Northeastern University
College of Professional Studies
Frequently Asked Questions about Online Courses
If you have a question not listed here, feel free to email us.
Are SPCS online courses accredited?
All Northeastern Online programs and courses are accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. They are coordinated through SPCS, and were established to serve the specific needs of College of Professional Studies students.
Is the quality of CPS online courses the same as CPS on-ground courses?
College of Professional Studies online courses are held to the same high standard as our on-ground (campus-based) courses, and are taught by experienced instructors with industry and professional experience. Questions are answered in a timely manner, and lively conversations are conducted on the course discussion boards. You will feel that you are part of a dynamic learning experience, just as in a traditional on-ground course.
Does a degree earned online differ from a degree earned on-ground from the Northeastern University College of Professional Studies?
A degree earned by taking online courses is a College of Professional Studies degree - there is no difference. Your diploma is exactly the same as that of an CPS on-ground student.
Are the policies and procedures for online courses the same as for on-ground College of Professional Studies courses?
The policies and procedures for online courses are the same as for on-gound courses (i.e. registering, withdrawing, course requirement fulfillment, etc.).
Is online learning right for me?
Successful online students are self-motivated and comfortable using a computer and the internet. View this demo of an online course to help you determine if online learning is right for you.
How do Internet-based distance learning courses work?
Course content (lectures, additional materials, discussions, assignments, etc.) is presented using an online learning system called the SPCS Blackboard. Course material is presented on a weekly basis and you normally complete the assigned readings, assignments, etc. within that same week. You interact with other students and the instructor via the discussion board and email. You may also collaborate on group projects through the web interface. Midterms and finals are usually taken online and, once started, must be completed in a set amount of time. You may also be required to upload assignment files to the SPCS Blackboard. You don't need to log in to the course at any specific time during the week, but you do need to complete all your course work within the given time frame (usually that same week). Plan on the workload being at least the same as for a traditional on-ground course.
What computer equipment do I need?
To take a College of Professional Studies online course, you should have the following:
- Internet connection (broadband highly recommended)
- Windows XP preferred, Windows 95 or NT or higher (MAC OS 10.2 or higher)
- Internet Explorer 6 or Firefox 1.0 (MAC Firefox 1.0 and Safari 1.2)
- You must have cookies enabled, and Java installed in your browser.
The major components of the SPCS Blackboard will work to varying degrees in other browsers and operating systems.