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Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome to the West Georgia Technical College Distance Education FAQ page.

Here you can find answers to some of the most common questions people ask about online education including:

  • Online Programs/Courses at West Georgia Technical College
  • Questions about admissions and registration
  • Technical support questions
  • Questions about the Georgia Virtual Technical College (GVTC)

Click on any of the following links to find answers to your distance education questions.

General Questions Concerning the Georgia Virtual Technical College

Technical Support Questions

Questions About Online Program Admission At West Georgia Technical College

Questions about Online Courses at West Georgia Tech and how to Take an Online Class

What is GVTC ? [Back]

The Georgia Virtual Technical College brings together the resources of numerous technical colleges to expand program offerings giving you more technical educational options than ever before. You get the same high quality instruction and course content that these technical colleges and provide to traditional students, minus the barriers of time and place that prevent so many from pursuing educational opportunities.

How does this work? [Back]

GVTC allows you to register at one of our colleges while taking courses online. In most cases, you never have to go to the campus, however, please check the course details to check for proctored exams or other possible campus, or software requirements. First, a student submits a GVTC Application. Then you will be emailed details on how to complete the application process. GVTC will assist you with any questions you might have along the way. The home college will provide assistance with the admissions process as well. After acceptance to a participating college, you can register to take courses online. After you have finished your course(s), your grades will be transcripted by the college you enrolled with for the course., not by GVTC.

Where is my home college? [Back]

Students select their home college from among GVTC's participating colleges. If you are already a student at one of the participating colleges, then you can take courses through GVTC as a transient student. If you are not a student at one of the participating colleges, you will need to complete a GVTC Application for the participating college of your choice.

How much does it cost? [Back]

The cost for online courses is the same as for traditional course offerings. Books and materials are additional and there may be additional fees for some courses. Tuition rates are double for non-Georgia residents.

Can I take courses while I'm still in high school? [Back]

Anyone 16 years of age or older can take courses through West Georgia Tech and other GVTC institutions. However, if you are a current high school student, you should check with your parents and/or high school counselor before taking any college level course. Students under 16 years of age are generally not allowed to take GVTC courses.

Do I have to live in Georgia? [Back]

No. You can live anywhere and take courses through GVTC. As long as you have access to the Internet, you can participate in our courses. Out of State students will pay twice the In State tuition. Out of state students are not eligible for the Georgia HOPE grant or HOPE scholarship program.

What if I have AOL or CompuServe as my Internet Service Provider? [Back]

First you must download either Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox. You can add the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox browser to your AOL software and use it for your browser while online with AOL. Once you have installed either Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox, the following procedure should be used:

  • Run the AOL software which dials up the AOL service and establishes the connection in the usual manner.
  • Once the AOL connection has been established, click on the "INTERNET" button to start the Internet Services. Once the Internet Service has been started you can minimize the AOL program to an icon.
  • Invoke Internet Explorer or Firefox. It will use the Internet Connection you have established via AOL.

NOTE: Some students still have difficulty with AOL even after following the above instructions. Please be advised that if AOL is your Internet service provider, it is strongly urged that you consider changing to another service in order to avoid interruption in online delivery of your Internet course.

How do I know if my computer will work for online courses? [Back]

Review and compare your computer with listed Technical Requirements to make sure your computer and web browser are compatible for online courses. Also download any plugins you may not have installed by checking the download section on the GVTC website.

In addition to the requirements listed above, West Georgia Technical College requires Windows XP or higher and Microsoft Office 2007. Some courses may require additional software. Please check the course page for additional requirements.

What programs may I apply for? [Back]

West Georgia Tech offers over fifty courses on line from many different programs of study. Please check the online course offerings for specific general education and program courses offered during a given quarter.

A number of general education courses are also offered each quarter. Please check the online calendar for specific general education and program courses offered during a given quarter.

Online program available at other GVTC institutions may be found at the GVTC website www.gvtc.org.

How do I apply? [Back]

Students may apply to West Georgia Technical College online through the Georgia Virtual Technical College web site. To apply through GVTC, click on the GVTC link at www.gvtc.org. Go to the Admissions Page, click on the Online Application link and follow the on-screen instructions.

What are the admissions requirements? [Back]

Anyone, 16 years of age or older, can take courses through West Georgia Tech and other participating GVTC institutions. Some program may have specific program requirements for admission. Please check the West Georgia Tech Online Catalog or West Georgia Tech Online Program Offering page for specific program requirements.

Transient students are advised that some online courses have prerequisites that must be met in order to register for the desired course. Please check with your program advisor to ensure that you are eligible to take the online class for which you are applying.

Is West Georgia Technical College accredited? [Back]

West Georgia Technical College is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award associate degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of West Georgia Technical College.

Can I use financial aid with these courses? [Back]

Online courses are eligible for a number of financial aid programs including the Georgia HOPE grant and HOPE scholarship programs. For an overview of financial aid programs available and links to apply online, please visit the financial aid website at GVTC.

Can I start a course at any time? [Back]

Online courses begin at the same time as those on campus. The Academic Calendar in the West Georgia Technical College catalog lists the start and end dates for each quarter. You may access the online calendar at www.westgatech.edu/calendar.htm

How do I know what courses to take? [Back]

You can find a listing of required courses for your online program on the West Georgia Tech Online Program Offerings link. You may also find them listed on the GVTC web site at www.gvtc.org. The GVTC web site will also program offerings at all the participating colleges in the Georgia Virtual Technical College. For a list of individual courses available go to the Course Schedule page.

Every online student at West Georgia Tech is assigned a program advisor. The name of the program advisor and contact information will be provided in the acceptance letter you receive from the college. Contact your program advisor before registering for any online course.

Transient students taking online classes at West Georgia Tech should contact the advisor at their home institution to register in appropriate program classes.

When do courses start? [Back]

Courses start in the Spring, Summer, Fall and Winter. Please check the Academic Calendar at www.westgatech.edu/calendar.htm for a full listing of dates.

How do I register for courses? [Back]

You must apply to West Georgia Technical College and be accepted in order to register for classes. Your acceptance letter will provide you with the name and contact information of a program advisor who will assist you in the registration process. Please remember that admission and registration are not the same things! After admission, you must contact the program advisor in order to register for a class.

Will I pay in-state or out-of-state tuition? [Back]

West Georgia Technical College in-state students pay tuition of $25.00(US) per credit hour. Out-of-state students taking courses through West Georgia Tech pay $50.00(US) per credit hour.

Can I take courses while I'm still in high school? [Back]

Anyone 16 years of age or older can take courses through West Georgia Tech and other GVTC institutions. However, if you are a current high school student, you should check with your parents and/or high school counselor before taking any college level course. Students under 16 years of age are generally not allowed to take GVTC courses.

How do I go to my course? [Back]

ANGEL student accounts are created three days before the quarter begins.  ANGEL student accounts follow the following form:  26_student ID number.  The ANGEL web address is located on the Distance Learning website.  Course access will not become available until the first day of the course’s session.  You will need your Username and your Password to get access to your course. It is recommended that you access your course within the first couple of days of the start of quarter.

How do I get my Username and Password? [Back]

ANGEL student accounts are created three days before the quarter begins.  ANGEL student accounts follow the following form:  26_student ID number. 

How do the courses work? [Back]

Students must apply and be accepted to West Georgia Technical College. After acceptance, you will be provided the name and contact information for a program advisor. You must contact your advisor to register for a class.

After registration, students are asked to email their online instructor(s) to establish attendance in the online course. Prior to the beginning of the course, your online instructor will email the class with more instructions specific to their course.

As you logon to the ANGEL software (the software used to create and manage online courses), you will see a link to all the online courses for which you are registered once the instructor has made the course available. If you do not see your course immediately, don’t panic.  Your instructor has not opened the course for student access. Click the link for the course you wish to work in. As you enter the course, you will see a menu that will allow you navigate around your course. You will be able to communicate with your instructor through e-mail and a course discussion page. You will also be able to post questions and comments to other students through the discussion page. This forum allows you to hold virtual conversations with other classmates and your instructor, without having to be online at the same time. You may have to visit other web sites and even participate in online labs! Finally, you will be able to post assignments, take exams online, and get feedback from your instructor through your course's grade book.

I'm having trouble in my course, how do I contact the instructor? [Back]

Instructors can be contacted by phone, e-mail, or through the course discussion page. Online instructors have developed a great reputation for being responsive to student questions and they will usually get back to you as quickly as possible. However, if you are having trouble contacting your instructor please contact the Distance Learning Coordinator, Amy Steadham at amy.steadham@westgatech.edu.

How much work is there in a typical course? [Back]

Online courses are held to the same academic standards as on-campus courses. Course competencies and requirement for successful completion are the same for online courses as they are for traditional course sections. An online student should expect to spend as much time on an online course as a student on campus. This includes time spent accessing online materials (lectures, labs, learning activities, etc.), completing assignments, engaging in online class discussion postings, preparing for and taking exams, and other course activities.

How do I take tests? [Back]

Tests are done online in most cases. Once you are in your course, you will be able to look at the syllabus to find the method of testing used for your particular course. Instructors post announcements on the availability of scheduled exams. The tests can be multiple choice, short essay, or long essay in format. Some computer courses may include production components in course exams. Tests may also be timed and graded automatically. Some instructors deduct points for exceeding time limits or failing to take exams within the scheduled time period. Consult your online course syllabus for specific policies regarding testing. Each course will be different in the type of tests required with some courses not requiring tests at all. Once completed, your instructor may provide feedback on your test through the course's grade book.

Do I have to be online at a specific time? [Back]

No, you will not have to be online at a specific time. You may access your course when convenient and from a place that's convenient as long as you have access to a computer with Internet connectivity. You choose the hour of the day (or night) to attend classes. Except for turning in assignments when they are due and taking scheduled tests within the set time frame your schedule is totally up to you. You can review lectures, ask questions, and participate in discussion groups at a time and from a place that's convenient to you.

Students in online classes are advised to set a scheduled time to work on course materials to avoid getting behind in course work. Procrastination, rather than inability to do the work, is what sidetracks most students.

How long do courses last? [Back]

Online courses at West Georgia Tech are one quarter in length (ten weeks long). The course schedule has been created in order to allow for successful completion of the course within the required time.

Where do I get a list of courses? [Back]

A list of current course offerings may be found on the Quarterly Online Learning Guide, the West Georgia Tech Online Schedule, and on the GVTC web page under West Georgia Technical College. Courses available through other GVTC institutions may be found on the GVTC website.

How do I get books? [Back]

Textbooks may be ordered by calling Tony Pike at Interstate Textbooks (1-800-824-0698). Textbooks are also available at the campus bookstore. Students are urged to contact instructors for required textbooks in each course.

Are courses ever cancelled? [Back]

West Georgia Tech reserves the right to cancel an online class with insufficient enrollment.

Are online courses ever full? [Back]

Yes, an online course does have a maximum number for student enrollments.

Can I take more than one course at a time? [Back]

You can take up to the maximum number of courses allowed by West Georgia Technical College. West Georgia Tech online students and transient online students are urged to contact their program advisor concerning the appropriate number of hours for which to register. Students should expect online courses to be as rigorous as on-campus courses and plan their schedule accordingly.

Can I take courses on-campus and online at the same time? [Back]

Yes, you may take on-campus and online courses at the same time.

Will I have to go to campus? [Back]

Few online courses require a trip to the campus. In some occasions, the instructor may require a proctored test at the nearest technical college to you. Consult the syllabus for the online course or contact the online instructor for any on-campus requirements for a particular online course.

How do I withdraw from a course? [Back]

To withdraw from a course the student must email the Registrar’s Office at registrar@westgatech.edu . This is the period beginning the 4th day of the quarter through midpoint. If they withdraw after midpoint when they email our office it is automatically a WF grade. If the student is withdrawing from all of the registered courses they must also complete an official withdrawal form that may be obtained from the college website or student affairs.

How do I transfer credits to my college? [Back]

Transient students may transfer credits back to their home college by requesting a Transcript Request Form from the Registrar. The student must complete the form and return to the Registrar's office. An official transcript of grades will be sent to the student's home institution. There is a two dollar fee for each transcript requested.

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