Computer Requirements

If you purchased your computer within the last three years, your computer is probably more than capable to handle online classes. Most of our students don’t need to purchase any extra hardware or upgrades to run our online classes.

However, there's no need to worry. Once you determine you want to take online classes, someone will be available to ensure you are ready for online classes, including a browser test. They can also guide you on how to set up everything computer related that you might need for your online educational experience.

But if you ever have any technical problems, we always have a technical support staff ready to assist you.

24/7 TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Our technical support team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to assist you if you ever have any problems. The contact information for a technical support hotline that you can call anytime with questions will be provided to you in an email upon enrollment.

Here are some minimum requirements you’ll need to take classes online:

SYSTEM AND BROWSER REQUIREMENTS

Microsoft Windows Users:

• Windows 7, XP or Vista
• 56K modem or higher
• Sound card and speakers

At least one of the following updated browsers:

• Mozilla Firefox
• Google Chrome
• Microsoft Internet Explorer

Mac OS Users:

• Mac OS X or higher (in classic mode)
• 56K modem or higher
• Sound card and speakers

At least one of the following browsers:

• Apple Safari
• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox

iPad Users

• iPad - iOS 5.1 (or latest)
• Known issues of iPad:
• File uploads are not supported.
• By default iPad does not support opening zip files.
• Tip: The user can use a third-party application to browse and view content in a zip file.
• Documents opened in course frame are not scrollable because frames always get resized to fit their content.
• Classlive
• Classlive pro authoring plug-ins are not available for iPad.
• Classlive lead/join session and playback functionality does not work in iPad because the iPad does not support Java.
• Exams
• Examguard Lockdown browser is not available for iPad.
• Chat
• "Join chat room" functionality does not work on iPad because the iPad does not support Java.

Screen Resolution

We recommend setting your screen resolution to 1024 x 768 pixels. If you currently see a horizontal scroll bar at the bottom of your screen and would like to eliminate this, you can do so by resizing your screen. If you need help with your screen settings, please see our instructions for resizing your screen.

Mobile Requirements

• Mobile Sites
• iPhone: iOS Safari 3.1.3 and above
• Android: OS Browser 1.5 and above
• Windows: OS Browser 7.0 and above
• BlackBerry: OS Browser 5.0 and above
• webOS: OS Browser 1.4.1 and above
• Symbian: OS Browser 3.0 and above
• Native Apps
• Android: OS 2.1 and above
• iPhone: iOS 3.0 and above
• Windows: Windows Phone 7, 480 x 800 resolution

Download the Mobile App

MINIMUM FEATURE REQUIREMENTS

The following components are needed to access certain features of the system. You will be able to access your course without these; however, you may not be able to access the specific feature. Before downloading any of the applications below, we suggest you check with your instructor to make sure the feature is used in your course.

• ClassLive
• 256 MB RAM
• 20 MB free disk space
• Sun's Java 2 SDK (Java 1.5 or Java 1.6)
• Microsoft JVM (Windows XP SP1 only)
• ClassLive Audio
• 56K Kbps or higher modem*
• Windows Media Encoder 7.1*
• Sound card with speakers and microphone or headset*
• Windows Media Player 9**
• *Instructor-only requirements for audio encoding.
• **Required for students only if instructor is using ClassLive Audio.
• Assistive Technology
• JAWS
• Windows Eyes
• NVDA - Open Source Screen Reader
• Apple Devices - VoiceOver
• Third-Party CoursePacks

Your instructor may choose to include a CoursePack (for example, a collection of readings, articles, video clips). Because actual CoursePack content varies, you may or may not have additional system requirements. Check with your instructor or with the third-party CoursePack provider for specific requirements.

Mac OS Users

• ClassLive
• 256 MB RAM
• Mac OS X 10.4 and 10.5
• G4, G5 or Intel Processor
• MacOS Classic Java (MRJ 2.2.5)
• ClassLive Audio
• Sound card with speakers and microphone or headset
• Windows Media Player 9*

*Required for students only if instructor is using ClassLive Audio.

• Third-Party CoursePacks

  Your instructor may choose to include a CoursePack (for example, a collection of readings, articles, video clips). Because actual CoursePack content varies, you may or may not have additional system requirements. Check with your instructor or with the third-party CoursePack provider for specific requirements.

Additional Information

• Email Account

  You will need a personal email account to receive communications from within your course. If the school does not provide an account, you may sign up for one with any third-party email system (e.g., Yahoo, Google, Hotmail, Comcast). We suggest you avoid using special characters (e.g., “+,” “&,” “$,”) in your email address, as they can cause problems with some systems and make it difficult for messages to reach the intended mailbox

• Avoiding Inactivity Timeout

Satellite and Cellular Internet Connections: If this is the only connection you have access to please note that you may experience sporadic issues while working in your online courses. If you report these problems to the helpdesk we will attempt to address them with your satellite or cellular connection provider.

Wireless Routers/Connections: While working in your online courses via a wireless router or wireless connection you may experience problems such as various error messages. If you contact the online helpdesk please be aware that part of the troubleshooting process may be to have you bypass your wireless router or connection. If bypassing the wireless router resolves the problems you are experiencing you will either need to continue to bypass the router or contact the router's manufacturer's support to further diagnose the source of this problem.

Get the Software You Need

Make sure that your computer's software is the latest version to have the best possible online experience with your current equipment. Most computers today have a setting to enable automatic updates for your software, including operating system, Internet browsers, virus protection and more.

Protect Your Computer from Viruses, Malware and Adware

To keep your computer running optimally and virus-free and malware-free, we strongly advise you to regularly update any of your existing software applications, including your operating system, and any browser you may be using. Keeping these updated regularly will prevent most attacks to your computer.

However, you might also consider installing additional protection software before taking any online classes. Many protection software developers will have virus protection, but may also offer anti-malware, including adware and spyware blockers. Here are a few we recommend:

• Symantec Norton AntiVirus with Antispyware
• McAfee Security AntiVirus Plus
• Search online: There are many recommended virus- and malware-protection software available.

PC Users: Update Windows Automatically

You no longer have to search for critical updates and information. You can specify how and when you want Windows to update your computer.

For example, you can choose to have Windows notify you whenever it finds updates available for your computer; it will then download the updates in the background and allow you to continue working uninterrupted.

Or you can set up Windows to automatically download and install updates on a schedule you specify. This lets you keep your computer up to date without interruptions. You don't even have to be at your computer.

Here's how to schedule automatic updates:

• Open Control Panel.
• On the Automatic Updates tab click "Automatically download the updates and install them on the schedule that I specify."
• Set the days and time when you want Windows to install updates.

After you set this option, Windows finds updates on the Windows Update website that apply to your computer and downloads them automatically in the background (you are not notified or interrupted during this process). When downloading is complete, a message appears in the status area so you can review the updates that are scheduled for installation. If you choose not to install at that time, Windows starts the installation on your set schedule.

Here are a few points to keep in mind:

• To modify automatic updates settings, you must be logged on as an administrator or a member of the administrators group. If your computer is connected to a network, network policy settings might also prevent you from completing this procedure.
• Windows might prompt you to restart your computer after certain components are installed. Please restart your computer when prompted in order to ensure it continues working properly. If you are logged on to your computer, Windows gives you the option to delay the restart. Be sure to save any work prior to the scheduled installation time.

Apple/Mac Users: Automatic Software Updates

• To enable automatic software updates, click on the Apple icon in the top left of your menu bar, then click "Software Update." (You can also access the "Software Update" feature through System Preferences.)
• You can easily have it check for updates to your operating system and software you may have installed on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. Simply click the "check for updates:" box and select your preferred frequency. You can also have it automatically download the updates with a simple click of a box.
• Notices will usually tell you when the software update/installation is complete and which software was updated. Once the installation is complete, you may be prompted to restart your software application or your computer.

  Regulatory Information