Frequently Asked Questions
Who teaches the courses?
Can I complete the courses at home?
What equipment and software will I need?
What if I don't have computer?
When do courses begin?
What is the deadline to apply?
How long are the courses and how much time will I need to spend on my assignments?
What if I start a course and can't complete it?
How do I get help when I need it?
Is Financial Assistance available for online students?
How do I know if online learning is for me?
What courses make up the Applied Business Technology Online programs?
Can I take these programs part-time?
Can I transfer credit from ABT online courses to other programs?
Can I get credit for courses I have already taken or experience I already have?
How do I apply to and register in the program?
How do I obtain the required textbooks?
How much will it cost me?
Am I eligible for a U-Pass?
Who teaches the courses?
The Applied Business Technology (ABT) Online Programs at Capilano University are part of the ABT provincial collaborative offering programs through BC Campus. BCcampus provides an online central access point to post-secondary and distance learning courses, programs and resources. Courses are taught by a group of instructors who teach at a number of the colleges or universities in the provincial post-secondary education system. While you are registered with Capilano University, you may not be taught by an instructor from Capilano and you will have students in your classes who are registered with the other colleges or universities throughout the province. Once your course is completed, your grade will be filed with Capilano University (your Registering University) by your instructor and it will be posted to your Student Record at Capilano.
Can I complete the courses at home?
Yes. With online learning your computer becomes your classroom. You can complete the course work anywhere--at home in your bedroom, in an Internet café or from any other location of your choice where you can hook up to the Web. Your "classroom" is a Web page with links to all kinds of resources. You can take a quiz, research a topic, watch a slide show or video and email your homework. Within limits, you have the flexibility of working whenever and wherever you wish.
While much of the course work is done online at your location of choice, some courses will require you to attend the University periodically for invigilated tests. If there is no college or university campus near you, a test invigilation may be arranged through an alternative professional who must be approved by your course instructor. There is no additional fee for test invigilation at your registering college or university. Any charges for alternative invigilation is your responsibility.
What equipment and software will I need?
You need a minimum of Windows 7 installed as your operating system, an Internet connection and an e-mail address. Microsoft Office 2010 is the software used in all computer courses. See this link for a complete description of the hardware requirements for running Office 2010 on older computers http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ee624351.aspx
You will need to purchase a calculator if you are taking the Business Calculators and Math course and a digital Wavpedal if you are taking Transcription, Medical Transcription or courses in the LGAO program.
If you are arranging internet access for the first time, tell your internet provider that you are a student and you may receive a discounted rate for service. While your communications with your instructors are held within the communications module of Desire2Learn - the course management system - an external e-mail address is recommended as an alternate method of communication and is a requirement when taking Outlook.
What if I don't have computer?
While it is preferable for every student to have access to their own computer, it is possible to arrange to book computer time at one of the university campuses. Contact the Online Programs Convenor for Applied Business Technology at abto@capilanou.ca to explore this possibility. Your local library may be another location where you can arrange to book computer time.
What is the deadline to apply?
Applications for admission are taken at any time during the year. The best time to start a program of study is in the fall or early spring when the maximum number of courses are available.
When do courses begin?
All courses are offered online at various times throughout the year from August to June. Many courses start monthly; others have two to four intakes a year. Each course has a designated start date and end date. You must commence the course on that date, meet assignment deadlines, and complete all your assignments and tests by the end date. Course descriptions and information regarding the start date, number of weeks for specific courses and space availability can be found in the Applied Business Technology Schedule on the BC Campus website.
How long are the courses and how much time will I need to spend on my assignments?
The courses vary in length from four to fifteen weeks. Depending on the course, you should expect to spend from five to seven hours per week reading online materials, reading texts, completing assignments and communicating with your classmates and instructor.
During your courses you will be expected to meet deadlines for submitting assignments and for taking online quizzes and invigilated tests. If you wait until the last two weeks of the course to submit ALL or MOST of your assignments, your work may not be accepted by your instructor. Communication with your online instructor and your registering college or university Convenor is important. Advise them both if you are falling behind.
What if I start a course and can't complete it?
You must advise your online course instructor and the Capilano University program Convenor. Use your Capilano email account to contact your Convenor to request a withdrawal from the course. Each course has an individual withdrawal date which is calculated based on the total length of the course. For example, if a course is short (5-7 weeks) the withdrawal deadline is earlier in the course than if the course is longer (12-15 weeks). If you withdraw within this time period, you may be eligible for a partial refund. Check the University policy on Tuition Refunds.
How do I get help when I need it?
Your online course instructors are available to answer questions and assist you with assignments through the Pager, LiveRoom Chat, Discussion and e-Mail component of every course. They will be available to you only during regularly scheduled office hours. You will find this information posted in the welcome message of each course. In this message your instructor will advise you of their office hours - when they are available by Pager or in LiveRoom -- and let you know when you can expect to have graded assignments returned. Your instructors endeavor to respond to your e-mail or discussion postings within 24 hours Monday through Friday. Some instructors will also make themselves available on weekends and schedule private appointments as required.
Technical support for logging in and accessing your course site is only available Monday to Friday, 7:00am to 4:00pm (contact the Helpdesk at BCcampus). No technical support is available for individual computer problems or technical issues that arise. You may need to be responsible and obtain technical assistance from a local firm.
Is Financial Assistance available for online students?
Financial Assistance is available for eligible online students in the following programs:
- Accounting Fundamentals Online Program
- Administrative Assistant Online Program (TBA)
- Administrative Fundamentals Online Program
- Applied Business Technology Online Program
- Computer Fundamentals Online Program
- Legal Administrative Assistant Online Program
For further information regarding eligibility or the application process please contact the Financial Aid Office at 604-984-4966, by email at finaid@capilanou.ca or visit their office in BR238.
How do I know if online learning is for me?
Online Learner Success (OLS) is the first course all BCcampus online learners must take. This course is scheduled over two weeks and takes approximately 15 hours to complete. It introduces you to Desire2Learn (D2L) which is the course management system used for all BCcampus online courses. By taking this course you will get a feel for online learning and be able to determine how it fits into your lifestyle.
What courses make up the Applied Business Technology (ABT) Online programs?
A total of 43 courses are offered as part of the provincial ABT collaborative. Courses have been selected from this group to create the following certificate programs.
- Accounting Fundamentals Online
- Administrative Assistant Online
- Administrative Fundamentals Online
- Applied Business Technology Online
- Computer Fundamentals Online
- Legal Administrative Assistant Online
- Medical Office Assistant Online
To be eligible for a certificate, you must successfully complete all the courses in the certificate program within two years from the date of commencement. If you take longer than two years you may be required to update courses where content or technology has changed significantly since the time that you took them.
Can I take these programs part-time?
Yes. You can register for one or more courses depending on your needs. Online courses allow you to access your classroom 24 hours a day seven days a week. The Program Convenor will assist you to create a course load tailored to meet your personal goals that is reasonable within the time you have available for study.
Can I transfer credit from ABT online courses to other programs?
Some of the online courses can be transferred to other Applied Business Technology and Business Administration programs. Contact the Online Programs Convenor at abto@capilanou.ca to determine if the course you are interested in transferring is eligible.
Can I get credit for courses I have already taken or experience I already have?
Yes, it is possible to transfer credits for courses taken at other institutions to this program. Requests for transfer credit must be submitted on the Request for Transfer Credit form and submitted to the Registrar's Office.
Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) is assessment by some valid and reliable means, by qualified specialists, of what has been learned through non-formal education/training or experience. It involves a procedure that allows you to receive credit for previous learning and or experience that is equivalent to the defined outcomes of a particular course. You need to:
- Apply to the program.
- Complete a PLA application (available from the Program Convenor). Your application will be reviewed and you will discuss this with the Program Convenor.
- If acceptable you will pay the course fee and complete the PLA requirements for the course.
- Once the PLA requirements are assessed by the assessor, a grade is assigned.
How do I apply to and register in the program?
Your first step is to apply to Capilano University for admission or as in the case of an existing student, readmission. This can be done online at ApplyBC. Indicate on your application which online program you want -- Accounting Fundamentals, Administrative Assistant, Administrative Fundamentals, Applied Business Technology Online, Computer Fundamentals, Legal Administrative Assistant, or Medical Office Assistant. Initially you will receive a confirmation number that indicates your application has been received. Within two weeks you should receive a Student Number.
When you have your Student Number, contact the Online Programs Convenor at abto@capilanou.ca to register for the online courses.
Registration for online courses is a two-part process.
- One part is registration into the BCcampus system. This can only be done by the Online Programs Convenor. This registration provides you with Web access to the courses in which you are enrolled.
- The other part is registration into the Capilano University system. You will be sent a Registration Form in the mail which is to be completed and returned to the Program Convenor. This registration provides you with access to your official Capilano student record and your transcript.
- Online registration for online courses is not available to online students. Once your course registration has been processed, you can access your account online to make tuition payments.
How do I obtain the required textbooks?
Textbooks for all the courses can be obtained from the Capilano University Bookstore on the North Vancouver campus. If you reside near one of our regional campuses, staff in the Regional Campuses may be able to assist you in having texts shipped to a Regional campus via the interoffice mail. If you cannot come to the North Vancouver Campus Bookstore or a Regional Campus, arrangements can be made to ship them to you. Contact our bookstore manager and provide the details of the texts you require along with a credit card authorization for billing.
How much will it cost me?
For information, procedures and policies regarding fees, payments and refunds, please refer to the Capilano University Fees and Fee Payment and Tuition and Other Fees schedules. Use the Course Schedule and Fees Search to calculate the total cost of courses you plan to take in a term.
Textbook costs vary. View the specific cost of the required texts at the University Bookstore.
Educational versions of required software can be purchased at the University Bookstore. You will need Microsoft Office 2010 Professional version if you plan to take all computer courses. If the certificate you plan to complete does not include the course Databases, then you will not need the Professional version of Microsoft Office 2010. You will need a calculator for the Business Calculators and Math course.
As an online student am I eligible for a U-Pass?
No, the U-Pass fee is charged automatically to the account of all students who are registered in one or more credit classes which is held on site at the North Vancouver campus.