FAQ's

Login to MySWC and select the Canvas link in Campus Apps section at the top. You will be taken directly to the Canvas dashboard.

To enroll in an online class you must follow the College class registration process. For new and returning students, you must complete a Southwestern College online application. You will be asked to complete the steps to student success (see class schedule page). Admissions will give you a date to complete registration by WebAdvisor.

After you registration on WebAdvisor, you will be automatically enrolled into your online class. It may take up to four hours for you course to appear on your dashboard.

For continuing students, please refer to the class schedule to select a course and follow the same WebAdvisor registration process as face to face courses. For assistance or specific questions with the registration process, please contact Admissions.

To add or crash your online class you will need to contact your instructor before the class begins or within the first two weeks of class. The instructor must provide you with an add code, which you can use on WebAdvisor to enroll in the class. You can then add the class through WebAdvisor. See the class schedule for important deadlines and dates located on the Academic Calendar.

To drop your online class, you will need to drop the class by the withdrawal dates listed in the class schedule or Academic Calendar. Remember to drop yourself from the class on WebAdvisor by the withdrawal deadline date. Failure to withdraw from the course in a timely manner may result in your being given an unsatisfactory grade in the course.

Visit this page to determine what computer system requirements are needed for Canvas.

It is necessary to have access to an Internet connection to attend Southwestern College online or hybrid classes; however, Southwestern College does not recommend specific Internet Service Providers.

Your online class may meet the same length of time as on-campus classes. If there are special meeting times (i.e. short session courses), the dates will be listed in the class schedule. Contact your instructor if you need more information.

Course length and any campus meetings will be listed for your course in the schedule of classes. Consult with your instructor to determine if there are any additional requirements.

One of the key benefits of your online class is that it's ALWAYS available.The Internet is available 24 hours a day and so is your online class. This does not mean you will be able to complete the semesters worth of work in one week, or a full week worth of work into one day. Your instructor will determine the pace of your course. This simply means your instructor may make tests, assignments and projects available only for a certain length of time. This allows you and your classmates to work through the course together and it promotes interaction with your classmates and your instructor.

Your online courses may require a textbook. Your instructor will list the textbooks that will be used in your online class in the course syllabus or will inform you of the textbook requirement by email. Your textbook(s) can be purchased at the Southwestern College Bookstore.

Course assignments will be delivered and submitted within your course. Be sure to calendar due dates so that your work is submitted on time.

It will depend on the specific class that you are enrolled. Some classes (such as English) will probably require you to write a research paper. Your instructor will include assignments, exams, quizzes, labs, and/or research paper requirements in the class syllabus.

Students often have the misconception that online classes will not be as challenging as face to face classes. In fact, the opposite is true. Online classes are simply more convenient for many students, fitting into their busy schedules and providing a slightly more flexible schedule.

Although online classes do not take place in a traditional classroom, you should expect to spend as much, if not more time and energy to successfully complete an online class. Just like the traditional classroom, you are expected to complete assignments, take exams, write papers and participate in discussions.

You will be graded much like face to face classes. You will be evaluated on various assignments, tests, quizzes, labs, papers and projects that are required by your instructor. The grading policy for your online class will be outlined in the instructor's syllabus, or communicated to you by email.

There are several ways you can find answers to your questions. You will have access to your instructor's e-mail address and/or Canvas Inbox, which will allow you to ask questions privately. Another common option is a "Q&A" discussion board, where you can ask your classmates and instructor about course materials, assignments, etc. The important lesson that successful online students learn is to ASK questions!

You can contact your instructor by locating him or her on Faculty & Staff Directory. The course syllabus will also provide contact information and your instructor will let you know the method they prefer.

No. Your SWC e-mail account will be used for your online class. It is important to check your SWC email regularly for important campus-wide announcements and course updates.

By default, your Canvas courses will link to your SWC email account. Once you become enrolled and begin to take classes in Canvas, you can contact Canvas to ask about adding an alternate contact email and making this your preferred method of contact.

Visit the Class Schedule page.

Visit the Catalog page.

First, login to MySWC. Next, select the "Change Password Now" link in the top right box. Be prepared to verify your password change with an additional email and/or phone that receives text messages.

There no online course passwords. You'll use MySWC to login to your online course and all password changes will be made to your general MySWC account.

Select the "Grades" link from the course menu in Canvas.

Use the Canvas Inbox by selecting the link on the global navigation menu.

Contact the Online Learning Center.