International students can participate in Washington State University (WSU) distance degree programs to earn one of the WSU distance degrees (not all WSU degrees are offered at a distance) and receive a diploma. International students also can take WSU distance courses offered through the Office of Distance Degree Programs (DDP) as part of those degrees or as individual courses, with some special considerations as noted below.

WSU degrees available at a distance through Distance Degree Programs are listed on the DDP Web site (DDP Degrees). Students pursuing all WSU degrees, including distance degrees, must be admitted to WSU.

Courses offered at a distance can be used to fulfill requirements for WSU degrees and also can be taken on their own without earning a WSU degree.

The courses available at a distance are classified as either semester-based or flexible enrollment and are listed on the DDP Web site (DDP Courses). The two types are explained online (Course Basics).

Students receive notification of grades received for courses, and grades for individual courses will be posted to students’ transcripts, but no other certificate or acknowledgement of completion is provided.

International students are NOT eligible for financial aid through WSU, and international students residing in the United States who have a visa status of F1, F2, J1, J2, or B2 may be limited in the number of credits in which they can enroll through DDP. Contact the WSU Office of International Programs for more information (International Programs Web site, stoutm@wsu.edu, or 509-335-2541).

Enrollment in Distance Degree Programs courses ONLY will NOT maintain a student visa.

English proficiency is required for all courses.

Admission is the process of being accepted as a student at the university; once admitted, you must enroll or register for courses (see “Course Enrollment/Registration” below). Being accepted does not enroll you in courses.

As an international student, you apply for WSU admission, according to the following:

• Seeking a WSU degree: undergraduate international student application
  Students applying for admission to WSU as an undergraduate international student must meet the requirements explained online (WSU International Student Admission Requirements) with the exception that having a visa status and completion of the Certificate of Financial Responsibility is NOT required for international students taking courses outside the United States (it is required for international students applying for admission to take courses on campus).
  
• Enrolling in a course (no degree): non-degree student application
  Students applying as a non-degree student are required to meet the English language proficiency requirement.

• statement from a previous institution you attended for at least two years stating that all work was completed in English, or
• attendance at a school for at least two years in a country where English is the first language and where the classes are conducted in English. 

See DDP Academic Calendar "At a Glance"

Many of the WSU online services online, including checking admission status, making payments to student accounts, and "My DDP" (DDP students’ personal Web space), rely on the use of a WSU Network ID (NID) and password. All students create their own Network IDs and passwords by using their WSU student ID numbers and, in the case of international students, the access code provided by the Office of Admissions (Create a WSU Network ID ).

The student ID and access code are provided electronically as soon as an online application for admission is submitted or returned by mail when the Office of Admissions begins processing students’ applications for admission submitted by mail.

International students who want to enroll in courses through DDP and are having problems creating a Network ID can e-mail DDP (distance@wsu.edu) for help.

• Apply online if possible.
• Order TOEFL scores from Educational Testing Service (609-771-7600) to be forwarded to WSU; don’t send copies of the TOEFL!
• Request official transcripts (sealed from the institution) be sent to the following address:
        Office of Admissions—WSU
        PO Box 641067
        Pullman, WA 99164-1067
  
• You will be notified of your admission status by mail, and you can check your status online (Check My Admission Status). NOTE: To check your admission status online you need to have a WSU Network ID and password (see "WSU Network ID & Password" above).

Registration for semester-based courses is possible in myWSU during the University's open registration period (usually six weeks before start of the WSU semester through Friday of the first week of classes for spring and summer; fall registration opens at the same time as summer registration and closes Friday of the first week of classes). Semester-based courses begin at the same time on-campus WSU courses begin: fall semester—late August; spring semester—mid-January; and summer—mid-May. The actual dates will vary depending on the semester. Refer to the DDP Academic Calendar (DDP Calendar; choose the appropriate semester) for specific dates.

Flexible enrollment course enrollment is possible in myWSU at any time a course is available, although enrollments will be "attached" to a specific semester, depending on the date of enrollment.