Distance Learning
Atlantic Cape, a leader in educational technology and distance learning in the state of New Jersey, offers associate degrees that can be completed through online courses. The typical community college student often juggles full-time work and family priorities in addition to attending class, so the ease of “anytime, anyplace” learning helps them achieve their education goals conveniently. The degree programs available at a distance include:
Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degrees in:
- Business Administration
- Child Development and Child Care*
- Computer Programming
Associate in Science (A.S.) degrees in:
- Business Administration
- Computer Information Systems
- Computer Systems Support
- Criminal Justice
- General Studies
Associate in Arts (A.A.) degrees in:
- Preschool-Grade 3 Education*
- Psychology
- Liberal Arts degree and options in:
- English
- K-12 Education*
*Note: Program includes practicum hours that must be completed in a school environment (Preschool-Grade 3 Education, A.A.; K-12 Education, A.A.) or a child care center (Child Development and Child Care, A.A.S.).
It is highly recommended that students taking distance education courses possess excellent organizational and time management skills. Students should be comfortable using the Internet, downloading/uploading files and installing basic software on their computer. Students interested in taking a distance education course are encouraged to visit atlanticcape.edu/student-life/online-learning/index.php.
Students taking distance education courses use their home computer with a stable Internet connection to “attend” class. (Students without home computers may use the computers in the library at all three college sites.) Students complete all course requirements online, and communicate with their instructor and classmates using email, class discussion boards and web conferencing software.
Atlantic Cape uses Blackboard for all distance education courses, which can be accessed through a Web browser. Students should visit https://atlanticcape.edu/student-life/online-learning/tech-requirements.php to review Blackboard technical requirements. Blackboard has email, discussions, online testing and many other features that enhance the overall online learning experience. Some courses also use additional publisher course management systems.
All Atlantic Cape distance education courses include exams that make use of online proctoring. Online proctoring is software that monitors students using a webcam and microphone while they take an exam online. The software is used for student identity verification and to protect the academic integrity of online exams. Atlantic Cape uses Honorlock for online proctoring. Students should visit https://atlanticcape.edu/student-life/online-learning/proctoring.php to learn more about Honorlock and the technical requirements for using Honorlock.
Independent Study
An independent study allows a student to pursue study in an existing course not offered in a given semester. The student contacts a faculty member in the course discipline, requests the independent study, and initiates the Application for Independent Study. Upon approval from the appropriate academic chair or dean, the Enrollment Services Office notifies the student that they can register for the course.
Non-Credit Courses
Atlantic Cape’s Workforce Development department provides courses and services to meet the educational training and personal and professional development needs of the residents of Atlantic and Cape May counties. Classes are offered days, evenings and weekends at all three College sites and at various locations throughout Atlantic and Cape May counties. Additional information is available in the Workforce Development Program Guide. For information, call (609) 343-5655 or visit www.atlantic.edu/workforce.
Certificate
Certificate programs consist of 30 to 36 course credits, including six credits of General Education.
Professional Series
The Professional Series are groups of selected courses in related subject areas which provide students with entry-level skills for specific jobs. Each series can be taken on a part-time basis, with many courses being offered online. Students can complete many of the series in less than a year; others have certain sequence courses, which may take longer. Students begin and end a series at their own pace. Upon completion of a series, students should complete an audit request form to receive a certificate of achievement from the College. All credits earned may be applied toward an associate degree in one of Atlantic Cape's degree programs. Students should review course descriptions for information about prerequisites that may be required for courses.