Eligibility, enrollment, and registration
Q: Do I have to be a matriculating ACPHS student to take an online course?
A: No. You may take an online course without being enrolled in a degree program, with certain exceptions and limitations as indicated in the Non-Matriculated Student Policy.
Q: How do I enroll and register?
A: Once you have been admitted to ACPHS, you will receive instructions for how to register for classes using the online student portal.
Q: I have registered. What happens next?
A: Log in to Canvas. By default, your Canvas Dashboard will show your current courses. You can also look under Courses > All Courses to see completed and future courses.
Q: What if I want to drop my class?
A: First, check the ACPHS Academic Calendar to find the last day to drop a course in the relevant semester. You must drop your course on or before this date to avoid academic penalty. Login to the online student portal to drop a course.
Q: Will I have to be on campus for any portion of an online course?
A: No, unless the instructor has any special arrangements or directions for on-campus activities..
Q: Will I get my money back if I drop a class?
A: Refund percentages are based on the withdrawal date. Please refer to the Refund Policy for information.
Credits, grades, and transcripts
Q: Will the credits I earn count toward my degree requirements?
A: Credits earned in an online course are the same as credits earned in a face-to-face course.
Q: How will I be graded?
A: Your instructor will provide a detailed syllabus with grading scheme and policy. In most courses, students will be graded based on the assigned homework activities, projects, papers, quizzes, and/or exams.
Q: How do I get my grade?
A: You’ll be able to view your grade from the CAMS system once you login to the student portal. Instructions will be provided to students during the registration process. Your instructors may also use Canvas to keep track of your grades. If so, you’ll be able to see your grades in Canvas throughout the semester.
Q: Will I have an ACPHS transcript?
A: Yes. You can view your transcript in CAMS.
Q: Will online courses I take at ACPHS transfer to other institutions?
A: The institution to which you wish to transfer your course credit will make the determination about whether the credit earned from your ACPHS course will transfer. ACPHS is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools (MSCHE). MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education and the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation. The curriculum of each undergraduate, graduate, and certificate program is approved by the New York State Department of Education. For more information about ACPHS' accreditation click here .
Services, support, and policies
Q: Can I use the ACPHS library?
A: Yes, definitely. You’ll be getting an orientation on how to use the College’s library.
Q: How do I obtain a textbook for the course?
A: The textbook(s) required by your instructor will be listed in your syllabus. ACPHS has a bookstore that offers competitive pricing for textbooks. You may also choose to purchase your textbook elsewhere.
Q: What policies should I be aware of as an ACPHS student?
A: Please see a list of policies in the “Student Policies” section of the Academic Support & Resources webpage.
Academics
Q: What kind of student does well with online learning?
A: Those who have time-management skills, self-directed learning skills, and self-regulation skills. Please see the Strategies for Success webpage to learn more about preparing yourself for optimal online learning.
Q: What do I do if I have questions about an assignment?
A: You’ll have access to your course management system, Canvas. You will be able to communicate with your instructor or your classmates within Blackboard. Your instructor may also have a discussion board set up for questions you have.
Q: How much time will be involved in lectures?
A: Depending on the credit hours of a course, you’ll get one hour’s worth of lecture each week for a one-credit course. Most courses will last for 15 weeks each semester. Your instructor will provide detailed requirements for your course via the course syllabus.
Q: How much time will be involved in homework?
A: You’ll need to allocate three hours for homework each week for a one-credit course. Again, your instructor will provide detailed requirements for your course via the course syllabus.
Q: How do I submit and get feedback on homework assignments, tests, etc.?
A: You’ll have access to your course management system, Canvas. You will be able to submit and get feedback on homework assignments and tests within Blackboard.
Q: How do I interact with my professor?
A: You’ll mostly interact with your professor within Canvas. For questions that involve private information, you’ll be able to communicate with your professors via your ACPHS email account.
Q: What is the schedule for online classes?
A: There will be no specific set time each week for an asynchronous online class, unless an instructor sets up a special online meeting time for a lecture or office hours. Courses with required synchronous components will include that information in the course listing. However, students are required to sign on to their course web site a few times each week at their own convenience. Online courses are not self-paced - assignments and exams will be due throughout the semester.
Q: May I begin my online class early?
A: All courses begin on the first day of the semester, as detailed by the Academic Calendar. Instructors may allow access to course materials before that time at their own discretion, but it's better to plan on completing your work during the official semester.
Q: What if I can’t start the class on the date it’s scheduled to begin?
A: It’s usually okay, as long as you can start within the first week of the class. Check with the instructor to be sure.
Technical requirements
Q: What are the technical requirements for an online course?
A: Please reference the section on “What You Will Need” from the Getting Ready webpage.
Q: What do I do if I need technical assistance?
A: For any technical assistance please contact the ACPHS helpdesk via email at acphs@service-now.com or via phone at 518-694-7358.
Q: Will I have an ACPHS email account and do I have to use it?
A: Yes, you will get an ACPHS email account once you have registered for a course or have been admitted to a degree program. You should use this email account for all ACPHS communications, which include your course work communications and communications with the College officials.
Q: How do I get access to Canvas?
A: Once you have your ACPHS email log in information, you can log into Canvas and you will automatically have access.