COVID-19

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.

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.

Your courses will be delivered online by the same highly trained university faculty who deliver our on-campus courses.

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.

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.

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.)

Will I be able to interact with my classmates and instructors?

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.

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.

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.

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

To protect the safety and well-being of our students and staff, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi and the International Study Center have moved to online instruction for the remainder of the spring semester. Read the most up-to-date information from Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi about coronavirus.

We plan on students joining us on campus for the Fall 2020 semester. However, if unanticipated issues, such as visa delays or travel bans, prevent you from arriving in Corpus Christi on time, an online option may be available. See Course Information above for more details.

We are carefully following the advice of the US government and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, part of the Department of Health and Human Services, to ensure the health of our whole US community, including all our students and staff.

Read further information on:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/covid-19-information.html

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

 All our staff and students have been instructed on what to do if they feel unwell. Staff are ensuring that students adhere to health and hygiene recommendations. Our teams on each campus are trained to manage any health concerns or illness. These teams are available to support all students if they are worried about their own health or if they have any other concerns related to coronavirus.

Students often fall ill with everyday colds, coughs and infections – and our staff are well trained to look after any student that is feeling unwell. Given the current situation, staff are being extra vigilant.

Please be assured that the US government is well prepared and has put in place infection control measures, and the hospital system is well prepared to manage any further cases should they occur.

If a student falls ill with symptoms that could be coronavirus, they will receive urgent medical attention and will be tested by medical professionals. If the virus is diagnosed, then they will be taken to the nearest appropriate medical facility.