Online Delivery of Courses/Programs
ECPI offers courses through the online delivery format for students who choose to attend completely online or for on-campus students who choose to enroll in one or more online courses to progress toward program completion. Some courses are offered only online. On-campus student enrollment in online courses is subject to the approval of the Campus Director of Academic Affairs or his/her designee. The tuition rate for online and residential courses is the same.
The online and on-campus courses have the same course outcomes. Online courses are designed to take advantage of technology, making the learning environment accessible at any time. As with on-campus courses, students are expected to complete all work and submit assignments within the time period required by the faculty member and as provided on the course syllabus.
Online courses are offered in a five-week term format. Each week of the term runs from Monday to Sunday. Online students are required to participate in the discussion assignments during the week. Original discussion posts will be due each week no later than 11:59pm Thursday (Eastern Time). All other discussion responses and unit assignments are due each week no later than 11:59pm Sunday (Eastern Time).
Online Courses. The course textbook requirements are listed under the "Course Text Book" link in each online classroom in the learning management system.
Online students should anticipate extensive online communication with both faculty members and other students. Faculty may be contacted via email, telephone, text, or Live Chat in designed Live Chat courses. Students needing additional help may also contact their faculty member to request a tutor. Students are required to be proficient in using the Internet and to have the ability to manage information on the computer.
Online students may also visit www.ecpionline.com to access essential information, including academic advising and student support coordinators; computer requirements; technical support; key contacts; library resources; and tutorials and demonstrations.
Online Identification Verification Process. (effective May 1, 2016) To maintain the integrity of the online coursework, ECPI utilizes an identification verification system that periodically poses a series of challenge questions via the electronic learning management system. The first time a student is prompted by the ID Verification System, the student is required to establish individual challenge questions. The student must respond with the correct answers to the challenge questions to access the associated assignment or assessment. Failure to answer challenge questions correctly will cause the associated assessment/assignment to be locked. The student must then contact his or her designated Student Success Advisor/Online Point of Contact to access the locked assessment. Repeated failure of an ID verification attempt and/or refusal to answer the questions will result in further investigation that may include a Judicial Review Board.
In addition to the ID verification, other online activities are reviewed to maintain integrity; for example, attendance logs, IP addresses, plagiarism detection tools, special security settings, and start/stop times for online learning activities.
Students enrolling in an online course are also required to carefully review the Student Electronic Communications Policy, the Student Conduct Policy, and the Honor Code section of this Catalog.
Online Orientation. All students registering for an online course, regardless of whether the student is taking one course or an entire program, are required to successfully complete an online orientation prior to beginning class. Online orientation ensures each student has an adequate Internet connection, the required computer equipment, sufficient computer proficiency and has the knowledge to navigate an online course.
Online Student Services. Comparable student support services are available for online students, including access to learning resources, financial assistance, career advising, and academic advising.
Online Requirements for Hardware and Software. Students may be required to upgrade hardware and/or software if completing their program through online instruction. The PC requirements link in the online classroom learning management system provides details on hardware and software requirements.
Medical Assisting and Surgical Technology programs: Students who relocate to states in which the University does not have approval to operate may be adversely impacted in their ability to complete the program, obtain credentials, or gain in-field employment.