Myers University - Online Learning Center

Online courses at Myers allow you to choose when and where (during the week) you participate in class. Your course is conducted according to your instructor's and the University's semester course schedule and coursework deadlines; however, there are no on-campus classes to attend. Instead, lectures, coursework, and discussions (during the week) all take place online at your convenience. You choose the time and place during the week, wherever you have access to a computer, modem, and an Internet Service Provider (ISP). You get the same high-quality instruction and course content as you would in a traditional on-campus classroom, but without the time constraints and travel obstacles that prevent so many working adults from pursuing their educational and career advancement goals. With online learning, set time schedules, expenses for family care, campus commutes, parking fees, and physical time in an on-campus classroom are things of the past.

Can I earn a degree through Myers Online?

You can earn a degree online through Myers University. The program descriptions in our online catalog indicate what degrees are offered at Myers University. See Online Degrees. At Myers University degrees are awarded by the department in charge of the specific program. For example, if you enroll in the Criminal Justice program, your degree would come from the Criminal Justice Department. It doesn't matter whether your courses were online or traditional. An online course earns the same amount of credit as the traditional classroom course. Only the mode of instructional delivery is different.

How do I apply to a particular Myers Online program?

Admission for a degree earned online is the same for a degree earned in the traditional campus setting. General admissions information can be found on the Admissions area of our Myers Web site. For more information, contact the Admissions Office at (216) 432-8992 or use our information request form. All credentials should be forwarded to:

Office of Admissions
Myers University
3921Chester Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114
USA

Violet Fisher, our Online Academic Advisor, also can be of assistance at (216) 361-2765.

How do I register for Myers Online courses?

You can register for classes at Chester Hall at 3921 Chester Ave. or any of the Myers centers. Many students take advantage of our One-Stop services.

NOW YOU CAN REGISTER ONLINE !!!! As long as you have submitted the required forms and information for admission and are in our system, you can go to our Myers Access Center ... MAC ... and register. If you are not a current student at Myers, go to the MAC Visitor's Center for more information.

Violet Fisher, our Online Academic Advisor, also can be of assistance at (216) 361-2765. For more information call (216) 361-2768 or use our information request form.

How do I get my textbooks and course materials?

Textbooks and official course packets can be ordered through the Myers University Bookstore located at:

3921 Chester Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44114
Phone: (216) 432-8961
Fax: (216) 426-9293
bookstore@myers.edu
www.myersbooks.com
Mon-Fri 9:00am-6:00pm

Is there help available from the Myers University OLC?

Yes there is help available through our Online Learning Center staff. Also use the Myers Online Help Center for Blackboard and computer related issues.

Are Myers Online programs accredited?

Yes. All online courses and traditional courses are accredited.

Myers University is Accredited by:

North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Commission on Institutions of Higher Education
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, Illinois 60602-2504
312.263.0456 (800) 621-7440
fax: (312) 263-7462

International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education
P.O. Box 25217
Overland Park, KS 66225
Telephone: (913) 631-3009
Fax: (913) 631-9154

Will credits earned from Myers Online courses transfer to another program or institution?

Yes, the credits are usually transferable, but it is up to the individual program and institution to determine whether the credit can be accepted in fulfillment of specific program and/or degree requirements. Your transcripts DO NOT reflect whether the courses were taken online or in the classroom.

Will I need a computer and if so what are its minimum hardware and software specifications?

All Myers Online courses and programs require regular access to a computer with Internet connectivity. In addition, some courses have rather specific hardware and/or software requirements. See Computer Specifications and Requirements for details.

What computer and Internet skills do I need in order to take an online course?

You must know how to use standard Windows programs. Depending on the course in which you are enrolled, you will be given various assignments to complete. This includes reading online course content as well as whatever accompanying textbook your instructor assigns. You will undoubtedly be given reports to write or an assignment to create a student presentation. Therefore, you must be able to use such programs as Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint, and possibly Microsoft Access or Excel. You are also expected to know how to cut and paste and transfer information between various documents. See the Skills section of the Myers Online Help Center.

You also need to have basic computer and Internet skills to take an online course. Here are the basic skills you will need:

You must be able to logon to the Internet and access the Myers Online Blackboard site.

You must be able to use (navigate) an Internet Web browser. We highly recommend Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 for your online course requirements.

You must be able to type in URLs (Web site addresses) on your Web browser.

You must be able to use e-mail.

You must be able to upload and download files off the Internet.

You must be able to navigate a Web site.

You must be able to convert documents into electronic formats for uploading and downloading files.

The Myers University Online Learning Center offers FREE Blackboard and Microsoft Office Basics training courses. These training sessions are offered at our Cleveland Campus. See the Student Training Schedule for dates and times. Online training courses will be offered in the future. Contact Kelly Higginbotham for more information at (216) 361-2765.

As a Myers Online student, will I have access to a library, and if so how do I use it?

Myers Online students have access to all Myers University student services, the same as any Myers student, including free OhioLink services. All related library links can be located by visiting the online Learning Resource Center.

How are courses taught? How is the lecture presented?

Your online course is displayed and managed on a course site provided by Blackboard course management system. Generally, the instructor for each course determines course guidelines and how it will be taught. There is an online course syllabus that summarizes the goals and objectives of the course. Assignments and grading policies also are detailed on the syllabus. The syllabus is posted in your course site and can be viewed online or downloaded and printed. You will have a text to follow. Often times the text is accompanied with a CD-ROM or a companion Web site.

Some instructors provide electronic lecture notes and course documents, similar in content to lecture notes and supplemental material given in class. Online course content may be entirely text-based or consist of a combination of text, graphics, sound and video. Other courses rely on group discussion and others types of problem-based learning activities. All classes use the discussion board on the course site and electronic mail as the primary tools for communication between students and the instructor. A few instructors will use the collaboration tool on your course site (synchronous chat) for real-time classroom discussion.

What do the terms "real-time" and "asynchronous " mean?

Real-time activities are "live" and immediate. In the context of an online course, a real-time session is one in which all participants are logged on at the same time and interacting at more or less the same pace as one would in a face-to-face setting. A familiar example of real-time communication on the Internet is live chat. The collaboration area of your Blackboard course site is an example of synchronous communication.

Asynchronous activities, on the other hand, are those in which participation is not concurrent or live. One member of the class, for example, might post a message in the morning, and another might not read or respond to it until later that day or even several days later. Electronic mail is the most common form of asynchronous communication, but there are many others as well. The discussion board area of your Blackboard course site is an example of asynchronous communication.

The course instructor usually determines the proportion of real-time and asynchronous communication in an online course. Some instructors may require a certain number of pre-scheduled real-time sessions, while others may organize their classes completely around asynchronous learning to give their students more freedom.

Will I be required to show up at a specific location at any time for an online class or program?

Generally, no. Myers Online courses mainly are managed and conducted via the Web. A few instructors prefer exams and assignments to be mailed or faxed to their attention. However, most of our instructors post their exams online and ask that assignments be submitted through tools on the course site or via e-mail. You will not need to travel to any of the campus locations.

In a few cases, an instructor may schedule an on-campus session, however, arrangements with the instructor can be made in cases where it is impossible for the student to come to campus.

Can you send me printed information regarding Myers University?

All printed information about Myers University can be viewed and printed from our Myers Online Website. If you would like printed material mailed to you, e-mail us at online@myers.edu or contact Admissions at (216) 432-8992 or (216)-361-2768.

Can I get life experience credit toward my degree from Myers University?

Yes, you can receive life experience credit through our Portfolio Review Process (PRP). Often times, the best education is provided through responsibilities and tasks performed on the job. Myers University recognizes on-the-job experience. The Portfolio Review Process (PRP) allows students with professional job experience in their field of study to acquire up to thirty college credit hours (ten courses). Students seeking credit through the PRP assemble and provide documentation from their employment or volunteer work that demonstrates on-the-job responsibilities and success at performing tasks that satisfy the descriptions and objectives of courses required in their academic area of specialization.

The PRP, along with currently approved college test-outs and college evaluation of transfer credits, greatly reduce the amount of time and money it takes a prospective student to complete a degree or certificate program. However, there are restrictions. Contact our PRP administrator, Caprice Odom at (216) 397-0360 .

Is financial aid available for online courses at Myers?

Financial aid for online courses is available the same as it is for traditional courses. There is no difference. You must qualify for for financial aid. For more information, contact the Myers University Financial Aid Office.

Can I enroll in online and traditional courses at the same time?

YES! Online and traditional courses offer the same course material and curriculum requirements. The only difference is the mode of instructional delivery. Many of our students combine online and traditional courses. For more information, contact our Online Academic Advisor, Violet Fisher at (216) 361-2765.

Can I use my veterans' benefits to cover some or all tuition costs?

As with any accredited college program, depending on your circumstances, you can use your veterans' benefits to cover some or all tuition costs at Myers University. Contact Financial Aid or Admissions for more information. You also can speak to or e-mail our Online Academic Advisor, Violet Fisher in our Online Learning Center located at our Cleveland Campus.

Do you have a question that isn't answered here?

If your question isn't answered on this page, please fill out our online inquiry form and someone will get an answer to you as quickly as possible. Or, e-mail us at online@myers.edu . We also can be reached by phone at (216) 361-2768.