How do Pierce Online courses work?
PierceOnLine is a convenient alternative to on-campus classes for students who have transportation issues, physical limitations, or family/work responsibilities that interfere with attending classes on campus. Students enroll in PierceOnLine courses to advance toward their degrees, while working and/or taking care of their families. Let your fingers walk across your computer keyboard and instantly access services like the library, tutoring, financial aid and the bookstore - without the traffic, the parking, and the wait. Then jump back into class without driving across town, check your assignments, view the class calendar, take a quiz, post to a discussion, and register for next semester. No driving. No waiting in lines. Access 24/7.

Why PierceOnLine?
Going to college the old-fashioned way…..Wake up, take a shower, get ready, gather your book bag, make sure your homework is done, eat breakfast, start the car, sit in traffic, park the car and finally walk to class. Going to college the PierceOnLine way….Wake up, sit down and log in. With one friendly interface you can easily contact your instructor/fellow students, turn in assignments, access students services, email, and do all the things you expect your college to do without all the hassle. We get it. You've got a busy life - work, family, play. At PierceOnLine, you can have that life and still enroll in college. Fast or slow, the choice is yours. You set the time you can study….it’s fine by us.

How do Pierce Online courses work?
After you apply to the college and enroll in the course, you can access your class. Do the work at anytime of the day or any day of the week when you can set aside time. You're in control. PierceOnLine brings convenience and ease of use to learning. Study at midnight, accelerate your course, take a day off - the choices are yours. But, be sure to understand your course requirements. Some assignments will have deadlines. Some tests may only be available for a short period of time. You will have to contribute to online discussion forums. While you have some freedom when to do your work, you are responsible for your learning—studying, submitting assignments on time, taking tests, and contributing to online discussions. Give yourself some time to explore your course at the beginning of the semester so you know how it is set up and what your responsibilities are.

How do I register for Pierce Online courses?
PierceOnLine is a convenient alternative to on-campus classes for students who have transportation issues, physical limitations, or family/work responsibilities that interfere with attending classes on campus. Students enroll in PierceOnLine courses to advance toward their degrees, while working and/or taking care of their families. Let your fingers walk across your computer keyboard and instantly access services like the library, tutoring, financial aid and the bookstore - without the traffic, the parking, and the wait. Then jump back into class without driving across town, check your assignments, view the class calendar, take a quiz, post to a discussion, and register for next semester. No driving. No waiting in lines. Access 24/7.

How do I know I will be successful in a PierceOnLine course?
Only you can determine if you will be successful. Under the Get Started button click on Make sure online classes are right for you to see information that will help you decide.

In a face-to-face class, you meet at a specific time on a specific day and the instructor is there. In an online class, you manage your time and contribute enthusiastically to your learning. So you should: Consider your time commitments….Before signing up for an online course, consider your time commitments. An online class takes as much time if not more as an on-campus class. Many online students write that they spend more time working on their online classes than they do their on-campus classes. Participate actively….You must participate actively in the class. Contact your instructor and your classmates if you have questions or comments. Login to your class frequently….Logon to your online course at least twice a week during the fall or spring semesters, 3 or 4 times a week during summer session. Most online instructors have due dates for assignments and tests. Many instructors will post weekly messages about due dates and assignments. If you don’t logon frequently, you will fall behind. Don’t fall behind….Don’t procrastinate. It’s very easy to fall behind when you don’t have to physically attend a class. Once you fall behind, it’s very difficult to get back on track. Ask for help when you need it….Don’t be shy.

Your instructor will be available to answer questions and offer additional help via email. Email your instructor whenever you have a question or a problem. One other advantage of PierceOnLine courses is that you can review materials online as often as you need and complete assignments in a timeframe that meets your schedule. Check out these items under the Resources button: (1) Are you a good candidate for taking on online course? and (2) several tutorials on how to work in our moodle online course system.

Will Pierce Online courses count toward a degree or certificate the same a face-to-face course does?
Absolutely. All courses you take at Pierce will be shown on your student transcript with the semester taken, the course number and title, and your grade. No distinction is made between an online or a face-to-face course. Pierce is fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges, Western Association of Schools and Colleges. ASSIST is an online student-transfer information system that shows how course credits earned at one public California college or university can be applied when transferred to another. ASSIST is the official repository of articulation for California’s public colleges and universities and provides the most accurate and up-to-date information about student transfer in California.

Do I need a book for my PierceOnLine class?
A lot of course materials will be available to you in your PierceOnLine course. Instructors frequently require that online student purchase a textbook. You can purchased books through the Pierce College Bookstore….and they will mail them to you!

How do I get my grades?
Grades are not mailed to students. Students can receive their grades through the student Telephone Enrollment Program (STEP) or on the Student Information System. You can hear your semester grades on the STEP System as they are received and entered into the computer, beginning the day after finals end. Call 818-988-2222
1. College selection: Press 5 for Pierce
2. Semester: Press 0 for Winter, 1 for Spring, 2 for Summer or 3 for Fall
3. Enter your Student ID Number
4. Enter your PIN (Personal Identification Number)
5. Press 3 for your semester grades. If you need a copy of your grades, you can obtain a grade printout by accessing the Student Information System: The grade printout is NOT a transcript or a Verification of Enrollment For more information about grades and transcripts, follow the Grades & Transcripts link on the Admissions & Records web page.

How do I add a PierceOnLine course after the add deadline?
Send an email to the instructor. Send the email using the official email address you used to enroll in the college…the email address must be the one on file with the college. Include your name, address, birthdate, and the section number you want to enroll in. The instructor will then forward the request to Admissions& Records for processing.

How do I contact a PierceOnLine instructor?
Each instructor provides contact information inside the course. Usually your contact will be by email. Some instructors may provide a phone number and times he or she is available. Some instructors may provide dates and times when he or she will be available for on-campus meetings. If you don’t understand something or need more explanation, you should contact your instructor.

How do I withdraw from a class?
It is your responsibility to drop/withdraw from any class you do not plan to attend. Please see the How to Drop a Class section of the college’s Admissions & Records web page.

How much does it cost to enroll in a PierceOnLine course?
PierceOnLine courses cost the same as normal face-to-face courses conducted on campus. For information on current enrollment and other fees, see the college’s Fees & Financial Aid web page.

What are the computer requirements for taking a Pierce Online course?
- You will need a minimum of a computer with an internet connection. Please check with your instructor for specific hardware requirements for the course you are interested in taking.

What are the software requirements for taking a Pierce Online course?
- You will need a web browser. For other software requirements, please contact your instructor.

How do I report a technical problem with my Pierce Online course?
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