Radiologic Sciences Program FAQs

That depends on the number of classes you are able to take each semester and the amount of college credit you have already received. Because you are allowed to work at your own pace, you may take as little as one course per semester or as many as five courses each term.

The science sequence core requirement in AREA D is not available online through Georgia Southern University but may be completed at a regionally accredited institution in your area or online through Georgia eCore. This is true for all tracks. Moreover, if you hold both primary and secondary certifications, then it is possible to complete all requirements online for the clinical track and the non-clinical track. If you hold only a primary certification, all but the two clinical education courses in the clinical track are offered online. All but five of the management track courses are offered online.

Yes, as flexible time frames for starting and completing the degree are available.

Yes, Regional accreditation is through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Yes. Upon completion of 80 semester hours towards the degree, you will be awarded equivalency credit hours in the major. The amount of credit will be based on your academic record and professional portfolio, but usually amounts to 33 semester hours.

An online course is suitable mostly for anyone who:

• has an ability to read and follow directions very carefully because most content in an online class is learned through reading and following instructions
• has an expectation that an online class is as time-consuming as a traditional class when you combine both the class time and homework time
• has strong time management and self-discipline skills so that he or she can always keep up with the schedule. Two of the major reasons some students fail at online course is lack of time management skills or lack independently working to meet deadlines
• has strong motivations to complete the course
• has acquired basic computer skills, such as reading and sending email, visiting a website, attaching a file, word processing, etc.

If you have the above characteristics, an online course is most likely suitable for you. Some students really do well in online courses. Go to http://goml.readi.info/ for checklist that will help you decide. Use the eCore assessment.

Most students can start online courses if they have basic computer skills and the required equipment. Go to goml.readi.info and enter the eCore area for an online assessment to find out if you are a good candidate for an online course.

• Navigate the Internet with a web browser.
• Use email and send attachments proficiently.
• Download and install plug-ins.
• Create files using a word processor, PowerPoint, or other programs
• Create folders.
• Use a word processing program: Microsoft Office access is required but any program that can open and save in Office file format is acceptable.
• Save word processing documents as Rich Text Format (.rtf).

This is one area where students frequently are surprised. In a typical 3-hour course, accreditation policies mandate that students be in class 3 hours per week, plus should be assigned approximately 6 hours of work per week. For an online course, the same requirement is in place. However, the three hours that students typically sit in class must be spent doing online activities. So, students frequently believe that online courses require for more time. This is not true. What is different is that the student is responsible for all of the activities making up the 9 hours per week required for typical 3-hour course including with was the “sitting part.”

Fully Online Course: More than 95% to 100% instructional delivery of class sessions provided via the internet or through the use of one or more technologies + limited, if any, in-person instructional delivery (e.g., orientation, exam, etc.). Note: You may still be required to come on campus very occasionally.
Partially Online Course: More than 50% instructional delivery of class sessions provided via the internet or through the use of one or more technologies + some in-person instructional delivery

Hybrid Course: 50% or less instructional delivery of class sessions provided via the internet or through the use of one or more technologies + in-person instruction

Below are suggested minimum computer configurations for using GeorgiaVIEW Vista (Vista eClassroom): Platform

• PC (Windows Vista/Windows 7) or later
• Mac (10.5) or later

Hardware

• 128MB of RAM or more
• 2GB of free disk space or more
• Sound card with speakers (for courses with multimedia)
• Ethernet or Wireless network card (for high-speed Internet connection) or 56K modem (for dial-up Internet connection)
• T1, DSL, Cable, or Satellite high-speed connection (dial-up will work, but is not recommended for online course system, as will run slowly or not at all).
• Video camera built in or added to computer

Yes. Students are required to have access to computers with the latest version of Microsoft Office, web cam, microphone, headphones, speakers, and other software/equipment as required by their instructors. Students are additionally required to follow the instructions from ITS about technology required for online classes and for checking their browsers for the latest updates.

T1, DSL, Cable, or Satellite high-speed connection (dial-up will work, but is not recommended for online course system, as will run slowly or not at all).

No. Both are acceptable as long as they are running at least Windows Vista (or later) or Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) or later.

• PC (Windows Vista/Windows 7) or later
• Mac (10.5+/10.6+) or later

Not if you have good access to a computer that meets the technical standards for both the computer and Internet access. There are also computer labs available on most campuses but access varies so you need to check locally. Access through public computers in public libraries is not typically workable because of the demand for those machines and policies limiting the time anyone can use a computer. Check locally for specific policies.

Yes, either built-in or an clip-on camera is required for some classes.

There is technical support for students at three levels. If the student is having difficulties with something that is inside of a course, they may contact the instructor for technical support. If the student is having difficulties with logging in, computer programs, Internet access, or software, they may contact the Georgia Southern University Help Desk at 912-478-2287. Hours of operation can be found online at https://its.georgiasouthern.edu/about/contact/. Finally, the student may contact the Online Support Center (OSC) for GeorgiaVIEW which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year for any technical aspect of any online course.

Not usually, as the latest versions are often not supported by the Learning Management Systems (LMS) such as WebCT Vista, Blackboard, Desire2Learn.

Before using Vista eClassroom, please complete the following steps to ensure that your online experience is seamless!

• Install TWO Supported Browsers.
• Install Only ONE Version of Java. If the version installed works, do not update.
• Turn Off Automatic Updates for Java
• Disable Popup Blockers
• Check Browser Before Using Pirates’ VIEW Vista
• Java Certificate – Must Click “Run” or “Accept Always”

Classes start and stop dates are determined by the academic calendar. For example, if the class is a 15-week course in the fall semester, it would start on the same day in August as all other fall class and would end on the same day in November or December as all other classes.

There can be for tests etc. occasionally but in Radiologic Sciences program that is not usually the case. If the course requires some in-person time, contact the instructor to work out any scheduling issues.

That is determined by the instructor of the course. Typically, courses can have PowerPoint presentations and/or videos, documents to read, discussions, class presentations by students, textbook and outside reading assignments, tests, and projects. The exact requirements for each course are outlined in the syllabus for that course.

The way that a student studies for an online course is very similar to the way one would study for the traditional course. The major difference is that instead of going to a classroom for a lecture, students will be online activities equivalent to the “lecture.” In addition to those activities, the student will have reading assignments, paper writing assignments, project assignments, group activities, and/or research assignments. These activities are basically the same as for an in-person class.

The instructor determines whether or not there are mandated deadlines inside of courses. In almost all courses in the department, there are several deadlines that must be met as part of the course. These deadlines may be daily, weekly, or less frequent. This works basically the same way a traditional class would work with assignment due dates.

Students can contact the instructor of an online course in one of three ways. The preferred way is that students in the e-mail the instructor inside the online course or post a notice inside the online course. The second way that students may contact the instructor despite nearly the instructor at their primary e-mail address. This is outside the course, and is discouraged except in unusual circumstances. Finally, the student may contact the instructor via phone if the instructor has posted their office phone number. Do not call instructors at home unless you have explicit permission to do so.

There are two types of video “lectures” available. The most common type is where the instructor has recorded a video and that is available to students online. These lectures may be viewed at any time the student so chooses. The other type of video lecture is through GeorgiaVIEW’s implementation of Collaborate or Wimba which allow the students to be in a real-time video classroom. These types of real-time classes meet at specific dates and specific times.

Taking tests in an online course can be accomplished several different ways. The three most common ways are as follows: Tests are posted inside GeorgiaVIEW and students use the honor system take these tests honestly. In some classes, students are required to use the Respondus lock-down browser through GeorgiaVIEW. In a few cases, students are required to either come to campus or to a proctored test taking center to take test.

There are at least three types of online laboratories. Which type a specific class is determined by the instructor of that class. Please check with the instructor to determine laboratory requirements. In some classes, students are required to come to campus two or three times per semester to perform physical laboratories. In some classes, students are given a laboratory manual, a list of supplies to buy, and are required to perform laboratory experiments in their own home. In some classes, students will either watch videos of labs or will participate in computer simulations of labs. Other laboratory experiences are possible.

You can find out what books are required for courses and may purchase textbooks through Georgia Southern University’s Armstrong Campus Bookstore. Students may also choose to purchase textbooks me the on the Internet or at the bookstores if they so choose. Is important to note that ordering books from the bookstore or online takes several days. So, order textbooks early as possible.

Yes. The University System of Georgia and the State of Georgia make available Galileo, which is the online library for the university system. GALILEO stands for Georgia Library Learning Online, an initiative of the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. GALILEO is an online library portal to authoritative, subscription-only information that isn’t available through free search engines or Web directories. Participating institutions may access over 100 databases indexing thousands of periodicals and scholarly journals. Over 10,000 journal titles are provided in full-text. Other resources include encyclopedias, business directories, and government publications. Galileo is located at www.galileo.usg.edu but is best accessed from inside your GeorgiaVIEW portal.

Some courses require students to use the Respondus lock-down browser to take a test. This is a small program that must be downloaded to your computer each time before you have access to the test. The lock down browser prevents students from opening any other program while taking the test, prevents access to the Internet during the test, and prevents copy or paste functions. This lock-down browser is used as a security measure during testing only.