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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for Admission?

Please see the Admissions section of this website for all information pertaining to the Admissions process.

Is it a requirement to complete the Degree Plan/Online Advisement Form for my program?

Yes. Immediately after a new student completes the online Application for Admission, they are prompted to complete the Online Advisement Form (also called the Degree Plan) for their respective program. This form is part of the Admissions process, and is sent to the respective advisor for that program. This will assist the advisor and the distance learning staff in guiding students through their program of study.

Is the Degree Plan/Online Advisement Form "written in stone" or is it more flexible?

The Degree Plan is designed to provide the student, the advisor, and the distance learning staff with an idea of the student's intent to make progress in their coursework toward the goal of graduation. It is understood, though, that circumstances arise and the student may not be able to follow the Degree Plan exactly.

However, should a student intend to drastically revise their Degree Plan, or change programs or concentrations, then an updated Degree Plan should be submitted to the Distance Learning Center. There is no charge for submitting an updated Degree Plan/Online Advisement Form.

How do I register for classes?

Please see the Registration section of this website for step-by-step instructions on how to register.

How do I access Blackboard?

To access the Blackboard website, please bookmark the Troy State University home page or the Troy State University Distance Learning Center website, then click on the link for Blackboard. This will ensure that you are activating a new, secure session with the Blackboard server. If you bookmark the login page, the page will be retrieved from your computer's memory, and will not launch a new session with Blackboard. This will result in having to enter the login information twice to gain successful entry to Blackboard.

To login to Blackboard, please use the same user ID as with Web Express, but for Blackboard, your password will always be the last four digits of your social security number.

How do online classes work?

Online courses are designed to provide the same level of quality education to students as classroom courses, but with the convenience of anytime, anyplace education. Students may login to their online course at any time of the day or night to complete assignments, participate in discussion boards, and e-mail fellow students as well as their instructor.

Most instructors do not require students to login to their course at a specified time; although, some instructors will offer an optional chat session at a specific time for interactive discussion of the course material.

How do I know if online courses are right for me?

While there are no guarantees of educational success either online or in the classroom, this informal, Distance Learning Online Survey might help you decide if you would be a student well-suited to an online education.