Please refer to the categorized questions below if you are having a problem in any facet of your online learning experience. Our online students tend to voice similar questions and concerns each semester, so it is quite possible an answer to your question will appear here.
If your question or answer does not appear here, please refer to our table of important contacts for online students at PCCC.
Select a question from one of the menus to begin:
| Important Contacts | Name | Phone Number | |
| Online Course Info | Randy Jenkins | online@pccc.edu | |
| Billing | Cheryl Mignone | 973-684-5202 | cmignone@pccc.edu |
| Financial Aid | 973-684-6100 | FA@pccc.edu | |
| Tutoring | Claire Ribeiro | 973-684-5394 | cribeiro@pccc.edu |
| Center for Student Success | Information Desk | 973-684-5524 | webmaster@pccc.edu |
| Library Services | Reference Desk | 973-684-5888 | reference@pccc.edu |
An online course is given over the internet rather than in a classroom. Students participate in online courses via computer from home or another location. Most of PCCC's online courses are presented through a program called WebCT (web course tools), and are accessed with regular web browser software such as Internet Explorer, Netscape, or Mozilla Firefox. Through chat rooms and e-mail messages, students interact with their instructor and their peers. Although assignments have deadlines, students work independently at the time of day most convenient to them. Most courses do not require any visits to the campus, although some may require a limited number of campus visits for exams. An online course covers the same material and earns the same number of credits as an in-person course.
Are online courses right for me?
Online courses are ideal for students whose schedules or responsibilities make traveling to campus difficult. In order to succeed in an online course, students must be strongly motivated and able to work independently. Students must have regular access to a computer and be familiar with its use and the use of internet browser and word processing software.
What are the technical requirements?
- Access to a computer with an internet connection
- Familiarity with internet browser software (Netscape or Internet Explorer)
- Familiarity with word processing software such as Microsoft Word
NOTE: Check individual courses for other requirements
You may register for online classes online or in-person at one of the PCCC campuses. Simply go to the PCCC Online page of the website and click on Registration Form. Fill out the form and submit. Please note submission of the registration form does not guarantee your registration for a specific course. Processing takes approximately 24-72 hours, after which you will receive an official confirmation. Processing and confirmation may take longer during peak registration times (when registration begins or right before a semester begins) or when the College is closed Friday through Sunday during the summer. You can only be sure of registration once you have received an e-mail confirmation from PCCC Online.
How do I purchase my textbooks?
Textbooks may be ordered online. You may also call the Main Campus bookstore 973-247-9406 or visit in-person.
Before you can participate in a WebCT online course, your WebCT account must be activated, which typically doesn't happen until the first day of classes. Your WebCT account information includes an ID and password. You will use that ID and password each time you enter your course.
Your WebCT ID is now the same as your Portal/Campus Cruiser ID. Follow this link to find out what your ID is.
Your Password is the last six digits of your Social Security Number. When you log in for the first time, you will have to change your password to something of your choice.
PCCC Online classes typically start the same day as traditional classes. You may wish to consult the PCCC Academic Calendar.
I registered for online courses but I haven't received confirmation or instructions. Why?
When you submit the online registration form it is only a request for registration. It may take up to 72 hours to process your registration; perhaps longer in the summer when the College is closed Friday through Sunday, or during holiday periods. Only after you have officially registered will you receive a confirmation via email. Attached to the confirmation email you will receive a welcome letter with billing and logon instructions. This is your bill; you will not receive a bill via regular mail.
If I take an online course, will it appear as such on my transcript?
Your transcript will only display the courses you have taken, not the specific sections. In other words, whether you take EN 101 01 or EN 101 OL, it will appear simply as EN 101 on your transcript.
I can't log in to my online courses. What should I do?
Any one of a number of things can be wrong if you cannot log on to your course. Most commonly, people try to log in to their courses too early. Online courses typically are not available to students until the day classes begin, or a few days before at the earliest.
Otherwise, you should make sure your Web browser settings are set for WebCT. Note that if you use AOL you need to follow special instructions.
Please disable pop-up blockers for this particular Web site, since pop-up blockers can hinder full course functioning.
You should make sure you entered the correct username and password. Your WebCT ID is now the same as your Portal/Campus Cruiser ID. Follow this link to find out what your ID is.
Your Password is the last six digits of your Social Security Number. When you log in for the first time, you will have to change your password to something of your choice.
The WebCT login page is subject to change from semester to semester, so if you bookmarked an outdated login page, you may not be able to log in. The WebCT login link on the Online Learning Center page will be the most up to date.
If you are at work or another organization that has set up a "firewall," you may only be able to access approved sites, and thus be unable to log on to WebCT.
If you still cannot log on fill out an Online Help Request Form.
I use AOL at home and I am having problems with WebCT. What should I do?
Please follow the instructions for AOL when preparing your browser for WebCT.
I am in WebCT but it says I need an access code to enter my course. What does this mean?
It means that, for this course, your professor is using an e-Learning Resource Pack (e-Pack) that contains publisher content. You need an Access Code to enter this course for the first time. Check your textbook for an Access Code, or purchase an Access Code on the WebCT e-Learning Hub.
An Access Code can be purchased in one of two ways:
- at WebCT.com in which case the Access Code will be sent to you by e-mail, or
- in a special package with the textbook
When you receive your Access Code it will look similar to one of the following examples: All letters, such as: LOVE LITE JUST GIVE WAGS IDLE or a combination of letters and numbers, such as: CT-TCT-6321-711931-I
I clicked on an assignment, quiz, or other course feature and it didn't work. What should I do?
An assignment, quiz, or other course feature may open in a new browser window. Check the content of any other browser windows that are open. You can usually tell by looking at the taskbar at the bottom of your screen.
How do I pay my bill for online courses?
You will receive billing information via email after your registration has been processed. You may mail your payment to:
Bursar's Office
Passaic County Community College
One College Blvd
Paterson, NJ 07505-1179
Alternatively, PCCC now accepts online payments from students who have a PCCC Portal/Campus Cruiser account. All current and returning students have a Portal account. New/visiting students may not have a Portal account for several weeks and thus may not be able to pay online.
Who should I contact if I have a billing question?
Contact the Bursar's office at 973-684-5202 or email cmignone@pccc.edu.
Who should I contact if I have a financial aid question?
Contact the Financial Aid office at 973-684-6100 or email FA@pccc.edu.
How do I access online Library resources?
Passwords are required for off-campus access to the Library's online databases. You may find these passwords in WebCT. On the right-hand side of your myWebCT page, there is a section labeled Announcements. Follow the link underneath Library Databases to get the passwords.
Alternatively, you may go straight to the Library Web site if you already have the passwords. Some of the Library's online resources do not require passwords. If you have trouble accessing Library resources from off-campus, call the Reference Desk at 973-684-5888 or email reference@pccc.edu.
Who do I contact if I need tutoring?
Contact Claire Ribeiro at 973-684-5394 or email cribeiro@pccc.edu.
Who do I contact if I need counseling or advising?
Contact the Center for Student Success at 973-684-5524 or email webmaster@pccc.edu.