Online Learning

No. In addition, all distance learning students are charged in-district fees and tuition, regardless of where they live.

In some cases you do.

• If you wish to take English or Mathematics courses, you will need to take Oakton's placement tests. For further information and a schedule of testing dates, contact the Testing Center.
• If you have already completed the prerequisite for an Oakton English or Mathematics course in another college, you can submit a transcript or send verification that you completed the prerequisite before you register. Out of district students needing Oakton Math and/or English placement exams, please contact the Online Learning Office, onlinelearning@oakton.edu, 847-635-1970.

If you have questions about the placement test requirement, contact the Advising Services department.

Online courses have their exams proctored (overseen by an impartial individual (called proctor) who monitors or supervises a student while they are taking an exam). View the options available for Proctored Exams for Online Credit Courses here. 

• In most cases, yes. Students are expected to purchase a textbook(s) for most online courses. You can check what text is required for your online course(s) at the Oakton Bookstore at either campus or online. Be sure the course section number matches your online course section number. For example,"0C1".

All instruction will generally be via the Internet. However, check the course description. Some instructors have scheduled on-campus lab sessions and/or presentations, which are mandatory. In addition, approximately half of our online courses require on-campus testing. Alternative arrangements for exams can be made for students who live at a distance which prevents taking their exams on-campus.

Online courses are subject to the same refund policies as conventional Oakton credit courses. See Withdrawal from Classes for more information. The schedule/bill statement you receive when you register will include the exact dates for drop deadlines and the amount of refund you may expect. You may also contact the Enrollment Center for more information.

Every effort has been made to make Oakton Online courses as technologically accessible to the widest variety of students as possible. Students need to have access to a computer and an Internet connection and any additional hardware/software as specified for a particular course. Students who don't have a computer can use computers available in the open labs on either campus. 

Using D2L Brightspace

Before enrolling in an online course please visit the System Check page; this page will verify your browser version, browser settings and display settings on your computer.

Recommended Hardware/Software Requirements

Students enrolled in online courses have the convenience to access their courses anywhere, anytime. To have a rich learning experience, free of technical issues; it is recommended that online students have access to a computer with the following hardware and software requirements:

Screen Size

• A minimum of 1024x600

Operating Systems

• Microsoft® Windows® 7 or newer
• Mac OSX 10.6 or latest
• Linux chrome OS

Mobile Operating System Native App Support

• iOS 7 or newer
• Android 2.3 or latest

Computer Speed and Processor

• Use a computer 4 years old or newer
• 1 GB of RAM
• 2 GHz processor
• 40 GB of Hard drive

Internet Speed, Software, and Email

• Broadband, wireless high-speed Internet connection such as DSL or cable
• Have an email account
• Internet Browser, such as Microsoft Edge, Firefox, Google Chrome
• Basic software applications (Microsoft Office). If you don't want to purchase Microsoft Office, as a student with Oakton email address or any educational institution email address, you can download Microsoft Office 365 for free.
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Up-to-date Antivirus program

Assistive Technology Software

• Kurzweil 3000 (for Windows or Mac. Reads the Web for Chrome or Firefox. Has other great features)
• JAWS (for Windows 7 and newer. Works with the latest versions of Microsoft Office, Google Docs Internet Explorer 11, Edge, Firefox  & Google Chrome)
• NVDA (for Windows 7 and newer. Supports for latest version of Firefox, Google Chrome and Microsoft office)
• VoiceOver (for Mac. Use VoiceOver to read text on Mac. Can be used to edit seamlessly in Grade 2 Braille. It provides greater control while using a Mac)

Recommended Browsers

Note: These are the minimum browser requirements needed for using D2L Brightspace.

For Tablet and Mobile
Tablets and mobile devices such as smart phones should have the latest native browser. Be aware that many features of D2L Brightspace will not function fully or in some cases at all on tablets and mobile devices so students should not expect to be able to complete a D2L Brightspace course without access to a PC or Mac.

*Note:

• If you are using Safari, you should disable its pop-up blocker when using D2L Brightspace. To disable the pop-up blocker, click Safari in the menu bar and uncheck Block Pop-Up Windows. Failing to disable the pop-up blocker may prevent you from completing some tasks in D2L Brightspace, such as composing discussion board messages. If you continue to have problems try using the Firefox web browser which can be downloaded for free at www.mozilla.com/firefox.
• Ensure that your browser has JavaScript and Cookies enabled.
• For desktop systems, you must have Adobe Flash Player 10.1 or greater.

• If you need to talk with an academic advisor, contact Academic Advising Services at 847-635-1741 or email.
• If you need more information about course content, call or e-mail the instructor.
• If you need information about your bill, call the cashier at 847-635-1639.
• If you need information about obtaining the books and materials for your course, call the Online Learning office, 847.635.1971.

Oakton College’s relevant programs comply with Illinois licensure requirements; however, the college is in the process of making a determination if its programs meet the licensure requirements of the other 49 states, territories, and the District of Columbia. If information is not available, you should contact the appropriate licensing entity to determine if a program meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in the state where you live or work.

The U.S. Department of Education requires institutions to disclose educational requirements for programs leading to professional licensure or certification. An institution must make this information readily available to enrolled and prospective students about whether a program that leads to professional licensure or certification meets educational requirements.

Students are strongly encouraged to review the information about a prospective program before enrollment to determine if it meets the educational requirements in their desired state. Students can also contact the appropriate licensing agency for information and guidance before beginning a program outside of their home state.

NC-SARA has worked with other entities to create the Professional Licensure Directory. It provides general contact information and is updated twice annually. It does not house regulations or requirements.

Students may find the contact information helpful in their research on state licensure agreement based on their location. Professional licenses contact information is provided for the top five programs based on enrollments by NC-SARA institutions:

• Counseling
• Nursing
• Psychology
• Social work
• Teacher Education