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Online Courses

What is the difference between Independent Study and Online courses?
Independent Study courses are print-based, correspondence courses. You will complete all work on your own using a course guide for guidance and mailing the work to the instructor. Most Independent Study courses have at least one exam that must be proctored (additional information about Testing). Instructors may have specific due dates for assignments and exams. These courses also have a built in extension time, so you have about six months to complete course requirements, provided that you have met all assignment deadlines set by the instructor. Online courses are accessed using the Internet and allow for electronic submission of assignments, although some Online courses require at least one proctored examination (for more information see “Testing” section below). You will consult the course website in place of a course guide, although you will still need to order textbooks and other materials. These courses run for either 8 (Summer) or 16 (Fall and Spring) weeks with no extensions. Online courses contain deadlines within the semester for completion of assignments and exams.
How do I check what courses are being offered next semester?
All course offerings will be available online only through Course Search on STARS. You may access Course Search from the Registrar’s website.
What platform is used for online courses?
Westernonline is the only platform for online courses. Login requires your WIU ECOM username and password. If you use WIU's email, your ECOM username and password will be the same username and password. You can call our Helpdesk at (309) 298-2704 if you have forgotten your ECOM username or password.
What is the registration procedure?
Courses are offered during each semester (fall, spring and summer). You will be sent notification of the date and time of your registration appointment through your ECOM account and STARS. You are encouraged to register early, as enrollments are limited for each class, whether on campus or online. To register for class you may use STARS. STARS is an interactive system with security features to insure that only you have access to your information. Access is based on your nine-digit student identification number and your password. The first time you access STARS, your password will be your MONTH, DAY and YEAR of birth. for example if you were born on January 5, 1980, then your password would be 01051980. You will be required to change your password to eight (8) characters in length. All passwords much contain one or more numbers and one or more alphabetic characters. DO NOT GIVE YOUR PASSWORD TO ANYONE! If you think that someone else may know your password, then you should immediately change your password on STARS. If you have forgotten your password, then you may call 309/298-7827 or come into the WIU Quad Cities campus in Moline to have your password reset to your MONTH, DAY and YEAR of birth. Please note: For security purposes you will be required to correctly answer a series of questions in order to properly identify yourself.