Distance Learning FAQs for Students

You register the same way you register for regular classes by searching for the courses you want to take and registering online. In some cases, there may be pre-requisites. Please see the Registering for Classes page for more information.

You may want to check your education plan for courses you need to meet your goal; if you do not have an education plan, you are strongly encouraged to see a counselor to develop yours so that you take the right courses you need.

If it is a Hybrid course, check the course notes for possible mandatory meetings in the schedule of classes or class search link. There are ways to add a class:

1. You attend the mandatory meetings. If there are any open seats, professors would consider the date and time of your registration permit and prioritize who gets added to the class. Once you get the “add label” with a code, use that code before it expires to add yourself.
2. If you cannot attend the mandatory meeting, or if it's an Online Class without on-campus meetings, you can try and email the professor.
3. Sometimes the classes remain open and you are able to add them online; you’ll see availability on the class search link.

There are a few late starting 8-week classes that typically run from 9th-16th week of the semester (see selections in left bar); there are no late –start classes in intersessions (only 6 weeks long). The process is the same as adding classes during the first two weeks of the semester.

You need to contact the professor to make alternate arrangements with him/her. Not contacting the professor would indicate that you no longer want to take the class; consequently, your seat will be given away to another student wanting to add the class.

When you log in to the portal at https://www.mtsac.edu/portal, you will see a channel called "eLearning tools," with a Moodlerooms link. Click on it and you will be automatically logged into Moodlerooms.

If you registered for a hybrid class, you will need to pay attention to the meeting dates; sometimes you will need to attend a class meeting during the first week of classes. For more information please contact your professor.

You will need access to a personal computer with Internet connection using the latest browsers like Firefox, Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer, and an e-mail address (NOTE: Mt. SAC email is the official email for conducting college communication). For more information please visit our Technical Requirements for Online Learning page.

You can check the Mt. SAC Search for Classes page, and select Option 3 for a list of classes offered in the current term.

You can also apply to Mt. SAC and get admitted so you can get access to counseling, which is offered online or in person, to discuss your education goal and Mt. SAC’s many programs, degrees, and certificates.

No, but you can take many courses toward certificates and degrees by taking nearly 50% of the courses online. Not all of Mt. SAC’s courses or programs are available as DL courses.

The programs that offer students the ability to complete them with 50% or more of the courses being taken online are:

• Business: Human Resource Management - Level I Certificate- 9 units
• Business: International - Level I Certificate- 9 units
• Business: International - Level II Certificate- 18-19 units
• Business: Management - Level I Certificate- 9 units
• Business: Management - Level II Certificate- 19 units
• Business: Management - Level III Certificate- 30 units
• Business: Management - 30 units (AS Degree)
• Business: Small Business Management - Level I Certificate- 9 units
• Business: Small Business Management - Level II Certificate- 18 units
• Business: Small Business Management - Level III Certificate- 30 units
• Small Business Management - 30 units (AS Degree)
• CIS Professional Certificate in LINUX - 12 units
• Hospitality: Food Services Certificate- 7.5 units
• Introduction to Computer Information Technology Certificate- 11.5 units
• The General Education Program – 60 units

Our distance learning courses tend to be asynchronous, which means there is no set time during which "in class" activities must take place. However, depending on the course and the instructor, students may be required to participate in class activities during a structured period of time, for example, a particular discussion forum meant to have "live" exchange among students. Otherwise, students do the work according to the syllabus and all assignment due dates without having to adhere to a designated class time.

"Arrange X hours" means that students are expected to spend that many hours per week in their online classrooms, instead of the on-campus classroom (since the classes are online/hybrid). Additionally, students must plan on devoting what ever time necessary to work on assignments, study, etc. Be prepared to spend as much time on assignments/studying in your online class as you would in an on-campus class.

For more information on Online and Hybrid classes please visit our What is Distance Learning? page.

These programs are offered in regular classes, not Distance Learning:

• Air Traffic Control
• Animal Science
• Veterinary Technology
• Histologic Technician
• Paralegal Studies
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
• Fire Academy

Yes, it is possible depending on the courses you need in general education. Please consult your education plan, and if you do not have one, you are strongly encouraged to see a counselor so you know exactly what you need to take. Not all of Mt. SAC’s courses are available as distance learning courses, but it is possible that students can take up to 50% of their courses toward an AA or AS degree by taking distance learning classes.

You will need access to a personal computer with Internet connection using the latest browsers like Firefox or Internet Explorer, and an e-mail address (NOTE: Mt. SAC email is the official email for conducting college communication). Class material varies from course to course, but a fast Internet connection (broadband, e.g. DSL or Cable) is strongly recommended.

For more information please visit our Technical Requirements for Online Learning page.

Please visit our Steps to Apply and Enroll page for full details on applying to Mt. SAC!

It depends. Mt. SAC only allows students from the following states to take distance learning classes:

• Alabama
• Alaska
• Arizona
• Colorado
• Hawaii
• Louisiana
• New Jersey
• Nevada
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Texas
• Virginia
• Washington
• Wisconsin