Thank you for your interest in the Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies. Below, you will find a list of our frequently asked questions. For your convenience, you can filter all questions by topic.
Continuing Studies classes are open to adults, with the exception of a few courses for high school students. A few courses have prerequisites indicated in the course descriptions, and some programs, including our degree programs, require a bachelor's degree (which does not have to be from Rice but must be from an accredited institution).
See individual program pages for specifics.
6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005
You may only attend class if you have paid the full fee amount.
Continuing Studies classes are open to adults, with the exception of a few courses for high school students. A few courses have prerequisites indicated in the course descriptions, and some programs require a bachelor's degree (which does not have to be from Rice but must be from an accredited institution). See individual program pages for specifics.
You may only attend class if you have paid the full fee amount.
You may only attend class if you have paid the full fee amount.
You may submit your ideas by e-mail to gscs@rice.edu.
The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized uniform unit of measurement of individual participation in non-credit continuing education. One Continuing Education Unit is defined as "ten contact hours of participation in an organized continuing education experience, under responsible sponsorship, capable direction and qualified instruction." CEUs provide the framework for individuals to document their efforts to update or broaden their knowledge or skills through a variety of non-credit educational options. CEUs are granted for classroom hours and are not granted for hours spent at such activities as performances, field trips or tours.
You can find information regarding refunds on our Policies page.
Refund policies differ, depending on the type of course. Please find more information about refunds on our Policies page.
No, in most cases another section is not available, and we do not carry over registrations from one session to another. If handouts were distributed in the class you missed, you can request those handouts at the next class from the course attendant. Some individual programs, such as ESL, the Foreign Language Program and Center for College Readiness have specific policies on missed classes. Please call or consult the website.
Some courses have required and/or recommended texts. For information on books for your course see individual program pages on our website or call 713-348-4803.
An individual may be able to claim a tax deduction or a tax credit for the cost of attending this continuing education program. However, we do not issue 1098-Ts. Non-academic credit programs such as continuing education courses do not require a 1098-T per IRS guidelines. Please keep a copy of your receipt and consult with your tax advisor about whether your payment meets the regulations that apply to tax deductions and tax credits. The University’s Federal Tax ID Number is 74-1109620.
Yes, we offer a variety of online courses. Please visit our Online Learning page for more information.
We accept some late registrations depending on the course and space availability. If you would like to enroll in a course that has started, please call 713-348-4803 to inquire about late registration.
We do not accept reservations for courses or trainings. You must complete the full registration process including payment.
You will receive an enrollment acknowledgment in the mail approximately one week after registration (although this varies by program). This will include classroom location, campus map, parking information, book requirements and other information relating to your particular class.
You will receive important information about parking in your enrollment acknowledgment; please read and retain all parking information. Visit our Parking & Directions for more information.
Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. We are closed on holidays and the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day.
We are located in the Anderson-Clarke Center, the three-story building on the left as you come in Entrance 8 at the intersection of University Boulevard and Stockton Drive. It is building #74 on the campus map. Visitor parking spaces are available on the backside of the building.
Continuing Studies courses do not confer college credit with the exception of the Graduate Liberal Studies programs and Education programs. Some Continuing Studies programs confer professional continuing education credit, which is indicated in the course description. All courses grant participants Continuing Education Units (CEUs) – one unit for every ten hours of classroom time.
In general, we accept registrations up until the first class session, as long as there is space available in the class. Many classes fill quickly; we recommend that you register as early as possible. Some lifelong learner and professional development courses have an early registration discount. See course pages for details. If you have waited until the day a class starts to register, please call us at 713-348-4803; if you register online at the last minute you risk not getting course location or parking information.
Lifelong learner courses are offered in two major sessions a year, beginning in January and August. Language courses are offered year-round. Professional development courses are offered at various times of the year, but typically begin in spring or fall. Please see the Master of Liberal Studies and Master of Arts in Teaching program for our degree program schedules.
Financial assistance information can be found on Rice Financial Aid's Visiting and Continuing Education Students page.
Information regarding third-party professional development hours from The Texas Association for the Gifted & Talented (TAGT) can be found at: https://www.txgifted.org/verification-update. Please contact TAGT or your district for specifics.
Substitution requests must be made in writing to collegeready@rice.edu. Space is guaranteed only if replacing a registrant for the same course. Substitutions made on the day of the workshop are subject to approval and a processing fee.
Courses are indicated as full on the registration website page. If available, an option to be added to the waiting list is stated on the same registration website page.
Please contact us in writing at gscs@rice.edu with any changes to your registration.
If space becomes available, you will receive an email to ask if you would like to attend. Once contacted, you must respond within 24 hours, or the space will be offered to the next person on the waiting list.
A purchase order is not a payment; it is a document stating that tuition has been approved by district personnel and that payment (check) will follow. Payment, by check or credit card, must be received within 30 days of registration.
Please contact us at gscs@rice.edu to receive a copy of your certificate.
We do not require payment to be placed on a waitlist.
We accept payments via credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express) or check.
Checks
Please make checks payable to: RICE UNIVERSITY. Checks submitted to Rice University for payment may be converted into an electronic funds transfer from your account. There is a $30 charge for all checks returned for insufficient funds.
Wire Transfers
Wire transfers are accepted for our Center for College Readiness Advanced Placement Summer Institute (APSI) and International Baccalaureate (IB) workshops. There is an additional charge of $25.00 per transaction in addition to their registration to cover the costs of fees incurred by the university for wire transfers.
Most classrooms are accessible for all participants; however, some classrooms and seating in older buildings may be inaccessible for people who use wheelchairs and/or other aids for mobility. Rice shuttle buses are handicapped accessible. Please notify us at gscs@rice.edu if you require accommodations. For information on Rice's Disability Support Services office, visit dss.rice.edu.
Cancellations can be made from your Student Account. Cancellation deadlines differ by program. Please consult your receipt for additional information.
The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized uniform unit of measurement of individual participation in non-credit continuing education. One Continuing Education Unit equals ten hours of instruction.
Continuing Professional Education Hours (CPE) can only be awarded by providers authorized by the State Board for Educator Certification, and are equal to the actual instruction time. A 30-hour course, for example, would award 3.0 CEUs or 30 CPEs. The Glasscock School of Continuing Studies is recognized as a provider of both CEUs and CPEs.
SBEC Continuing Professional Education Provider Number 500571.
You may refer to your subject-specific course description for items if requested by your instructor. Course cost of attendance includes all supplies and/or textbooks that you will need for your course unless specifically stated otherwise.
For Educator Workshops
We recommend comfortable attire and walking shoes, as trainings typically involve walking around Rice University's campus. Science teachers must follow Rice University's lab safety rules by wearing closed-toe shoes (no sandals), long pants or skirts, laboratory coats, and goggles during all lab activities.
You will receive a confirmation email within a few minutes after completing an online registration. If you do not receive your confirmation email, please check your junk mail/spam folder.
Within two business days of the end of your program, you will receive an email instructing you to complete an evaluation. After completing the evaluation, you will be able to access your certificate through our online registration system under the Account Information- Registration History/Certificates section.
Available hotel information can be found on the specific program webpage.
Please mail your payment to:
Rice University, Attn: Registration Services
P.O. Box 1892, MS-550
Houston, TX 77251-1892
Please make your purchase order payable to Rice University.
Please refer to your campus or district for questions related to certification or eligibility. Information related to Advanced Placement can be found at https://ap.collegeboard.org/. Information related to International Baccalaureate can be found at https://www.ibo.org/.
You will receive your receipt via email shortly after registering.
Degree Seekers
Fellowships and additional financial assistance may be available for our degree programs. Please consult the appropriate degree program webpages for more information.
Center for Community Learning and Engagement
Rice Continuing Studies offers a limited number of scholarships each semester for our Center for Community Learning and Engagement courses. See details.
Professionals, Educators, K-12 Students & Language Learners
Currently, we do not offer financial assistance for any of the courses beyond our advertised discounts. There are bundle discount opportunities and discounts available for participants who are members of the following professional organizations: AFP, AASP, Apra, ESCH. There may be scholarship opportunities available for those interested in our certificate programs. Details for these scholarships can be found on the individual certificate pages.
Courses are not eligible for audit. Registration is required for all courses and certificate programs.
Degree Programs
All of our courses in our degree programs are available for academic credit. These courses are offered only to those accepted into the degree program.
Non-Degree Programs
At this time, all of non-degree courses are for continuing education purposes and do not provide academic credit; therefore, they cannot be transferred to a degree program.
Philanthropy & nonprofit courses and certificates can count toward the education requirement for CFRE credentials. Each course page on the website indicates the number of CFRE points that can be earned. More information on CFRE certification can be obtained from CFRE International.
Noncredit Courses & Certificates
Our courses operate on an open-enrollment basis except for the select certificate programs, which have prerequisites and/or an application process. Details about the application process for each program is available on the specific program page.
Degree Programs & Credit Certificates
Our degree programs and credit-bearing certificates have admissions processes specific to each program. Please visit the specific program pages for more details.
At this time, we do not have a formal career center or job placement component to the center. We are able to share information including job descriptions and current executive search details with our current and past participants at the request of organizations and firms seeking to connect with our alumni. Please contact our office at gscs@rice.edu or 713-348-4803 for individual assistance and questions.
The majority of our courses take place in the Anderson-Clarke Center on Rice University’s campus. You will receive an enrollment acknowledgment through postal mail along with an email when your registration is processed. This acknowledgment will include course location and parking details. If you register on the Web, your schedule and classroom location will be available on your online account under “My Enrollment History/My Class Schedule.” If it is not available right away, please continue to check back. If you register close to the start of the course, you should contact the CPNL program coordinator at 713-348-4803 or at gscs@rice.edu for parking and location details. See the Rice campus map.
Non-credit courses
There are multiple ways to pay for a course. If you want to register on the Web, you will be required to pay for your course with a credit card on the Web. You can pay with a credit card over the phone by calling 713-348-4803, or you can pay in person at the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies (see "Anderson-Clarke Center" on the Rice campus map) during normal business hours. Credit cards or checks are accepted. Please make checks payable to: RICE UNIVERSITY. Note: checks submitted to Rice University for payment may be converted into an electronic fund transfer from your account. You can mail a check (be sure to include the course number in the “notes” section) to:
Rice University
Glasscock School of Continuing Studies – MS 550
Attn: Course Payment
6100 Main Street
Houston, TX 77005
You can register online for most courses (with the exception of ESL, credit programs, and some professional development programs). You can register on the Web by clicking on a specific course and following the REGISTER NOW button. You can also register by phone by calling 713-348-4803 during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.). Finally, you can register in person at the Glasscock School of Continuing Studies during normal business hours. See "Anderson-Clarke Center" on the Rice campus map. Please note some programs have an application process. If payment via check is accepted, please make checks payable to: RICE UNIVERSITY.
Information regarding the refund policy and process can be found on our Policies page.
Certificate participants who successfully meet the established criteria will receive paperwork from Rice. Individual course participants may request an electronic certificate from gscs@rice.edu verifying enrollment, CEU, CPE and/or CFRE credit.
We do not have a senior citizen discount. Some courses feature discounts for members of a co-sponsoring organization. Association of Rice Alumni members are eligible for a reduced fee for many non-limited enrollment courses. Visit our Policies page for more information.
To use a gift certificate to register for a course, the registrant must call the program coordinator and reference the number on the top right of the gift certificate. Each certificate may be used only for what is stated on the gift certificate, and it may only be used for a course that begins prior to the expiration date listed. Gift certificates have no cash value and may not be used for a discount on a course which costs more than the amount listed on the certificate. For additional inquiries, please email: gscs@rice.edu.
No, the MIS program does not require its applicants to have taken the GRE or any other standardized test. You must complete the application form in its entirety.
Yes. After completing a core course in each of the three areas – social sciences, humanities and natural science – students can choose to take courses (or a majority of courses) in one of those tracks to complete their degree.
Like most graduate-level programs, the MIS program is a stand-alone program. All courses must be taken within the program with limited exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
Students admitted to the MIS program are expected to take all courses within the Rice MIS program; however, up to 6 hours may be transferred in on a case-by-case basis.
MIS and DLS classes are held in person on the Rice University campus. There is no standard online or dual delivery option. In-person instruction is important for fostering robust class discussions, building community, and creating an engaging, collaborative learning environment. Classes typically meet once a week for three hours. In some cases, individual professors may offer certain courses or class sessions via Zoom at their discretion. However, students should plan for a primarily in-person experience.
No. Classes meet during weekday evenings.
The program stresses small classes and most classes will have 12 students, although some classes may be slightly smaller or larger.
Part-time students who take one course per semester can earn your degree in 11 semesters or in a little less than four years. Students can earn it sooner by taking two courses per semester and/or in the summer. Part-time students are required to take only one course during their first semester but may take up to two courses per semester after that. Given that scenario, you could finish in two and a half years.
Full-time students who take three courses (9 hours) in the fall and spring semesters and at least 2 courses (6 hours) in the summer can earn the degree in two years.
It is the policy of the MIS program that you must finish your degree requirements within seven years from the date you first began the program.
Yes, but you must take at least two courses per academic year and submit a leave of absence form prior to the start of the semester you will miss.
No, but a lengthy paper or project will be required in the capstone (final) course. Also, research papers will be required in all courses.
For students entering this year and completing their degree within four years, we estimate the program will cost approximately $42,000 in tuition and fees.
Benefits-eligible Rice staff who demonstrate a financial need can receive a 50% tuition discount. The MIS is not eligible for the Rice tuition waiver, but students may be eligible for Rice tuition reimbursement.
Graduates of Rice University receive a 10% tuition discount.
Yes. MIS and DLS program graduates will be able to attend graduation ceremonies with all other Rice graduates.
We currently do not offer online courses; however, students might be able to attend class remotely via Zoom.
For part-time students, the answer is no. The F-1 student visa requires a full-time course of study. International applicants requiring a student visa must enroll full-time. International applicants who are legally in the United States (such as permanent residents) may enroll in the program since a student visa will not be required.
Students seeking admission to the MIS program who completed coursework and/or degree(s) at institutions outside the United States must present a professional course-by-course evaluation of the foreign official transcript. The professional evaluation must verify that the degree obtained is equivalent to baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. academic institution and must include an explanation of credits earned (including U.S. semester hour equivalents), grade equivalents, and course levels (lower or upper level). Two reliable services with course-by-course evaluations that include this required information are:
All professional evaluations should be obtained from one of these two recommended credential services and submitted to the MIS Program. Payment for the professional evaluation is the responsibility of the applicant.
Yes, we prefer e-Trancripts! The Rice University Master of Interdisciplinary Studies and Diploma in Liberal Studies programs accepts electronic transcripts from U.S. institutions via secure electronic transcript providers. Consult with your institution to see if they are part of a secure e-delivery network. All electronic transcripts should be sent to mis@rice.edu. Please note transcripts are not accepted by fax or personal email. Official transcripts that are mailed must arrive in the original sealed envelope issued by the institution.
For students entering this year and completing their degree within four years, we estimate the program will cost approximately $36,000 in tuition and fees.
Part-time students who take one course per semester can earn the degree in 10 semesters or in a little less than four years. Students can earn it sooner by taking two courses per semester and/or in the summer. Part-time students are required to take only one course during their first semester, but may take up to two courses per semester after that. Given that scenario, you could finish in two and a half years.
Full-time students who take three courses (9 hours) in the fall and spring semesters and at least 2 courses (6 hours) in the summer can earn the degree in two years.
It is the policy of the DLS program that you must finish your degree requirements within seven years from the date you first began the program.
In some cases, a student may want to take a course outside of the DLS program to gain knowledge in one or more focus disciplines. Please coordinate with the GLS program office.
You may contact us directly through postal mail, e-mail, fax or phone.
Mailing Address: Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies
MS 550, Rice University,
P.O. Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251
E-mail: gscs@rice.edu
Fax number: 713-348-5213
Main telephone number: 713-348-4803
If you have a complaint about parking, please e-mail gscs@rice.edu.
Yes. After completing a core course in each of the three areas – social sciences, humanities, and natural science – students can choose to take courses (or a majority of courses) in one of those tracks to complete their degree. Additionally, certified High School English and History teachers can focus all of their electives in these subjects to meet Dual Credit Teacher Credentialing requirements.
Yes; however, the TOEFL and the IELTS may be waived for an international student who received a degree from an institution in which English is the official language of communication. For 2021 admission, the following tests are accepted and will be used to assess English language proficiency.
For 2021, Rice will not accept the ITP Plus test to evaluate English language proficiency, but scores/interviews are able to be reported to Rice as a supplemental material via Vericant.
Applicants should visit graduate.rice.edu/admissions/qualifications for additional information and reporting details.
Wire transfers are accepted for our Center for College Readiness Advanced Placement Summer Institute (APSI) and International Baccalaureate (IB) workshops. There is an additional charge of $25.00 per participant in addition to their registration to cover the costs of fees incurred by the university for wire transfers.
Tuition Reimbursement
The University’s tuition reimbursement program supports employee development of current and future job-related skills and knowledge. The tuition reimbursement program is available to all employees who are benefits eligible and have completed the six-month employee probationary period. Employees are required to complete the Tuition Reimbursement Application, and submit it to Human Resources (HR) prior to the course start date. If approved, upon completion of the course, employees must submit to HR both proof of payment and evidence of successful completion of the course (grade of C or higher) will receive 75% of their course tuition up to $5,250.
Tuition Reimbursement Application Form
The employee must forward the signed application to Human Resources via campus mail (MS-92), or by email to benefits@rice.edu for final approval.
The employee will receive a copy of the approved application.
POSTAL ADDRESS
Rice University Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies - MS-550
P.O. BOX 1892
Houston, TX 77251-1892
STREET ADDRESS
Susanne M. Glasscock School of Continuing Studies - MS-550
Anderson-Clarke Center
Rice University
6100 Main Street
Houston, TX 77005
