The Certificate Handbook (PDF) contains a step-by-step guide through the course registration process and may have the answers to many of your questions.
What is a Certificate?
An academic certificate is comprised of a series of post-baccalaureate courses that enables a student to explore a specific area of study. Like a master's or doctoral degree, a certificate is offered by a host academic department, is approved by UNC's Graduate School, and is related to an academic area of study. Some credits earned in a certificate program are eligible to be applied to graduate-degree programs. Certificates are noted on University transcripts, and no distinction is made between certificates earned online and those earned on campus.
Are the programs and courses offered through online learning technologies the same quality as those offered on campus?
Yes. Courses in this certificate program were designed under the supervision of full-time faculty members in the UNC School of Journalism and Mass Communication. Additionally, students are asked to complete evaluations to assess the quality of their instructors and course material. These evaluations are reviewed by school administrators, who make adjustments to course and program requirements as needed.
How much time will I need to spend on this program?
Students should expect to spend an average of eight to ten hours per week on readings, class discussions and other assignments for each class in which they are enrolled. Students with full-time jobs and other commitments could have a difficult time taking two online courses in the same semester.
How long do I have to complete the certificate program? May I take a semester off once I enroll?
Most students complete the program within three years of enrolling in their first course. Some students take one course after another; others take a semester or two off depending on their home or work circumstances. Both approaches are acceptable. However, the work required to earn the certificate must be completed within five consecutive calendar years from enrollment in a student's first course.
Does course credit transfer?
Credit hours earned in this program may be transferred to a graduate-degree program. The amount and type of credit granted is at the sole discretion of that program. Certificate students who are accepted into the UNC School of Journalism and Mass Communication’s graduate program may apply credit as follows:
- M.A. in Technology and Communication: JOMC 711: Writing for Digital Media (3 credits) and JOMC 714: Database and Web Research (3 credits).
- M.A. in Mass Communication: Up to six credit hours toward requirements if the credit is deemed relevant to the student’s course of study.
- Ph.D.in Mass Communication: Three credit hours toward requirements if the credit is deemed relevant to the student’s course of study.
All credits must have been earned within five years of admission to the graduate program.
Will admission into this certificate program help me get into the school's graduate program?
Admission into the certificate program has no bearing on admission to the school's graduate program. However, outstanding performance in certificate courses might be viewed favorably by the admissions committee. Recent certificate graduates have been admitted to the school's master's and doctoral programs.
Will the certificate be listed on my transcript?
After completing the program, a student's transcript will indicate having earned a Certificate in Technology and Communication from UNC. Transcripts can be obtained from the registrar.
Does the School of Journalism and Mass Communication offer an online master's degree?
Yes. The School now offers an online master's program. The first class began in Fall 2011. Applications are now being accepted for Fall 2012 through January 10.
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Course Structure and Management
I have never taken an online course. What is it like? Do I have to be online at a certain time?
Courses in the certificate program are taught on a 15-week semester schedule, meaning that courses are taught within the time frame of the UNC fall and spring semesters. Students enrolled in a course must complete the course within the given semester. However, students generally do not need to be online at a certain time of day. Each course consists of a mix of readings, discussion forum postings, individual assignments and audio/visual tutorials. Several courses also teach students how to create and use a blog.
Is online education right for me?
The Certificate program is a distance-education program that allows students to take advantage of a Carolina education from anywhere in the world. However, distance learning is not for everyone. It requires self-motivation and discipline. Students will have greater interaction with fellow students and less interaction with instructors than is typical in on-campus classes. Written communication — whether in e-mail, fourm postings or assignments — is the primary avenue for learning.
Are any courses taught during the summer?
No.
Will I ever have to physically visit the UNC campus?
No. The certificate program is completed entirely online.
How do I communicate with my instructor and classmates?
Communication methods vary from course to course, but most instructors use e-mail and discussion forums in Sakai. Please note that courses are taught in English and students need to be proficient in reading and writing English. The best way to request specific help from an instructor is via e-mail. Instructors try to respond to e-mail within 24 hours when possible. During weekends and holidays, response times may be longer. Instructors communicate via a student's UNC e-mail account. (See below: How do I get a UNC e-mail account?)
A home broadband connection to the Internet is required. The Sakai course management system delivers the content for this program. Sakai is accessed at sakai.unc.edu.
Do I need to know a lot about computers?
Courses are designed to be accessible to people with a wide range of experience using computers. Students will need to be comfortable sending e-mail and using the Internet. Students will become familiar with posting messages to a discussion forum in Sakai, and likely will create documents and attach them to e-mail messages. Courses also teach students how to create a blog.
I would like to familiarize myself with HTML before starting classes. Can you recommend some online tutorials?
While prior knowledge of HTML is not a requirement — nor is in necessary to succeed in the certificate program — some courses do discuss HTML as part of the course curriculum. Some students prefer to familiarize themselves with HTML before starting classes. Many find the following sites useful: HTML Tutorial and Webmonkey.
Can I utilize UNC library resources?
Yes. The Library provides a proxy service that authorizes students to connect to electronic resources (databases, indexes, electronic journals, etc.) from off-campus. An Onyen and password is necessary when connecting to these resources. The library has a Web site dedicated to distance education.
Student work is graded on the scale used by on-campus graduate courses at UNC: H = High Pass, P = Pass, L = Low Pass, F = Fail and I = Incomplete. A grade of P does not equal a conventional C grade. The majority of students receive a P for work equivalent to an A- to a flat C. If a certificate student earns two grades of L or one F, he or she cannot continue in the program and will not be eligible to receive the certificate. Students earning an incomplete (I) have one year to complete the coursework.
When will I receive my grades?
Grades should be available about one week after the end of the semester, if not sooner. Grades are available from MyUNC with an Onyen and password.
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How will I know I'm registered for a course?The school will send a student's Personal ID Number (PID) acknowledging his or her enrollment in the program within a week of completing the registration form.
What is a PID?
The Personal ID Number (PID) is an identification number assigned to all persons affiliated with the University. This number is a universal number unique to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The number is nine digits long and replaces all existing card numbers previously used on campus. The PID is the primary record-keeping key for all departments within the University and must be used for all communication.
How can I look up my PID if I already have one?
Once enrolled, students can obtain their PID using their social security number and date of birth. Students who have been enrolled at any time at UNC have a PID.
How do I know which books to purchase?
Reading assignments vary by course and instructor. Many of the resources will be articles and research available on the Internet. Instructors also may assemble course packs, a collection of book chapters and other materials, that must be purchased from the Office of Professional Education. Instructors also may assign texts, which can be purchased online at various retail sites.
How do I get to my course(s)?
Course content is managed by Sakai. Students will need an Onyen and password to access Sakai. Courses are not available until the first day of classes.
Sakai is asking for a onyen and password.
Create an Onyen (Only Name You’ll Ever Need) and password with a PID and last name. (See How can I look up my PID if I already have one?)
How do I get a UNC e-mail account?
When you set up your Onyen and password, an email is generated that will prompt you to set up your UNC email, called Heelmail, which is accessed at heelmail.unc.edu. The link to sign up is unc.edu/email/signup. Your Heelmail address begins with your Onyen and ends with“@live.unc.edu.” This email address will be used by your instructor, classmates and UNC administration to communicate with you.
Can I forward my UNC e-mail address to another address?
The use of a UNC e-mail address for all class-related e-mail is preferred, but students can forward a UNC e-mail address to a preferred e-mail address. We recommend students check their UNC e-mail frequently to make sure forwarding is working properly.
I have taken classes at UNC before, but this is my first online course. Will my old Onyen and password still work?
It will if the password hasn't expired. Onyen passwords expire every 90 days.
I don't remember my Onyen or password.
See instructions to obtain a new password by faxing the ONYEN password reset request form. It is strongly advised to use the challenge-response system when creating an Onyen and password. This system makes it easy to reset a forgotten password by answering a set of questions the user has defined in the system.
How do I drop a course?
If for any reason you must withdraw, cancel or drop, you must make a request in writing to Maggie Hutaff at
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
Withdrawal is dropping all courses on a student's schedule for the semester after classes have begun. Please also refer to the Academic Calendar. Students may be eligible for a prorated refund, depending on the date of withdrawal.
Cancellation is dropping all courses on a student's schedule for the semester before classes begin. It is, in effect, the same as not having registered at all. No entry is made on the student's permanent record and 100 percent of prepaid tuition and fees is refunded.
Dropping a course assumes that a student has more than one course on his or her schedule for the current semester. Students may drop a course with credit to their financial account up to the census date (about three weeks into the semester). Students dropping a course will receive a full refund if the published deadlines are met (see the Academic Calendar for exact deadlines). No refund will be given after the published deadlines.
How can I obtain a transcript?
Transcripts can be obtained from the registrar.
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Do you offer tuition assistance or scholarships?
Unfortunately, there are no grants or loans at this time available through UNC for students in the certificate program. Students in the certificate program are not eligible to receive Federal Student Aid. In general, students must be pursuing a degree in order to be eligible for Federal Student Aid. However, students can apply for private educational loans. The following are programs suggested by the UNC-Chapel Hill Office of Scholarships and Student Aid. Eligibility requirements can change so students should research these programs before applying.
Continuing Education Loan from Sallie Mae.
Education Connection Loan from Wells Fargo.
Education Maximizer Loan from Bank of America.
Does the UNC Cashier’s Office offer an installment payment plan?
Yes. Contact the Cashier’s Office for details. Deadlines for enrolling in the payment plan are July 31 for the fall semester and December 1 for the spring.
Does UNC accept military tuition assistance?
Yes. Please contact the Cashier’s Office.
Do students living outside of North Carolina pay a different tuition rate?
Yes. Students living outside of North Carolina must pay out-of-state tuition rates. Since UNC is a state-supported institution, resident tuition is subsidized by N.C. taxpayers, and the different rate scale affects distance as well as residential students.
Is tuition tax deductible?
In many cases, students can claim a tax credit or deduction for some or all of their higher education expenses. Consult a tax adviser or preparer for more details, or visit the IRS Web site.
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Helpful Links for Enrolled Students
UNC Libraries
The libraries can respond to your questions by phone, e-mail and chat. Visit http://www.lib.unc.edu/de/ for library support. Students have access to scholarly journals and other library resources through their onyen. Look at "Introduction to Library Research" for more information.
IT Response Center
The ITRC provides technology support 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for students and faculty members. ITRC offers extensive online help, including a database of frequently asked questions. For help, call 919.962.HELP.
Sakai
Students experiencing problems with Sakai should check the help page. Students experiencing trouble logging on should call 919.962.HELP.
MyUNC
Check grades, pay bills, verify course registration here, plus much more.
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Still Need Help?
Please click here to view the 2012 Certificate in Technology and Communication Student Handbook.
The school's Office of Professional Education staff stands ready to answer any questions. If they can't answer a particular question, they'll find someone who can. The Office of Professional Education is staffed 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday, excluding University holidays. Contact Professional Education at 919.843.9471.
Have another question? E-mail Maggie Hutaff at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
