to take exams. If you are not local, you should let your instructor know immediately so that you may work with UW Continuum College to arrange for an exam proctor in your area.

• When to register: Registration for department courses opens in Period III. 

  • Tip: During the regular academic year (autumn, winter, and spring) we recommend locating the name of the instructor in the time schedule and locating their contact information in the UW Directory to ask for an add code to use in Period III if the course is full. Courses with space in Period III do not require an add code to register. Contact your adviser for assistance!

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION COURSES

Our partners in the College of Education (CoE) have made some of their courses available to ISS students. See the course schedule on our Registration for more details.

• When to register: Registration is Period III, but they have a process for communicating interest.

COURSES FROM OTHER INSTITUTIONS

ISS students also have the option to take general education or elective credits at other regionally accredited institutions of higher education.  If you are interested in pursuing this option, check with your academic adviser about planning for transfer credits.  Financial aid recipients should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid to discuss any potential impact on their award.  Remember that a minimum of 45 credits must be taken in the ISS major.