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Is the Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi campus open for me to attend my classes? |
Virtual learning is being conducted for all Summer 2020 courses.
We plan to welcome students back to campus for the Fall 2020 semester. If unanticipated issues, such as visa delays or travel restrictions, prevent you from arriving in time, online options will be available.
All Pathway Program (with the exception of PMP Computer Science) courses will be offered virtually during the Fall semester. See the Fall 2020 FAQ document for details.
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How many credits will I earn for courses I take online? |
You will early nearly the same number of credits per course for online courses as you would on campus, and your online credits transfer seamlessly toward your degree. See the online curriculum charts in the FAQ document for program-specific credits.
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Who will teach my courses? |
Your courses will be delivered online by the same highly trained university faculty who deliver our on-campus courses.
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How will my online courses be conducted? |
You will have access to the following with our online courses:
- High-quality, interactive and engaging lessons
- Blackboard, an online learning platform with access to course outlines, materials, discussion forums, recorded sessions (video and voice), collaboration tools and more, depending on the needs of the course
- WebEx, one of the leading video conferencing tools, which allows you to meet in real time with instructors, advisors, and your classmates
While each course will differ depending on subject matter, every class will require you to participate in different activities, such as listening to live and/or recorded sessions, completing a variety of tasks and collaborative projects, receiving feedback on your work, and interacting with your instructor and classmates. You may participate in a live session with a guest speaker, play an educational game, or create a video blog. You will also have ample opportunities for cross-cultural communication via joining group discussions through video chat, forums, instant messaging, or email as well.
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Do I need to be available at a specific time to participate in the course online? |
The course material can be accessed at your convenience. There will be live interactive class sessions and recorded sessions available for you to access. You will be informed of any required live interactive sessions well in advance so that you can plan ahead. Recorded sessions can be accessed at any time based on your own schedule. Required interactive sessions may be scheduled in different time zones to allow students to interact with instructors and other students. When working on group presentations, you will have the flexibility to find a time which is convenient for everyone in the group.
While some class sessions may be scheduled at a specific day and time, most will not. As opposed to on-campus delivery, most courses will have no set class hours, except for any pre-scheduled interactive sessions. Students will be expected to have self-discipline and be active participants in the virtual classroom. Students will be required to check the class materials and assignments regularly, whether or not the class meets at a scheduled time each week. Students must be engaged in the program Monday through Friday and meet all assignment deadlines.
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What type of materials and platform will I use for my courses? |
We utilize the virtual learning platform Blackboard and additional platforms like Webex to support your learning. Blackboard houses course outlines, materials, discussion forums, recorded sessions, collaboration tools, and more as the learning management system that TAMU-CC uses for all classes, and it does not require a VPN. The online platform will include course materials and recorded sessions that will help you review those course materials. You will submit all assignments for TAMU-CC through the Blackboard platform.
You will need the following resources to support your virtual learning:
- Textbooks
- Laptop or PC with microphone
- Internet with good Internet connectivity
- Webcam (for PC) or laptop camera for interactive discussions
- Time – each course will require a significant time commitment (participation in sessions and online groups, assignments, etc.)
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Will I be able to interact with my classmates and instructors?
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Yes! Social interaction with your classmates and instructors is integral to your learning at TAMU-CC. You will work in groups through video chats, group forums, instant messaging, and email, and you will collaborate on projects and assignments. Also, you will have the opportunity to learn about U.S. culture from ISC classmates. Online social activities include TikTok/video/photography competitions, Jeopardy and other games on Zoom, movie night, and open discussion forums.
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What support will be available to me? |
Like all TAMU-CC students, ISC students have access to the following resources:
- Email response from instructors, Monday through Friday
- Online access to advisors – All student academic support issues
- Online Office Hours – 1:1 support with instructors and ISC staff
- Peer support – Interaction with other students from across the globe
- Our Center for Academic Student Achievement (CASA), winner of the National Tutoring Association Excellence Award, provides 1:1 tutoring, supplemental instruction, peer mentoring, and Writing Center support online through WebEx
- TAMU-CC Libraries – Online resources available including ebooks, reference materials, and databases
In addition to the student support resources listed above, you will have virtual meetings with your advisors regularly to talk about your academic support needs. During those meetings, you will talk about your academic progress and performance, and he/she will give you tips about time management strategies and approaches to studying/study skills. Your ISC advisor will support you in acculturation and socializing to help you get involved in TAMU-CC virtual activities.
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Since I’m studying virtually, is there a tuition discount? |
The full tuition price is required for virtual learning at TAMU-CC. Your tuition price reflects the value of the high quality education and the caliber of TAMU-CC instructors, which is the same as if you were studying on campus. Pathway students studying online can apply for a waiver of some fees through the university, and health insurance fees will be automatically waived. ISC students will continue to have access to all of student support services online and our online engagement tools to help you feel a part of TAMU-CC’s community while studying virtually.
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What if I decide I don’t want to spend the semester enrolled in virtual learning course, or I'm unable to come to campus due to visa issues? |
We are committed to working with every student on the options to continue studying with us. If you have been delayed and it is too late to join your planned course, we will contact you to make alternative study arrangements. There is no extra cost if you decide to defer your studies to the next available intake.
If you decide to withdraw from your program, you must do so before the start of classes on August 19 in order to receive a 100% refund.
Starting with the first day of classes, you will be eligible for a refund as follows:
- 1st five days: 80% refund
- 2nd five days: 70% refund
- 3rd five days: 50% refund
- 4th five days: 25% refund
- September 17 or later: 0% refund
To cancel your place before commencement of your program or withdraw from your studies during the Trial Period, please use the following link: https://www.studygroup.com/request-withdrawal-na
If you complete your course online, and are not able to come to the USA because of visa issues, you will be eligible for a 50% tuition refund if you meet all of the following criteria:
- Complete the semester online;
- Have achieved the required GPA to progress/matriculate;
- Provide evidence of two (2) visa rejections; and
- Submit your refund request within 30 days of the first visa rejection
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