Frequently Asked Questions

What is TUBE U^®?  TUBE U is high-quality, customized online learning solutions for professionals in the tube producing and fabricating industry. Taking a TUBE U course allows you a faster, more cost-effective approach to learning. This flexible education tool allows you to learn at your convenience, day or night.

How long will the course take? You will have twelve weeks from the start date of the course to work through the modules and complete the test. After the twelve weeks, you will no longer have access to the course.

What does the courses include?  The TUBE U course is designed to teach you information through slideshows, with audio provided for each slide. In addition to the slideshows, you will be able to access handouts of the slideshow and perform self-checks to prepare for the final exam. To reinforce the concepts you have learned in each unit, there are learning activities and WebBoard discussions. TUBE U also provides additional online resources and a glossary related to the course. If you have questions regarding the content, an industry expert will be available to answer your questions by e-mail.

Is there a test?  There will be a final exam. If you answer 70% of the exam questions correctly, and have posted at least five messages to the WebBoard, you will receive a certificate of completion for the course. There will be many self-check quizzes throughout the course, but these are not graded. There will also be questions that will help you review the information and prepare for the final exam.

Will I have access to real people? Yes! The course will include activities that encourage you to talk with people in your company and with other students via e-mail. During the course, you also will be able to address questions directly to industry experts via e-mail. Technical support for your computer also will be available via e-mail at online@niu.edu.

Who should take these courses?  Each course is different, so be sure to read the course description before you sign up. In general, to succeed in these courses, you will need to be able to read and understand English and have good basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division skills.

Do I have to take the course at certain times of the day?  No. Take the course at your convenience. It's available 24 hours a day.

When will I be able to register for the course?  Registration is available now. You can register online, by mail, fax, or phone. Please visit the TUBE U Registration page for specific registration information.

What does the Fundamentals of Tube Mill Operation course cost?  The General Fee is $299. The TPA or FMA Member Fee is $199. Please note that if you do not provide us with your member number, you will be charged the non-member rate.

Does TUBE U offer a discount if we register more than one person from our company?  If you are interested in registering several individuals from the same company for a TUBE U course simultaneously, a team discount may be an option. To qualify for the team discount, three or more individuals from the same company and the same address must register simultaneously. Each registered co-worker will receive a $50 discount from the regular registration fee. Please fax the registration form, with all the participants' names, to either the NIU Registration Office at 815-753-6900 or to TPA Customer Service at 815-484-7701. When taking advantage of the team rate, registration cannot be taken online. (Please note that if a cancellation occurs and fewer than three co-workers are registered, full registration fee will be charged.) If you have additional questions, please contact TPA Customer Service at 815-399-8775.

Is your computer smart enough for this university?  All of the information for this course will come to you through the Internet, so the faster your computer and modem, the faster information will be transferred to you. However, this course has been designed to work with a variety of computers and modem speeds. See the Computer Checklist page for details on computer requirements. Technical support will be available via e-mail. You will receive a response within two business days.