Technical and Professional Communication Program
and Certificates Online Learning Agreement, 2015-2016
This agreement summarizes the required technologies needed and resources available to
all graduate professional development certificate and M.S. Technical and Professional
Communication (MSTPC) program students. All program and certificate students who
are newly admitted must read and sign this agreement before registering for classes. All
students who are continuing their program of study must submit updated forms by
September 1 each year. This agreement is reviewed and updated annually by faculty.
MSTPC and certificate courses follow UW-Stout’s semester schedules, with specific start
and end dates. Courses are not self-paced: students must follow instructor-assigned
syllabi deadlines.
Required Technology
I have access to the following technology and am able to solve any problems with it.
Internet Access. I have consistent broadband Internet access (i.e., speeds equivalent
to DSL, satellite or cable connections).
Hardware/Software. I have a computer with the following hardware and software:
• Internet browser such as Internet Explorer, Safari, or Firefox
• Recent version of Windows or Mac OS X
• Microsoft Office 2007 or later, or compatible open-source software (Office 365 is
free for currently enrolled students. This allows you to install Word, Excel,
PowerPoint, OneNote, Publisher and Access. The plan also includes 1TB of
OneDrive storage, managed by UW-Stout and students can edit and collaborate
using Office Online, Yammer and Sharepoint sites.)
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Microphone, either built in or auxiliary
• Web Cam, either built in or auxiliary
Course-specific Software. Two courses listed on the MSTPC Program Plan require
special software. These are Selected Studies courses (optional but not required). I
understand that if I enroll in these courses, I will need to meet these requirements:
• INMGT-565 Project Management use Microsoft Project Professional 2010, which
is Windows-only.
• INMGT-675 Advanced Project Management use Microsoft Project Professional
2010, which is Windows-only.
I understand that as a UW-Stout student, I qualify to purchase software at educational
discount prices. Visit Wisconsin Integrated Software Catalog (WISC) for more
information.
Email Account. I understand that my UW-Stout email address is the primary mode
of communication between the university and myself. My advisor, instructors, librarians,
and all other staff use UW-Stout email to contact me. I will check my UW-Stout email
account regularly.
Revised October 2015 Public Writing
Many MSTPC and certificate courses require students to engage in discussion board or
chat conversations or to write and post to blogs. I understand that these types of courserelated communications are examples of public writing and will be viewed by my
instructors, students in my class, and any instructor or student guests. I understand that all
UW-Stout instructors follow its Social Media Guidance for Teachers policy.
Textbook Rental
MSTPC and certificate students take advantage of the textbook rental system offered by
Instructional Resources Service. I understand that if I live more than 30 miles from
campus I can have my course textbooks mailed to me on a rental basis, and I am then
required to ship the textbooks back within two weeks of the last day of finals. The
university is moving toward an e-textbook model, in which textbooks and edited
collections would be linked as e-texts into the D2L content management system. As
e-texts become available the MSTPC program will begin using them in program courses.
University Library
University Library services to MSTPC and certificate students are parallel to service
offered to on-campus students, per the Standards for Distance Learning Library Services
by the Association for Colleges and Research Librarians found here. I understand that I
may contact our program’s distance learning librarian, Ann Vogl (voglan@uwstout.edu),
with questions about library research and services.
I have read and understand the requirements for online learning in the MS Technical and
Professional Communication program and in the Professional Development Certificate
programs at University of Wisconsin-Stout. I commit to meeting these requirements.
Submit your signed form to wattsj@uwstout.edu.
Signature
Revised October 2015