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FAQ

What programs and classes are available online?

JCC has a wide variety of online courses offered each semester.  Online courses offered include, but are not limited to, English, government, history, physical education, art, education, chemistry, psychology, sociology, business and economics. We also have six degree programs that can be completed fully online.

A complete list of Distance Learning course offerings and descriptions are available online. Choose the Registration Term and click Submit.  In the Instructional Methods box, choose Online-Blackboard, Hybrid, Interactive Television or Classroom at Ft. Drum, then click Submit.

Do classes have specific start and end dates?
Yes. The regular fall and spring semesters are each 16 weeks long and also include two 8 week sessions, one in the early part of the semester and one starting in the later part of the semester. The summer term is 8 weeks long and also includes two 4 week sessions, one in the early part of the term and one in the later part of the term. Winter classes tend to run 3 to 4 weeks depending on the delivery format of the course. Our Academic Calendar has information on term beginning and ending dates as well registration dates and deadlines.

Can I earn my entire degree online?
JCC offers six degree programs that can be completed fully online.

The following degrees are available online:

Do all online courses look and work the same?
No. Instructors have complete control over the design and organization of their courses. Just as instructors individualize face-to-face courses, they tend to do the same for online courses. Make sure you familiarize yourself with the course during preview week, which takes place before the semester begins, in order to become comfortable with navigating to important materials. Also keep in mind that most instructors are not online all day and might not reply to your questions right away. Check the syllabus to see if your instructor details his or her response policy.

Are online courses self-paced?
No, most are not. Depending on the instructor, you will have assignments that require you to communicate with other students just as you would in a face-to-face course. Most online courses require you to adhere to due dates for assignments, quizzes, tests, etc. If you register for an online course, expect to finish the course on the instructor's timeline, not yours.

  • Online classes run during the regular semester and term sessions, and while you do not have to attend class at a given hour and day, you do have to sign on, complete the assignments, interact with your instructor and classmates, and generally participate in the course on a regular basis. The most exciting thing is, you can do that work at any time of day - before work or after work; at noon or after midnight - whenever works best for you!

Will I ever have to physically come to JCC or any other location?
Not normally.  Mandatory course activities will be available for you to complete when you can, within the course schedule. Depending on your instructor, your exams may need to be proctored. A proctor is someone who oversees an exam to ensure the identity of the student and the security of the exam. To receive credit for online courses, students may be required to take proctored exams. Make sure to read your Course Information documents in your course as soon as possible to see if your instructor requires proctored exams.

How do online courses compare to face-to-face courses?
Online courses are treated the same way as face-to-face courses and are held to the same academic standards.

  • The content will be similar if not identical.
  • The difficulty levelof the course work is intended to be the same.
  • Time commitment is expected to be similar between an online and a face-to-face course, but just as the amount of time put into a face-to-face course can vary greatly from student to student, so also the amount of time for an online course can vary greatly from one student to the next. 
  • Main differences between an online and a face-to-face course are that scheduling of class/study time is more flexible, communicating with instructor and classmates is electronic, course materials have been reworked for online delivery, work is submitted electronically, and no travel is required, making them more convenient for you.

Can I see what an online course looks like?
Jefferson offers registered students as well as guests the opportunity to participate in a Blackboard Orientation so you can become familiar with how to navigate within an online course. We recommend that you complete the activities in the Blackboard Orientation, including creating an assignment, taking a quiz and posting to a discussion to make sure you are able to do common tasks that will be required in a course

You can View as the Orientation as a Guest or if you already can log in to Blackboard, go to

  1. http://online.sunyjefferson.edu
  2. Log in
  3. Click the Courses tab
  4. Look for the Bb Orientation module
  5. Click Enroll in Orientation

If needed, will I be able to access JCC library resources?
Online students have the same online access to the Melvil Dewey Library as on-campus students.

Do I have to be online at a certain time every day?
JCC online courses are offered in an asynchronous format, which means you (and instructors) do not all have to access your course at a specific time each day, but can access and work on the course at times that are convenient to them. You will have 24-hour access to your online course for the specified length of the course. Generally, you should log into the course daily to see if any new announcements have been posted by the course instructor or fellow classmates. Instructors will post deadlines for you to complete certain activities in the course, such as discussion postings, assignments, self-quizzes, etc. Therefore, in most online courses it is extremely important that you participate in the course at least 4-5 times per week. Specific requirements for participation will be laid out by your instructor.

What type of computer hardware/software do I need?
There a minimum technical requirements.  Check out the Technical Considerations for more information. 

Will I still need to buy the text book(s) for the class?
Some courses may not require a textbook, but most will. Textbooks are available from the JCC Bookstore on campus or online at http://bookstore.sunyjefferson.edu/

How much does an online course cost?
The tuition cost for an online course at JCC is the same as it is for an on-campus course. Students pay an additional online fee.

How do I sign up to take an online course at JCC?
Register for these courses using JCC’s regular registration procedures. Registration procedures will vary depending on whether or not you plan to receive your degree at Jefferson or if you would like to simply take a class or two to transfer to your home college.

Who do I contact for help or if I have a question?

For questions about things like logging in, trying to access a course or complete a task in your course, please contact:

For all other questions like class availability, registration, please contact:

Gina Costanzo
Distance Learning Coordinator
Office: 315-786-2440
toll-free: 888-435-6522 (ask for Distance Learning)
GoTheDistance@sunyjefferson.edu

Tricia Richardson
Distance Learning Technical Specialist
Office: 315-786-6527
toll-free: 888-435-6522 (ask for Distance Learning)
GoTheDistance@sunyjefferson.edu

What is the SUNY Learning Network?
The SUNY Learning Network (SLN) a consortium of SUNY Campuses, including Jefferson Community College, providing support for online coursework and initiatives. SLN provides helpdesk services for JCC’s students and faculty.

To contact SLN Support Services:

If you have any technical problems with Blackboard, please visit the SUNY Learning Network Helpdesk for assistance. You can also call them at 1-800-875-6269 (Toll-free within the United States) or 1-518-320-1889 (Direct).