Colleges that Offer Correspondence Courses at a Glance
| College | Highlight |
| Seattle Central Community College | 30 correspondence courses offered; must be completed within 6 months |
| Oklahoma State University | Most correspondence courses must be completed in 12 months (some shorter); credits can be applied toward a degree at OSU |
| Murray State University | You have 52 weeks to complete correspondence courses; final exams for correspondence courses must be taken on-campus or proctored locally |
Courses by Mail
Many accredited colleges offer some of their college courses through distance learning - either over the Internet or through the mail. Students taking correspondence courses by mail can often complete all coursework from home and then mail or drop off assignments. Some courses may require students to take tests or final exams on campus or at an approved off-campus location with a proctor. After enrolling, correspondence students typically receive a course packet that outlines all assignments and coursework, and they often need to purchase their own textbooks. Most courses must be completed within a set time frame, such as six months. Students enrolled in correspondence courses may not qualify for financial aid.
Here are a few examples of courses offered by mail at some accredited U.S. colleges and universities.
Seattle Central Community College
This Washington-based community college offers more than 30 correspondence courses that can be taken by mail. All courses must be completed within six months of their start date, and enrollment is open to anyone 18 years or older. The credits earned from these courses may be applied to associate degree programs at the school.
Some courses available by mail include:
- Principles of Accounting
- Microeconomics
- Medical Terminology
- General Psychology
- U.S. History
- Oceanography
- History of Jazz
- Human Nutrition
Oklahoma State University
Oklahoma State University (OSU) offers a variety of courses that can be completed by mail through its Correspondence Education Office. Most courses must be completed within one year, though some have shorter time frames. It is not possible to complete an entire degree program through correspondence learning at OSU, but students can apply their credits towards an on-campus degree program.
Correspondence courses available from OSU include:
- Technical Writing
- Fire Protection Management
- Introduction to Literature
- Elementary German
- Calculus
- Linear Algebra
- American Government
- Meteorology
Murray State University
This 4-year school in Murray, Kentucky, offers correspondence courses through its continuing education division. These courses are available to U.S. residents who have a high school diploma or equivalent. Students must complete the course within 52 weeks of enrollment, and final exams must be taken either on campus or at a local location under supervision of an approved proctor.
Courses available by mail from Murray State include:
- Animal Science
- American National Government
- Personal Health Issues
- Foundations of Public Administration
- State and Local Politics
