Online Learning

Moraine Valley has a number of career programs and certificates that you can obtain with a majority, if not all, of your coursework completed online. These degree tracks are designed to enhance your skills and/or get you right into the field. The programs are not designed for transfer, although many of your courses may be transferable if you choose to pursue further education.

Courses may be offered in a variety of formats. Additional programs and certificates may be able to be completed fully online. Some prerequisites may not be available online. Trips to campus are at faculty discretion.

Transfer Degrees - Online Options

The Associate in Arts (A.A.), Associate in Science (A.S.) and General Studies (A.G.S) degrees can be completed online. Please note some areas may have limited options. Visit the online and hybrid course information page for specific details regarding course expectations and required trips to campus.

Fully Online Options

Online Programs (with Trips to Campus}

*Please refer to the Program Licensure Disclosure statement located in the Instructional Programs section of the catalog. Students should check the specific state professional licensing agency to determine licensing requirements

Online Courses

These courses have section numbers 300-339. An online course uses a learning management system via the Internet to deliver content, facilitate communication (e.g. faculty-student and student-student), collect student work, and assess student performance. An online course may require trips to campus or a proctored test site.

Hybrid Courses

These courses have section numbers 350-399. In a hybrid course, face-to-face class sessions are reduced by providing a significant portion of the instruction in a learning management system via the Internet. Hybrid courses have learning activities that must be completed via the Internet as well as class sessions that require on-campus attendance.

If you have more questions, you can check out our FAQ to see some of the most common questions students ask.

Online courses are not for everyone as people learn at different paces an in a variety of ways. Online and hybrid courses often demand more time than on-campus classes do. In order to be a successful student you must understand what personal traits are needed.

You can also complete the Study Skills self-assessment. Your honest responses to this assessment will help you understand the realities and expectations of taking an online course. Your honest responses to these assessments will help you understand the realities and expectations of taking an online course.

Moraine Valley provides several support options while taking your online classes. We have technical support available Monday through Saturday via email and by phone. Our library also provides a live chat and text message support in addition to email and phone support.

Additional Resources

• Tips for Online Students
• Quick Start Guide for Online Students

Your Online Preparation Checklist

Get ready for your online courses by reviewing some tips and general information provided below.

1. Review important course information!
You will receive a course information email for each online class. This is sent to your Moraine Valley student email address. Save this message and read it carefully. It contains instructor information, course login instructions, testing procedures, and a login link to your course site. You can also look-up course details using the online and hybrid course information page.

2. Gather materials
Most online courses require text materials that are sold at the Moraine Valley bookstore. You need your registration information to find the materials for the correct section. Text information is also available on your course syllabus, but early information can be found on the Moraine Valley Bookstore website. Getting things done early is a good strategy for success.

3. Prepare your computer before the term begins
You need access to a computer (desktop or laptop) and the internet to get into your courses. See the basic computer specifications for Canvas and information about which browsers Canvas supports.

You need access to a word processing program such as Microsoft Word or Google Docs in order to create your papers or other type of assignments. You have free access to Office 365 through your Moraine Valley student email. In email, in the top left corner click on “Office 365” and download the full version.

Optionally, Canvas has a “Canvas Student” app available for Android and iOS that helps students stay connected to their courses on the go. See the Canvas Guides – Canvas Student page for more information.

4. Learn how to use Canvas, our learning management system
Users that are new to Canvas should login to Canvas and join our “Student: Canvas Training and Resources” course to learn how to use Canvas. You can access this class by clicking the Help icon in Canvas, then clicking the "Canvas Student Training and Resources " link. To learn even more about Canvas, please see the Canvas Guides and videos. Specifically, you may find receiving Canvas notifications on your device helpful.  It will only take a few minutes. 

5. View our Orientation for Online Learning and Student Success Workshops

Create an account on the Innovative Educators – Preparing for Online Learning website to access the following resources:

• Orientation for Online Learners: This 25-minute online workshop will prepare students for the online learning environment. It covers topics on how to be successful in an online class, technical requirements, developing an effective student space, test-taking strategies, and communicating with your instructor and classmates.
• Student Success Workshops: The interactive workshops cover topics to help students achieve their academic, personal, and career goals. Topics cover online learning skills, student strategies and test-taking skills, personal management and success skills, and research and writing.

6. Access Canvas and your Course
Once your semester begins, log in to Canvas and go to your course. Be sure to read the instructor’s welcome message, which contains information on getting started, read through all course policies in the syllabus, and view the course schedule. Note, every online course is unique as each instructor designs your learning experience.

Moraine Valley Support Resources

• Academic Advising
• Help Desk
• Library
• Student Success

Moraine Valley Community College, and the State of Illinois, participate in the State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (SARA). The agreement allows member states, territories, and institutions to offer online courses for students who may reside in other participating states. The agreement also allows for any distance education student a method to resolve a concern against the college if they are from a member state.

Any Moraine Valley student who desires to resolve a concern is first encouraged to follow the college’s own complaint and reporting process, viewable on MVConnect. Concerns that cannot be resolved through the college’s own process may be pursued with the Illinois Community College Board, as applicable under SARA.

Students who are unable to resolve their concern internally with the college and do not reside in a SARA member state must pursue their concern within their state or territory of residency. At present California is not a member of SARA.

California
California Department of Consumer Affairs
Consumer Information Center
1625 North Market Blvd., Suite N-112
Sacramento, California 95834

Email
Filing a Complaint

If you should wish to contact your home state portal agency under SARA, please see the reference document for student complaint information by state and agency.

Moraine Valley Community College has determined that its relevant programs comply with Illinois licensure requirements. You can find more information on our Licensure Information page.