UCC ONLINE STUDENTS
Frequently Asked Questions

UCC ONLINE responds to the growing number of students who are eager to earn university degrees but who require more flexibility than the traditional on-campus courses allow. Studying via UCC Online is an attractive alternative because you can:

• schedule course work around jobs and family responsibilities
• work independently
• acquire new skills and knowledge to compete in the workplace
• improve your lives through enriched learning experiences
• complete course work toward university degrees.

1. What is UCC Online?
   UCC Online is a distance learning vehicle which uses technology to deliver UCC’s degree programmes. The programmes offered through UCC Online use the following models:

• Fully online (except for end-of-module examinations for students in Jamaica). Students in Jamaica sit their end-of-module exams at their respective UCC Campus.
• Fully Online (including end-of-module exams).  This option is available to students not resident in Jamaica.  Exams are proctored online by ProtorU.
• Hybrid model, that is, students have the option of selecting to pursue some of their courses online and other courses in the traditional face-to-face/classroom option.  The hybrid model is available currently only to students residing in Jamaica who can choose to pursue a course at one of UCC’s campuses.

2. How does the UCC Online mode of delivery work?
   Students receive their instruction from lecturers via a web-based learning platform known as MOODLE.

• This platform allows students to view lecture content/notes, PowerPoint presentations, video and audio resources provided by lecturers. Lecture content is available from week one of the semester.
• Lecturers and students interact in (live) chat sessions and discussion fora (asynchronous).
• Chat sessions begin in the  first week of the semester, are conducted via  Zoom  and run weekly.  During the  spring and fall semesters chat sessions are  one hour each week and are conducted after work hours between Mondays and Thursdays, on Saturday nights and/or Sundays. During the summer session, chat sessions will be approximately 90 minutes each per week.  Chat sessions are recorded by the lecturer and posted within 24 – 48 business hours. Participation in Chats is compulsory and graded.
• Lecturers post their discussion questions (DQs) via the discussion forum in the first week of the semester. Students must respond to these questions and to the response of at least one classmate within the deadlines given. A minimum of three (3) DQs is given for the semester.  Participation is graded.
• Lecturers also provide self assessment quizzes for students.  These are not graded but help students to check if they are familiar with the material.
• Students submit assignments and sit exams (mid-module) online from the comfort of their home or office computer.

3. What degrees are offered at UCC Online?
   The UCC Online offers a Bachelor’s degree in the following areas:

• Business Administration 
• Business Administration majoring in Production and Operations Management
• Business Administration majoring in Accounting and Financial Management
• Business Administration majoring in Accounting
• Business Administration majoring in Financial Management
• Information Technology
• Business Administration majoring in Information Systems Management
• Human Resource Management
• Marketing

And graduate degrees in:

• UCC/Commonwealth Masters of Business Administration
• UCC/Commonwealth Masters of Public Administration

A programme of study may be withdrawn in the event of under-enrolment in a given cohort.

4. What will I need to take an online class?
   Generally, you’ll need a computer with access to the Internet and an email account. High Speed Internet Connectivity (ADSL) with a minimum bandwidth of 2MB for online courses is best to handle online courses because these courses typically use/include video, audio and podcasts to deliver information.
   Preparatory Sessions: Before starting your online classes each semester or teaching period, all students (new and returning) will be required to complete the scheduled Preparatory Session. This is meant to increase and improve your readiness for taking online classes during the semester.

5. How do I apply for a UCC Online degree programme being offered at UCC Online?
   Applicants interested in pursuing an undergraduate online degree, apply using this link: https://ucc.edu.jm/apply/undergraduate
   Follow instructions for sending your application. To complete your application, you must send the following:

• Certified copies of your CSEC/GCE exam passes
• Certified copy of your birth certificate
• Certified copy of marriage certificate (if applicable)
• An electronic passport size photo

6. How do I get my textbooks and other course materials?
   Students will have to purchase the required textbooks via online bookstores, the Campus Store or traditional bookstores. Lecturers will send other course materials such as e-texts as necessary.

7. How do I interact with course instructors or lecturers?

• Asynchronously – your interaction is not in real time. This allows you to participate according to your schedule and be geographically apart from the lecturer. This type of interaction usually takes place via email or message boards.
• Synchronously – your interaction is real time which means you will have to be online at scheduled class times using videoconferencing or chat rooms. The scheduled times are usually after work hours and on Sundays.

8. How many courses can I take per semester?
   We recommend that part-time online undergraduate students register for a minimum of three UCC courses per 10 or 13-week semester. Students are advised to follow the sequence of courses as outlined in their curriculum map.

9. Is the curriculum the same as that conducted in face to face sessions?
   Yes. All UCC students pursue the same courses and sit the same examinations as their counterparts across all Campuses irrespective of location throughout and the Caribbean. This is in keeping with the University’s policy and is supported by the University Council of Jamaica (UCJ).

10. How are exams given?
    For students resident in Jamaica, end-of-module exams will be administered as paper-based exams in a proctored face-to-face setting at UCC campuses.  Students outside of Jamaica as at Fall 2016 will sit their end-of-module exams from the comfort of their home using a ‘live’ online proctoring service, ProctorU. There is a fee of US$36.00 associated with proctoring of each exam by ProctorU. This fee is already calculated in the fees for students who select UCC Online Caribbean for the registration portal. Mid-semester exams are administered online.

11. How do students submit assignments?
    Assignments are submitted electronically on the Moodle course page (using Drop Box).

12. How are grades disclosed?
    Coursework grades and grades for participation in Chat sessions and Discussion Questions are posted on Moodle. Final grades are published on UCC’s student management system (SMS), Aeorion, which the student only can access using his username and password.

13. How can I pay for my online education at UCC?
    You can pay for it yourself using UCC’s very flexible payment options, see if your employer offers an education assistance programme, or seek scholarships and loans. Jamaican students can also visit the Student’s Loan Bureau (SLB) for financial assistance as UCC is SLB-approved. Other grants are also available through your respective Governments. Financial aid deadlines are often much earlier than registration deadlines.

14. How do I pay my fees?
    Payments to the University of the Commonwealth Caribbean can be made by utilizing one of the five (5) methods. Student should submit receipts to SFSHelpdesk@ucc.edu.jm and contact SFS to update their accounts:

• AEORION
  Payment can be made using the Pay with Credit Card tab if you have a VISA / MasterCard or Key Card. After logging on, select the pay with credit card tab (located to the right of the screen) and follow the steps.
• National Commercial Bank - NCB ONLINE
  For students with a NCB Account and have activated the online banking feature, they can add UCC as a bill, from the drop down menu, select University College of the Caribbean, and enter the UCC ID# as the account number and in the Remarks area state what the payment represents. UCC is not listed under the Education Category, but it is listed under Other
• Bank of Nova Scotia - BNS ONLINE
  For students with a BNS Account and have activated the online banking feature, they can add UCC as a bill, from the drop down menu, select IMS and enter the UCC ID# as the account number and in the Remarks area state what the payment represents. 
• Jamaica National Bank - JNB/MONEY SHOPS
  Students (Except ECAP students) paying cash can do so at the JNB/Money Shop and should use their UCC ID# as the account number. Please be advised that a service charge will apply. Please note that for persons in and around the Corporate Area, JNB advises that they should use the Money Shops.

15. I’d like to earn a university degree. How long will it take me?
    There are several factors to consider:

• The type of degree you are seeking (for example, associate or bachelor) and the number of credits required for that degree
• The number of credits you have already earned that will count toward your degree;
• The number of classes you’re able take each semester.

16. Does the UCC accept course credits from other institutions?
    The UCC will accept a relevant transferable course taken at an accredited college as long as you earned a “C” or better. Evaluation of transcripts is done on official copies only.

17. The school wants an official transcript. How do I know if mine is official?
    A signed transcript in a sealed envelope is considered official. It is usually sent directly from one Registrar’s office to another. You may also request that official transcripts be sent to you in sealed envelopes, and they will remain official as long as you do not open them. You can hand them to the Registrar or enclose them with your physical application.

18. How do the online students receive certification?

• Students attending graduation receive their certificates at the ceremony.
• Students not attending graduation will receive their certificates in the mail.
• Students in the Caribbean may participate virtually or be invited to attend the annual ceremony in Jamaica.

19.  Where do I go to access my courses?
    ​You may access your courses at http://ucconline.ucc.edu.jm

20. I am registered and have not receive my Moodle password?
    If you are expecting your Moodle password after being registered it may take up 12 – 24 hours before it is emailed to you. If it is not in your inbox after this time then please check your spam/junk folder. If you still haven’t received your password you may submit the issue via email to ucconlineofficer@ucc.edu.jm or ucconline@ucc.edu.jm

21. I forgot my login password. How may I get a new password?
    ​Under the login fields, click “Forgot Password” or go to https://ucconline.ucc.edu.jm/login/forgot_password.php

22. I did a password reset and I did not get my password?
    ​If you do not see your password in your email inbox after using the “Forgot Password” option, check your email spam or junk folder. If you still do not see your password, request a password reset by send an email request to ucconlineofficer@ucc.edu.jm or onlinesupport@ucc.edu.jm

23. After I login where do I find my courses?
    When logged, you will be taken to dashboard. Your existing courses will be show under “In Progress”. You can also find your courses in the left menu under “My Courses”

24. I am enrolled for a course and I am not seeing it in my list of courses?
    Please contact your course coordinator to have this issue resolved. Email ucconlineofficer@ucc.edu.jm

25. How do I access my scheduled class?
    You may access your scheduled class by looking for the Zoom Meeting Room URL on your course page, located under Chat Discussion/Sessions.

26. Why am not seeing my class recording on Moodle?
    Recordings are published within 24 – 48 business hours. If you do not see your class recording after 72 hours please email support at ucconlineofficer@ucc.edu.jm  and copy ucconlinedirector@ucc.edu.jm.

27. What is Zoom Meeting Room?
    Zoom Rooms is a software-based room system that provides an integrated experience for audio conferencing, wireless screen sharing and video conferencing. Zoom Rooms can be used for room only attendees or remote attendees joining from another room, from their desktop, or from their mobile device.

28. What is SMARTHINKING?
    Smarthinking is a service that offers expert advice from professional, qualified tutors whenever you need it. It’s available 24/7. You can also get feedback on an assignment or an essay draft, or get help with tackling those not-so-easy mathematical questions. In addition, you will be able to access a number of free tutorials on difficult topics.

29. What online support do you have in place for students?
    Online support comes in three forms:

• A Programme Coordinator is available Mondays to Thursdays between 8:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. and on Fridays between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Jamaica time) by telephone and email to handle all student queries as they relate to academic matters e.g. exam dates; missed deadlines; course information; course set up – UCC Online access and financial and registration direction.
• Technical support with respect to log in password; set up of UCC email account: smssupport@ucc.edu.jm
• Access to online library database which students are given after their passwords are activated. 

30. What are the mechanisms in place for students’ complaints?
    Students submit administrative complaints to their online Programme Coordinators at ucconline@ucc.edu.jm  and lecturer-related matters to the lecturer. If students are unable to reach their lecturers for any reason, they must inform their coordinator at once via email at ucconline@ucc.edu.jm

Administration of Online Proctored Exams

1. If I am an online student, how will I do my exams?
   Local Online students attend the nearest campus to sit their examinations and overseas Online students sit their examinations using ProctorU
    
2. What is ProctorU?
   ProctorU is an online invigilation service engaged by UCC for Online examinations
    
3. Do I pay for the proctoring of Online examinations?
   Yes. Each Online examinations attracts a proctor fee (currently 36 USD)
    
4. How do I access Online examinations?
   Online examinations are accessed via the Moodle. After you have logged in, follow the Proctors instructions.
    
5. I lost connection to the internet while doing my exam, have my answers been saved?
   Answers are autosaved as you progress through your exam.
    
6. What if I am unable to type my examination (or any portion of it), in the Moodle platform?
   Inform the proctor that the examination will be done on the papers. Show the proctor that all your sheets are clean sheets with absolutely no mark on them. Once this is verified the Proctor will allow you to write on the sheets and take pictures of these and upload them to the Moodle immediately. 
    
7. What if the session ends before I am able to upload my examination scripts?
   The examination scripts should be emailed immediately to the ucconline@ucc.edu.jm  and copy to your Lecturer.  Scripts that are not emailed within 5 minutes after the session ends will not be accepted and the student will need to re-sit the examination at a cost.
    
8. Can a local student use the online proctor service for examination?
   Online proctoring is only applicable to overseas students and local students who are travelling during the time of examinations.

   Local students must visit their default campus to sit their final examinations unless they inform the Online department that they would not be at their default campus through the location survey.

9. What is the location survey?
   The location survey is a form that is distributed by UCC Online to request information for a change of location, if a student is not going to be at their default campus of registration, at the time of the examinations.
    
10. Do all students need to complete the location survey?
    No. Only students who will not be at their default campus of registration during the examination period needs to complete the location survey. This will provide information about where they will sit their final examinations.
     
11. When should the location survey be completed?
    The location survey must be completed as soon as student becomes aware of their relocation (travel) plans.

    The location survey open for the first 30 days of each semester, i.e. for the Fall semester it opens for the month of September; for the Spring semester it is open for the month of January and for Summer, it is opened for the month of June.
     

12. What if I complete the location survey late?
    Students who send information regarding a change of their location after the cut off will be penalized according to the established consequences (payment of the transfer fee).

Protocols for Examinations in UCC Online Test Centre

• Students should be made aware of the exams that would require the use of the testing centre at least three (3) weeks before their examinations and be informed of what they would need to bring to the testing centre, such as a laptop, charger and their Moodle login information. 
• For Mathematical-based examinations, students should be allowed to write their exams on paper, if they feel more comfortable doing so than using Moodle to sit their examinations. 
• All writing-based examinations for the test centre should only be done via Moodle.
• Two-hour examinations will be extended for 30 minutes on Moodle.
• Invigilators trained to use the online platform to better assist students during their examinations are on site.
• Personal laptops taken to be used in the text center must be taken at least 20 minutes before the start of the examination.

  NB: This testing center facilitates the marking of examination scripts for overseas lecturers. This initiative allows for examination scripts to be marked quicker which results in students receiving their overall grades earlier than the usual timeframe.