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Earning a Certificate Through Online Learning

Online Learning Format

The Infrastructure Construction certificate program is offered in an online learning format. Students start each course together, and have a peer group to share experiences in the program.

Qualities for Success in Online Learning

Prospective participants should consider their learning style, strengths and preferences if they intend to participate in these programs. Points to consider:

• If you are skilled at managing your time to achieve goals, are self-disciplined, like to set your own schedule, and enjoy working on your own, you can do well in online learning.
• Courses rely on written instructions rather than in-person explanations from your instructor. You should be comfortable with learning through reading and communicating primarily in writing.
• Assignments and questions are sent to your instructor via e-mail. You may also consult with your instructor via telephone. You may be studying in your living room, but you are not alone when you take an online learning course.
• Online learning saves commuting time, but these courses require at least as much time as attending classes and completing assignments for campus classes.

How Online Learning Works

Classes in this certificate program are delivered online via the World Wide Web, which means you don't need to come to campus to earn your certificate: You can study from anywhere. To access your course materials, including instruction, quizzes, and homework assignments, you'll simply log on to the Internet. You'll use e-mail and voice mail to communicate with your instructors and other students. Just like in a classroom course, in these "group-start" online courses, students begin each course at the same time and work through the coursework together. To participate, you'll need a computer with access to the Web (see technology requirements below). After you are accepted and enrolled in a course, you will be mailed instructions on how to access your classes.

Technology Requirements

Our online courses are designed to be viewed with Internet Explorer 6.0 and above, Netscape 6.2 and above, and Firefox 1.0, using Windows Explorer or Macintosh operating systems. We cannot ensure that our courses can be viewed with other browsers and we do not have the resources to troubleshoot problems that may arise with Linux or other operating systems.

Our courses require a modem speed of 56K (for dial-up connections) or a broadband connection (DSL or cable). Broadband access is highly recommended.

In addition to the basic requirements, for some courses you may need PowerPoint, Adobe Flash Player 7.0 or higher, Adobe Acrobat Reader 5.0 or higher, Visio, Real Player, or Windows Media Player. Technical courses may require specialized software. If a course relies on software that is beyond the basic technology requirements, the software will be described in the course introduction. See the class descriptions page for a link to the course introduction.