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Frequently Asked Questions

This page contains answers to the most frequently asked questions about eDegrees.

1. Do I have to be an eDegree student to take online classes?
   No.  Any student at GTCC may take online classes.  Being a member of the eDegree Program allows you priority registration for online classes so you can get the online classes you need to complete your entire program online.
2. eDegree programs are listed as limited enrollment in the college catalog.  What does that mean?
   Limited enrollment programs involve a separate application procedure.  The eDegree Program application includes all the steps to apply to GTCC, including having your transcripts sent from your high school and any other colleges you have attended, taking the placement tests, and going through a Student Orientation, Advising, and Registration (SOAR) session.  Additionally, you will need to complete our questionnaire and email your eLearning Orientation certificate to the eDegree Program Coordinator.  Those steps can be found on the Step-by-Step Application Guide.
3. I've completed the online questionnaire and emailed my eLearning Orientation certificate.  Am I an eDegree student now?
   If you are pursuing an associate's degree, you must complete ACA-112, Introduction to Distance Learning, with a grade of C or higher to be considered an eDegree student.  You will not have priority registration privileges until you successfully complete ACA-112.
4. Do I have to finish ACA-112 before I can take online classes?
   No.  Any student at GTCC can take online classes.  However, you will not have priority registration privileges as part of the eDegree Program until you finish ACA-112 with a C or higher.
5. Can I take other classes at the same time as ACA-112?
   Yes.  You can take classes before taking ACA-112 and while you take ACA-112.
6. How often is ACA-112 offered?
   ACA-112 is a one-credit class that is offered during the fall, spring, and summer semesters.  In the fall and spring, it is offered as an 8-week minimester class.  In the summer, it is offered as a 5-week minimester class.
7. Can I sign myself up for ACA-112?
   In most cases, you cannot self-register for the course.  The eDegree Program Coordinator will register you for ACA-112 after reviewing your application to the program.  If you are pursuing a degree in the Computer Technologies department, you may register yourself for a section of ACA-112 with IT in the section number because ACA-112 counts as an elective.
8. Do I have to pay for ACA-112?
   Yes.  Because ACA-112 is a one-credit class, you will need to pay for it.  If you are awarded financial aid, your financial aid funds will be applied toward the cost of ACA-112.
9. Do I need a book for ACA-112?
   No.  All the resources for ACA-112 are available for free online.
10. Is there a way to waive the ACA-112 requirement?
    In rare cases, yes.  Only a department chair can waive the requirement for ACA-112.  If you have previously taken multiple online classes and earned high grades, a department chair may waive the requirement.  For example, if you are attempting to waive ACA-112 for a Computer Technologies program, you must have completed 12 credit hours and have earned a cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0 for your request to be considered.  At that point, it is still up to the discretion of the department chair as to whether to waive the ACA-112 requirement.
11. How can I determine the name of my department chair?
    You can search for your department chair in the college directory located on the GTCC homepage.
12. Does someone register me for classes, or do I register myself?
    Unless you are taking classes reserved for certain Healthcare and Office Administration programs, you will register yourself.  If you are a current GTCC student who is applying to the eDegree program, please register yourself during your assigned registration period.  Because online classes are available to every student, registering early gives you the best selection.  In most cases, there are not separate sections of courses reserved just for eDegree students.
13. How much does the eDegree program cost?
    Tuition for courses in the eDegree program is the same as tuition for "on campus" courses. Visit the Cashier's Office for current tuition rates.
14. When do eDegree classes start?
    Courses in the eDegree Program run on a regular college semester schedule, with classes starting in August and in January.  Some classes are offered as minimester courses that may start near the mid-point of the semester.  WebAdvisor lists start and end dates of classes.
15. Am I required to be online at a certain time?
    Generally, no. Most program courses run on a weekly schedule, with students completing assignments at their convenience by a certain deadline. Specific professors have different requirements, so always check the course syllabus.
16. Will I need to purchase textbooks or other materials?
    Yes, most classes require textbooks. Some classes require additional materials, such as a web cam, a microphone, or a lab kit. This information is generally available a month or so before classes start and can be found on the bookstore website.
17. Will I need to come to campus for tests?
    Some instructors may require proctored examinations. However, you can make arrangements to complete these at other proctoring locations, not just on campus.  The course syllabus should include information about whether your class requires proctored tests.  Instructors work with students to make sure they can complete the tests at times and places that work with students' schedules.
18. I've been out of school for a while.  Are there materials available to help me review for the placement tests?
    The Assessment Center offers workshops to help students review and prepare for placement testing, and there are websites that offer practice questions.  You can find more information about these workshops and websites on the Assessment Center website.
19. Which placement tests do I need and where can I take them?
    If you have not taken the SAT or ACT, you will need the COMPASS Algebra, Pre-Algebra, Writing, and Reading tests for associate's degree programs.  The Medical Transcription diploma program requires the COMPASS keyboarding test as well as the Writing and Reading placement tests.  Placement testing is offered on a walk-in basis daily at the Jamestown campus and at the Greensboro and High Point campuses on specific days of the week.  To learn more, visit the Assessment Center website.
20. How can I contact my instructors?
    You will find their contact information in the course syllabus.  You can also search for them in the college directory.
21. Why can't I self-register for a class with an "E" in the section number, even though I'm an eDegree student?
    "E" sections are found in specific limited enrollment programs.  For example, some OST classes are offered only for Medical Transcription students.  If you are not in the Medical Transcription program, you would not need to be enrolled in that course.
22. Will an eDegree be as highly regarded as a traditional degree?
    Yes.  The classes you take in the eDegree Program are held to strict standards and are often more, not less, challenging than face-to-face classes.  Furthermore, there is no indication that you completed your degree online on your transcript.  Whether you attend classes on campus or take online classes exclusively, the associate's degree you earn from GTCC is the same.