Obtaining Your Course Materials

Since you are now a student at a virtual campus, you may be wondering how your course materials will be formatted and how you go about getting them. While you're at World Campus, you'll have the opportunity to take a wide range of courses that require a variety of materials, from a digital camera and paint brushes to image manipulation software. For the most part, however, your courses will require nothing more exotic than a textbook.

The official World Campus bookstore Links to an external site. can supply you with your course materials. On this site, you can view and purchase materials by course number, and when used in conjunction with your course syllabus, it's the most effective way to ensure that you're purchasing the correct materials. You should note that there are certain materials that aren't available through the bookstore so always check your syllabus to be sure that you obtain everything you need for your courses.

E-books

One question often asked is whether electronic textbooks (typically referred to as e-books) are used in World Campus courses. While supplemental digital materials are used at times in your courses, the choice of using an e-book or a good old-fashioned paper book is typically yours. There are often cost savings associated with electronic media, but you aren't able to sell electronic materials back to the bookstore when you're done. Ultimately, it's a matter of personal preference.

That being said, World Campus and the Penn State University Libraries have collaborated to provide free e-books for many of the courses that are offered here.  You can read more about this program and see a list of the books that are available on the Library's E-Book Program site Links to an external site..

Other Sources for Materials

While the University maintains an official bookstore, you aren't required to purchase your textbooks from them. There are many well-known booksellers, both online and location based, where you can obtain your materials. You must, however, put effort into making sure that you're getting the correct materials if you go this route. Always check your syllabi for the correct ISBN (International Standard Book Number) so that you're sure that you're not only getting the correct title but also the correct edition of your text. Also, many of these retailers provide you with the opportunity to rent your textbooks instead of buying them. This can be a great way to save money, particularly if you know that you won't need the book for another course in the future.

Planning for Books and Other Expenses

World Campus doesn't offer book vouchers. Students who have an excess of financial aid after it has been applied may receive a refund and may use those funds for other educational expenses, including books and special equipment. However, excess aid refunds may not be available until after the semester has begun, and you may be responsible for purchasing materials before classes start.