FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

This page contains answers to many of the questions you may want to ask about the Distance Education & Global Learning Project. Make sure to check back often. If you don't see something you need answered please email us at degl@uccjm.com

If you want to find out more about the Distance Education and Global Learning programme please call: 1-888-CALL-UCC

1. What is distance learning?
2. How to enroll in a degree programme
3. Can I take a distance learning course without ever going to campus?
4. How do I get my textbooks and other course materials?
5. How are exams given?
6. How many courses can I take?
7. When can I start?
8. How much does a distance learning course cost?
9. Can I get financial aid?
10. Is there any difference between a UCC Distance Education Degree and the UCC degree offered through in classroom courses?
11. I'd like to earn a college degree. How long will it take me?
12. How many credits do I need to earn a degree?
13. What is the difference between credit and non-credit learning?
14. I took courses years ago. How do I find out if they will transfer?
15. Can I get college credit for what I've learned from work or life experience?
16. Are any of the courses evaluated for college credit by the American Council on Education, ACE?
17. How do I get my transcript?
18. The school wants an official transcript. How do I know if mine is official?
19. Before I got serious, my college grades were really bad. Should I send a copy of my transcript anyway?
20. What is accreditation and why is it important?
21. Is local accreditation the only kind that's recognized in Jamaica?
22. Do I need to be connected to a cable provider to receive the UCC DEGL programmes?
23. What is the class schedule?
24. How many classes/lectures will be on TV and how many in classrooms?
25. Will the schedule for term/semester 2 be dependent on registered cohort?
26. Will local lecturers be used for the classroom sessions to compliment the GVF?
27. How will students send in their questions to a lecturer?
28. How will this new modality guarantee learning?
29. If there is no UCC campus/centre in my parish, may I attend classes and/or sit exams at the nearest location?

1. What is distance learning?
   In its simplest form, distance learning is the concept of a student and instructor, separated by time and distance, using technology to complete the instruction. The formal origins of distance learning can be traced back to the early 1800's. Since then, distance learning has evolved by embracing new technological developments – radio, television, satellite, and today, the Internet and wireless cable TV - to deliver educational opportunities to learners whenever and wherever they are.
   
2. How to enroll in a degree programme
   To enroll in a UCC Going the Distance degree programme, just follow these easy steps:
    
   1. Select the degree programme you wish to take.
   2. Contact the Distance Education & Global Learning centre (DEGL) at 17 Worthington Avenue Kingston 5 to collect an application form OR download the application form from this website.
   3. Complete and return the DEGL application form, pay registration fee and at least a deposit on your tuition.
   4. Attend an on-campus orientation meeting to receive your course syllabus and assignments.
   5. Start learning!
   6. Take exams at designated centres islandwide.

    

3. Can I take a distance learning course without ever going to campus?
   No. Classes will be offered via a hybrid model. Therefore, you will be required to attend some face-to-face lectures at one of UCC’s designated centres in your parish. All of your exams will be taken onsite and but you can complete most of your coursework from home or the office. The Office of Distance Education & Global Learning (ODEGL) at the UCC’s main campus in Kingston, can provide you with more information.
   
4. How do I get my textbooks and other course materials?
   Course materials will be included in your tuition package. However, recommended textbooks can be obtained from the UCC bookstore. Shortly, you will be able to order your textbooks online or over the phone if you're paying by credit card. Or you can purchase your books at the campus bookstore. The Office of Distance Education and Global Learning (ODEGL) located at the UCC’s main campus can provide you with more specific information after you enroll.
   
5. How are exams given?
   All exams will be administered in a proctored setting at designated UCC centres islandwide.
   
6. How many courses can I take?
   Most students who are working full-time can handle three courses per 15-week semester.
   
7. When can I start?
   Most distance learning courses will be offered on a semester basis. New students will be able to start at the beginning of most semesters or in September, January and May. Check with the UCC Office of Distance Education & Global Learning (ODEGL) to find out the exact schedule.
   
8. How much does a distance learning course cost?
   Please visit our pricing page here
   
9. Can I get financial aid?
   Students will be able to obtain financial aid from a number of sources including COK and most commercial banks. If this is something you are considering, be sure to call the UCC as early as possible. Financial aid deadlines are often much earlier than registration deadlines.
   
10. Is there any difference between a UCC Distance Education Degree and the UCC degree offered through in classroom courses?
    The course is the same as those taught in the traditional classroom based programme. In fact your degree certificate will say the same thing as a degree earned in the classroom based programme. It will not state that you earned your degree in the Distance Education programme. But the standards are the same
    
11. I'd like to earn a college degree. How long will it take me?
    There are several factors to consider. The type of degree you are seeking (for example, associate's or bachelor's) and the number of credits required for that degree; how many credits you've already earned that will count toward your degree; the number of classes you're able take each semester (depending on your schedule and what you can afford). Once you've chosen a degree, your academic advisor can tell you how many credits you need to earn. Then you can create a timeline and a plan for completing your degree.
    
12. How many credits do I need to earn a degree?
    The average number of credits needed for an associate degree are from sixty to sixty-five credits. A bachelor degree requires 120 to 128 credits.
    
13. What is the difference between credit and non-credit learning?
    Basically, for-credit classes can count toward a degree or certificate. In addition, courses that earn academic credit usually have a theoretical component. Non-credit courses usually focus on specific skills or non-academic knowledge. Some non-credit courses may carry CEUs (Continuing Education Units), which are not the same as college credits.
    
14. I took courses years ago. How do I find out if they will transfer?
    The UCC will accept any courses taken at an accredited college as long as you earned a 'C' or better; The UCC admissions office should be able to provide you with a tentative credit evaluation. Though not a guarantee, this is usually very close and will give you a general idea about which credits will transfer.
    
15. Can I get college credit for what I've learned from work or life experience?
    The answer may be yes! For a full explanation, please contact the UCC Academic Affairs Division.
    
16. Are any of the courses evaluated for college credit by the American Council on Education, ACE?
    Yes, many of the courses in the lower level of the bachelor degree have been successfully evaluated and recommended for college credits by the ACE.
    
17. How do I get my transcript?
    You will need to contact your former school(s) in writing with a request. The cost to send a transcript varies. Expect it to take 4-6 weeks before your transcript is received. You can download a UCC Transcript Request Form from www.uccjm.com that you can use. The information on the form is what is typically required to obtain a transcript. Don't forget to include payment with your request, or delivery will most certainly be delayed. And keep in mind that if you owe money to the institution, they will not send copies of transcripts until all outstanding bills have been paid.
    
18. The school wants an official transcript. How do I know if mine is official?
    A signed transcript in a sealed envelope is considered official. It is usually sent directly from one registrar's office to another. You may have exactly the same information on an unofficial or 'student' copy, but it is not official because your copy has been opened by you. You may also request that official transcripts be sent to you in sealed envelopes, and they will remain official as long as you do not open them. You can hand them to the registrar or enclose them with your application.
    
19. Before I got serious, my college grades were really bad. Should I send a copy of my transcript anyway?
    As long as you completed the coursework (with a passing grade), the time spent in class years ago can often help you attain the degree you want now. Even if you only have one class that will transfer to fulfill a requirement, that willbring you one class closer to graduation. During the admissions process, the UCC Admission’s office will want official copies of transcripts from each institution you ever attended. The good news is that you start with a clean slate at a new institution; your old grades don't follow you-only the credit for the courses you passed.
    
20. ]What is accreditation and why is it important?
    Accreditation is the quality assurance process used in higher education. When a college degree is accredited, it means that it has passed through a rigorous evaluation to determine that it provides quality academic programmes. Accreditation is important if you want your coursework or degree to be accepted by other colleges or employers.
    
21. Is local accreditation the only kind that's recognized in Jamaica?
    No-there are additional types of international accreditation and others that are important in certain fields of study. For example, in order to be licensed in some professions, your degree must be earned from a school that's specially accredited for that field. The Distance Education and Training Council (DETC) in the United States, for example, is a nationally recognized accreditation agency for distance learning programmes. Along with those programmes already accredited locally, the UCC Going the Distance Degree programme, will also be seeking international accreditation status from this prestigious body. The DETC currently accredits over 70 higher education institutions that sponsor home study degree programmes of all types.
    
22. Do I need to be connected to a cable provider to receive the UCC DEGL programmes?
    Persons who do not have High Speed Internet access and who reside in locations serviced by our cable partners, will need subscribe to our designated cable partners
    
23. What is the class schedule?
    Class schedules or timetables for each semester are made available to registered students before the start of each semester
    
24. How many classes/lectures will be on TV and how many in classrooms?
    This ratio will vary according to the type of course. For example classes in Public Speaking and Interpersonal Communication will require more face-to-face, classroom sessions than courses like Quantitative Techniques. The UCC will tailor the ratio of TV presentation to classroom time to optimize the delivery of each course
    
25. Will the schedule for term/semester 2 be dependent on registered cohort?
    The availability of the UCC DEGL programme in a particular parish is dependent on the number of students who register to participate. If there are an insufficient number of students in a particular area then the UCC reserves the right to not offer classroom tutorial support for the programme in that area. If this happens in your area, for your convenience we would recommend that you not participate and we would refund your tuition and receiver moneys. If you are willing to travel a longer distance to a UCC centre for your classroom tutorials and exams you may continue in the course.
    
26. Will local lecturers be used for the classroom sessions to compliment the GVF?
    Yes. Tutorials will be led by Jamaican lecturers who are experienced educators and expert in their field. If you are an educator, qualified to at least the MSc. level in business subjects, you may be considered as a tutor for this programme. Please contact the Office of Distance Education & Global Learning at 1888-CALL-UCC or email degl@uccjm.com
    
27. How will students send in their questions to a lecturer?
    Students will interact with their lecturers via email, mobile or land-line telephone or with centre assistance
    
28. How will this new modality guarantee learning?
    The DEGL hybrid model uses the time proven concepts of engaging student attention, constant reinforcement and testing to encourage learning. First it uses Internet Video Streaming to deliver engaging content from skilled educators. Second it uses classroom based tutorials to reinforce what was delivered electronically. Finally, mandatory assignments and traditional classroom based examinations reinforce, test and measure learning.
    
    The UCC DEGL programmes demand the same standard of academic performance from its students as is required from students in traditional UCC programmes.
    Beyond focusing on delivering, reinforcing and testing knowledge no teaching method can guarantee learning. It is the individual student who determines their academic success.
    
29. If there is no UCC campus/centre in my parish, may I attend classes and/or sit exams at the nearest location?
    Yes. Please indicate the location nearest you to attend tutorials and sit exams. Please note however that if there is insufficient registration in your parish, the UCC reserves the right to reschedule or terminate the programme in your parish.