Welcome to VIP

Welcome to the Video Instructional Program (VIP) at the University of Missouri-St. Louis. We are pleased that you have selected a telecourse or are interested in the program.

The VIP is a distance learning program. It was initiated in 1988 to provide an alternative for students who were unable because of work schedules, family commitments, or other reasons to take traditional on campus credit courses. Student who are highly motivated, self-disciplined and/or independent learners succeed in distance learning programs.

Currently, our lineup of courses includes twenty telecourses and one on-line telecourse. The difference – telecourses require face-to-face interaction with the instructor (i.e., on campus meetings, visits to campus to turn in assignments, homework or to take examinations.) With on-line courses all interaction between the student and instructor, occurs via the Internet so students must have access to a computer.

As with traditional on campus courses any combination of video and/or audio taped lessons, written materials, homework, assignments, and examinations are utilized at the instructor’s discretion. Video lessons for various courses are available for viewing on the Higher Education Channel on cable within the city of St. Louis and most of St. Louis County, or may be checked out from the UM–St. Louis libraries.

Each telecourse carries three (3) hours undergraduate credit, unless otherwise noted and are equivalent to traditional on campus courses.

This website was developed to provide basic information about the program as well as its policies and procedures and to assist those of you who have already selected a telecourse and want to know "how to proceed." For specific University information or for clarification please refer to your Student Handbook or contact the appropriate University department (www.umsl.edu) directly.