- How many classes can I take online to be used towards the certificate?
The certificate program cannot be taken completely online. A minimum of 150 hours (15 units) must be taken in the traditional classroom format.
- Are there specific dates that I need to log on to the Web site?
There is a set beginning and end date for your online course. It is suggested that you log on at least 3 times a week to check the discussion forums, to read over assignments and lectures. This is the “asynchronous” aspect of the course.
There will be a set chat time (“synchronous”) where the instructor sets a specific day and time each week for all students to meet for a discussion topic.
All assignments, quizzes, exams, and projects must be completed within the time frame of the course. The instructor will set individual due dates for your assignments, projects and tests.
- What if I miss a synchronous session?
A recording of the session will be available on the web site. If you miss a synchronous discussion, you must watch this recording, answer the discussion questions on the forums in writing, and submit your written answers to the
instructor.
- What is the software?
Synchronous sessions are conducted using an online synchronous conferencing and training software application called WebEx. The client software downloads automatically after you log in to your WebEx meeting, and requires no installation. Please allow a few minutes for it to load at the start of every meeting.
- What kind of computer peripherals are required to take an online class?
Students will need a PC or Mac computer with high speed internet connection. Synchronous sessions will be conducted using VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), so you will need to have speakers and a microphone connected to your computer. We recommend a headset (headphones with integrated microphone) for easier use with less feedback. USB microphones and audio devices can be used but may be more complex to configure.
- What is the online course fee?
All Paralegal online courses: $580 (Note: prices are subject to change)
- What is an online course?
An online course utilizes the Internet and a web browser as a means of creating a learning environment outside of the traditional classroom. The lectures and discussions will take place on a Distance Learning Center Web site. You will be able to access your course lectures (text based) and communicate with your classmates and instructors through the use of a discussion forum (message board). The online courses follow a classroom structure of covering a lesson a week. You can access your course Web site anytime of the day and place where you have access to the Internet. Online paralegal courses also have a weekly chat time on a specific day and time set by the instructor for all students enrolled in the class to meet for a discussion topic.
- Who can take online courses?
Anyone can take an online course as long as they have access to a computer with Internet capabilities, have an active email account, and have a basic understanding of how a computer works. An online student also must be selfmotivated to participate in discussion forums, regularly check the Web site, and keep up with the course work.
- What happens if I fall behind or complete the course early?
You must remember that participation is a very important aspect of your final evaluated grade for the course. Active participation requires you to post and respond to your instructor and fellow classmates’ comments on the discussion forums, as well as the set synchronous chat sessions. The online paralegal courses are not self-paced in that you will have deadlines and due dates for assignments just as you would in a traditional classroom setting.
- How many hours a week do I have to devote to my online course?
Online paralegal courses require a significant time commitment and level of participation. You will most likely spend approximately 10 hours+ a week going over class lectures, doing assignments, spending time on the discussion forum, and participating in the synchronous sessions. The actual time required for each course will vary.
- Will I be able to see my online instructor or communicate with him/her via telephone?
Unless there is an extreme instance, all communications with your instructor will be done either through email, the discussion forums or the chat sessions. Please do not expect your instructor to telephone you or meet with you in person.
- How do I communicate with my instructor?
You communicate with your instructor by email, discussion forums, or chat sessions. Students are highly encouraged to use these modes of communications, as faxed or mailed assignments are not accepted.
- What happens if I have trouble accessing the URL with my login and password?
Contact the Distance Learning Center (DLC) office at unex-online@uci.edu or (949) 824-7613 and we will assess and work to fix any problems in the most expeditious manner. In order to better serve you, please note the problem as it occurred.
- Do I need to have cookies enabled?
Yes, it is necessary to have your cookies enabled. To best protect your computer it is suggested that you vary your cookie options to ensure the most secure level.
- Can I access my course from anywhere?
You can access the course anywhere that you have Internet access. Some companies have firewalls that prevent you from participating in the chat sessions. Please check with your company before you attempt to access the course.
- I have enrolled and I entered my key, but it still won’t let me in.
Many of you will have enrolled prior to the course start date. Courses will not appear until the course start date. Please note that the first week is considered an orientation week where you can become familiar with the course tools. Always make sure to enter a category for the current quarter that you are signed up for. Many times, previous quarters will be available for past students.
- When is the last day to drop the course?
The last day to drop a course follows the standard provided in the UCI Extension catalog. There will be an administrative fee accessed for any withdrawals within the allowable period. Please refer to our Drops & Refunds page for more information.
- What happens if I can’t finish a course?
We understand that certain situations can occur. Please refer to the UCI Extension catalog for procedures, etc.
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- How do I know which online courses can take the place of classroom courses?
Please visit our Certificates page for more information about our certificate programs and course offerings.
- How do online courses work?
Orientation is conducted the first week of the course so that students can become familiar with using the course tools prior to the actual start of the class. Once you begin your course, you will find that with the use of the course tools, you will be able to navigate from the lecture to the discussion forums or to the weekly outline. You will be able to maneuver through the Web site to post/read assignments and to download/upload files from your instructor. Your instructor will primarily be contacting you by email or through the discussion forum.
Help files are found on the Distance Learning Center website with instructions on accessing your online course with information about tools use.
- Do I need to purchase books or any additional items?
Some courses do require that you purchase books or software. Please contact the UCI Bookstore for more
information about the books for your courses at (949) 824-7810.
- What happens after I sign up for a course, how do I get started?
If you enroll through the Web site you will receive a confirmation email from our Student
Services office with information regarding the steps needed to create your login and password, URL to access your course, and the enrollment key to enter your course.
If you have faxed or telephoned your enrollment, you will receive by U.S. mail a confirmation of your course enrollment. On that confirmation you will find the information regarding access to your online course.
- I signed up for this quarter’s term and I can’t fine my online course!
Your online course will not be available until the actual course start date. The first week of the course is an orientation week, you will have this time to review the syllabus and become familiar with the course tools.
- What is an enrollment key?
An enrollment key is required only for the first time that you enter your online course. Your enrollment key will be given at the same time as the information regarding your course access.
- Will the platform for online courses be changing continually every quarter?
There will be changes periodically. Changes occur mainly as a result of student and instructor feedback to our Web site. This is done to maximize the tools.
- Is my online course an instructor led course?
Like a traditional course, your online course has an instructor that will conduct the class by giving assignments, answering questions, leading discussions and weekly synchronous sessions, and assigning grades.
- What kind of grade options do I have?
The grading options are exactly the same as that of classroom courses.
- Who do I contact if I am having problems with the instructor?
Please contact the DLC office at (949) 824-7613 or unex-online@uci.edu. Your instructor should be very explicit on the course syllabus or welcome message as to their availability. If the instructor is going out of town or will be away from the computer for an extended period of time, he/she must notify the class.
- Why do I get emails of the discussion forum postings?
If you are receiving emails from the discussion forums, you are subscribed to that particular forum. You can change this option by going to the forums sections on the left side of the course site under Activities. By selecting forum, you will be able to see all the forums created and to turn on/off the subscription function. There may be a forum that you will not be able to change. More than likely, that will be a place where the instructor will post announcements.
- I like getting the forum subscribed emails, but the responses I made are not on the course Web site.
If you prefer to receive the subscribed emails from the forum, please do not reply to the email directly, but post your reply to the specific forum where the posting originated. This will ensure that others, including your instructor, will see your reply or comment.
- I am confused and frustrated, I can’t seem to find my way around the Web site. What can I do?
Call us at (949) 824-7613. We will be happy to walk you through the tools and show you everything you need to know.
- Is there anything else I should know?
Students will have the option to activate a UCInetID to access UCI resources. Please note: Birth date and last 4 digits of Social Security are required for UCInetID activation.
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