Frequently Asked Questions
Who can enroll in an Online Course?
Online Courses are generally offered to students from GHEA21 member institutions. However, enrollment may be dependent on your institution’s academic policies, so please make sure to get in touch with your university’s GHEA21 representative/Academic Advisor to confirm permissions to enroll in an Online course.
What is the difference between an NCC and an OC?
Online Courses (OCs) are taught by faculty from a single institution and delivered virtually to eligible students across the network. Students register online HERE and receive course credit from the host institution.
Network Collaborative Courses (NCCs) are co-designed and taught simultaneously across partner institutions. Students enroll in and receive credit for these courses at their own institution. There are also some online sections offered for certain NCCs. Students also register online HERE and receive course credit from the host institution.
Why should I take an Online Course?
You will have the chance to learn from a professor at another university in a classroom with students from around the world. You will hear about life and society in other parts of the world and have the chance to share your perspective and experiences with a diverse set of student peers.
When will I be notified of whether or not I am admitted to an Online Course?
Students will be notified of course acceptance via email and you will be asked to confirm your participation by submitting the Course Commitment Questionnaire in your profile. Once you have submitted your Commitment Questionnaire, you will be considered “registered” for the course, and your status in the course will be reflected on your academic record.
Where do I register?
You can register via this link. However, institutional policies vary around student eligibility for Online Courses, so you should check in with your institution’s GHEA21 Representative and/or your Academic Advisor on whether you can register for a GHEA21 course for credits and how a particular course may fit into your academic program.
Who should I contact if I have questions about the registration process?
Please email the Online Courses Team: [email protected]
Can I take more than one Online Course?
Depending on availability and your institution’s policies, you may be able to take multiple courses simultaneously. Keep in mind the workload for each course when deciding to enroll in more than one.
Is there a cost to take an Online Course?
GHEA21 courses during the spring and fall terms are usually offered at no additional cost. In the summer term, Online Courses may be offered at no cost or a significantly reduced cost. Please check your home university’s policies on taking courses outside of your home institution for specific details on how Online Courses fit into your tuition fee structure.
Do I need to attend all of the classes? Can I watch course recordings instead?
You are required to log in to your Online Course at the scheduled meeting times and remain logged in and engaged for the entirety of each class. Failure to attend classes may result in a failing grade. (Note: While faculty may, in certain circumstances, record classes and share the videos, you still are required to attend and participate in all class sessions.) Please remember that participation in an Online Course requires a time commitment, just as it would if it were a course on your home campus.
Can I try out a class for one or two meetings before I decide if I want to continue?
No, students who enroll are expected to remain in the class. You will have opportunities to ask questions about the course before the semester begins. If you join and then leave, we cannot give that seat to another student. We have tools to help you succeed.
Will I have access to the course materials online?
Yes, students will receive the necessary credentials to be able to access the course site and related assignments. Keep in mind that the course site of your GHEA21 course may differ from the course site used at your home institution. Students are asked to communicate any challenges that they may face in utilizing a new platform to their professor, course assistant, and/or the Online Courses team in a proactive manner.
What kind of support is available to me if I am having difficulty with my course?
a. You should proactively communicate challenges that you face with your course faculty and, in some cases, the course assistant in your class. Consulting with your course professor should be the first step to help ensure your success in the course.
b. Your professor has listed office hours on their syllabus; you can schedule a time to meet to discuss your concerns.
c. Yaw Kwakyi can direct you to a student ambassador who can offer you peer-to-peer assistance. Other resources are listed here: https://linktr.ee/ykwakyi
d. Reach out to the Online Courses Team, and we’ll help you succeed with the course!
How can I confirm the timing of my class?
Civic Engagement and Social Action
Term: January 21, 2025 – May 15, 2025
Level: 100-Level
Day/Time: Tuesday; Thursday 10:00 AM - 11:20 AM EDT
Instructor(s): Jonathan Becker, Bard College; Erin Cannan, Bard College
“What does it mean to be engaged with your community? What can students participating in civic engagement projects learn from others in universities in places like Haiti, Ghana, Kyrgyzstan, Bangladesh and the United States? This course will examine historical…”
Credits: 4 US / 8 ECTS
Above is a sample course listing. Online Course listings will typically follow the above structure, and you can confirm the timing of the class by making use of this timezone converter tool to confirm when the course occurs in your timezone and double-check that your schedule is open at that time.
How will I get my grade? Will it count toward my GPA?
A transcript with your grade and credits will be sent to your home campus. How your grade counts toward your overall average is determined by your institution’s transfer credit policy. Please keep in mind that due to the somewhat lengthy nature of the development and sharing of transcripts, you should expect to receive your transcript between one to two months after completion of the course.
What does the course level mean?
100-level (Introductory) courses are introductory and ideal for first-year students.
200-level (Intermediate) courses require some prior college experience and are ideal for second-year students.
300- and 400-level (Advanced) courses are for upper college students with backgrounds in the academic field.
What’s the workload like?
You should expect an Online Course to be as demanding as a local course at your institution. The intensity of GHEA21 offerings may differ depending on their level and academic policies of the offering institution, but you will need to treat your OSUN course with the attention that a course at your home institution would require.
What should I do if I can no longer take an OSUN Online Course?
If you are no longer able to take a course with OSUN, please write to the Online Course team so we can formally process your withdrawal.
What are the technology requirements to take an OSUN course?
It’s important to verify both your computer and your internet connection.
Connectivity: LMS Brightspace requires a stable internet connection for optimal performance. While the recommended download speed is 25 Mbps, it’s still possible to use the platform with slower speeds, though you might experience some delays or interruptions.
For mobile access, we recommend downloading the Brightspace Pulse App from Google Play. This app is designed to work with limited resources and can help with basic tasks, though its functionality is more limited compared to the full platform.
Hardware Requirements: Ensure your computer meets the minimum specifications for Brightspace:
Hardware: Processor 2GHz or higher; Minimum 4GB RAM
Software: Windows 10 or higher, or macOS 10 or later
