What
is MSVCC?
The Mississippi Virtual Community College
brings together the resources of the states 15 community colleges
to expand program offerings giving you more educational options
than ever before. You get the same high quality instruction
and course content that these colleges provide to traditional
students, minus the barriers of time and place that prevent
so many from pursuing educational opportunities.
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How
does this work?
MSVCC allows you to register at one of our colleges, while
taking courses online from any of the 15 community colleges
throughout the state. In most cases, you never have to go
to the campus, however, please check the course details to
check for proctored exams or other possible campus, or software
requirements. First, a student submits a college application.
Then your host college will send you details on how to complete
the application process. After acceptance to a participating
college, you can register to take courses online. After you
have finished your course(s), your grades will be transcripted
by the host college you enrolled with for the course, not
by the MSVCC.
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How
much does it cost?
MSVCC course tuition costs are the same as
traditional courses. Books and materials are additional and
there may be additional fees for some courses. Tuition rates
are more for non-Mississippi residents. Check with your host
college for more specific cost information.
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Is MSVCC
accredited?
MSVCC is a consortium of colleges and therefore is not eligible
for accreditation. However, all of our participating colleges
are accredited by their national and/or regional accrediting
agency. If you have questions about a specific college, you
should contact them directly.
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Where
do I get a list of courses?
You can find a list of available courses on
the course offerings page.
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How
long do courses last?
MSVCC spring and fall courses are 15 weeks long. Summer courses
are 8 weeks long. The course structure will require that you
keep to these schedules in order to successfully complete
the courses. Finishing earlier than the scheduled time can
only be done with the permission of the course's instructor.
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Do I
have to be online at a specific time?
No, in most cases you will not have to be online at a specific
time. You choose the hour of the day (or night) to attend
classes. Except for turning in assignments when they are due,
your schedule is totally up to you. You can review lectures,
ask questions, and participate in discussion groups at a time
and from a place that's convenient to you.
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When
do courses start?
Courses start in the Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters. Check
the calendar
for dates.
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Can
I use financial aid with these courses?
Yes. Your host college will administer your financial aid.
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Where
is my host college?
Students select their host college from among MSVCC's participating
colleges. If you are already a student at one of the participating
colleges, then you can take courses through MSVCC. If you
are not a student at one of the participating colleges, you
will need to complete an application for the participating
host college of your choice.
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Will
I have to go to campus?
You should not have to go to campus when taking MSVCC courses.
However, if you are taking a course that requires a monitored
lab, you may have to go to campus. You may be required to
take one or more proctored tests at the nearest community
college to you. Also, you may want to go to campus to take
advantage of the services available there.
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Will
more courses be available in the future?
We are always looking to add more courses. You should check
the web site periodically to look for new courses.
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Can
I take courses on-campus and online at the same time?
Yes, you can take on-campus and online courses at the same
time. However, please remember that online courses are as
rigorous as on campus courses, and you should expect the same
level of work or more.
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Can
I take more than one course at a time?
You can take up to the maximum number of courses allowed by
your host college.
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How
do I contact someone at my college?
You can contact your host college through our contacts page.
Northeast students should email the DLC at dlc@nemcc.edu
with questions or concerns.
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What
if I have AOL or CompuServe as my Internet Service Provider?
First you must download either Netscape or Internet Explorer.
You can add the Netscape Navigator or the Microsoft Internet
Explorer browser to your AOL software and use it for your
browser while online with AOL.
Once you have installed either Netscape's Navigator or Microsoft's
Internet Explorer, the following procedure should be used:
1. Run the AOL software which dials up the AOL service and
establishes the connection in the usual manner.
2. Once the AOL connection has been established, click on
the "INTERNET" button to start the Internet Services.
Once the Internet Service has been started, you can minimize
the AOL program to an icon.
3. Invoke Navigator or Internet Explorer. It will use the
Internet Connection you have established via AOL.
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How
do I know if my computer will work for this?
Visit the distance learning website of your host college.
Most colleges post technical requirements that you can review
and compare your computer with to make sure your computer
and web browser are compatible for MSVCC courses.
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I've
logged in but I can't get to my class. What should I do?
You should see the name of your class under the "My courses"
box. If you do not see the course you should be enrolled in
on the list, please contact your host college to verify your
registration in the class and to report that you do not see
the class.
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I've
registered for my class and wanted to get an early start.
When I try to access the course, I can't log in. Why?
You will not have access to your online class until the first
day of classes as indicated on the MSVCC calendar.
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My
Internet connection disconnected me in the middle of my test.
How can I access my test again?
The only way to get a test reset is to email or call your
instructor.
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Why
is it not a good idea to use AOL or CompuServe with my online
course?
AOL and CompuServe use a specialized browser. This browser
does not work well with the application Blackboard. Blackboard
does not recommend or support these browsers. You can use
them to dial into your Internet Service Provider and then
use the Internet Explorer or Netscape browser to access Blackboard.
The only problem with that is that the Internet Service Provider
may not see you are still online working and will disconnect
you after a period of idle time (no activity). You must use
the Internet Explorer or Netscape browser to access Blackboard
to ensure proper interaction between you and the Blackboard
server.
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I
am unable to log in using the username and password provided
to me. What should I do?
You should contact the office of distance learning or technical
support at your host college by email. Make sure you are using
the exact username and password given to your account. The
password IS case sensitive. Also, your instructor can help
you in verifying and using your username and password.
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When
I log on to Blackboard and enter my course, I am prompted
to enter a second code. What is the second code and where
can I find it?
This is called an access code. It is required for courses
in which the instructor has adopted the course content directly
from the publisher. You should have been instructed to purchase
a book that comes with the user access code included. This
may be sold separately in come cases. Your instructor is who
you should contact if you receive the second code window.
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Do
I have to log on Blackboard at a certain time to access my
course?
In most cases, you can access your course at any time and
any place you have Internet access. You may have times when
you are asked by your instructor to access the course for
a chat session or other type of interactive communication.
This depends entirely on the instructor for the course.
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I
tried to email my instructor but can't get a response. What
do I do?
You should contact your host college to let them know that
you have not been able to communicate with your instructor.
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I'm
trying to log on to Blackboard but I keep getting a message
that states, "page not found." What is going on?
Depending on your location, it could be the network. It could
also be an unscheduled maintenance issue, but these occurrences
are rare. You should double check to make sure you have typed
the proper URL in the address line. Try to log on again at
a later time, and after several unsuccessful attempts, contact
your host college for help.
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How
do I apply?
To apply for MSVCC, you must follow the application process
of your host college.
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What
are the admissions requirements?
There are admission requirements to each of the community
colleges in Mississippi. Check for specifics with your host
college.
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How
do I register for courses?
Your host college will guide you through the registration
process once you have been admitted and advised.
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Do
I have to live in Mississippi?
No. You can live anywhere and take courses through MSVCC.
As long as you have access to the Internet, you can participate
in our courses. Out of State students will pay additional
tuition.
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Can
I take courses while I'm still in high school?
If you are a current high school student, you should check
with your parents and/or high school counselor before taking
any college level course. Your high school and the community
college that you choose as your host will advise you of the
eligibility requirements.
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Can
I start a course at any time?
MSVCC courses start according to pre-defined college semesters.
Check the MSVCC calendar to see when the next semester begins.TopHow
do I know what courses to take?
You can find a listing of courses on the course offerings
list. You will be assigned an advisor by your host college.
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How
do I transfer credits to my college?
Credit earned through MSVCC does not have to be transferred,
your host institution will transcript your credit for any
MSVCC courses you take.
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How
do I know what courses to take?
You can find a listing of courses on the course offerings
list. You will be assigned an advisor by your host college.
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How
do I go to my course?
After you have registered for your course, you will receive
log in instructions from your host college. You can also view
our login instructions page for help. Courses are accessible
on the first day of the MSVCC term. You will need your Username
and your Password to get access to your course. It is recommended
that you access your course within the first couple of days.
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How
do I get my Username and Password?
After you are registered for a course, your host college will
provide you with information regarding your Username and Password,
as well as the web address (URL) where you will begin your
course. You can also view our login instructions page for
help.TopHow do I withdraw from a course?
Please contact your host college and inquire about specific
instructions for withdrawing from a course.
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How
do I withdraw from a course?
Please contact your host college and inquire about specific
instructions for withdrawing from a course.
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If
my course requires a lab, how does it work?
Lab courses are also done online through the use of CD ROMS
and laboratory kits that are mailed to your home. Although,
some courses may require you attend a supervised laboratory
setting.
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How
do the courses work?
Once the semester begins, you will have access to your course
with the information provided to you. The information will
guide you through the log in process. Once logged in, click
on a course link to enter that course. Once inside the course,
you will see a menu that will allow you navigate around your
course. You will be able to communicate with your instructor
through e-mail, and virtual chat sessions. You will also be
able to post questions and comments to your course's, asynchronous
threaded discussion forum. This forum allows you to hold virtual
conversations with other classmates and your instructor, without
having to be online at the same. You will also be able to
post assignments through your course's web site and read lessons.
You may have to visit other web sites and even participate
in online labs! Finally, you will be able to take exams online
and get feedback from your instructor through your course's
grade book.
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How
do I get books?
Your host college will assist you in purchasing books through
a college bookstore or an online book provider.
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I'm
having trouble in my course, how do I contact the instructor?
Instructors can be contacted by e-mail or through the courses
online, web forum. MSVCC instructors have developed a great
reputation for being responsive to student questions and they
will usually get back to you within 24 hours. However, if
you are having trouble contacting your instructor, you can
contact the distance learning office at your host college
and they will help you contact your instructor.
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How
much work is there in a typical course?
A typical course will involve 8-10 hours of work per week.
This includes at least 5 hours of work online per week.
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How
do I take tests?
Tests are done online in most cases. You will be able to look
at the syllabus to find the method of testing used for your
particular course.. The tests can be multiple choice, short
essay, or long essay in format. Tests may also be timed and
graded automatically. Each course will be different in the
type of tests required, with some courses not requiring tests
at all. Once completed, your instructor may provide feedback
on your test through the course's grade book. You may also
have to travel to a testing center for some testing. You can
find a listing of testing centers and test center information
here.
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Are
courses ever cancelled?
Yes, courses with low enrollment. However, because MSVCC is
experiencing so much growth, few courses need to be cancelled.
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