NOL - NOVA Online

NOVA is committed to preparing students for today’s workforce and recognizes computers to be an extension of the learning tools needed to be globally competitive. All NOVA students are expected to have a laptop (or a desktop with webcam and microphone) that meets the minimum requirements for their major. Students are also expected to have access to reliable internet at home or through a mobile device hot spot. (NOTE: Chromebooks and iPads are useful but insufficient to replace a laptop. They will not run all the software typically needed at NOVA). Students can find the required specifications for their computers at https://www.nvcc.edu/dist/files/sites/student-resources/technology/Student-Computer-Specifications.pdf.

NOVA Online offers online learning courses to students who require a more flexible schedule for their academic work, seek to complete NOVA courses while residing outside the local area, or prefer to learn online. Many NOVA degrees/specializations and certificates can be earned in their entirety or in part online. Courses are available in more than sixty disciplines. See the NOVA Online website at https://online.nvcc.edu/ for a complete listing of programs and courses.

While most of NOVA’s Online coursework may be completed at home, some courses require some face-to-face participation. For each 3-credit course, students should plan to study at least 6-9 hours each week. Similar to campus-based courses, NOVA Online courses have regular deadlines for assignments. When taking a NOVA Online course, students will have faculty and staff support when they need it. Faculty provide valuable assistance by telephone, e-mail, office visits, or web conferencing. In addition to campus-based resources, NOVA Online students have access to holistic support services dedicated to online students including academic counselors, success coaches, librarians, online tutors, and other support staff.

Courses include two or more proctored exams/assignments. Similar to campus-based courses, faculty will be proctoring your assessments virtually during a scheduled period using either Respondus Monitor and Respondus Lockdown Browser and/or Zoom Live proctoring scenarios. Under special circumstances students may need to secure an exam proctor.  Testing information can be found  at https://online.nvcc.edu/testinginfo.html.

Students may enroll in NOVA Online courses the same way they enroll in on-campus courses, through NOVAConnect online (also known as myNOVA). Most NOVA Online courses have multiple sections starting throughout the semester. When course capacity limits are reached, NOVA Online sections are closed to further enrollment.  

Veterans and military-related students who use VA benefits must have classes certified by completing the online Veterans Enrollment Form. For international students, certain restrictions apply to how many NOVA Online credits they may take in a given semester. More information on registration can be found at https://online.nvcc.edu/registration.html. 

For additional information, see “NOVA Online” in the Academic Policies and Information  section or visit the NOVA Online website at https://online.nvcc.edu/.