Joining Us for Fall 2020

If you are beginning your studies in the International Pathway Program this Fall, you will need to know this key information about starting your university education online through TAMU-CC.

What to Expect in Your Online Classes

Online learning will allow you to participate in different activities, such as working on group assignments, listening to recorded sessions, and completing individual learning exercises. These classes will give you the opportunity to engage with your studies by joining group discussions through video chat, forums, instant messaging, or email.

Interactive sessions will be offered in different time zones, depending on your class, meaning you will have the flexibility to find a time which is convenient for everyone in the group.

What Do You Need to be Successful?

Technology Requirements

You will need the following resources to support your virtual learning:

• Textbooks
• Laptop or PC with microphone
• Internet with good
• Internet connectivity (at least 12 Mbps is recommended)
• Webcam (for PC) or laptop camera for interactive discussions

Campus resources available to online students

The following resources and support services will be available to students, even when not studying on campus:

• 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 a range of international student support, including 1:1 tutoring, supplemental instruction, peer mentoring, and Writing Center support online through WebEx
• TAMU-CC Libraries

Community & Support

Your Advisor

An International Study Center (ISC) advisor will work with you on a one-to-one basis to help make sure you are doing all you can to be successful in your classes. They will do this by monitoring your academic progress in your classes and supporting you in overcoming any challenges you might have with your studies. This might include:

• Referring you to online tutoring.
• Referring you to the writing center or library resources.
• Creating a study plan to help you with time management.
• Reviewing your study skills.

Some students think advising is only for academic discussion, but our ISC advisors are ready to help with anything. Here are some examples of what your advisor can help you with:

• Answering questions about the visa application process.
• Understanding American culture better.
• Connecting you with important information and resources.
• Overcoming stress.
• Engaging with other students and native English speakers, even online.
• Helping you solve any technology problems.

Make an Appointment to Talk With an Advisor

We will discuss the specifics of your advisor meetings at orientation. During the first week of class, you will receive an email asking for your availability for a WebEx meeting. You will simply need to reply to the email with a convenient time to schedule your appointment.

Regular Meetings With Your Advisors

You will have virtual meetings every other week with your advisor. During those meetings, you can discuss your academic progress and performance, and they will give you tips about time management strategies and approaches to studying. Your advisor will support you in acculturation and socializing by helping you to get involved in TAMU-CC virtual activities.

Important Dates

If you are a new student, please make a note of the following term dates.

Setting Up Your Accounts

After you’ve confirmed your studies with us, our ISC Director will email you with detailed next steps to help you claim your “Island ID" and access the university systems. You will also be able to set up your university email account, which you will use for all communication from the University and your professors.

Course Registration

Class registration will take place during orientation once your final placement is confirmed. You will be given a class schedule, and an ISC advisor will register you for your classes. Your class schedule will be based on your major and classes that are currently available.

Orientation

Online Orientation will take place on August 17 and 18, and will be conducted via WebEx. We will schedule an exact time that works best with all students’ time zones.

Placement Testing

All Pathways students are required to take the Versant English Placement test with online monitoring in order to confirm your placement in the program.

First year undergraduate students at Texas universities, with a few exceptions, are required to take the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) test in math, reading, and writing skills. Your results on this test will not affect your placement in the International Pathway Program, but completion of the test is required before we can register you.

The ISC Director will email you with instructions on how to take both tests.

Accessing your courses

We utilize the virtual learning platform Blackboard, as well as additional platforms like WebEx, to support your learning. Blackboard houses course outlines, materials, discussion forums, recorded sessions, collaboration tools, and more, and it does not require the use of a VPN. This learning management system will include course materials and recorded sessions to aid you in your studies. You will submit all assignments for TAMU-CC through the Blackboard platform.

Purchasing Textbooks

Each of your classes will likely require textbooks that can be purchased online, either as physical books that you order and receive, or as virtual texts to work within. Your professors in each class can guide you on obtaining the required texts.

Engaging with your campus community virtually

The International Pathway Program has helped to create a community of international students both in Corpus Christi and around the world, who connect regularly with each other online on a variety of platforms. These connections happen through group projects in class, as well as ISC-sponsored or student-led social activities. A few of our recent community activities included games of Jeopardy, video and photography contests, Internet scavenger hunts, and virtual hangouts.

Refund Policy

If you decide to withdraw from your program, you must do so before the start of classes on August 19, 2020 in order to receive a 100% refund. Starting with the first day of classes, you will be eligible for a refund as follows:

If you complete your course online, and are not able to come to the U.S. because of visa issues, you will be eligible for a 50% tuition refund if you meet all of the following criteria:

• You have completed the semester online;
• You achieved the required GPA to progress/matriculate;
• You can provide evidence of two (2) visa rejections; and
• You have submitted your refund request within 30 days of the first visa rejection.

Get Ready For Your Online Learning Experience

Now that you have all the relevant information for a new student in the International Pathway Program, you can focus on getting the necessary documents ready for your arrival in the U.S. Visit our visa information page for details on what you’ll need when you are able to come and study on campus.