Explore Online Learning

Online learning is a flexible alternative to onsite, in-person learning. You'll get the same high-quality instruction and interaction with classmates, but without the challenges of scheduling, commuting, and parking on campus.

Distance education courses:

are academically equivalent to in-person classes, with the same content and workload.
are not self-paced; expect regular due dates for academic work.
help students fit college classes into their busy schedules.
are available in a variety of formats to help students build schedules that work best for them.

SWC Course Modalities

Southwestern College offers a variety of online class formats to meet your needs.

Online Classes

An online class is entirely online and asynchronous, with no required class meetings in person or via videoconferencing. Online classes use Canvas for aynchronous instruction, interaction, activities, and assignments. While there are weekly due dates, online classes offer flexibiilty in where and when these activities are completed. Southwestern College uses 500-level section numbers for online sections (501, 502, etc.).

Live Online Classes

A live online class meets at set dates and times, which are published in the class schedule. All of these class meetings take place through videoconferecing in Zoom - there are no in-person requirements. While instruction, discussions, and activities happen in Zoom, Canvas may be used to provide class communication, resources, activities, homework, and grades. Southwestern College uses 400-level section numbers for live online sections.

Hybrid Classes

A hybrid class is a mix of online and live formats. The online part is asynchronous in Canvas, just like an online class. The live part has set meeting dates and times, which are published in the class schedule. Both components are required for all hybrid classes.

In-Person Hybrid Classes

This hybrid class is a mix of required online learning in Canvas and required in-person class meetings in a campus classroom or lab on listed dates and times. Southwestern College uses 600-level section numbers for in-person hybrids.

Live-Online Hybrid Classes

This hybrid class is a mix of required online learning in Canvas and required virtual class meetings using Zoom videoconferecing on listed dates/times. Southwestern College uses 700-level section numbers for live-online hybrids.

**Online, live online, and hybrid courses are the same as in-person courses in terms of:**
Cost	Tuition and fees are the same, regardless of if the course is in person, hybrid, live online, or online.
Registration Dates	The registration, add, and drop dates for all SWC courses follow the same schedule. These deadlines are based on the length of the course (full semester, fast-track, or intersession/summer), not the mode of delivery.
Syllabus and Course Outline	Your class will be designed around the department's course outline of record and customized by your instructor in the class syllabus, which is the "course contract" between instructor and student for any college course.
Deadlines	Your instructor will make clear when work needs to be submitted in your hybrid, live online and/or online course, just as they do for in-person classes.
Participation	The syllabus and orientation materials for your online, live online or hybrid course will explain participation requirements, as well as communication preferences and expected response times.

Ready to enroll in an online or hybrid class?

Whether you're at SWC to earn a few credits, earn a certificate, or earn a degree, you'll first want to make sure that your department offers distance education, and that these courses meet your educational plan and are a good fit for you.

Here's how to ensure that online, live online and/or hybrid courses are right for you:

Look for online classes in SWC's MySWC registration system, accessed through MySWC:

Tips:
- Select "Online" or "Hybrid" under Course Types
- Use the section number to identify the class type:
  - 500-level: online
  - 400-level: live online
  - 600-level: in-person hybrid
  - 700-level: live-online hybrid
- Review the Meeting Information notes, which will list any required live meetings

2. Apply to SWC through Admissions

Admission to SWC is required in order to take hybrid or online courses.

**Are you...**
Student Status	Admission To-Do
New to SWC?	You'll complete a new student application for SWC, which is part of the larger state-wide CCCApply application process.
A Returning Student?	If you've been away from SWC for more than 1 semester, you'll need to reapply to SWC.

Checking in with Counseling on a regular basis helps keep you on track with your goals.
- If you're a new student: you'll want to do preliminary assessments and chart your Education Plan for your certificate or degree requirements.
- If you're a current student: you'll want to monitor your scholastic progress and stay updated of any potential degree and/or transfer requirement changes.
SWC does not presently offer fully online degrees, but does offer several fully online certificate programs. A counselor will be able to answer questions you may have about how online and/or hybrid coursework help meet your educational goals.
Set yourself up for success with Quest! These self-paced tutorials are designed for both new and experienced online learners. Quest for Online Success is built in Canvas, and you can access it from the Help menu once you have access to Canvas.

Any SWC student with this self-enroll link can join Quest: https://swccd.instructure.com/enroll/ADE6KY.

All users who complete Quest will receive a PDF certificate sent to their college email address; this certificate includes their name as well as the completion date. If completing Quest is an assignment in your class, check your SWC college email account when you have finished so you can save the certificate and then submit it in your class.