Distance Education FAQs
Distance Education allows you the opportunity to earn College credits by studying independently, in the comfort of your own home, any time of the day or night.
Click on the links below to find answers to the most commonly asked questions about Distance Education, or read our Student Notes on-line (in PDF format - Acrobat Reader required). These notes are intended to help answer some of your questions are mailed or available online to students enrolled in Distance Education courses.
- What is Distance Education?
- Why should I take a DE course?
- Is Distance Education for me?
- How do I register for a course?
- Where do I find/get my student number?
- When are courses offered?
- What is the meaning of the number of hours given for each course?
- How many courses can I take per term?
- What computer requirements do I need for courses which use computer-based delivery mode?
- What if I don't have access to a computer?
- Where's my package?
- What do I do when I receive my package?
- What if I need to get in touch with my instructor?
- I emailed my instructor but I haven't heard back
- Do I have to be online at a certain time?
- How long do I have to complete a course?
- What if I miss a week from my course?
- How long should I work on my course?
- What about exams?
- What if I can't attend an exam date?
- What is Mohawk College's passing grade?
- How do I receive my final grade?
- I need a copy of my transcript; where can I get one?
- How do I get my certificate when I'm done all the required courses?
- Can a course taken through Distance Education be applied toward a CE Certificate program or a full-time Diploma program?
- How can I withdraw from a course?
- What is the refund policy?
What is Distance Education?
A distance education course is one you take without meeting a teacher in a classroom. You can study at home or at work - wherever you like, whenever you like, within a prescribed timeframe. The courses have a set schedule and are delivered over a 14 week period. Most courses do not require that you be online at a certain time of day or night, but that you are active in the course during the schedule. You cannot start courses late nor finish early.
Why should I take a DE course?
There are many benefits in taking a distance education course. Some benefits are:
- Work in the comfort of your own home or office
- Cost Efficient – no need to travel to the college, and no parking or baby-sitting expenses
- Courses fit into life, family and work schedule
- Avoid late arrivals to class or class distractions
- Enables the opportunity to ask questions spontaneously
- Instructors are accessible and approachable
- Students have access to their course 24/7; 24/7 help desk is available for OntarioLearn students
- May be less intimidating than in a classroom setting
- Students are able to enhance their technology and Internet skills
- Accommodates different learning styles using a variety of delivery methods
Is Distance Education for me?
If you prefer to study at your own pace in the comforts of your home or office, or if you live a distance from our campuses, these courses are for you. Although distance education is a convenient way to take courses, distance learning is not necessarily suited to all students. Some students find it difficult to study independently and need the face to face interaction with the instructor and students that is found in a classroom setting. Distance education students must have self-discipline and excellent reading, writing, and analytic skills.
To find out if distance learning is for you, take a short quiz, courtesy of OntarioLearn.com, at www.ontariolearn.com
How do I register for a course?
You can register for any distance education course using the same methods available for other course registrations: web, fax, mail, in-person. Registration in distance education/online learning courses can be done up to 6 calendar days after the course start date for all intakes except Monthly Intakes. You may register in a Monthly intake course up to 3 calendar days after the course start date. For more information about registration, visit the CE - Registration web page. Please note that if you register late, you are still bound by the existing withdrawal deadlines. Please see withdrawal and refund policies below.
Where do I find/get my student number?
You receive a student number when you register. Your student number can be found on your Acknowledgement of Registration/Student Account. If you have misplaced your Acknowledgement and need your student number, please contact our Registration centre at 905.575.2000.
When are the courses offered?
Semesters begin every January, April/May and September. There are also monthly intakes for a variety of courses. Browse our current catalogue for details.
What is the meaning of the number of hours given for each course?
The number of hours shown are “equivalent to classroom hours”. Thus, the workload for a 39 hour distance education course would be about the same as if you took a course through traditional classroom delivery, that is offered 3 hours per week for 13 weeks. A guideline for student workload is 5-10 hours per week per course.
How many courses can I take per term?
You can take as many courses as you want per semester. However, if you are working and/or have a family, we recommend you start with one or two courses. Then you will get a sense of the workload and your individual situation.
What computer requirements do I need for courses which use a computer-based delivery mode?
You will need regular access to a computer with an Internet connection and Web access for the duration of your course. A Macintosh or PC system with at least:
PC: a Pentium III 600 MHz processor or faster, 256 MB RAM or greater (512 MB recommended) Windows XP/Vista/WIN7.
MAC: Intel x 86 based processor, 512 MB RAM or greater (1 GB recommended), Mac OS-X 10.5 (Leopard) or 10.6 (Snow Leopard)
What if I don't have access to a computer?
At an elearnnetwork.ca centre, you have free access to elearning workstations and high-speed Internet. In addition, each centre is staffed with a specially trained elearnnetwork.ca. Coordinator to assist you in researching program and course options, registration information, funding options, scheduling and with using the technology. Visit www.elearnnetwork.ca and learn more about their services and locations.
Where's my start-up information?
Prior to the published start date, an information letter will be mailed to you. If you have not received your start-up letter by the course start date, please contact the Distance Education Office. If you register after the start date, your information will be sent as soon as possible.
What do I do when I receive my package?
- For Distance Education courses: Carefully read through your start up letter.
- For OntarioLearn.com courses: Click here to read about getting started with your course. If your course requires a text or module from the College's Campus Store, order or purchase it as soon as possible. Refer to the Textbook Ordering Information if you require more information.
What if I need to get in touch with my instructor?
All courses allow you to communicate with your instructor by email. Please do not hesitate to contact your instructor with any problems. There is no such thing as a dumb question! Your instructor is paid to assist you and will be happy to respond. Voice mail and email are checked regularly by instructors.
I emailed my instructor but I haven't heard back
Instructors should respond within 48 hours. If your instructor has not contacted you after 48 hours please contact the Distance Education office.
Do I have to be online at a certain time?
Distance education allows you the flexibility to be online any day at anytime. Please note there are a few courses that have scheduled chats.
How long do I have to complete a course?
Studying through distance education allows you the ability to flexibly schedule your course work, in line with the scheduled activities/requirements of the course. Please note, however, that all courses have scheduled start and end dates and it is your responsibility to ensure that all course work has been completed by the end date.
What if I miss a week from my course?
If you are planning to miss a week from your course, please contact your instructor as early as possible.
How long should I work on my course?
We recommend you work 5-10 hours/week per course.
What about exams?
If your course includes an exam, you are required to book your exam date. Visit our Exam Schedule web site to book your exam. Exams are written at the Fennell Campus. If you live outside a 100-km radius of the College, you may arrange for a proctored exam. Click here to access the Exam Schedule.
YOU MUST PROVIDE PHOTO I.D. AT TIME OF WRITING AN EXAM - IN A CAMPUS SETTING OR WHEN USING PROCTOR PROCESS
EXAMINATIONS AT A DISTANCE - PROCTOR PROCESS
If you live more than 100 km from the examination campus and are unable to travel to that location, you can have your exam proctored. Follow the guidelines listed below. Complete and send the proctor form to the Distance Education Office within one month after the course start date. Please notify your instructor as well. Use a separate form for each exam.
- Students writing examinations with a proctor must complete the exam by the scheduled examination date.
- Only Community College/University and eLearnNetwork.ca testing centres may be used for proctoring exams. Test materials are sent directly to the Testing Centre with a letter of instruction. For confirmation of appoval, please contact the Distance Education office.
- It is your responsibility to notify the Distance Education Department within one month of the course start date with details regarding your proctor. Please fill out the proctor form and fax or send it to the Distance Education Office. Mohawk College reserves the right to reject proposed proctors.
- Charges for this proctoring service, are the responsibility of the student.
What if I can't attend an exam date?
Students are expected to attend scheduled exam sessions. For extenuating circumstances, please contact the Exam Coordinator at 905-575-2154 or email DE Exams
What is Mohawk College's passing grade?
The College uses a percentage grading system of 1 to 100%, and the course passing grade is 50%. Graduation requires a weighted grade point average of 60% subject to the rules outlined in the Program Promotion and Graduation Requirements Policy AC700.
Approved exceptions to the course passing grade and promotion weighted Grade Point Average will be posted on MoCoMotion on the Student tab, as they become available.
How do I receive my final grade?
As soon as grades are finalized by the Records Office, you can view them through MoCoMotion. You can also change your address, view your financial transactions ... and so much more! Give MoCoMotion a look! User name and password required - your user name and password will be supplied on your Registration Acknowledgement Form when you register for a course.
I need a copy of my transcript; where can I get one?
Visit www.mohawkcollege.ca/Discover/curStud/AcadRecReg/Transcripts.html or call (905) 575-2108.
How do I get my certificate when I'm done all of the required courses?
When you have completed all required courses in the certificate. You can apply for a certificate. Click here to access the Certificate Request Form.
Can a course taken through Distance Education be applied toward a CE Certificate program or a full-time Diploma program?
Yes, as long as the course content and course code matches the program of study requirements. If the course code is different, you should check with the department to ensure the courses are equivalent.
How can I withdraw from a course? What is the refund policy?
Student-initiated refund requests will only be accepted up to six calendar days after the official course start date. A $20 College administrative fee is non-refundable. REFUNDS CANNOT BE ISSUED AFTER 6 CALENDAR DAYS.
For your convenience, please complete the Student Change Form - Section C – Refund Withdrawal Request and follow the instructions or click here to withdraw on-line.
In order to be eligible for official withdrawal status only, you must withdraw at least 10 days prior to the course end date.
To transfer within a semester, contact the Distance Education office. TRANSFERS ARE ONLY ALLOWED WITHIN SIX CALENDAR DAYS OF THE OFFICIAL COURSE START DATE.
For the Textbook Refund Policy, please refer to your receipt and/or information located on the Campus Store website.
