Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enroll?

Enrolling in a UM-ISHS course is very easy. Begin by checking the course listings. If you don't know what course you wish to take, please begin your selection process by talking with an academic advisor about your educational goals. Once you have selected the course, or courses, that meet your needs, you may use any one of four convenient ways to enroll in a UM-Independent Study High School course. Click here to find out more!

Who may enroll?

Students younger than 18 who are residents of a school district in the United States may enroll in our diploma program if they supply the following information to our academic advisor:

• an official transcript of all previously completed high school course work beginning with grade nine; and the name, title, address, and telephone number of a person qualified to supervise course work.
• Parents/legal guardians must ensure that their child (children) complies with their state's compulsory attendance laws.

Students living outside the United States?

Students living outside the United States may enroll in our diploma program if they provide our academic advisor with an official transcript of all previously completed high school course work beginning with grade nine and the name, title, address, and telephone number of a person qualified to supervise course work. An English translation must accompany a non-English transcript.

Students 18 and older?

Students 18 and older may enroll in our diploma program if they provide the following information to our academic advisor:

• official transcripts of previous high school courses and/or scores from the General Educational Development Test (GED); and
• the name, title, address, and telephone number of a person qualified to supervise course work.

What are the graduation requirements?

All students who enroll as UM-ISHS diploma students must earn a minimum of 23 Carnegie units before they will be granted a high school diploma from the UM-Independent Study High School. Graduation requirements are based on state and regional accreditation requirements.

If I have completed courses at another school, may I receive a diploma from UM-ISHS?

Yes, you may. However, students receiving a diploma from UM's Independent Study High School must successfully complete 2 1/2 Carnegie units through our program, regardless of the number of credits accepted for transfer from other schools.

How many courses do I need to take to be a full-time student?

Students who are enrolled in 2 1/2 Carnegie units or more per semester are considered to be full-time students.

Can I transfer credits earned elsewhere?

Yes, academic credits earned at other schools may be transferred into our school. All credit issued by accredited secondary schools as high school credit is accepted toward meeting UM's Independent Study High School graduation requirements.

An accredited school is one that has state accreditation from the state in which it is located and/or regional or national accreditation. The accredited school must be able to provide an official high school transcript. Our UM-ISHS adviser reviews each transcript as it arrives at the high school to be sure it meets our transfer requirements. It would be appropriate for transferring schools to provide a cover memo with the official transcript, identifying the accrediting agency from which they received their accreditation.

Students transferring credits from foreign or non-accredited domestic high schools must provide a transcript. In some cases students may be asked to take the Iowa Tests of Educational Development (ITED) to validate their credits. The ITED tests must be ordered from us. The student's supervisor administers the tests. There is a $25 fee for the ITED tests and evaluations.

Academic credits may be validated in mathematics, social studies, English, and science. We will accept a total of 5 Carnegie units per academic year for core and elective courses combined.

High school students who have been home-schooled follow the same procedure as students from non-accredited domestic schools. Their transcripts of record must include a listing of the subjects taken at each grade level. Each subject should be accompanied by a listing of the major textbook (title and publisher) used in the course. Home-schooled students may be asked to take the ITED to validate their credits.

How long is an enrollment in effect?

A high school independent study course enrollment covers a period of one year from the date the enrollment is processed by UM-ISHS. Supervisors are notified by mail approximately 90 days before a student's enrollment expires.

May students extend their course enrollments?

Yes, students may extend their enrollment in a course for an additional six months by submitting a written request and a $75 extension fee within 30 days after the course expiration date. The extension will be calculated from the actual expiration date of the original enrollment.

Proctors for Independent Study High School Students

All tests taken by Independent Study students must be proctored at an approved testing site. The information below is provided to assist you in locating a suitable proctor.

Students Located in Lafayette County, MS

If the student resides in Lafayette County, the student must utilize the testing space in the Independent Study High School office, in the Yerby Conference Center. Please call the UM ISHS office to schedule all tests. Twenty-four hour notice is required when scheduling tests. Reserve a testing time by calling the office at 662.915.1296 or emailing your information to ishs@olemiss.edu.

Because of the number of students taking tests at the UM ISHS office, it is important that students report promptly at the appointed hour.

If a student has a disability that qualifies under the Americans with Disabilities Act and requires accommodations, then we will work with that student to procure an accessible testing location.

Please note: the UM ISHS office will be closed on holidays in accordance with The University of Mississippi holiday schedule.

Students outside of Lafayette County, MS

Local supervisors/proctors are responsible for maintaining test security, establishing testing conditions, proctoring tests, and submitting completed test authenticity forms to UM-ISHS when necessary.

The most acceptable choice for a supervisor or proctor is a person currently employed at any level as an educator (elementary, secondary, or post secondary). The person could be a teacher, counselor, administrator, or extension educator. Other acceptable choices include head librarians or local clergy. Military families may use base education officers, chaplains, and superior commissioned officers. Families living overseas may use embassy or consulate officials or other approved non family members. For more information on selecting a supervisor, contact us at (662) 915-1296.

UM-Independent Study High School administration must approve proctors. For students transferring credit back to a school, local school official also must approve the proctor.

For more specific information, please contact the UM-ISHS office at 662.915.1296 or email at ishs@olemiss.edu.

What is your refund policy?

A refund is allowed if no more than one month has elapsed since enrollment. The date of enrollment is the date the course fee payment is processed in the Office of Independent Study High School. The amount of this refund is 80 percent of the enrollment fee submitted Refunds are made only under the conditions previously stated and with the understanding that the student will pay the full amount of the fee if the student should ever again enroll in a UM-ISHS independent study course.

To qualify for a refund, print-based course materials must be unused by the student and in good condition. They must be determined to be acceptable for future use by the representatives of the UM Independent Study High School. Science, mathematics, and art kits must be returned in their original packaging, complete and unused.

Return all course materials to UM Independent Study High School, P. O. Box 7959, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677-7959.

NOTE: Materials shipped to UM-ISHS that do not meet refund requirements will not be returned to the sender.

For additional information on the refund policy, please contact the UM Independent Study High School or refer to the Refund Information Sheets inserted in your order shipment.

Are there time lines for the submission of course materials?

There are no official timelines within the constraints of the one-year enrollment time frame. Students exercise control over their progress through course assignments. However, instructors are willing to assist students in the creation of individualized pacing guides.

Minimum completion period: A student may not complete a course in less than five weeks (35 days) from the date the first written work is received at the UM-Independent Study High School without advance permission from the administration. Under no circumstances will a student be allowed to complete a course in less than three weeks (21 days) from the date the first course assignment is received in our office.

Accelerated completion requests: Requests for accelerated completion must be made by an official of the student's local school, by the student's supervisor, or by the parent/local guardian if the student is not associated with a local school.

How do I submit course assignments to UM-ISHS?

All online courses are operated on the ANGEL learning management system. Students will receive all assignments through ANGEL and will return all assignments through ANGEL For print-based courses, students can mail, email, or fax written assignments to the UM-ISHS.

How will my assignments be returned to me?

The ANGEL learning management system is a paperless interface and allows students and teachers to submit and return documents electronically. Just as students submit assignments through ANGEL, teachers will return the graded assignments through ANGEL, as well. Print-based assignments will be returned via mail, email, or fax.

What advising services are available?

UM-ISHS offers individual academic advising for students who want help planning an educational program that includes independent study courses. If you have questions about high school courses, contact our academic adviser: phone (662) 915 -1296, fax (662) 915-5138, e-mail ishs@olemiss.edu, or write the Office of Independent Study High School at P. O. Box 7959, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677-7959.

How will I apply to take college admissions tests?

First, students should contact the college or university of their choice for information about the examination required for entrance to that institution. Then they should telephone, fax, or write directly to one of the following organizations to find out when and where the examination may be taken:

The American College Testing Program (ACT)
Test Administration
P. O. Box 168
Iowa City, IA 52243-0618
Phone: (319) 337-1270
Fax: (319) 339-3032
Web: www.act.org

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and Achievement and
Advancement Placement Tests College Entrance
Examination Board
College Board SAT Program
P. O. Box 6200
Princeton, NJ 08541-6200
Phone: (609) 771-7600
Fax: (609) 771-7773
Web: www.collegeboard.org

Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) and
National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT)
National Merit Scholarship Corporation
1560 Sherman Avenue, Suite 200
Evanston, IL 60201-4897
Phone: (609) 771-7070
Fax: (609) 530-0482
Web: www.collegeboard.org

Please note that to qualify for a National Merit Scholarship, you must take the PSAT in your junior year.

How do I obtain a transcript from UM-ISHS?

A request for an official UM-Independent Study High School transcript must be submitted in writing. Please send your requests via regular mail or fax. Any request from a student under 18 must be signed by a parent or legal guardian. The students themselves must sign requests if they are 18 or over.

One transcript is provided at no charge for UM-ISHS students. A $5 charge will be assessed for each additional copy provided. Payment must accompany the transcript request. Mail request to Office of Independent Study High School, P. O. Box 7959, The University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677-7959.

Please allow one week from the submission of the final course grade for transcripts to be processed.

NOTE: UM-ISHS will provide transcripts upon request by a high school official if a student is seeking to enroll in or is currently enrolled in that school. In these cases, students and parents/legal guardians do not have to submit a written request.