Frequently Asked Questions
Is Centenary College Accredited?
Yes. Centenary College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. Founded in 1867, Centenary College is an independent college offering Master's, Bachelor and Associate degree programs in the Liberal Arts and other career areas.
Are Online Courses right for me?
Have you ever asked yourself if an Online course is right right for you? There is a good method to decide! Take this quick survey, "Are Distance Learning Courses for Me"?
What are “Online” courses?
An online course is one delivered over the Internet using web pages, e-mail, online discussion forums, and other Internet technologies. Centenary College offers a selection of full-credit college courses over the Internet, as a flexible alternative to traditional, on-campus classes.
Online courses cover the same content as their traditional counterparts on campus and are taught by instructors who also teach on our campus. Class sizes are limited so that instructors can provide the same level of personal interaction as they do in the traditional classroom.
How do Online Courses Work?
In online courses, students "attend" class by accessing the class web pages and completing assignments according to the class schedule. Students communicate regularly with the instructor and classmates via e-mail and online discussion forums.
While online courses at Centenary will vary per discipline, all have some aspects in common:
- All require you to apply for admission to Centenary College
- You must contact your Student Services Specialist prior to making any changes to your schedule
- All online courses are taught by Centenary faculty and all include interaction between students and the faculty member either electronically or conventionally
- All have instructional media components which may include cd's, DVD's, compressed video, videotapes, information from the Internet, or the use of the Educator course management system
- All have an evaluation component, such as scheduled exams, papers, learning team projects, threaded discussions, as well as individual assignments, which are used to grade students
- All include reading assignments
- All have a limited enrollment
- All have a start date and an end date
- All textbooks can be ordered from the E-Follett college book store.
What skills do I need to be successful in an online course?
Taking a course over the Internet requires the ability to work independently and to devise your own regular schedule for "attending" class and completing assignments.
Students learning online have a greater responsibility for their own success than students in traditional classroom settings. It is important that you have the self-discipline and self-motivation to work on a flexible schedule without getting behind.
It is also important for online students to be comfortable using e-mail, the World Wide Web, and word processing/office suite tools (such as M.S. Word, Powerpoint and Excel).
Anyone can be successful in an online course. To be successful in an online course requires an extreme commitment from the student to do the following things:
- Follow through with the course work (stay on schedule and be involved in class discussions via e-mail, phone, fax, meet assignment deadlines, etc.)
- Ask for assistance immediately by contacting your instructor and/or Student Services Specialist.
What computer hardware and software do I need to take an online course?
You need regular, frequent, dependable access to a computer (PC or Mac), with the following:
- Internet access (dialup, DSL or broadband) through and Internet Service Provider
- Internet Explorer 6.0 (or higher) or Netscape 6.0 (or higher) to browse the Internet
Click here to view details on Hardware, Software and Plug-in Requirements.
Do I have to be online at a certain time each day (week)?
Not always. Some instructors may encourage students to login at a specific time for interactive chat sessions. You are required to "keep up" with the class schedule and to complete assignments before the due dates. Some classes may have several due dates each week; others may require work once per week. You can choose the time of day or night you want to log on to the Internet to work on an assignment, but you must complete it and "turn it in" by the specified date and time. Timelines are usually spelled out in the professor's Syllabus.
What if I need technical help?
Tips and instructions for online learners: if you need technical assistance accessing an online course, contact your Student Services Specialist.
E-mail for students: as a Centenary college student, you will receive a Centenary e-mail address from your Student Services Specialist. It is also recommended that you have your own e-mail account, either through your Internet Service Provider, or you can set up a free web-based e-mail account at sites such as Hotmail or Yahoo. You must have access to the Web in order to send and check e-mail with these accounts.
Getting Technical Assistance: many technical problems have to do with the student's particular Internet Service Provider (ISP) or with his/her own hardware or software. In most cases, students will have to contact their ISP for technical support. Centenary College technical staff cannot resolve problems with your own hardware, software, or Internet service.
What student resources are available for me online?
All of Centenary College student services and student resources are available to online students. Please visit the Centenary College Taylor Memorial Library Online Research link by clicking here, or contact your Student Services Specialist for assistance.
If I need to withdraw from a class, how far into a course am I able to withdraw without penalty of failing the course?
Every situation will be treated on an individual basis. Obviously, if you do not communicate with us while not logging into your class, then failing a course could happen! Your professor and Student Services Specialist should be notified immediately if you need to drop a class. Your Student Services Specialist will assist you with the proper Change of Status Form that would need to be filled out.
Keep in mind that there are policies regarding refunds when withdrawing from a class. Click here to view these policies.
As I approach Graduation, what will be printed on my diploma?
Your diploma will be printed exactly as it is printed for any Centenary College Student.
When and how will I receive my grades?
You will receive your grades approximately one week after the end of your course. Grades are e-mailed to students. Grade Reports are e-mailed in Adobe Acrobat format, so it is important to have Adobe Acrobat Reader, version 6.0 or higher on your computer. Hard copies of grades may also be U.S. mailed upon request.
How and when will I be billed for my classes?
Invoices will be sent via postal mail two weeks prior to the start of the next course. Your Business Office contact person is Suzanne Cubberly. She can be reached at cubberlys@centenarycollege.edu. Her phone number is (908) 852-1400, extension 2365. Click here to view Centenary's Payment and Refund policies.
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