NOVA Community College Online Courses

It's very common for adults who work and have families to desire further education. The job market is constantly changing, and new skills are becoming more necessary. NOVA Community College is an accredited learning institution offering adult learners the convenience of taking classes from wherever they happen to be. Online learning is made possible through its distance learning program. This school is one of the most affordable online Colleges in the country.

About NOVA Community College

North Virginia Community College was founded in 1964. Not only is this school the largest post-secondary educational institution in the state, but it is the second-largest community college in the U.S. Over 75,000 students attend classes and they are assisted in reaching their education and career goals by more than 2,000 staff and faculty members. The student body is an internationally diverse one, with learners from over 180 countries choosing to study at NOVA.

The school is located in the Washington, D.C. area. The North Virginia Community College is made up of six campuses:

• Alexandria
• Annandale
• Loudoun
• Manassas
• MEC (Springfield)
• Woodbridge

The school also operates 4 educational centers:

• Arlington
• ELI
• Innovation Park
• Reston

Accredited Learning Institution

North Virginia Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The College offers over 160 Associate degree and certificate programs. Online classes are offered through the school's Extended Learning Institute. NOVA's Workforce Development program is responsible for continuing education courses. This also means credits can be transferred to other universities.

Distance Learning at NOVA Community College

Students who enroll in NOVA Community College's online courses have the flexibility to study from anywhere in the world. All they need to complete school work is an Internet connection. The College offers a number of Associate degree and certificate programs online. Students can also complete career studies certificates as part of the College's distance learning option. This is great not only for international students, but for part-time and full-time students as well.

Associate degree programs available online at NOVA Community College are as follows:

• Associate of Applied Science in Accounting
• Associate of Applied Science in Administration of Justice
• Associate of Applied Science in Business Administration
• Associate of Applied Science in Business Management
• Associate of Applied Science in Business Management (Administrative Support Technology specialization)
• Associate of Applied Science in Business Management (International Studies specialization)
• Associate of Applied Science in Business Management (Public Management specialization)
• Associate of Applied Science in Fire Science
• Associate of Applied Science in Marketing
• Associate of Applied Science in General Studies
• Associate of Applied Science in Information Technology
• Associate of Applied Science in Science
• Associate of Applied Science in Science (Math Specialization)
• Associate of Science in Social Sciences
• Associate of Science in Social Sciences (Teacher Education Specialization)
• Associate of Arts in Fine Arts
• Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts
• Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts (International Studies specialization)
• Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts (Speech Communication Specialization)

NOVA Community College offers the following certificate programs:

• Administration of Justice
• Bookkeeping
• General Education
• Small Business Management

Career studies certificates are offered in these subject areas:

• Accounting
• Application Programming
• Business Information Technology
• Business Management Principles
• Desktop Publishing
• eCommerce
• Health Science
• Infant and Toddler Care
• International Business
• Latin American Studies
• Leadership Development
• Network Administration
• Paraprofessional Teacher Assistant
• Promotion and Public Relations

Information About NOVA Community College Distance Learning

Depending on the program, NOVA Community College's online courses may run for six, eight, 12, or 16 weeks. Start dates vary depending on the class. The standard length for courses at NOVA is 16 weeks. Students who are enrolled in six or eight-week courses are receiving instruction in an accelerated format, and will need to devote more time each week to their studies to complete the material as scheduled.

Students enrolled in online programs at Northern Virginia Community College usually do not need to attend classes at a set time. Some classes do require students to attend online class discussions, labs or lectures at specific times, and these will be outlined from the outset of the program.

All learners are required to submit their work to instructors on a regular basis. Some courses set weekly deadlines for assignments, while others have more flexibility for due dates. For most courses, students are required to submit a minimum level of written work or they will be administratively withdrawn from the course. Information about course deadlines and assignments is provided to students in a syllabus at the beginning of the program.

Exams may be written at any of the college's campus testing centers. Students who live outside of the area may make alternate arrangements by requesting that their exam be sent to a proctor.

Tuition Rates for NOVA Community College Distance Learning

Tuition rates for online NOVA Community College students are identical to the tuition paid by learners who attend classes on campus. Rates are set by the State Board for Community Colleges and are current as of June of 2012.

• Virginia residents pay a total of $145.25 per credit. This amount includes $135.65 for tuition, $7.50 in activity fees, and $2.10 for a student activities fee. In-state learners are not charged a facilities fee.
• Military contract students pay $160.75 per credit. They pay $135.65 for tuition, $7.50 for activity fees, a facilities fee of $15.50, and $2.10 for a student activities fee.
• Business contract students attending North Virginia Community College are charged $220.75 per credit. Tuition accounts for $195.65 of the cost, and students are charged $7.50 for a technology fee, a facilities fee of $15.50, and $2.10 for a student activities fee.
• Out-of-state students are charged the highest tuition rates of all, and pay $340.00 per credit. Tuition accounts for $314.90 of the cost, and the rest is made up of the $7.50 technology fee, the $15.50 facilities fee, and $2.10 for the activities fee.

Financial Aid for NOVA Community College Distance Learning Students

Students enrolled in NOVA's online classes are eligible to apply for financial aid to help pay for the cost of their education. All applicants can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for students loans. Loans can be very beneficial because they can be used to pay for the cost of tuition, fees, textbooks, and supplies.

Choosing to go to Nova Community College online is an optimal choice for adult learners who want to continue their education on their own schedule. Not everyone can travel to campus to attend classes, and this format allows students to complete an Associate degree, certificate, or career studies certificate program while being able to work and/or take care of family responsibilities.

NOVA Community College online courses are high quality while remaining an affordable option for students who are looking for an education which can launch a new career. The flexibility of being able to study from anywhere opens doors to learning to students who might not otherwise be able to continue their education.

This article was contributed by Nick Rooney, on behalf of Evolution Writers. He is a freelance writer and specializes in writing of research papers on different subjects.