Online Programs and Classes

SCC offers several online associate degree programs. Through careful selection of courses with your advisor and/or the coordinator of that particular program, these degrees can be completed as Distance Learning Online Degrees. Online programs are designed to provide a student with the flexibility needed to balance their education with a busy work and home schedule.

1. - Management & Business Technologies
    Degrees in business offer students a variety of skills and experiences that transfer directly to the real world in virtually every industry including management positions in retail, entertainment, recreation, health care, government, non-profit, international commerce, and more. Business skills also provide the backbone for entrepreneurs who want to start their own business. A business degree provides one of the most versatile and flexible educational experiences available and equips individuals with a variety of skills including management, marketing, analytical skills, financial analysis, problem solving, overcoming obstacles, and budgeting. The business programs at Sandhills also offer the student an opportunity to focus on specific areas such as Accounting, Medical Office or General Office Administration. Learn more about specific Management and Business Technologies programs and course requirements.
  - Associate in Arts
    The Associate in Arts degree is designed for students who wish to transfer to a university to earn a Bachelor of Arts (or Bachelor of Science, depending upon the university) degree in one of the following fields of study: anthropology, architecture, business administration (accounting, finance, and marketing), communication, economics, education, English language and literature, foreign languages, geography, linguistics, history, humanities, interdisciplinary studies, journalism, library science, philosophy, political science, psychology, religion, social sciences, and visual and performing arts. Students who are interested in a career in dentistry, law, medicine, theology or ministry, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, or veterinary medicine are usually required or at least strongly encouraged to earn a bachelor’s degree before applying to one of these graduate or professional degree programs. Learn more about the program and course requirements.
  - Associate in Applied Science in Fire Protection Technology
    The Fire Protection Technology curriculum is designed to provide students with knowledge and skills in the technical, managerial, and leadership areas necessary for advancement within the fire protection community and related firefighting industries, and to provide currently employed firefighters with knowledge and skills often required for promotional consideration. Course work includes diverse fire protection subject areas, including fire prevention and safety, public education, building construction, fire ground strategies and tactics, and local government finance and laws, as they apply to emergency services management. Emphasis includes understanding fire characteristics and the structural consequences of fire; risk assessment and management; and relevant research, communications, and leadership methodologies. Employment opportunities exist with fire departments, governmental agencies, industrial firms, insurance rating organizations, and educational organizations. Learn more about the program and course requirements.

Types of Distance Learning Courses

There are two types of Distance Learning courses offered at Sandhills:

Internet or Online – College credit courses where 100% of the instruction is delivered through the internet.
Hybrid – College credit courses where the primary delivery is on-line with a requirement that students also meet in traditional face-to-face sessions as determined appropriate by the college.

Enrolling in Distance Learning Courses

Applying for Admission
Prospective students may apply for admission as a degree-seeking student, or as a special credit, non-degree-seeking student by completing a free online application. Applications will be immediately sent to the college admissions office for processing. You will receive an Admissions Packet in the mail within one week of applying to the College.

Placement Testing
The Admissions page on the SCC website provides information related to scheduling the RISE placement test on campus. However, if it is inconvenient to come to the SCC campus, students are welcome to submit placement test scores if they have completed testing at another institution. For admission purposes, the college accepts scores for RISE, Accuplacer, Asset, or Compass tests. Tests must have been taken within the past ten years.

Registration in Online Courses at SCC
Prior to registering for courses in one of the online programs, new students follow the same steps to admission as for traditional courses. For the first semester of enrollment, new students must contact the Student Success Center at registration@sandhills.edu to complete an orientation and enroll in classes. Currently enrolled students can register online through Self-Service during designated periods.

Payment
SCC allows students to pay their tuition and fees online through Self-Service. Payments must be made in full, as the college does not offer payment plans. Tuition and fee payments may also be mailed to the college business office or deposited in a campus drop box, if this is more convenient. Specific information concerning tuition and fees is detailed on the college website.

Access to Moodle Courses
Online courses are delivered through Moodle, a learning management system. You gain access to Moodle once you are officially enrolled in courses, however, your courses will not be listed until the beginning of the semester. The login information is the same as your other Sandhills Community College accounts (email and Self-Service). To access the Moodle login link please go to the MySCC page of the college website.

Success in Online Courses

Before you enroll in an online class, check to make sure distance learning is right for you. It is not for everyone. While some people thrive on the independence and freedom offered through such classes, others find themselves regretting their decision and wishing they had enrolled in a traditional section.

Characteristics

Successful distance learners have a few unique characteristics. Compare yourself to the following list to determine whether or not online classes are a good fit for your personality and habits.

Self–motivated and self–disciplined. The online environment takes both a real time commitment and discipline to meet course requirements and deadlines. Online courses take more time than a traditional course. Most often this will require that you spend between 5-15 hours per week per course.
Able to follow deadlines and due dates. One of the most common problems students have with online courses is missing due dates. There is no teacher in front of the room reminding you to get things done. It is up to you to watch the announcements, email, schedule of assignments, and syllabus. It is best to work ahead so there is time to ask questions and receive help if needed.
Able to make time to study and participate in class assignments. It is necessary to log in regularly to your course, which means multiple-times per week. Beginning online students sometimes wait until the last minute to complete assignments. When they run into issues, it is too late to request assistance from the instructor. Make sure that you have enough time to study and that you do not procrastinate. Take notes just as you would in the traditional class to aid in assignment completion.
Able to comprehend what you read. While students in traditional courses mostly learn by listening to lectures and taking notes, the majority of online students are expected to master material through reading and frequent contact with the instructor. Some online courses offer videos and audio clips but most courses require that students understand a large amount of text information.
Able to communicate through writing. Most communication in an online course is written. You must feel comfortable communicating using this method. Since nonverbal communication clues are not available in an online course, it is important that if you are experiencing difficulty, that you communicate this immediately. If not, the instructor will never know. Make sure you also think ideas through before responding. Meaningful and quality input is important. Be prepared to have ideas challenged!

Experience and Comfort Level with Technology

To successfully participate in your online course, you must have:

Moderate experience using a computer. The computer you use for class will need to be reliable and also have a reliable internet connection (mobile phone connections are not recommended for taking tests or quizzes online). You will need to know how to enter and retrieve course information on the computer and be able to receive and submit assignments and assigned materials. Other essential skills include being familiar with a word processing program and the ability to send and receive email including the use of attachments.
A good understanding of the web and its use. You should be able to navigate from one site to another; to find things on the web, and to do searches, if it is part of an assignment.