Frequently Asked Questions about Online Courses

What are the different online Learning course types at NWACC?

Fully online: These courses are also called "online anytime". There are no scheduled class meetings, and all the classwork is done online. Students submit assignments, interact in class discussions, and participate online. Students should expect to log into the online course at least 4-5 times per week, and spend at least 8-10 hours per week involved in activities for each 3 credit hour online course.
Remote (Live Online) courses: These courses are called Remote Synchronous and Remote Hybrid on Workday. These courses require students to meet online using Teams, Zoom, or another video tool. Students must 'attend class' at the time specified in the schedule.
Hybrid courses: Hybrid courses are a mixture of face-to-face at a scheduled time and online.

Who do I contact for more information about online learning courses at NWACC?

Contact dl@nwacc.edu for more information.

How do I get started taking online learning courses?

Students who wish to take online learning courses go through the same admissions process as other NWACC students. First you become an NWACC student, and then you can register for courses that are offered thru online learning. More information about getting started at NWACC can be found here.

I am a student at a different college. How can I take a online learning course at NWACC?

Since you are already a student at another college, you will be considered a visiting student at NWACC. You begin by filling out the admission application for visiting students. Go to this page for more information. Please select the Visiting Student drop down.

When are online learning courses offered?

Online learning courses at NWACC are held during the same semesters as traditional college courses. Terms may be 5 or 8 weeks during the summer; and 8, 12, or 16 weeks during the fall and spring semesters. online learning courses are not self-paced.

Is a Hybrid course the same as an online course?

Hybrid is not the same thing as an 'online course', because you have to attend class in-person at a scheduled time. Hybrid courses meet partially face-to-face (either on campus or using Teams ) and partially online. This generally means that you will meet less frequently face-to-face, and do a portion of your work in one of our online systems.

What is a 'remote' course? I see them on the course schedule but I don't know what it means.

Remote means that you meet with your class at a regular time online using videoconferencing with Microsoft Teams. For example, you might have a Monday/Wednesday 10:30 AM class meeting online in Teams. So, unlike a regular fully online course, you DO have to be online at a certain time. More about Remote courses can be found here.

When do I register for online learning courses?

Online learning course registration is at the same time as registration for traditional on-campus courses, and uses the same course registration system. Registration generally opens in November for spring courses; and in April for summer and fall courses. More information about registration can be found here.

How much does a online learning course cost at NWACC?

Online learning courses cost the same as traditional courses except a online learning fee is added to the course to cover the cost of the online system and technical support. More information about tuition and fees can be found here.

Are online learning courses the same as face-to-face courses? Do they teach the same material? And what about faculty and class size?

Yes. The curriculum for each course is the same whether in a classroom or thru online learning. The same highly-qualified NWACC faculty also teach our online learning courses. Most courses at NWACC contain less than 25 students.

Are fully online courses easier than traditional college courses?

Although fully online courses are more convenient, they are not easier than face-to-face courses, and they require more study time and self-discipline than traditional courses.

How often and when do I have to be online?

All fully online courses at NWACC require a substantial amount of student involvement. Although there are no class meeting times, fully online courses are not self-paced and have frequent due dates. More information can be found on our Online Participation Requirements page.

Note that fully online (100% online) courses are not the same as Remote courses. With Remote, you DO have to be online at the time indicated on the schedule.

Will my college transcript say ‘online' for these courses?

No. Because our online learning courses only differ in method of delivery, they are not listed differently on the transcript.

How do I take tests for online learning courses?

Tests are generally taken using the online system. Some courses will require proctored testing, including all math and science courses, which means you will be required to use online testing software, take the test at the NWACC Testing Center, or go to an approved testing location near you. You will work with your instructor to find an approved testing location as needed.

Some courses require proctored testing and may require you to use an online testing service, come to the testing centers on campus, or other means to proctor tests. Contact the department or instructor of the course you are interested in for more information. More information on proctoring options is located here.

Do assignments in fully online courses have due dates?

Yes. Online assignments will have weekly due dates just like traditional courses. Online courses are not self-study or self-paced.

In a fully online course, do you have to be online at a particular time?

No. For a fully online course (not remote), you will need to get into the online course several times each week to submit assignments, post to class discussions, and do other classwork. Frequent participation is expected in online courses at NWACC. Be sure to read Online Course Participation Requirements

Note that fully online (100% online) courses are not the same as Remote courses. With Remote, you DO have to be online at the time indicated on the schedule.

Are textbooks included with the online learning course, or do I purchase them separately?

Online learning courses generally use the same textbook as the face-to-face courses. Some courses use ebooks, and others will use free resources that will be located in your Canvas course. If your course is listed as Inclusive Access, the cost of the book is included in your tuition. If you have questions about the materials you need for a specific course, contact the instructor or go to the NWACC Bookstore "Course Materials" page.