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Online Degree & Certificate Programs

St. Charles Community College offers 19 accredited degree and certificate programs that you can earn entirely online. Our online learning programs provide you with increased flexibility to make it easier to achieve your educational goals from anywhere.

SCC’s online courses are taught by engaged faculty members and provide the same rigorous and in-depth instruction as in-person classes. Students enrolled in our online programs still have full access to all SCC campus events facilities, including the library, the ACE Tutoring Center, student Disability Support Services, and the Rec Center.

Wondering what learning online is like? Check out this sample online course.


Fully Online
Degrees
10



Fully Online Certificates Of Achievement
6



Fully Online Certificates Of Specialization
3


Degrees & Certificates

Fully Online as of Spring 2023

Apply Online

Succeeding Online

There are many advantages to online learning, and it is a great option when you are trying to balance work, family, and your education. Online courses offer you the freedom to complete coursework on your time schedule rather than having pre-set class meeting dates and times, you are able to work at your own pace (to some extent - online courses still have assignment and exam deadlines), and you can work from virtually anywhere you have a access to a computer and Internet connection. You will need to check the technical requirements for your courses to make sure your computer and Internet meet minimum requirements, especially when taking courses requiring specific software and online services such as online proctoring. In general, we do not recommend that you try to complete online courses using only a mobile device, and most software and online services such as online proctoring are not compatible with Chromebooks. Our technical support staff at the IT Service Desk will be happy to recommend minimum specifications for desktop or laptop computers if you would like to contact them.

If you are trying to decide if online learning is right for you, consider these main challenges:

Your courses will be completely online, so you will need to have a certain degree of technology proficiency with using a computer, web browser, and organizing electronic files. In addition, you will need to understand and have experience using the college's learning management system. For SCC, that is Canvas. You can complete a Canvas Student Orientation course to make sure you are able to log in, modify your profile, access your courses, participate in discussions, submit assignment files, complete quizzes, and email your professors. You will also need to understand basic electronic communication etiquette for communicating with faculty and staff. For instance, use complete sentences, be respectful, address people appropriately, and do not use all caps and exclamation points (it is perceived as yelling to the receiver).

Since you will not be meeting regularly each week in a classroom, you will be responsible for carving out time each week to complete any reading and learning activities you need to in order to be ready for that week’s assignments. Those might consist of class discussions, assignments, quizzes, or some combination of those things. Though it can vary by course, a good general guideline is that you should plan on spending about 3-4 hours per week per credit hour. For example, you should budget 9-12 hours per week for a 3-credit course. You may want to use a calendar to keep up with your course schedules and due dates. There is a calendar in Canvas, but you might also choose to use an electronic calendar on your mobile device or go "old school" with a paper planner. Make sure you also avoid common timewasters during your designated study time by not engaging with social media, games, or just browsing the web.

This is also a tough one, because you need to be your own cheerleader and keep yourself going. You need to be self-motivated to be a successful online learner, and be able to stay engaged with your courses, meet your deadlines, and contact your professors when you have questions or need help. It is easy to let things slip when you don't have regularly scheduled class meetings and classmates all around talking about the same things, so you have to set your study time, stick to it, and cheer yourself on. Find a friend who will help keep you motivated when you start feeling your confidence begin to drop.

Last, but not least, be prepared for technical issues. Make sure you have met the technical requirements with your computer and Internet, that you have a strong WiFi signal available, and that you have a plan for troubleshooting if something comes up. Do not wait until the last minute to complete coursework because most professors will provide several days to complete work and expect it to be submitted on time.

SCC uses Canvas as our Learning Management System. This is where you will find all of our courses when you enroll, and it is where you will communicate with your professors. Canvas uses single sign-on, so if you are signed into the student portal (myscc.stchas.edu), you can click on one of the Canvas links to open Canvas, and you will automatically be logged in. You can also go to stchas.instructure.com and log in with your SCC email address and password to log directly into Canvas.

On the student portal, you will find a link to Online E-Learning where you will find a Canvas Student Orientation course that you can complete so you are prepared to fully participate in your online courses by logging in, modifying your profile, using the InBox, class discussions, submitting assignments, taking quizzes, completing exams, and reviewing your grades.

You can find the Canvas Student Guide from the Get Help button within Canvas, and you can also review that from this link - https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Student-Guide/tkb-p/student.

To review the minimum computer and browser requirements for using Canvas, please refer to this link on their site - https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/What-are-the-browser-and-computer-requirements-for-Canvas/ta-p/66.

 

Get Support

We are here to help! Whether you need a little extra guidance with your degree or are looking to brush up your skills before a test, SCC has you covered.

 

SCC Online Proctoring

You may be enrolled in an online course that requires online proctoring. That means one of two scenarios, both of which require a webcam. Your instructor will decide which proctoring scenario is required. 

Scenario 1) Involves a live person who will authenticate your identity by asking you to show your SCC student ID or driver's license (to make sure you are the correct student taking the exam), provide you with the exam instructions, request control of your keyboard to enter the exam password, and then you will begin your exam while you and your computer screen are being recorded. You may be monitored during the exam by a live online proctor in addition to the recording. Your instructor can let you know if this is the case. Online proctors are used in place of your professor being able to monitor you as they would if you were taking an exam in person in a classroom. 

Examity: Examity is used for Scenario 1 where you work with a live person who verifies your identity, goes over the instructions, and allows you access to your exam.

Scenario 2) You will use a specific browser to take your exam which will not allow you to open any other websites, programs, print, or screen capture during your exam. This would be in conjunction with using a webcam which will, again, record you and your computer screen as you complete your exam. There is no live person to guide you through the steps in this scenario, but your professor may still ask you to show your student ID or driver's license and use your webcam to scan your environment before beginning your exam. Again, this is in place of being in a classroom where your professor can monitor you in person while you take your exam.

Respondus LockDown Browser/Monitor: Respondus Lockdown Browser and Monitor are used for Scenario 2 where you will need to download the Respondus Lockdown Browser to your computer to use for your exams, along with Respondus Monitor, but there will not be a live person to guide you through the process.

On-Campus
The Excelerator on campus is your best friend at SCC. When you begin to feel lost or like you are starting to get behind in a course, come by and see us. We'll help you uncover all of the tools and techniques you need to succeed. To make an appointment, please call 636-922-8444. All tutoring sessions are 30 minutes, and students can schedule up to four (4) sessions per week for each class in which they are enrolled. You will need to have your student ID number for your appointment.

Online Tutoring 24/7
SCC has partnered with NetTutor to offer students free online tutoring for their courses. Students can click on the NetTutor link from the course menu in any of their Canvas courses to access NetTutor where they can connect with a live tutor, schedule a meeting with a tutor, drop off a question, or drop off a paper for review. When meeting with a tutor or dropping off a question or paper, always provide the details of your assignment instructions so the tutor is able to help you more effectively.

SCC has adopted the Quality MattersTM standards for design and delivery of online and hybrid courses. This consists of 42 specific reviews standards by which each online and hybrid course is reviewed after it is designed and prior to offering. The reviews are conducted by internal Quality MattersTM certified peer reviewers consisting of Online & E-Learning staff and online faculty. These faculty have also been teaching online and/or hybrid courses for at least two years, and some have been teaching online as long as 15+ years.

Current SCC QM Certified Peer Reviewers:
  • Andrea Compton, Director of Online Learning
  • Monica Swindle, Instructional Designer
  • Jerol Enoch, Instructional Designer
  • William Baca-Mejia, Assistant Professor (Economics)
  • Kara Boyd, Assistant Professor (Communications)
  • Nancy Graviett, Professor (Business Technology)
  • Monica Hall-Woods, Professor (Biology)
  • Vickey Herbel, Professor (Sociology)
  • Deepika Jagmohan, Associate Professor (Computer Science)
  • Rachel McWhorter, Assistant Professor (English)
  • Grace Moser, Associate Professor (History)
  • Sylvia Malta, Associate Professor (Human Services)
  • Beth Michael-Smith, Associate Professor (Chemistry)
  • Corey Porter, Associate Professor (English)
  • Kathleen Sanker, Professor (Art)
  • Ranya Taqieddin, Assistant Professor (Biology)

The Department of Online & E-Learning works collaboratively with and supports faculty to develop effective, pedagogically based innovative design, content and media creation, delivery, and evaluation of high-quality online and e-learning teaching strategies and pedagogy. OEL supports student success through these efforts as well as needs analysis and technology training, and the department supports staff in training and strategies for using technology tools in their departments.

We are here to help students, faculty, and staff with the LMS and instructional technology tools as well as creating high-quality media content in our audio/video studio in LRC 203. OEL also implements Quality Matters-based training for online and hybrid faculty along with best practices in online pedagogy and course design.

OEL Staff Directory

Andrea Compton, Dean of Online & E-Learning – acompton@stchas.edu, 636-922-8321, 1SCM 3103

Jerol Enoch, Instructional Designer – jenoch@stchas.edu, 636-922-8647, 3SL 203

Bob Hoehn, Video Designer - rhoehn@stchas.edu, 636-922-8336, LRC 203

Monica Swindle, Instructional Designer – mswindle@stchas.edu, 636-922-8470, 1SCM 3103

Dave Willmore, LMS Administrator – dwillmore@stchas.edu, 636-922-8514, 1SCM 3103

Online courses at St. Charles Community College are taught by engaged and engaging instructors trained in online course design and delivery and are delivered through the Canvas learning management system. Using Canvas, you can connect with your instructor and peers, watch videos, review lessons, participate in discussions, take quizzes and exams, complete assignments, receive feedback, and more. Online courses are equivalent to face-to-face courses in rigor and time commitment but allow you the flexibility to work on coursework on your schedule. Although online courses offer flexibility, this does not mean they are self-paced. There will be due dates and deadlines that will still need to be followed, and you should budget, on average, 9-12 hours a week for each 3-credit course you are taking in a full semester. If you take a course in a shortened time frame (for example a summer or an 8-week course), this time commitment multiples as you cover the same amount of material.

Some classes may require you to take a proctored exam or attend an orientation. This information is provided when you register for a course and can be seen in SCC Connection.

For most online courses, you just need a computer with an updated browser and reliable high-speed internet access. Some courses may require a webcam and microphone. You may be able to complete some of your coursework on a tablet or mobile device, but a computer is recommended.

Most courses allow you to sign in at any time of the day or night and anywhere you have internet access. You will still need to meet the course due dates and will need to plan your schedule accordingly.

Online courses are as demanding and rigorous as traditional face-to-face courses. They are not self-study or self-paced and will require your attention throughout the semester. Online courses are actively led by an instructor who sets due dates and deadlines. You will be expected to complete all online course activities by the specified due date.

Online courses require organization, time, time management, and self-motivation. It is probably best to speak with an advisor before registering for an online course, but you can take a short assessment that may help you understand if online learning is right for you:

A hybrid course combines some online learning with some face-to-face class sessions though with fewer in-person meetings than a traditional face-to-face course. If you are new to online learning, a hybrid course might be a good way to get started.

Sure! You can customize your education, mixing traditional, hybrid, and online courses to meet your educational goals.

Yes, there are a number of degrees and certificates that can be completed fully online. Many of the other AAS degrees and certificates can be completed 75% or 50% online. Be sure to check with an advisor to verify the degree/certificate you are interested in offers the online option you are interested in pursuing.

St. Charles Community College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Courses taken at SCC for credit may be accepted in transfer by other colleges, whether traditional, online, or hybrid provided they are appropriate to the degree sought.

Colleges and Schools. Courses taken at SCC for credit may be accepted in transfer by other colleges, whether traditional, online, or hybrid provided they are appropriate to the degree sought.M

Please see Cost of Attendance for the most current tuition rates.

You are responsible for getting your textbook and course materials for your online course(s). Textbook information can be obtained and textbooks purchased from the SCC Bookstore. You can also find textbook and course materials listed on the course syllabus available in your Canvas course one week before the start of the course. Some courses participate in the Direct Digital Access (DDA) program, which automatically provides your textbook and course materials electronically in Canvas; all students enrolled in a Direct Digital Access Course will be automatically billed on their student accounts for DDA course materials upon registration for a DDA course.

Online assignments are subject to the same standards of integrity that apply in traditional face-to-face classes. It is cheating to copy from others or from outside sources on any online assignment, quiz, or exam (unless otherwise specified by the instructor). Your online instructor may use anti-plagiarism software or proctored exams to verify that submitted work is your own. For more information on academic integrity, please see the Student Handbook.

A proctored exam is a test that is monitored to ensure academic integrity and test security. You may take a proctored test on campus, at an approved off-campus location, or using an online proctoring service. Arrangements for off-site testing must be approved by your instructor. Testing dates and locations will be provided in SCC Connection for any proctored exams that must be taken on campus.

If you need accommodations please contact the Office of Disability Support Services for an appointment. Please be sure to contact the office well before the start of the semester so that your instructor may make the necessary accommodations.

St. Charles Community College offers face-to-face and online tutoring services at the ACE Tutoring Center and additional online tutoring through a service called NetTutor, which is accessed through Canvas. Tutoring services are provided at no cost to students.

Absolutely! Online students have access to all campus activities, services, and resources, including a number of online services and activities. To learn more, see Student Services.

All online courses are taught by active, engaged faculty who are scholars and professionals qualified in their fields of study. Faculty members teaching online and hybrid courses undergo additional professional development in best practices for online course design and delivery. Your online instructor will provide course content and assignments, give timely feedback on your work, and interact with your class regularly through announcements, email, online office hours, and in other ways depending on the course.

Once you are logged into Canvas, click the "Inbox" link to access Canvas's messaging system. Click the pencil icon to compose a new message. Select your course, then in the "To" box, select your instructor (type his/her name and then select their name from the drop down list or click the address book icon to search); type a subject in the "Subject" box; compose your message then click Send.

If you are unable to get in touch with your instructor, please contact the Department Chair.

The portal is the college website specifically for St. Charles Community College students and faculty. This is where you’ll go once you are signed up with the college to find information like the academic calendar, financial information, and your records. You can also access your SCC student email (CougarMail) from the portal.

Canvas is the LMS (Learning Management System) used at St. Charles Community College to deliver online and hybrid courses and to enhance traditional face-to-face courses. Canvas is where you’ll find and work in your courses. It is an innovative, user-friendly learning management system that expands the possibilities for teaching and learning. It is likely that you will use Canvas in your classes at SCC, but some disciplines like Mathematics and Music may use a different learning management system.

To learn about the technical requirements for Canvas, please see the What are the browser and computer requirements for Canvas? guide.

Canvas supports the last two versions of a browser release. For best performance, Canvas should be used on the current or first previous major release of Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari. Because it's built using web standards, Canvas runs on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, or any other device with a modern web browser. For the most up-to-date information on browsers please see the What are the browser and computer requirements for Canvas? guide.

Yes! For the best user experience, please download the Canvas mobile application rather than accessing Canvas through your phone’s or tablet’s browser. Canvas apps are free in iTunes and Google Play. Although Canvas works on mobile devices, not all Canvas features may be supported on mobile devices, especially on iOS. Mobile devices work best for quick on-the-go access and are not recommended for longer assignments like writing papers or completing entire online courses.

To learn more, see the mobile apps guides for smartphones and tablets (iOS and Android):

To access your online courses, you can go to https://stchas.instructure.com. You can also access Canvas from the portal or through the Canvas App on a smartphone or tablet.

Contact the SCC IT Service Desk at 636-922-8555 or visit them in the Learning Resource Center. Check the IT Service Desk Hours.

Online classes become available one week before the start of the semester. At that time, you can log into Canvas and access the course syllabus. Most instructors do not release the course content or allow assignments to be completed until the semester officially starts. If you register late, your course may not be available for 24 hours. If it is the first day of the semester, and you still do not see your course(s), please contact the IT Service Desk at 636-922-8555.

If you just registered, it may take up to 24 hours before your course appears in Canvas. If you do not see your course after 24 hours, please contact the IT Service Desk at 636-922-8555.

If you need help with Canvas, simply click the Get Help button on the main Canvas menu. There you will find access to a support hotline that is available 24/7, 365 days a year. You will also find a “Chat” tool for accessing Canvas Support, as well as Canvas Guides that provide step-by-step directions that can be printed.

Technology's amazing, but sometimes it drives you crazy, right? Yeah, us too. The IT Service Desk is here to help! It's available to all students and employees who need technical help with any of our online services – even if it's just a forgotten password. You can call the IT Service desk at 636-922-8555, visit them in the Learning Resource Center, or email them at servicedesk@stchas.edu.

If you have questions about your course, be sure to reach out to your instructor. If you have other questions about online learning, please feel free to reach out to the SCC Department of Online and E-Learning (OEL).

Canvas

SCC uses Canvas as our Learning Management System. This is where you will find all of our courses when you enroll, and it is where you will communicate with your professors. Canvas uses single sign-on, so if you are signed into the student portal (myscc.stchas.edu), you can click on one of the Canvas links to open Canvas, and you will automatically be logged in. You can also go to stchas.instructure.com and log in with your SCC email address and password to log directly into Canvas.

On the student portal, you will find a link to Online E-Learning where you will find a Canvas Student Orientation course that you can complete so you are prepared to fully participate in your online courses by logging in, modifying your profile, using the InBox, class discussions, submitting assignments, taking quizzes, completing exams, and reviewing your grades.

You can find the Canvas Student Guide from the Get Help button within Canvas, and you can also review that from this link - https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Student-Guide/tkb-p/student.

To review the minimum computer and browser requirements for using Canvas, please refer to this link on their site - https://community.canvaslms.com/t5/Canvas-Basics-Guide/What-are-the-browser-and-computer-requirements-for-Canvas/ta-p/66.

What is NC-SARA and what does it mean for me?
St Charles Community College has been approved to participate in the National Council for State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements. NC-SARA helps expand students’ access to educational opportunities and ensures more efficient, consistent, and effective regulation of distance learning programs. 

St Charles Community College is also accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. HLC accreditation, along with transfer agreements with colleges and universities, assures the value of credits earned at SCC. To find more information about this and individual program accreditations, please visit the Accreditation & Approvals.

Where does SCC offer online courses and programs?
As a member institution, St Charles Community College is authorized to offer its online courses and programs to students who are residents of any of the other SARA participating state which includes 49 member states, as well as the District of Columbia, the US Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Although California is not a SARA participating state, the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education does not regulate out-of-state public institutions. Therefore, no action is required, and St Charles Community College complies with California regulations.

How do I enroll in an online program at SCC?
First, you will want to complete the online application. You might want to look at the various pathways for degrees and Then you can meet with an Academic Advisor or use SCC’s Student Planner to plan and register for your courses.

How do I report and resolve a complaint?
At SCC, we strive to ensure your online student experience is a great one and you achieve academic success! However, if you have a concern that needs to be addressed at the college-level, you do have options. Here are some resources so that you know where to go with your particular concern.

Step 1: Please follow the SCC procedure for addressing academic concerns so that we may resolve this in a timely manner. Use the following resources to help with that process.

  • Procedure for Addressing Academic Complaints
  • Grade Grievance Procedures
  • Student Appeal Process
  • SCC Academic Complaint Form (this can also be used for filing a behavioral complaint about a student)

Step 2: If a student is dissatisfied with the resolution offered by SCC, they may contact the Missouri Department of Higher Education and Workforce Development (301 W High Street, Suite 840, Jefferson City, MO 65101).

MDHE Student Complaint Process and other state-level SARA resources

Step 3: If you do not live in an NC-SARA state or your concern is still not resolved, you may contact your home state NC-SARA portal entity.

What if I live in California where SARA does not apply?
If you live in California, you will need to go to the State of California Department of Consumer Affairs. You may also reach them by email at dca@dca.ca.gov and by calling 833-942-1120.