Online Learning FAQ

Is Manchester Community College accredited?

MCC is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., which accredits schools and colleges in the six New England states. Accreditation by the Association indicates that the institution has been carefully evaluated and found to meet standards agreed upon by qualified educators. Seven programs of study offered at MCC have been awarded specialized professional accreditation.

How does an online course work?

While each course you take online will operate slightly differently, participation in online courses is primarily asynchronous and text-based, which means you can access the courses at any time from any place. Courses are designed to be communication intensive. The instructor will post the course outline, syllabus, reading and written assignments, quizzes and/or tests. You’ll have course textbooks and lecture notes, interact with faculty and other students, participate in discussions, and ask and answer questions from your computer at home or your office.

What browsers and operating systems are supported?

Please see the current list of supported browsers and operating systems.

Do I have to be on the computer at a specific time?

Not necessarily. The online courses are primarily asynchronous, which means you do not need to be on your computer at the same time as the instructor or other students. Discussion forums are a good example of asynchronous communications. At times, the instructor may designate scheduled times to use synchronous course deliveries such as Virtual Chat, where both the instructor and students have the opportunity to create and join a real-time chat session live. And, or course, some activities will have deadlines.

Can I discuss course materials with other students?

Yes, unless specified otherwise by your instructor (such as for an exam). You will most often discuss course topics with other students through your postings to the class discussion board. Sometimes you may also use e-mail or virtual chat to communicate with classmates.

Is it possible to contact the professor privately?

Yes. Your instructor will post office hours when he/she will be available by phone, e-mail, online chat, or in person. Many instructors indicate how frequently they check for messages from students to give you an idea of when to expect a response to e-mailed questions.

Can I repeat a course?

Yes. Repeating a course requires re-registration.

How much does it cost to take an online course?

In-state students pay the In-State Tuition rate and out-of-state students pay the Out-of-State Tuition rate. Online students are also required to pay the College Service Fee, but are not required to pay the Student Activity Fee. For more information about tuition and fees, see the current college catalog. The catalog also has information about MCC’s tuition refund policy for both credit and non-credit (Continuing Education) courses.

Can I get financial aid?

As an online student at Manchester Community College, you are eligible to apply for federal financial aid. Contact the Financial Aid Office for further information at 860-512-3380 or visit the Financial Aid page.

Are tutoring services available for online students?

Yes. Students may book live virtual one-on-one appointments with a tutor from the Academic Support Center. Asynchronous E-tutoring is also available.

Are library services available for online students?

Yes. You may access the  MCC Library. The Library has a growing collection of full-text article databases, eBooks, and streaming media.  Help with using the Library is available 24/7 through the Ask-A-Librarian service.

Where can I get my textbooks?

Textbooks for credit online courses are available from the MCC Bookstore online. If you happen to be on campus, you can pick your books up from the MCC Bookstore in the Lowe Building. Call 860-645-3140 for campus hours. Check with your instructor prior to beginning your course for information regarding other course materials. Textbook information for Continuing Education non-credit online courses is available with the non-credit course information (textbooks for these classes are not available through the MCC bookstore).

How do I get to class online once I’ve enrolled?

You must be registered in a class before you will be able to log in. To access Blackboard , log into myCommNet. Under “My Courses,” you’ll see “Click here to Access Blackboard.” For information on logging in using myCommNet, please see the FAQ on the myCommNet home page. If you have questions about getting to your online class, please call  Educational Technology and Distance Learning  at 860-512-2857 or e-mail sandbox@manchestercc.edu. Students in non-credit classes using the Education 2 Go online environment should go to http://www.ed2go.com/manchcc . You should first go through the online orientation and then access your online classroom.

Where can I get more information about technology at MCC?

Check out Succeeding with Technology Guide for helpful technology tips.

How can I get technical support once I’m in class?

If, once logged into myCommNet, additional assistance is required, call the ETDL Sandbox at x22857 or e-mail sandbox@manchestercc.edu. Evenings and weekends, refer to the CSCU Online Help Desk.

I forgot my NetID password. What should I do?

You can reset your NetID password by following the instructions at http://supportcenter.ct.edu/netid/pswdmenu.asp. If you need further assistance, contact the Registrar’s Office at 860-512-3220, go to https://cscu.edusupportcenter.com/ or call 860-723-0221.

Last updated .