Welcome to Northeastern Technical College! 

Whether you are a new or continuing student, whether you’re enrolled at Northeastern Technical College or you have selected your course through www.sctechonline.info, we sincerely hope that you will find your on-line course interesting and your experience with 'distant education' rewarding.

The schedule of distance education classes for each semester or term is posted on Course Schedule page.  For a paper copy, please request one from the Admissions Office by phone or e-mail. 

If this is your first online course, you should ask yourself these questions:

1.      Can I learn without being part of a group?

2.      Am I a person who often gets things done ahead of time?

3.      Do I enjoy researching and solving a problem?

4.      Do I figure out instructions without help from instructors?

5.      Do I schedule my time to meet deadlines?

6.      Do I have time to study and read to be prepared for tests?

7.      Am I comfortable with computer technology?

8.      Am I a good reader who can usually understand what I read?

9.      Do I have the time and transportation to visit campus for tests?

10. dfCan I budget  my time for class requirements? 

11. fdfDo I have access to appropriate computer equipment and dfdfdf
vfffffffff Internet browser services?

If you answered “yes” to these questions, you’re a good candidate for on-linecourses.  If not, you should discuss your selection with your advisor and consider traditionally offered classes or teleclasses.

Next, be sure that you have access to the equipment needed for a web class. If you do not own a computer, you may use College equipment (during the operating hours of the College) or make arrangements to use computers at your work, your local public library or that of a friend. 

Required computer specifications:

• Pentium 800MHz or faster processor or MAC equivalent
• 512MB of RAM minimum
• Microsoft Windows 2000/NT/ME/XP or Macintosh Operating System
• CD-ROM drive 
• Audio Card
• Printer
• Word Processing Software
  Microsoft Word preferred - other word processing files must be saved in Rich Text Format (RTF) or Text Format if used in WebCT 
• 56K modem minimum, DSL, or cable modem (the faster, the better)
• Telephone line or other network service
• Internet Service Provider (ISP) 
• Latest compatible browser version of Netscape 4.X or Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher browser 
• Java and JavaScript must be enabled in the browser of choice.

If you do not have an e-mail account, you can get one free on the Internet at sites such as Yahoo or Hot Mail simply by signing up on the site.  There will be advertising on these free e-mail accounts and these are not  sponsored by the College.

Communication
The first thing you should know following your registration for an on-line course is your instructor’s name, phone number and e-mail address. 

It is required that you contact your instructor during the first five days of class. In some cases, the instructor or distance learning liaison will contact you during the first five days of class.  However, DO NOT WAIT–find out who the instructor is and make sure there is contact between you during the first five class days.

You can call  921-6959 or 1-800-921-7399, or email our distance learning liaison for this information. 

You must have access to appropriate computer technology (which is described in each course syllabus) and the appropriate passwords and course information to access the course.  Be sure you test your access to get on-line to your course information.  If not, contact your instructor or the distance learning liaison immediately. 

You may communicate with your instructor by e-mail, chat rooms, bulletin boards, mail, telephone or visits.  Your instructor will send assignments via e-mail and you can ask questions and get answers via e-mail or phone.  

Attendance Policy for On-Line Classes
Students enrolled in on-line courses for which campus attendance is not required must fulfill the following attendance requirements. 

Students must contact the instructor at least once during the first five days of class. (The first five days after registering for the course or the first five days after the start date of the course, whichever is later). Contact can include visit, phone, e-mail or course logon. *Failure to contact is the equivalent of failure to attend; student will be dropped and refunds are not automatically issued.

On-line students must interact with the instructor via telephone, email, Web, or in person during every two-week period of the term.  Failure to contact according to this schedule is considered excessive absence.

*Students dropped from courses for excessive absences as defined by these requirements are automatically assigned a "W" grade prior to midterm and an "F" grade after midterm.

*Students who fail to complete a scheduled test without contacting the instructor are subject to drop for absences. No refunds are issued

Students who wish to withdraw must initiate the process by notifying the instructor or by completing a Change of Schedule form and turning it into the NETC's Records Offce.  The grade of “W” will be awarded through midterm; after midterm, a grade of “WF” (Withdraw Failing) will be awarded if the student is failing the class or a “W” if the student is passing.  

Refunds will not be provided to students who register for a distance learning class, unless you withdraw from the course before the refund date deadlines.  The College Catalog at www.netc.edu explains refund deadlines.  

Textbooks
You should visit the provider college's website to locate information about the books needed for online classes.

The NETC bookstore does not typically have books in stock for each SCTechOnline course; however, they can order the book(s) for you. If you want NETC bookstore to order the book(s), please notify them of your request (as early as possible) including the book's author, ISBN number and preferred edition number, if one is available. Please keep in mind that the ordering process takes some time.

If you choose, you can order your books directly from the provider college's bookstore (online or by phone call) or visit other online book vendors such as:

www.amazon.com
www.campusbooks.com
www.ecampus.com

These online book vendors can save you money and time in some instances, but keep in mind that you are responsible for acquiring the correct book in a timely manner.

Process for Student Concerns
If you have a concern about the instruction, the instructor, or your grades, you must follow this process for resolving your concerns. 

1.   The student should first communicate with the instructor to seek solution for the problem.  If this contact does not resolve the problem, the student next communicates with the distance learning liaison to determine the next method for contacting the dean or department head to discuss the issue.  From that point, the dean/department head will assist in seeking a solution or refer the student to the Vice-President for Student Services. The Student Code and Grievance Procedure provides details about this process. 

2.   The instructor will attempt to resolve the student concerns; if there is not an appropriate solution, the instructor will refer the issue with documentation to his or her supervisor.

3.   The supervisor (division chair or dean) will meet with the student and instructor to seek a solution.  Based on the results of the meeting, the supervisor will refer the student to the appropriate administrative level.  The appeals process is outlined in the College Catalog.

Student Responsibilities

• Understand the attendance policy for each class.

• Understand the rationale for communication with the instructor and the necessity of meeting deadlines for contacts, tests and submission of assignments.
  
  
• Communicate with the instructor promptly when problems affecting attendance, meeting deadlines or change in enrollment status occur.
  
  
• Be committed to completing assignments and fulfilling obligations to the instructor and other students, as required by the class.

• Show respect for the instructor and other students in all communications, whether in person, on-line or by phone.
  
  
• Consult the College Catalog for information regarding policies and procedures regarding financial aid, attendance, refunds and other related matters

Financial Aid Information
Students receiving financial assistance (including grants, scholarships, VA benefits) must be aware of their obligations regarding the financial award and penalties for paying back unearned monies.  The new Earned Aid policies affect your aid.  If you withdraw from class or completely withdraw from the College, your aid may be affected, based on Satisfactory Academic Progress regulations.  You may be liable to pay the College for overpayments. Make sure you are aware of all policies that affect your aid.  Contact the Financial Aid Office for policies, or more information at921-6939 or 1-800-921-7399.  

Tests
There are several ways you may take tests.  Your instructor will provide information regarding course assessment (testing, grading, class projects, etc.) via e-mail. 

The instructor may grade some assignments you submit by e-mail.  You may be required to visit campus for a proctored test. (Students in sctechonline courses will take tests at their host college, through arrangements made by the instructor).  The instructor will announce schedules and deadline for testing.  Each student is responsible for making an appointment with the Success Center at NETC, if proctored testing is required.  Call the Success Center at 921-6958 or 1-800-921-7399 or e-mail mmclain@netc.edu.  You do not have an appointment until you receive an e-mail reply.   

Library
Visit the NETC Library for information and resources or participate in a virtual tour of the available resources via the web.  The college provides a large collection of research and support information for you.  The Library catalog and databases are available to you. 

For additional information regarding library resources for distance learning students contact the library staff.  Enjoy the Library Tour and visit the Library often. 

Student Services
If you need services, such as counseling, tutoring, or assistance with your academic records, contact the Office of Student Services.  You can e-mail your request to Admissions or call 921-6933 or 1-800-921-7399. 

Be sure to notify Student Services if you change your name, address or phone. 

Good Luck!  Your success in distance learning courses is very important to us.  Please take advantage of the available College resources and request assistance or support as needed to achieve success!   

VA Certification for Online Courses
In order to meet VA certification requirements for off-campus courses such as Practica, Internships/Externships and residencies, as well as courses offered via the internet or other modes of distance learning, Northeastern Technical College acknowledges that these courses are part of the college's approved curriculum, are directly supervised by the college, are measured in the same unit as other courses, are required for graduation, and are part of a program of study approved by the State Approving Agency. The college requires that the faculty teaching these courses use a grading system similar to the grading system used in resident courses and include statements in the course syllabus that indicate that appropriate assignments are needed for the completion of the course and that the student is expected to demonstrate, at least once a week, that he/she is actively involved in the class. Examples of activities that can be used to demonstrate this involvement include, but are not limited to, the following: posting/receiving e-mails, participating in online class discussions and class chat rooms, and completing and submitting course assignments. Further, the college requires that these courses have schedules of time for training and instruction which demonstrate that students shall spend at least as much time in preparation, instruction, and training as is normally required by the college for its resident courses.

Veteran students who enroll in non-traditional courses must contact the Office of Financial Assistance to verify that each course is approved for certification for veteran benefits. Students who take courses through SCTechOnline must verify that the courses are approved for benefits through the provider college.