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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get my lessons?

When you enroll, you will receive information on how to access the course website through the Sakai Learning Management System. You will log in with your UNC-Chapel Hill Onyen and Onyen password.

How do I get my textbooks?

Most textbooks are available from Friday Center Books & Gifts, a bookstore operated by UNC Student Stores at the Friday Center, and can be purchased in person, by fax, by mail, or online. Your course description will state if materials must be purchased elsewhere.

How much time will I spend on my course?

Courses taught via Carolina Courses Online are equivalent to those taught on campus, and you can expect to spend at least as much time on an online course as you would if you took the class in a traditional setting. You can expect to do a significant amount of reading and writing, and you may need to log in to your course and check the discussion forum daily. As a rule, you should anticipate two to three hours of work each week for every credit hour the course is worth. For example, for a typical three-hour course you should expect to spend at least six to nine hours working on that course every week.  If you are taking more than one course, then you should expect to spend that amount of time on each course each week.

How will I communicate with my instructor?

Communication methods vary from course to course, but most instructors employ e-mail and discussion forums as their primary methods. Please note that our courses are taught in English and students need to be proficient in reading and writing English.

How many courses can I take at one time?

If you are a full-time UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduate, you can take one course during the fall and spring semesters, and two courses during the summer term.

If you are a part-time UNC-Chapel Hill undergraduate or a UNC-Chapel Hill student trying to regain eligibility, you can take two courses during any semester or summer term. Students trying to regain eligibility need advisor or dean approval.

If you are a UNC-Chapel Hill post-baccalaureate student or are unaffiliated with UNC-Chapel Hill, you can take three courses per semester or summer term as long as you have taken at least one Carolina Courses Online course previously and earned at least a C in the course.

Do I have to meet with my class?

You will not meet with your class in person; all course work is done online. Some courses have scheduled virtual (online) meetings on a periodic basis.

May I audit CCO courses?

No, students are not permitted to audit CCO courses.

Will I have to take tests?

The requirements vary from course to course, but many courses have midterms and final exams. Some courses require that the final be taken under supervision at an approved testing site.

Are online courses harder than classroom courses?

Online courses are a different way of learning. They require self-discipline and motivation in order to meet deadlines and complete required work. Some students enjoy the flexibility of online courses and the opportunities they provide for reflection and independent learning. Other students miss the immediacy of a classroom and its opportunities for communicating face-to-face with classmates and teachers. Most students agree that online courses require hard work and determination, but that the benefits of successfully completing them are great. These are college-level courses, and you should be at least a rising senior in high school to enroll.

Do I need to know a lot about computers?

Carolina Courses Online are designed to be accessible to people with a wide range of experience using computers, so you don't need to be an expert. You will need to be comfortable sending e-mail and using the Internet. You'll need to become familiar with posting messages to a discussion forum, and it is likely that you will be creating documents and attaching them to e-mail messages.

Do I need to know a lot about the Internet?

Web research and websites play a significant role in most courses. If you are a novice Internet user, you should spend some time at the start of the course learning to use your browser and search engines such as Google. Make sure you are familiar with your wordprocessing software and know who your Internet service provider is. Your course will have a Contacts section to guide you in finding help.

Can I get help if I have special needs?

Students with documented learning disabilities or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder can receive services through the Academic Success Program for Students with LD and ADHD. Students with documented disabilities can receive services through Disability Services. Students must self-identify through Disability Services in order to receive services or accommodation from either of these offices.

Am I likely to encounter technical problems?

Carolina Courses Online uses simple software and straightforward page design to keep technical problems to a minimum. Most students can easily access the course and discussion forums. Occasionally students using certain browsers will need to reconfigure their browsers or use a different browser. Some students have encountered difficulty posting to discussion forums from their workplace if their companies employ firewalls in their computer networks. If you encounter a technical problem that you are unable to resolve on your own, please contact Student Services.

Can I get financial aid for a CCO course?

Financial aid may be available to UNC-Chapel Hill degree-seeking students who are enrolled for at least six credit hours. Most students who take only CCO courses are not considered degree-seeking.

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