Learn online! What you need to know…

Why Moraine Park?

Moraine Park Technical College has been providing students with affordable, high-quality education for more than 100 years. We have been offering distance education options since the mid-1990s. Today, Moraine Park’s Online College features more than 20 different online programs, including associate degrees, technical diplomas, professional certificates and apprenticeships.

With campuses in Beaver Dam, Fond du Lac and West Bend, as well as regional centers in Jackson and Ripon, Moraine Park instills the high standards of our brick-and-mortar institutions into our Online College. Our online students are taught by instructors with real-world expertise and experience, and our online education is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

For more information about Moraine Park Technical College — along with a listing of in-person programs that can be taken at one of our campuses, visit https://morainepark.edu.

Is Online College Right for Me?

The traditional classroom setting and class schedules don’t always meet the demands of “real life.”

Online classes offer flexibility. You can work from anywhere at any time. And if you have a scheduled chat session with your instructor, he or she should provide a variety of times and dates to choose from. Our Online College instructors work to accommodate busy schedules!

Be aware, however, that the majority of our online classes have scheduled assignments/assessments with due dates. They are not self-paced classes.

As far as technical skills go, students should have basic computer skills that include accessing e-mail and the Internet.

Learn more about our online programs. 

How Does Online College Work?

Embarking on any educational program can be daunting. Here are the answers to some of the most-asked questions about Moraine Park’s Online College:

Do I need to have an e-mail address in order to take online classes?

Yes! In order to send you your initial online registration information, including a Moraine Park student email address, you will need to have a personal email through which we can connect with you. Once you are given a student email account, your instructor and the College will send all official communications via your student email.

What software do I need for my online classes?

Students taking online classes with Moraine Park are required to submit their work using the Microsoft Office software. For the majority of classes, this means you need to use Microsoft Word. However, you may also be required to use any of the following software that is included in Microsoft Office:

  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft OneNote
  • Microsoft Outlook

Macintosh equivalent software can be used.

In addition, you are eligible to purchase various computer software packages through the Moraine Park Bookstore at a reduced rate. These packages include software from Microsoft, Adobe, Autodesk and other products.

How do I know if my computer meets the minimum system requirements to take online classes?

How do I communicate with my instructor and vice versa?

You can communicate with your instructor via e-mail, telephone or live chats if you have questions or encounter problems.

How do I get started?

You will receive your User ID via your MPTC student e-mail address within 2 to 3 hours of registering. This e-mail includes:

  • User ID
  • Canvas Web site address (URL)
  • Student orientation/tutorial information
  • Directions for next steps
  • Technical support information and more*

*If you are a first-time Online College student, Moraine Park highly recommends that you go through the Student Orientation Tutorial so you become familiar with the platform before your online class begins.

I’ve never taken an online class before. How will I know what to do?

Moraine Park highly recommends that first-time online students go through the Student Orientation Tutorial to learn how to use the online platform. This information is included in the enrollment login information e-mail and is available for students to go through once they receive the e-mail.

How long are online classes?

Online classes range in length from 4, 6, 8 or 16 weeks. The start and end dates can be found at www.morainepark.edu/schedule/.

Can I work on my class from different computers?

Yes. You can work on your class from any computer that has Internet access and meets the minimum requirements.

Do I need books/materials?

Almost all online classes require books. To find out what books you’ll need, visit the Moraine Park Bookstore at www.morainepark.edu/bookstore, or call/e-mail the bookstore.

Now that I’m registered for an online class, when will I receive my computer?

Moraine Park does not issue computers to its students. It is your responsibility to find a computer with an Internet connection.

What should I do if I forget my login information or if I’m having trouble logging into my class?

  • Contact Online College tech support at 1-877-740-2213.

I’m receiving a strange error message when I try logging into Canvas. What should I do?

Contact Online College tech support at helpdesk@online.morainepark.edu or 1-877-740-2213.

I don’t understand something within my online class (i.e., how to do an assignment). Whom should I contact?

All class-related questions should be directed to your instructor for the class.

What if I have other questions?

Contact us via this website or call 1-800-472-4554.

What are the Technical Requirements

Moraine Park uses the Web-based Canvas system for online classes. Canvas and its hosting infrastructure are designed for maximum compatibility. Here are the minimum system requirements:

Screen Size

  • 1024×600 — the average size of a netbook — is the minimum screen resolution. If you want to view Canvas on a device with a smaller screen, there is also the Canvas mobile app.

Operating Systems

  • Windows XP SP3 and newer
  • Mac OSX 10.6 and newer
  • Linux – Chrome OS

Mobile Operating System Native App Support

  • iOS 7 and newer
  • Android 2.3 and newer

Computer Speed and Processor

  • Use a computer 5 years old or newer when possible
  • 1GB of RAM
  • 2GHz processor

Internet Speed

  • Along with compatibility and web standards, Canvas has been designed to accommodate low bandwidth environments.
  • Minimum of 512kbps

Screen Readers

  • Macintosh: VoiceOver (latest version for Safari)
  • PC: JAWS (latest version for Internet Explorer 10 &11)
  • PC: NVDA (latest version for Firefox)
  • There is currently no screen reader support for Canvas in Chrome

Technology Help Line – Now Available

Credit Transfer Opportunities?

Transferring to a four-year college has never been easier. Earn credits at Moraine Park and transfer to a four-year college to earn your bachelor’s degree.

Please note that credits earned at Moraine Park must meet the requirements of the college where you wish to enroll. Some colleges accept only certain courses or a limited number of credits. Some colleges accept the credits of an entire associate of applied science degree. Some colleges accept technical diploma level courses.

Be sure to contact the receiving college to ask if specific Moraine Park courses will transfer!

Here are the four-year public and private colleges that have credit transfer agreements with Moraine Park:

  • Alverno
  • Bellevue College
  • Bellevue University
  • Capella University
  • Cardinal Stritch University
  • Chadron State College
  • College of St. Scholastica
  • Concordia University
  • Franklin University
  • Herzing University
  • Kaplan University
  • Lakeland College
  • Marian University
  • Milwaukee School of Engineering – Rader School of Business
  • National American University
  • Ottawa University
  • Rasmussen College
  • Silver Lake College
  • Strayer University
  • University of Phoenix
  • Upper Iowa University
  • UW-Eau Claire
  • UW-Green Bay
  • UW-La Crosse
  • UW-Madison
  • UW-Milwaukee
  • UW-Oshkosh
  • UW-Parkside
  • UW-Platteville
  • UW-River Falls
  • UW-Stevens Point
  • UW-Stout
  • UW-Superior
  • UW-Whitewater
  • Viterbo University
  • Waldorf College
  • Western Governors University

Transferring credits to Moraine Park Technical College

Credit for prior learning is the granting of credit in an associate of applied science degree or technical diploma program for knowledge or skills directly related to the program curriculum. Credit may be granted based on proficiency gained through work experience, military experience or training, business/industry training, coursework completed at other institutions (including high schools with articulation agreements in place) or other prior learning experiences.

Credit for prior learning by exam

Students might want to earn credit by exam if:

  • They have completed extensive high school work above the normal curriculum that may deem taking a similar Moraine Park course redundant.
  • They have developed the competencies via work experience.
  • They have taken similar coursework at another college and cannot transfer the credit but can demonstrate the competencies.
  • They have taken similar courses in an apprenticeship, vocational, civil or military training program.

A $30 processing fee to take an exam and 30% of tuition value rate per credit are charged for administration of challenge exams for advanced standing credit — nonrefundable /nontransferable if credit is not awarded

For occupational experience, a $30 processing fee is charged to initiate the occupational credit evaluation. Once awarded, 30% of tuition value rate per credit fee applies.

No fee is charged for transfer of credit.

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