Section III. – Academic Information

Program/Class Scheduling, Content and Size

Classes are generally scheduled so that a student will graduate in 18 – 21 months in Associate Degree programs, and in shorter periods of time in diploma programs. Program lengths may vary based upon several factors including, but not limited to, transfers in any class, the student’s class load, whether the student drops classes, fails classes, changes programs, etc. The Institution reserves the right to determine when each course is offered, and which students are assigned to each course each term, and to decide the number of credit hours a student may carry, and which course(s) a student may take through distance education modalities. With rapidly changing employment demands in today’s information age, the Institution periodically updates curriculum. As such, the Institution reserves the right to update, modify, cancel, substitute, suspend or permanently terminate courses contained in each program. This includes any changes related to the content of any specific course, the course or program title and/or objectives, graduation requirements, number of instructional or academic credit hours, or any other academic matter at any time.

Class sizes and student-teacher ratios will vary significantly depending upon the type of class involved, class scheduling, and the number of students required to take that specific class that term, and various other factors.  There is no one standard class size or corresponding student teacher ratio.  The majority of classes will have thirty-five or fewer scheduled students.  Medical clinical classes will generally contain less than twenty students per class.  The class size in other classes will typically range anywhere from twenty to thirty-five students per class, although some classes may exceed thirty-five.

All courses in all Diploma programs offered by this Institution are fully acceptable for credit in one or more of this Institution’s Associate Degree programs.  Individual Diploma courses may be transferred directly, and in some cases, may also be used to substitute for certain courses in Associate Degree programs.  Check with the Campus President for additional information.

The Institution strives to have the most qualified faculty instructor available to teach all courses, particularly those in the technology/medical fields.  While individual courses are normally scheduled during the day Monday through Thursday for students in day programs, students in some courses, may be scheduled for class periods in the evenings Monday through Thursday or Friday or Saturday.  Out of classroom learning experiences (externships, medical clinical rotations, etc.) may be scheduled on any day and any shift.  Specific class schedules are determined by the overall scheduling requirements for the entire student body, and the course loads, and scheduling requirements of individual instructors for specific courses involved.  In addition, courses normally scheduled at night may be scheduled during the day or on Friday or Saturday.

In keeping with the institutions policy of continuing, improving, and updating curriculum to meet local employers changing needs and for operational needs, the School reserves the right to update, modify, cancel, suspend or permanently terminate courses, classes, or educational programs at the beginning or end of any term for any reason.  Other campus or educational activities or services can be terminated at any time.

Directed/Independent Study

Directed/Independent Study may be utilized in appropriate circumstances, such as to resolve scheduling difficulties/conflicts.  Each decision shall be made on a case by case basis.  Directed/Independent Study students are expected to complete the same course work as in regularly scheduled course offerings.  Directed/Independent Study involves a level of independence and self-direction on the part of the student to read material, complete and submit projects, reports and other assignments on a timely basis, and successfully pass examinations as if a student was attending regularly scheduled class.  Students are required to meet with the instructors periodically as required by the learning contract and to follow the procedures and policies as established by the campus administration and the instructor.  In no case is a student permitted to take more than 10% of the didactic portion of their program through directed/independent study.

Program Objectives/Optional Certifications and Credentials

The objective of this Institution’s programs and courses is to prepare students to obtain the skills and knowledge necessary to pass their classes and ultimately meet graduation requirements so graduates can obtain entry level employment. Opportunities for advancement will depend on the graduate. As such, graduates will have basic skills and knowledge that will assist the graduate to enter his/her chosen career field. This background will also prepare graduates for more advanced study. To enhance their own employability and career advancement, graduates must strive to become more knowledgeable in their field and obtain optional certifications and credentials (as all people in the workforce should do in today’s rapidly changing economy). This is the graduate’s responsibility.

Although some courses may include materials designed to help students prepare for certification/credentials not required for employment in that career field, individual program graduation requirements do not mandate that students obtain any type of optional computer, medical, technology, or other outside certifications or credentials. Passing written examinations or meeting other requirements necessary to obtain optional or mandatory state, national, industry, or other types of certification, licensure, registration, or other credentials available in the computer field, medical field, and in some other fields will require additional out of class study and preparation on the student’s part. As with any endeavor, the student is responsible to put forth the time and effort necessary to master the subject matter required to pass written examinations, practical tests, oral examinations, or other requirements. Also, eligibility requirements for optional certifications can vary and may change periodically. If a prospective student is interested in a specific certification, it is that individual’s responsibility to determine in advance whether the institution’s training will qualify the individual to take the necessary test(s) and/or otherwise qualify for the certification.

Program titles and objectives and the content of courses may be updated and changed periodically by the institution. Students will be scheduled and graduated accordingly.

Make-Up Work

Students may be allowed to make-up missed or delayed work, class assignments or tests resulting from absences, tardiness or other causes at the instructor’s discretion. Make-up work is not permitted for the purpose of receiving Veterans Affairs training allowances. (CFR 21.4254)

Student Records

1. Disclosure – The Institution reserves the right to provide (and by enrolling, the student grants permission to disclose) academic, student conduct, financial aid, financial, employment, personal background and/or other relevant information (1) to prospective employers, (2) to government agencies, financial institutions, credit reporting and/or collection organizations, guarantee agencies, student loan servicing agencies, student loan/aid/advising organizations, government or private student aid, job training, and other agencies providing or involved in the administration of any type of financial assistance, education or job training programs, for purposes of the United States Department of Education, United States Department of Labor, or other agency/program financial aid administration and student loan servicing/collection, (3) to accrediting agencies for accreditation related purposes, and (4) to other parties for education, academic, employment, and financial/financial aid related purposes (for example, providing academic or immunization information to a medical facility that accepts allied health students for medical externships). Except as provided in this catalog or the student’s enrollment contract, the Institution will not disclose any information (including personally identifiable or directory information) about any current or former student or applicant, to any other individual, entity or organization unless required to do so by a specific statute, regulation, or court order or unless the student/applicant gives written permission.

2. Student Records – The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) afford students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:
A. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the Institution’s Campus President receives a written request for access that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect. An Institution official will make the arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. The Institution may charge a reasonable cost based fee for the copies. The Institution may withhold from the student’s review financial records of their parents and letters of recommendation.
B. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading, or may violate his/her privacy rights. Students should write the Campus President for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the Institution decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the Institution will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. If, after the hearing, the school decides not to amend the record, the student has the right to place a statement in the record regarding the contested information and/or why the student disagrees with the schools decision.
C. The right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. This may include a person or company with whom the Institution has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, collection agent, or others). A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
D. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the Institution to comply with the requirements of FERPA at the following address: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202

3. Release of Educational Records without the Student’s Consent –
There are a number of exceptions to FERPA’s prohibition against nonconsensual disclosure of personally identifiable information from education records. Under these exceptions, the institution is permitted to disclose personally identifiable information from the education records without consent, though it is not required to do so. Eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures. The following is general information regarding some of these exceptions:
A. School officials who have legitimate educational interests. This includes contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the school has outsourced institutional services or functions. Persons with legitimate educational interest are typically employed by the school in an administrative, counseling, supervisory, academic, or student services position or a support person to these positions. It would also include persons employed by or under contract to the school to perform such tasks.
B. Upon request, the school also discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll or state or local educational authorities.
C. To authorized representatives of the U. S. Comptroller General, the U. S. Attorney General, the U. S. Secretary of Education.
D. In connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal or State supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements that relate to those programs.
E. In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary to determine eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid.
4. Publicity-
In the course of normal operations, staff, faculty, students, and graduates, their educational programs, professional and academic accomplishments, career successes, etc., may be publicly recognized or publicized in news media, such as through newspaper articles and pictures, in brochures, television and radio advertisements, or in other types of advertising and publicity, etc. The Institution reserves the right (and by enrolling the student grants permission) to utilize and publicize individual or group photographs and the educational, employment, and personal achievements and background of such individuals for the purposes described above and as described in the student’s enrollment agreement. This does not include the release of addresses, phone numbers, or email addresses. Students may revoke permission granted in this paragraph by filing a written, signed, and dated revocation with the Campus President.

Grading System**

**Nursing students must maintain an 80% in all nursing courses to progress in the program. Grades are NOT rounded up. See the Nursing Program Student Handbook for more information.

Incomplete and Failing Grades

An “I” grade indicates incomplete work in a class. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the coursework within three weeks from the date that the incomplete was earned. If the work is not completed by the third week, the “I” grade will be changed to the grade earned for all completed coursework. If the grade earned is an “F”, it becomes the student’s responsibility to repeat the course when it is offered again. A student cannot graduate if he or she has an “F” in any required course and must repeat all required courses in which an “F” was earned. An equivalent class may be substituted with approval of the Campus President. Certain programs may have specific/additional components to the incomplete policy. Refer to the appropriate student handbook for those requirements.

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress

All students must meet certain standards of satisfactory academic progress as stated in the institution’s policy regardless of whether or not the students receive federal financial aid. If a student does not achieve the minimum standards of academic progress required by this policy, the student will no longer be allowed to continue as a regular student at the school and will no longer be eligible to receive Title IV student aid funds (unless the student is on financial aid warning or financial aid probation or following an Academic Plan as set forth by the institution). Standard rounding rules will apply.

All students attending this institution shall be bound by the following standards:

1. Payment Period. A student’s progress in a diploma or degree will be evaluated at the end of each quarter. A student must have earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 and have successfully completed 67% of the credits attempted. Failure to meet either of these standards will result in being automatically placed on financial aid/academic warning for one quarter.
2. Maximum Program Length. A student must successfully complete his or her program of study within a timeframe not to exceed 150% of the normal program length, in which the educational objective must be successfully completed. For the purposes of this standard, credit hours attempted shall mean any credit hours for which a student has incurred a financial obligation at this Institution and any credit hours a student has successfully transferred in from another institution that are included in the student’s program of study. If at any point it becomes mathematically impossible for the student to complete his or her program, the student will be withdrawn from the school and become ineligible for Title IV funds.
3. Financial Aid and Academic Warning. If a student fails to earn a 2.0 cumulative grade point average and/or a 67% rate of progression percentage at the end of an evaluation point, the student will be placed on Financial Aid and Academic warning, without appeal, for one evaluation period (one quarter for diploma and degree programs) without being dismissed from school. A student placed on Financial Aid and Academic warning will be notified and will continue to receive Title IV financial aid and will be required to participate in academic advising. As part of this academic advising process, the student will be informed of how to reestablish his or her good academic standing under this policy and related eligibility for Title IV financial aid. If the student meets both the cumulative grade point average and the rate of progression standards at the next evaluation point, the student regains good academic standing and will be removed from financial aid and academic warning. If the student does not meet both standards at the end of the financial aid and academic warning period, the student loses Title IV eligibility. The student will be notified he or she is no longer eligible for Title IV financial aid funds unless the student files a successful appeal, is placed on financial aid probation and enters into an academic plan. If the student does not file an appeal or an appeal is not successful, the student may continue in school in an extended academic enrollment status without receiving Title IV financial aid funds for one evaluation period provided the student has arranged for other means of satisfying his or her tuition and fees obligation. If the student is not meeting academic standards after that one additional extended enrollment quarter, he or she will be dismissed from school.
4. Appeal Process/Mitigating Circumstances. If the student is still not meeting standards after the financial aid and academic warning period, the student may submit to the Registrar or Academic Dean a written appeal of his or her failure to meet the satisfactory academic progress standards based on mitigating circumstances. This written appeal should include a statement as to why the student failed to make satisfactory academic progress and what has changed in the student’s situation that will allow him or her to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation point. The student should provide documentation along with the written statement to demonstrate mitigating circumstances existed. Mitigating circumstances would include poor health, family crisis or other significant personal problems that had an adverse effect on the student.

An appeal will only be considered for students who have a reasonable likelihood of achieving both a 2.0 cumulative grade point average and a 67% completion percentage within the maximum program length (150%).

The student will be notified of the outcome of the appeal process in writing. The outcome of the appeal will be one of the following:

A. Lack of mitigating circumstances – in this case, the appeal is denied and the student will remain ineligible for Title IV federal student aid funds. The student may continue in school on an extended academic enrollment status for one evaluation period without Title IV financial aid funds if he or she can satisfy his or her tuition and fees obligation from other sources. If the student cannot, he or she will be dismissed from school. If the student continues in school on extended academic enrollment status for one quarter without Title IV funds and achieves the minimum satisfactory academic progress standards, Title IV financial aid will be reinstated. If the student does not achieve the minimum satisfactory academic progress standards, the student will be dismissed from school. The student is required to have academic advising during this evaluation period of extended academic enrollment. As part of this academic advising process, the student will be informed of how he or she can reestablish his or her eligibility for Title IV financial aid.
B. Mitigating circumstances did exist and the appeal is granted. The student will continue enrollment for one quarter on a financial aid and academic probation status and enter into an academic plan with no loss of Title IV eligibility.
5. Probation and Academic Plan. A student may be placed on financial aid and academic probation and enter into an academic plan if, after the financial aid and academic warning period, the student is still not meeting standards and the student has successfully appealed his or her failure to meet satisfactory academic progress due to mitigating circumstances. The student, if eligible, will continue to receive Title IV financial aid funds during this financial aid and academic probationary period and the student is required to participate in academic advising. As part of this academic advising process, the student will be informed of how he or she can reestablish his or her eligibility of Title IV financial aid.
During the financial aid and academic probationary period the student also enters into an academic plan. This academic plan will clearly outline the minimum academic standards the student must meet at the end of each evaluation period of the academic plan with regards to both cumulative grade point average and rate of progression percentage to continue to receive Title IV financial aid funds. An Academic Plan also will be required for all students who reenroll at the Institution pursuant to Section 9 of this policy after previously failing to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
6. The effect on satisfactory progress with the following:
A. Course Withdrawals – Students withdrawing from individual classes will received a “W” (Withdrawal) on their transcripts if they withdraw by the midpoint of the course (end of week three) and a “WF” (Withdrawal-Failing) if the withdrawal occurs after the midpoint of the course. Withdrawals are not used to calculate grade point average but are used to calculate rate of progression standards. The institution does not offer Withdrawal-Passing.
B. Incomplete Grades – Incomplete grades are not used to calculate grade point average but are used to calculate rate of progression standards.
C. Repeated Grades – When a student repeats a failed course, the higher of the two grades earned in the course will be used in computing the student’s grade point average; however, all courses will count as attempted and will be used to compute rate of progression percentages. The student is eligible for Title IV funding for the course repeat. A student may receive Title IV financial aid for a previously passed course as long as it is not the result of more than one repetition of the previously passed course or any repetition of a previously passed course due to the student’s failing other coursework. When a student voluntarily repeats a passed course, both grades will be used in computing both the student’s grade point average and rate of progression. The credits from the original course and the repeated course will count as credits attempted.
D. Transfer Credits – Transfer credits are not used to calculate grade point average but are used to calculate rate of progression standards. Rate of progression standards are calculated including both attempted and completed credits.
E. Proficiency Credits (Credit by Exam) – Credits by exam are not used to calculate grade point average but are used to calculate rate of progression standards.
F. Non-Credit/ Remedial Courses – The institution does not offer non-credit or remedial courses. Therefore, they are not used in the determination of satisfactory academic progress.
G. Pass/Fail Grades – The institution does not offer pass/fail grades. Therefore, they are not used in the determination of satisfactory academic progress.
7. Leaves of Absence. The Institution does not grant leaves of absence.
8. Change in Program. When a student changes programs or seeks an additional credential, all institutional courses accepted into the student’s new program will be counted in the cumulative grade point average and coursework attempted and completed when computing standards of academic progress of the new program.
9. Re-Admittance. Any student dismissed from school under these standards may apply for a re-admittance after sitting out one year. To be accepted for re-admittance, the student must appeal to the satisfaction of the Registrar that his/her personal circumstances have improved to the point that the student now has a reasonable likelihood for success. Students re-admitted under this subsection will return in the same SAP status and must agree to an academic plan and must meet the minimum satisfactory academic standards to receive Title IV financial aid funds. A student must have at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average and a rate of 67% completion percentage higher at the end of the second academic year or be dismissed from school.
10. Veterans. Students not meeting SAP will not have their enrollments certified to the US Department of Veterans Affairs.
11. The institution offers continuous enrollment and all hours attempted, including those taken in the summer months, are included in the student’s Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Graduation Requirements*

To qualify for graduation, a student must:

1. Pass all required courses in the student’s program.
2. Have an overall cumulative 2.0 (“C” average) on a 4.0 scale
3. Meet the special skill requirements, if any, for each program.
4. Meet state mandated requirements, if any, for each program.

* For nursing student graduation requirements, refer to the Nursing Program Student Handbook. (If a student meets requirements for graduation but has not paid all tuition or other fees due, the student shall graduate but will not be entitled to a diploma, nor be permitted to participate in graduation ceremonies.)

Definition of Quarter Credit Hour/Academic Year

The Institution measures and awards credits using quarter credit hours. The Institution operates on a quarter term calendar year. A quarter term is between 10 and 12 weeks in length. The definition of an academic year for Title IV purposes is 36 quarter credit hours and 30 weeks.

Credit will be calculated based on the following credit hour equivalencies: One quarter credit hour equals, at a minimum, 10 classroom hours of lecture, 20 hours of laboratory, and 30 hours of practicum.

A standard contact/class hour is generally 50 minutes in length and appropriate breaks. A student is considered to be full-time when carrying 12 or more credit hours per term.

West Virginia Junior College measures its coursework and programs exclusively in standard quarters. In order to best serve the Institution’s diverse student body, each course (subject) may be offered at a variety of times, days or weeks within each standard quarter. All courses (subjects) begin and end within a quarter. A new quarter begins approximately every six weeks. Please see the school calendar for quarter begin and end dates.

Hour Regulation

The criteria for quarter hour conversion is as follows:

• 10 hours (lecture) = 1 credit hour
• 20 hours (lab) = 1 credit hour
• 30 hours (externship/clinical) = 1 credit hour

Therefore, a lecture course consisting of 4 credits mandates 40 hours (10 hours of lecture x 4 credits) of instruction. Each class is scheduled as follows:

• 100 minutes of instructions four days per week. A classroom hour is defined as 50 minutes of instruction, so each day there are 2.0 hours of instruction. The course runs six weeks, so 2.0 hours per day x 4 days x 6 weeks = 48 hours of instruction. Scheduling classes in this manner exceeds the requirement by 8 hours, which provides an allowance for vacation, holidays, cancellations of classes, etc.

Note: Computational conversion formula could result in a .2 or .3 credit hour difference.

Class Schedule

Classes may be held during the day and also at night. Day classes may be held anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Night classes (if offered) may be held anytime between 4:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Externships, clinical rotations and out of class learning experiences may be scheduled any day or night 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, as required by the learning site.  Please see the Campus President for a complete schedule.

Lecture Time Allocation

A standard contact (class hour) generally is 50 minutes in length and the appropriate break(s). A student is considered to be full time when carrying 12 or more credit hours per quarter term.

Full-Time Course Load Explanation

Any student who is taking a full-time course load from the academic institution can expect the following time dedication. Students are advised that a full course load is equivalent to a full-time job.

Equivalency for Distance Education

Online courses have been designed so that content, coursework, homework and learning in the online classroom are equivalent to what is achieved in a traditional/residential classroom for its equivalent on-ground course. Online instruction plus student activity hours are equal to the sum of out of class work plus instructional hours.

Student and Institutional Academic Responsibilities

The student and academic institution have an underlying responsibility to each other. The academic institution prides itself on providing quality education to each student with academic and professional integrity. The commitment of the academic institution is based on academic integrity, consistency, and reciprocal student efforts. To ensure a successful experience the student must allocate sufficient time and effort to achieve academic excellence. The dedication of both student and academic institution will result in academic accomplishment.

If a student is disappointed in any aspect of the education provided in any course, such as course content, teaching effectiveness, or other academic issues, it is that student’s responsibility to promptly report the concerns in writing to the Campus President so that the institution can address the issue while the course is on-going.  If the student fails to promptly provide written notice as soon as the serious concern arises and while the classes are still being offered in the course, so that the institution can investigate and take corrective action, if needed, then the student is barred from raising any academic, education, or other issues after the term ends.

Dropping and Adding Courses

Since classes for each student are scheduled in a manner that will permit matriculation within the period of time and normally required for the student’s individual program, adding and dropping courses is discouraged; however, if a student can justify a request to add or drop a course, the administration will permit such action.  Students are cautioned that changing schedules may result in a loss of credit, an extension of the program length, or other adverse consequences.

Online/Distance Education

This institution is committed to utilizing technology in the provision of its educational offerings.  As technology advances and is more fully integrated into the economy it becomes more important for students to be comfortable in accomplishing goals through technology.  Therefore, students may be required to complete a portion of their program of study through online or other distance education modalities courses.  Enrollment in distance education courses is at the discretion of the institution. Therefore, for some programs, students have the option to complete a portion of their program of study through online or other distance education modalities. Additionally, externships/clinicals and certain lab portions of courses cannot be completed online (see the Medical Program Director for more information).  Students requesting to take online courses must meet the technical requirements.  (See Resource and Equipment Requirements in this section.)  These online courses are specifically designed for the student who will be accessing online courses from a standard home or personal computer.  For more information, contact the Academic Dean.

Distance Education Modalities– Online training differs from traditional on-ground course training. Delivery of course content will occur through various modalities. Listed below are the various modalities that may be used in an online course.

• Online Lecture/Demonstration: Online lectures will be presented in a variety of ways. Lecture notes placed on a web page for the learner to review and available for downloaded from the site. Some lectures demonstrations will be presented via audio or video multimedia by using specialized software and hardware to allow this creation. Links related to resources and other Web sites will be embedded in the online lectures. Short lectures provide enough information to serve as a basis for further reading, research, or other learning activities. Online lectures are readily available for students to revisit as needed.
• Threaded Discussion: Instructors will post a topic(s) and the student will complete two tasks: Post a response to a threaded discussion and post responses to two of their classmates’ posts per topic. Academic Discussion Boards are considered classroom participation. The responses should be written in proper English and should be based upon researched fact. Each response should focus on the topic that the instructor has provided. The discussion boards are designed with academic debates in mind. Students should treat the discussions as though they are in a classroom setting and the instructor has posed a question for them to answer. If the student’s research a discussion question and post based on the materials they used, they must cite their sources within the posting.
• Collaborative Learning: Collaborative learning will be when two or more students work together to learn. Some courses will assign small groups composed of participants with different ability levels and will utilize a variety of learning activities to master material initially developed by the instructor, or construct responses on substantive issues. Each member of the team will be responsible for learning what is taught and for helping teammates learn. Students will utilize a variety of online collaboration tools in and out of the online learning environment to engage in collaborative learning.
• Multimedia Presentation: Multimedia as an instructional delivery method uses animation to encourage student interaction with the platform; videos stimulate visual senses to encourage student interaction with the platform; sound stimulates the auditory senses to encourage student interaction with the platform; and concepts are conveyed quickly and effectively to students. The capabilities of ways to enrich learning are enhanced through the use of multimedia.
• Text Presentation: As stated in the section above under the online lecture/demonstration delivery method, the text will be available for the presentations and available for download. Chunking will be utilized in the design of the lecture area to help with the text based delivery that is unavoidable in all courses.
• Online Drill and Practice: As an instructional delivery method, drill & practice promotes the acquisition of knowledge or skill through repetitive practice. Many courses will utilize flash cards for terms and concept learning. Some courses will have links to site to practice skills such as math, accounting, keyboarding, etc.
• Research: Research is used to help student learn to question, plan, gather information, sort and sift information, synthesize, evaluate, write and document resources properly. Students will learn MLA and APA properly and be provided with resources to help them learn the process of research as a Institution student should. While learning how the use of technology and technology skills and resources to ease the work process.
• Case Study: This instructional delivery method will require learners to draw upon their past experience(s) to comprise solutions to future experience(s). Case studies will be comprised of an appropriate problem situation which is relevant both to the interests and experience level of learners and to the concepts being taught.
• Educational game: Instructional gaming is one method that may increase the performance and motivation of adult learners based on the premise that games generate enthusiasm and enjoyment for the subject matter content. Many of the adopted textbooks for the courses have an educational game component included. Instructional gaming helps the students to maintain focus on the subject matter but to break away from routine structure and instruction.
• Observation: The instructional delivery method of observation will be utilized when students view a demonstration or how-to process and as a primary means of learning during the Business Administration Externship when they are placed into the job setting to observe, participate and learn.
• Simulation: In an instructional simulation, students learn by actually performing activities to be learned in a context that is similar to the real world experience. Instructional simulation is used in most cases for unguided discovery learning. Students can generate and test hypotheses in a simulated environment by examining changes in the environment based on their input. This particular type of instruction requires students to involve their learning in an active way. The course plan will incorporate this method to improve student learning by emphasizing applied learning skills.
• Problem Solving: The instructional method of problem solving encourages students to work through a situation or problem in order to arrive at a solution to improve their critical thinking and applied learning skills.
• Virtual Conferencing: Virtual conferencing for distance education based on course and instructor preference could be implemented into the virtual classroom. This networking feature promotes interaction, communication and traditional instruction in a non-traditional capacity. The networking between instructor and student would allow for greater expansion of course curriculum and enhance relationship building within the online community.
• Other: Narration / IPOD content option / Product application: Many lectures and demonstrations will be narrated and some text may be as well. Content is being revised and made available to students to download in various formats, print, mobile, and IPOD devices.

Most activities in the online courses are asynchronous so that students can log in and participate whenever their schedule allows within the allotted timeframe as set by the instructor. However, the tools to provide synchronous opportunities are available.
State Authorization – The institution is a member of the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (NC-SARA). This means that the institution is authorized to deliver distance education to students who live in states that are also members of NC-SARA while they are receiving this distance education. For the most current list of NC-SARA member states and to determine if your state is a member state, visit http://nc-sara.org/sara-states-institutions. A student’s physical location is determined by the address that is listed on the signed enrollment agreement. Should a student change the state in which he/she is located (living) while enrolled, he/she is required to notify the Registrar in writing PRIOR to making this change. In either of these circumstances, the student could be at risk of losing financial aid eligibility which could prevent the student from completing the program. Furthermore, should a student move to a state where the licensing or certification requirements for employment are different from the state where the student is living upon enrollment, the student may be at risk for not meeting those licensing or certification requirements; and therefore, may be unable to obtain employment in that occupation.
Dispute Resolution Electronic System – Distance education students may submit a dispute/complaint electronically using our dispute resolution electronic system. If the complaint is for sexual harassment or sexual violence of any nature please use the following link https://www.wvjc.edu/title-ix-sexual-harassment-morgantown/. For all other complaints, use the following link https://www.wvjc.edu/all-other-complaints-morgantown/ Students are to refer to their enrollment agreement or the Dispute Resolution section of this catalog for a complete description of the dispute resolution procedures.
Admissions Requirements – Admissions requirements for distance education are the same as those for residential students.
Resource and Equipment Requirements – West Virginia Junior College online courses take place in a web browser-based virtual classroom. Students can access their courses from just about any computer with an internet connection.

However, there are some minimum requirements that must be met in order to ensure full utilization of online course functions and tools. All online students should have their own personal computer that meets the specifications listed below.

Required Components

• JavaScript must be enabled to run Canvas
• Java: The Java plug-in is required for screen sharing in Conferences. Please note that some browsers do not support Java. Otherwise, there are no other browser plug-ins used by Canvas.

Other components include:

• Windows Media Player
• QuickTime Player

Software Requirements

Window Users (Recommended Versions)

• Microsoft Office 2019
• Office 365
• Adobe Reader

Mac Users (Recommended Versions)

• Microsoft Office 2019
• Office 365
• Adobe Reader

There are free student versions of the Microsoft Office Suite available upon request through the IT department that will expire upon graduation.

Internet Access

All online courses require a reliable connection to the Internet. Students are responsible for setting up their own connection to the Internet. There are many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) available in West Virginia as well as nationwide. A minimum broadband connection of 512 Kbps or higher is strongly recommended due to the rich media content in many of the online courses.

Screen Size

Canvas is best viewed at a minimum of 1024X600, which is the average size of a notebook computer. If you want to view Canvas on a device with a smaller screen, we recommend using the Canvas mobile app.

Email Account

Online courses require each student to have an email account. We have integrated your personal email account as an added convenience to you. This way, you do not have to juggle multiple email accounts. We will issue you a WVJC email account upon request.