Online Learning Students
What motivates a student to choose online courses is flexibility. Most online students are working adults that lead busy lives. That's why we've designed online courses that can fit into your schedule.
For first-time online students, the idea of learning online may seem overwhelming.
We enhance your online learning experience through a variety of tools and support services designed with your educational development in mind. Support is readily available through real teams of people committed to seeing you flourish here at GCSC and beyond.
If you are taking online classes, you will log into Canvas through MY GCSC to see your online courses, interact with your professor and classmates, submit assignments, and more.
Online Course Delivery Options
Face-to-Face Instruction/Web-Enhanced
The instructor delivers most of the course instruction in a "face-to-face" setting with some of the course materials/activities (0-29%) being made available online and requiring internet access.
Hybrid/Blended
A hybrid (or blended) course provides a blend of online and face-to-face delivery of the course content and instruction. A considerable proportion (30-79%) of the course content is delivered online with a limited number of face-to-face meetings.
Online Learning
A fully online course in which most or all of the content is delivered online (80-100%) and typically has few or no face-to-face meetings. Fully online courses will sometimes require proctored testing at approved testing sites or centers
Web Classes are assessed $15 Per Credit Hour
For more information about online courses and programs, speak with your Pathway Navigator.
- Pick the job and career training that’s right for you using Career Coach. Not all degree programs are available online.
- Information about program requirements and courses is in the Catalog.
- Search for online courses during registration. Courses are listed by semester, and not all courses are offered every semester.
This mini-orientation course is available anytime, so you can see what your online learning environment will look like and learn how to use the tools and features at your own pace.
Online Learning Readiness & Success
Ready yourself for taking a course online with the many tips and strategies we have compiled for you.
Check out the Online Learning Student Guide for even more info on things like online tutoring, your rights as an online student, and more!
Technical Requirements
Some features of Canvas can be accessed from a tablet or mobile device (Chromebook, iPad, Android tablet, cell phone, etc.). In order to complete the majority of your Canvas coursework, a reliable computer and Internet connection are necessary.
*It is important that students have the most current operating systems and browsers installed on their devices in order for any additional software (Zoom, Respondus Lockdown Browser, etc.) to function properly. For assistance, please contact ITS Help at technical support or 850.913.3303.
Students can receive assistance with logging on or navigating Lighthouse, Canvas, Respondus, Zoom, and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
For assistance, contact the GCSC Information Technology Services (ITS) at 850-913-3303.Printing can be done on campus in computer labs and the library using the Papercut system.
Proctored tests and assignments for your online classes can be taken free of charge
at any one of the GCSC Testing Centers. For online classes, Respondus Monitor is a test proctoring solution that must be
used in conjunction with Respondus Lockdown Browser and allows you to take proctored
exams using a web camera and a microphone from anywhere. The type of testing required
for each class is determined by the professor.
NOTE: NON-GCSC CAMPUSES MAY CHARGE A PROCTORING FEE WHICH IS NOT REIMBURSED BY GCSC OR
THE TESTING CENTER.
Florida college students have the option to apply to another Florida college or university, as a transient student, to take courses that will count toward their GCSC degree. If you are currently enrolled at Gulf Coast State College, you must go through the FloridaShines transient student process. If you are not a GCSC student, contact your home institution for more information about the transient student process.
To begin the application process through FloridaShines be sure to have this information available:
Student identification and PIN/password
Social Security Number (If you don't have a Social Security Number, please enter nine
zeros)
Term and year when you want to take the course
Course information, including prefix number, title and credit hours (If you used the
online course catalog to find and apply for a course, this information will be pre-populated
in the application)
Once your application is accepted, you will receive an email notification from the transient institution that may include special information about the next steps, including information about an admissions application fee, if any.
After both institutions approve your transient application, you will need to log into GCSC Lighthouse using your GCSC student ID (A00....) to confirm course registration and payment.
If your application is denied, please contact the person who denied the application for more information. Contact information is included in the email you receive.
You can track your application process via FloridaShines.org. You should also receive updates on the status of your application via email. For additional assistance, contact: advising@gulfcoast.edu.
