| Frequently Asked Questions |
| Frequently Asked Questions |
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Q: What is EArmyU?A: Through Army University Access Online, known as eArmyU, soldiers have the opportunity to earn a certificate, associate, bachelor or master's degree from a home institution while taking courses from multiple colleges or universities--all online.These are web-based courses that can be completed anytime and anywhere, allowing soldiers to study at times that are most convenient for them--wherever they are stationed. Once enrolled, soldiers receive up to 100% funding for tuition, books, and course fees, as well as a technology (tech) package. Soldier-students are responsible for obtaining and paying for their own local telephone service which includes any per-minute charges that apply in some overseas locations. The Army provides 24-hour technical support, online tutoring services and program mentors to assist soldier-students as needed. Return to the top of the page. Q: How do I find out if I can get into eArmyU?A: If you are currently assigned to a participating Army installation or located in a surrounding ACES geographic area officially designated to offer eArmyU, contact your Army Education Counselor. Prior to your enrollment, your Army Education Counselor will assist you in determining program eligibility and then assess your potential for success.If you are not currently assigned to a participating Army installation or located in a surrounding ACES geographic area officially designated to offer eArmyU, continue to visit the eArmyU website for updates on when the eArmyU Program will be available at your installation. Based on soldier interest and demand, the Army is using a phased approach to carefully manage enrollments during the first year of the program. This approach helps to ensure soldier success in this online educational initiative and also helps the Army to assess future program requirements. Return to the top of the page. Q: Will I be able to get transfer credit for things I've already done?A: JCC will accept numerous academic and military sources for transfer credit, including CLEP, MOS and DANTES. For more information you can view the list of Potential Sources.Return to the top of the page. Q: What is an online course?A: An online course is a JCC college course that is taken entirely over the World Wide Web instead of on campus. These courses are asynchronous, meaning that you never have to be online at a specific day or time, but you do have to complete your work within given time frames.Return to the top of the page. Q: Do online courses teach the same material (as on campus courses)?A: The course content and requirements of online courses are the same as on campus courses. Online courses generally use the same syllabus and text, but additional resources may be required and students are required to use Internet tools. After successful completion of an online course, you will have developed the same skills and have the same knowledge as students who attend the course on campus. You will earn the same number of credit hours for an online course as for an on campus course.Return to the top of the page. Q: What's an online course like?A: Online courses include all the same elements as on campus courses, such as lessons, class discussions, reading assignments, activities, homework assignments, group projects and tests. The primary difference is that all of these activities and types of communication are done via the World Wide Web instead of in person. You will log on to your course to get your lessons and assignments. Class discussions are a series of written communications in which students discuss points back and forth. Homework is submitted via links within the course. You and your instructor will communicate with each another through a private electronic student folder. You will not have to be online at any specific day or time, and you will never have to come to campus.You can observe an actual online course from the SUNY Learning Network (SLN) website. (Note: These links may provide information not applicable to eArmyU. Use your "Back" button to return to our eArmyU-specific pages, or click "Return to eArmyU" above to close this windows and return to the eArmyU portal.) Return to the top of the page. Q: Can I do the course whenever I want to?A: Online courses run on the same semester schedule as on campus courses. There are specific dates by which a course begins, work must be completed, tests must be taken and the course ends. Most courses require that you log on and participate in some activity at least 3 or 4 times per week. Assignments often have to be completed within a 72-hour time frame. Within that time frame though, you can do the work at whatever time suits your schedule. All work is asynchronous, meaning that you do not have to be logged on at a specific day or time. You do not have to communicate synchronously (at the same moment) with the instructor or other students in the course.Return to the top of the page. Q: How do I know if online courses are right for me?A: That's a good question to ask because online learning doesn't work well for everyone. To excel in an online learning environment, you need to be able to read well, to learn well by reading, to write well, to be self-disciplined and to be able to manage your time effectively.You should also be comfortable with technology, have access to reliable equipment and be familiar with your Internet access provider's services. If you disagree with more than four or five of the statements in Are You Ready for an Online Course?, online learning could be a challenge for you -- but only you know if you are committed and motivated enough to overcome these areas of concern. Return to the top of the page. Q: What if I need help as I'm working (through the course)?A: There are several ways to communicate with your instructor and classmates from within the course. In addition, you may use the phone, fax, e-mail, and traditional mail to communicate. Each course will have specific procedures and technologies, to help students accomplish the goals of the course. These procedures will be described in the course syllabus. Soldier-students also have access to Smarthinking.com, an online company that provides tutoring and academic support, through the eArmyu portal.Return to the top of the page. Q: What kind of computer hardware and software do I need to take a JCC online course?A: The hardware and software provided in your eArmyU tech package will usually meet the requirements of any course. If specific software is needed for a course, that information will be included in the course description.For a more detailed look at the skills and equipment needed for online courses, check out the Are You Ready for an Online Course?" on this webpage. Some courses require additional software. See the course descriptions for more information. Return to the top of the page. Q: JCC's online classes all seem to require the Netscape Navigator, Netscape Communicator or Microsoft Internet Explorer web browser. Can I use the browser that comes with America Online?A: If you are using America Online (AOL), the AOL browser uses the version of Internet Explorer that is on your computer. As long as the version of Internet Explorer is version 4.0 or higher, the browser will be able to handle all of the features within the SUNY Learning Network (SLN) pages.Return to the top of the page. Will I be required to take proctored tests?A: JCC only uses proctored tests for assessment and placement tests. You may be required to complete assessment testing at an Army Education Testing Center prior to registering for an English and math coursework. However, JCC does not use proctored tests within the actual courses themselves. All tests within courses are completed online, without proctors.Return to the top of the page. Do I have to take any pre-tests or placements tests before I can enroll? You may be required to complete assessment testing in reading, English and math. Please contact the JCC eArmyU advisor if you plan to take a math or English course during your first semester. Return to the top of the page. How do I enroll in Jefferson Community College? Applying to make Jefferson your home institution is easy. Just follow our Admissions Steps. Return to the top of the page. You can receive up to 100% funding from the Army for tuition, books, and course fees but there are some situations in which you may be required to pay all or a part back to the to the army. For more information, please review Who Covers Costs? and Repayment on the eArmyU website. Return to the top of the page. What programs and courses are available? Jefferson offers five degree programs (Liberal Arts - Humanities & Social Sciences, A.A., Business Administration, A.S., Individual Studies, A.A.S., Individual Studies, A.A., Individual Studies, A.S.). All the courses needed to complete these degrees are available online. To view a complete list of available courses, go to the Course listing. Return to the top of the page. Our grading policy is available in our Student Handbook (Information & Policies). Return to the top of the page. When I complete my degree, can I attend graduation? We welcome and encourage eArmyU students to participate in our Commencement ceremonies, if you would like. Please follow the steps provided on our Commencement web page to make sure that you are eligible for commencement. Return to the top of the page. Who do I contact if I have questions? There are a number of people ready to help you. For questions about our degree programs, contact the JCC eArmyU Advisor. For operational problems, such as difficulty with your tech package or for questions about receiving your course materials, contact the eArmyU HelpDesk (1-800-817-9990) or go to the eArmyU website and click on HelpDesk. For more contact information, please go to our Contact page. |