Posted by Jen Zeman on February 11th, 2009
The University of Maryland University College (UMUC) utilizes a technology called WebTycho for their online courses. One of the things I found to be an asset with UMUC and WebTycho was every class was set up the same way (i.e. instructors didn’t create individualized layouts for each of their classes) so it made it easy to find course information in each class. WebTycho is also easy to navigate with each course set up in the following manner:
- Once you log in and click on the particular class you are registered for, on the left side of the screen is a list of options. The top left corner lists your instructor, their bio, and a link to class announcements.
- Below this is a list of course-related links: Syllabus, Course Content (links to specific assignments), Conferences (discussion area for students on weekly discussion topics), Assignments Folder (where you submit your assignments), Portfolio (where all your graded work will appear), and Class Members (links to individual students’ email).
- The top right of the first screen gives you access to your account preferences, your biography, an online orientation, as well as a link to library services. It also offers a direct link to tech support if it is needed.
UMUC offers the opportunity for potential students to “test drive” a UMUC online course. It’s free of charge and I believe beneficial in order for first time online students to become acquainted with the online format. For more information, go to http://www.umuc.edu/spotlight/411.html. UMUC’s tech support for WebTycho is outstanding. I have found representatives manning the help desk were always quick to respond and very helpful in resolving any issues you may encounter. When I was registered almost four years ago, I never experienced any downtime with WebTcho which was reassuring.
So go ahead! Take a test drive at UMUC and enjoy the ride!
Posted by Jen Zeman on January 20th, 2009
The entire enrollment process for the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) was approximately 6-8 weeks in length and was easy to complete. The application was completed and submitted online, which only consumed about 15 minutes of my time. The longest part in the enrollment process was requesting my official transcript from Harford Community College be mailed to UMUC and for that transcript to be evaluated. Before I received my transcript evaluation I had already downloaded my program requirements (Legal Studies with a minor in Humanities); therefore, I knew the core courses that had to be completed regardless of what my transcript evaluation contained. In doing this, I was able to register for the upcoming fall semester before receiving my evaluation. I was fortunate with my evaluation because UMUC transferred nearly all my credits from Harford Community College, so I only had two electives to complete that were not within the core requirements of my program. I also had an advisor at UMUC that helped me with my transcript evaluation and selecting the right courses for electives in my program. An advisor can prove to be an invaluable asset!
A perspective online student should plan well ahead of their anticipated start of their online program. If you have already decided upon an online school and if you want to start classes in the fall, get the application process underway in the spring. Give yourself enough time to apply, have a transcript evaluation, and then have plenty of time to select your desired classes. If you still haven’t decided upon the school and/or program you want to attend, I would allow an additional three months to conduct this search. By allowing yourself enough time (i.e. “wiggle room”) to enroll will alleviate the stress of doing everything at once and then jumping head first into an intense new schedule of school work.
Posted by Jen Zeman on January 7th, 2009
The application process for the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) was simple. The three steps involved included:
- Completing and submitting the application online.
- Payment for the application fee was online as well.
- After submission of the application, I requested official transcripts to be mailed directly to UMUC from previous schools.
Then, it was a matter of waiting for a letter indicating my acceptance. I received an additional letter detailing my transcript evaluation (i.e. what credits UMUC would accept). For me, the process from start to finish was approximately six weeks.
My recommendations to prospective students:
- Know where you really want to attend! Nearly all, if not ALL, colleges and universities charge an application fee (UMUC’s fee is currently $50), so unless you have an unlimited budget, it can be quite expensive to submit multiple applications. Most online colleges and universities have a lenient admissions process and acceptance procedures which means if you apply, you will be accepted (the one exception would be for graduate programs).
- Plan ahead. If you want to start classes in the fall, get the application process underway in the spring. Give yourself enough time to apply, have a transcript evaluation, and have plenty of time to select your desired classes.
- For submission of official transcripts, do not hoard a stash of official transcripts sent to your home address only to send them on to prospective schools. Many institutions will not accept these types of submissions as official (i.e. the official transcripts need to be mailed directly from the home institution). The reason is transcripts mailed to a student first renders the possibility the transcript could be altered.
Once you complete the application process, you will find it is most likely the easiest part of your online college experience!
Posted by Jen Zeman on December 22nd, 2008
When I started my search for an online degree program, I requested information from about three different schools, all within my home state of Maryland. I wanted to start my search local before considering out-of-state institutions, primarily because I knew in-state colleges and universities would accept more transfer credits and in-state tuition would be less expensive. The information I received included full admissions packets and I did find the information helpful since it helped me determine if the school offered online degree programs AND in the discipline I wanted to study (i.e. legal studies). As I have mentioned before, I was fortunate to find the University of Maryland University College (UMUC) offered an online legal studies bachelor’s degree.
I am very satisfied still to this day with the quality of education and the online experience with UMUC, so I do not have any regrets in not requesting information from additional schools for my bachelor’s degree. When I started a search for master’s degrees online, I broadened my search to include more out-of-state institutions and requested information from about three schools. I did this because I found most colleges and universities offer online graduate degrees mainly in business or education fields; I was looking for a liberal arts graduate degree. I found a few schools that offered an online graduate liberal arts degree and found a good program at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro. The best advice is to know what you want to study and keep searching. A larger variety of online programs become available each year, so you are bound to find what you are looking for. Requesting information is not a commitment to any particular school, so gather as much information as possible and then develop a pros and cons list for each. This will help you narrow your search to the eventual ideal institution. Happy hunting!
