Winter Session —
Frequently Asked Questions

Does Winter Session have advising holds?

No, there are no advising holds for Winter Session, but you should be sure to let your academic advisor know if you plan to take a Winter Session course.

Is participation in the Winter Session required to complete my degree?

No, participation in a Winter Session course is not required. Rather, these courses are offered to give students the opportunity to decrease the time to degree completion and enrich the educational experience.

How much is tuition?

Tuition rates for Winter Session will be posted on the Tuition and Fees page.

When is tuition due?

Tuition due dates for the three-week and six-week Winter Sessions can be found on the Dates and Deadlines page.

Besides tuition, are there any other fees?

Courses may have media fees. In the Schedule of Classes, find your Winter Session course and section under “Global Campus Fall Term.” Select the “More Information” link listed with the course to see if there are any fees. If information is not yet listed, please check back.

Can I receive financial aid for Winter Session?

Please refer to the Tuition and Fees page for financial aid information.

Can I use tuition waiver exemptions to cover the cost of Winter Session courses?

Winter Session course fees cannot be paid by tuition waiver exemptions as these courses are self-sustaining (not funded by state funds) and fully dependent on fees to cover the cost of instruction. Fee waivers authorized under RCW 28B.15.910 apply only to state-supported courses.

Can WSU staff take courses using the tuition waiver?

No. Because these courses are self-sustaining, they are not eligible for the tuition waiver.

How and when can I drop a Winter Session course?

Please visit the Winter Session Dates and Deadlines page to find the dates you can drop your course with a refund or withdraw from your course without a refund.

What course materials will I need?

Information is available in the Schedule of Classes, on The Bookie website, and in your myWSU Student Center. Find more information on Global Campus’ Textbooks page.

Where do I purchase required textbooks?

Students may order Winter Session textbooks online on The Bookie website or purchase them at The Bookie store on the Pullman campus. Online orders should be placed no later than two weeks before the course’s start date in order to allow adequate time for the required materials to arrive before classes begin.

Will I have exams in my courses?

Most courses in Winter Session have exams, and a few courses have exams that will be proctored virtually. This means that you will use an online platform to have your test overseen by an authorized, neutral proctor who will ensure the identity of the test taker and the integrity of the test-taking environment. 

To find out if a course requires proctoring, visit the course’s “More Information” page, which can be found on the Schedule of Classes website. If your course requires proctoring, visit the Global Campus Proctoring Service website for information on requirements.

When will access to my course space open up in Canvas?

Winter Session courses are either three or six weeks long—but you’ll have access to your Canvas course space six weeks before the course begins. Plan to review the syllabus and schedule when your course space becomes available. Take time to familiarize yourself with the online course environment, make sure you have all the required books and materials, and complete any recommended introductory readings or activities, if applicable. Working ahead or submitting assignments before the official start date is not recommended. YYou can access your course spaces on Canvas.

What if I need disability-related accommodations?

If you need disability-related accommodations, please contact the WSU Access Center as soon as possible to discuss the accommodations that you may need.

How does the WSU Winter Closure affect support for my course?

WSU has reduced operations for about ten days over the winter holidays. However, WSU Global campus has staff who regularly check both email and voicemail during these reduced operations. Guidance is given below about who to contact during these reduced operations days.

What if my course does not appear in Canvas?

f you don’t see your Winter Session class in Canvas by noon on the Monday prior to the first day of Winter Session, please confirm your enrollment in the course through myWSU and check the class start date. If your enrollment and start date check out, but the course does not appear in Canvas, then email Global Campus Academic Technology Support at ats.aoi@wsu.edu.

Who do I contact if I have trouble logging into Canvas, myWSU, or Outlook?

Please email Global Campus Academic Technology Support at ats.aoi@wsu.edu.

Who should I contact if I am not able to drop or withdraw from my course?

Please email the Global Campus registrar at online.registrar@wsu.edu.

My instructor is not responding to my email within 48 hours. Who can I contact for support?

Please email the Global Campus registrar at online.registrar@wsu.edu.

Who can I contact with questions that are not listed above?

Please email the Global Campus registrar at online.registrar@wsu.edu.