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Distance Education Courses - Frequently
Asked Questions
The following FAQ section should assist
you when applying for admission and choosing your courses. If
anything is not clear or you are unsure of what sections apply
to you, please contact us by email,
by telephone (902) 893-6666, or visit our Contact
Us page.
- How does distance education work?
- Distance education allows you to study
at home or in your office on your own schedule. There are
no classes to attend. This style of study offers a flexible
way to control your learning time and enables you to invest
in your education and career without leaving your home or
workplace.
These courses incorporate computer conferencing,
email, computer-based quizzes, a course website, printed resource
materials, and required texts (in most cases). To successfully
complete the courses, you should have the following:
- access to the internet
- time management skills
- familiarity with, and access to, a
personal computer (file management, word processing, email)
- understanding of how to access and
browse the World Wide Web
Please see the technical
requirements sheet for specific computer needs.
- How much time will it take?
- This question is difficult to answer with
certainty, as the time involved will depend to a great extent
on the individual. However, on average you should expect to
spend eight to ten hours a week on course work (reading, working
on assignments, participating in online discussions and studying
for exams).
- Should I take the course for credit or
non-credit?
- If you intend
to apply the course to an academic program, you must take
the course for credit. Application for credit requires you
to complete the Application
of Admission/Readmission Form (for details, see the Application
Process sheet). You must fulfill the minimum requirements
for admission to NSAC. Generally, this would include academic
high school completion. Mature students may be considered
on an individual basis (a mature student is anyone 23 years
of age or older). Mature students should include a letter
outlining their experience and their reasons for wanting to
take the course.
The courses must be completed within
the academic semester, therefore deadlines for submission
of assignments will be exercised.
If what you are interested in is the
information provided throughout the course and have no interest
in receiving an academic credit (or cannot fulfill the admission
requirements), then the non-credit option may be for you.
You will not be required to complete the Application for
Admission/Readmission Form, nor will you be required to
complete assignments or exams. However, you may complete
the work and receive feedback from the instructor if you
choose.
- How are the courses
delivered?
- All of our web-based courses are delivered using Moodle. Moodle is an open source Course Management System (CMS) that universities, community colleges, etc. use to add web technology to their course. A CMS is a collection of web applications that run on a server and are accessed by using a web browser. It provides educators with tools to create a course web site and provide access control so only enrolled students can view it. CMSs provide a variety of tools so that the instructor can make his/her course more effective. The CMS provides an easy way to upload and share materials, hold online discussions and chats, give quizzes and surveys, gather and review assignments, and record grades.
- Can I start and complete the course at
any time?
- The NSAC does not use an open entry system.
All courses are offered during an academic semester (approximately
13 weeks in duration). There are specific start dates and
end dates. Most courses have deadlines for submission of assignments
and specific dates for writing your exam.
- I am a student at another university. What
do I have to do to take these courses?
- If you are enrolled in a program at another
institution and wish to take a course from NSAC, you must
obtain a Letter of Permission from your home institution.
You present this signed Letter of Permission with your application
for admission to NSAC.
- Will another university accept this course
for credit?
- Most universities
across Canada accept each other’s credits for transfer.
However, transferability may depend on the program you are
entering. Each institution has its own policies and procedures
to determine a student’s advance standing.
If you have a question that does not appear
on this list, please email
your question to us. We will incorporate further questions as
we receive them. Thank you!
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