Step 1: Select Course and Register
Choose the online course you would like to take from the Engineering Distance Education website. Once you have chosen the course you wish to take, students have two choices to register:

1. Continuing and Distance Education Registration

• NEW and ON-CAMPUS STUDENTS on CO-OP or INTERNSHIPS are required to register using this link.

1. Students who are on co-op or internship and/or
2. Student is taking off-campus courses ONLY

Please contact the EDE office at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it if you have any questions. This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

2. Online Through AccessPlus 

• Available to OFF-CAMPUS STUDENTS only.
• This method gives instant confirmation of registration.
• Log into one system to register, view grades, or make a change in your schedule.

After submitting your registration you will receive a registration confirmation e-mail with steps and information regarding your course.  Please be sure to read the information included in the e-mail as it will help with your online education experience and answer many questions.

If you are a new student to Iowa State, EDE will e-mail you your ISU Card Number after your registration has been processed (3-7 days).  This assigned random university identification number will be used for different services at Iowa State as well as for obtaining your Net ID.   Your actual ISU Card will be mailed to you later in the semester. 

Once you receive your ISU Card Number you will be able to set up your Net ID.  Your Net ID will be used to log into our online course portal system, WebCT.  To setup your Net ID you will need to visit the Acropolis Website and follow the instructions there.  Once you have registered your Net ID please e-mail it to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it so we can add it to your record.  For more information regarding your Net ID and Acropolois Registration, please visit the EDE Support Page.

An ISU e-mail account is automatically set up when you establish your Net ID.  Your e-mail address will be your Net ID followed by @iastate.edu.  To check your ISU e-mail account you will need to log into the university's WebMail System.

Since all official notices from the university (this includes information on billing and grades) will go to your newly created ISU e-mail account, you may wish to forward your ISU e-mail to an account you already use on a regular basis.  Instructions for ISU e-mail forwarding can be found on the ISU Information Technology web site.  You can use the ISU WebMail System if you have no other e-mail or do not wish to forward your ISU account to another e-mail address.

AccessPlus is your secure and personalized online resource for accessing your important and confidential university information such as university bills, grade reports, and transcripts. Iowa State no longer mails paper bills or grade reports, so students are required to log into AccessPlus to view this information.  The first time you log into AccessPlus your password will be set, initially, to your month and date of birth (ex. August 12 = 0812).  After successfully logging into AccessPlus you will be prompted to change your password and log in again.

If your employer reimburses you for the cost of your course and you would like to defer the payment of tuition and fees until the end of the semester, be sure to fill out and submit the Employer Reimbursement Tuition Deferrment form found on the Accounts Receivable website.

All students taking courses via distance education are required to select a person to proctor or supervise their exams.  Students will need to submit a Proctor Identification Form before the first day of class.  This is something that can be done while you are waiting for your NetID to be processed. 

Order course textbooks.  We work directly with the University Bookstore so the required textbooks are available before classes begin.  Orders can be placed online or at 1-800-478-0048.  Some instructors may not inform the EDE office of what textbook they will be using before classes begin; so you may not be able to purchase your textbooks ahead of time for all classes.  Students are also free to order textbooks online through any source.

View the Computer Requirements on the EDE support page to ensure your computer meets the requirements to take an online course through EDE.

Access WebCT.  You will receive an e-mail notification when your course is available in WebCT , usually the week before classes start.  WebCT is the online education tool used for our courses.  It is imperative that you have access to this site and be able to use it fully.  If you are having troubles accessing or using WebCT please visit the EDE support site , WebCT support site , or contact EDE directly at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 800-854-1675.